Nintendo Game Boy vs SEGA Master System

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Game Boy compared with Master System

	NintendoGame Boy	SEGAMaster System
Overview
Released
Released	September 1990	August 1987
Performance
Type
Type	Handheld	Home console
CPU
CPU	Sharp SM83 (8-bit), 4.19 MHz	Zilog Z80A, 3.58 MHz
GPU
GPU	Nintendo DMG-CPU (built-in picture processing)	SEGA video display processor (VDP)
Memory
Memory	16 KB	24 KB (better)
Disc drive
Disc drive	No	No
CPU
CPU	Sharp SM83 (8-bit) at 4.194304 MHz in the Nintendo DMG-CPU (mGBA documentation)	Zilog Z80A at 3.58 MHz (SEGA service manual for the overseas Master System)
GPU
GPU	Picture processing built into the DMG-CPU; 40 sprites, up to 10 per line (mGBA documentation)	–
Memory detail
Memory detail	8 KB work RAM and 8 KB video RAM; compatible cartridges can add up to 128 KB RAM (Nintendo programming manual)	8 KB RAM plus 16 KB VRAM (SEGA)
Storage detail
Storage detail	Game Boy Game Paks (cartridges); saves on the cartridge	Cartridges and Sega Cards (SEGA)
Display and video
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	2.5″ LCD, 160 × 144	–
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	2.5-inch monochrome LCD, no backlight; 160 × 144; four shades; about 59.7 Hz (Nintendo and mGBA documentation)	No built-in screen
Video output
Video output	–	256 × 192, up to 32 colours on screen from a 64-colour palette (SEGA developer and service manuals)
Audio
Audio	Four channels (2 pulse wave, 1 wave, 1 noise); mono speaker and stereo headphone jack (Nintendo and mGBA documentation)	Programmable sound generator with three tone channels and one noise channel; the overseas model lacks the Japanese model's FM sound (SEGA)
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 30 hours	–
Weight
Weight	220 g	–
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	4 × AA batteries, up to 30 hours (Nintendo)	–
Power use
Power use	About 0.7 W from the external 6 V DC input (Nintendo US manual)	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	Game Link Cable port, Game Pak slot, headphone jack, 6 V DC input (Nintendo)	–
Controller
Controller	Built-in D-pad, A, B, Start and Select buttons; volume and contrast dials	Control Pad with D-pad and two buttons