Master System Power Base II

Description

The Master System Power Base II is a slimmer, cost‑reduced redesign of the original unit with simplified video output circuitry, produced to lower retail price and streamline manufacturing. It retained cartridge compatibility while removing some legacy ports. Throughout the early-1990s this remained the top selling console in several markets.

The console eliminated the cartridge card slot, reset button, and AV output in favour of RF-only output, significantly lowering production costs. In most regions these had an inbuilt game: initially Alex Kidd in Miracle World, and later Sonic the Hedgehog. These boot automatically when no cartridge is inserted. I have multiple of these although believe all contain Alex Kidd.

The redesigned console was predominantly the same internally. The system retained the Zilog Z80‑based CPU and Sega VDP for graphics, delivering the same 256×192/224 resolution, 32‑colour display, and SN76489 PSG audio used in the original Master System. The unit uses 8 KB of RAM and 16 KB of VRAM, supporting expandable ROM cartridges up to 512 KB, with some mapped beyond 1 MB. Externally it features a redesigned console shell measuring approximately 225 × 215 × 70 mm and weighing around 0.8 kg. Power is supplied via a 9 VDC adapter at 500 mA, though bundled adaptors often deliver up to 1 A for stability.

The Power Base II was officially released in western markets in the early 1990s, continuing production in Brazil for many years due to sustained demand. Contemporary reception acknowledged it as the budget friendly option for video games as the 16-bit consoles had entered the market. These were sold through large mainstream retailers providing cheap and easy gift options. Retrospectively the removal of the card slot had minimal impact but the loss of the AV port, leaving just a RF output, makes this console in its stock form completely useless.