Console Wars - Sega Master System vs NES Comparison: the complete list!
the NES games. Including the following game categories:
1- Similar multiplatform games with the same name;
2- Similar games, but with different names;
3- Different games, but with similar names, characters or style;
2- Similar games, but with different names;
3- Different games, but with similar names, characters or style;
4- Different games, but that were classic of each console and direct competitors;
Comparisons of the games were made by playing both and using the direct and comprehensive comparisons available on the internet. At the end of the article there is a list of additional references /videos with detailed comparison.
Name (Master System / NES) | Type | Master | NES | Winner |
Ace of Aces / Stealth | different | C+ | F | SMS |
Action Fighter/ Spy Hunter | different | B | D | SMS |
Addams Family | similar | D | D | draw |
Aerial Assault / Double Strike | different | B+ | B- | SMS |
After Burner | similar | A | C | SMS |
Aladdin | different | A | C- | SMS |
Alex Kidd and the Lost Stars / Adventure Island 2 | different | A- | B+ | SMS |
Alex Kidd in Miracle World / Super Mario Bros. | different | A+ | A- | SMS |
Alex Kidd in Shinobi Word / Ninja Kid | different | A | D | SMS |
Alien Syndrome | similar | C+ | C | SMS |
Aliens 3 | similar | A- | C+ | SMS |
Altered Beast | different | B+ | C | SMS |
Ariel: The Little Mermaid / The Little Mermaid | different | D | D+ | NES |
Assault City / Mechanized Attack | different | A | B | SMS |
Astérix (1991) / Astérix (1993) | different | A+ | D+ | SMS |
Asérix and the Secret Mission / Astérix | different | A+ | D+ | SMS |
Ayrton Senna’s / Al Unser Jr. Turbo Racing Aztect Adventure / Adventure of Lolo |
different different |
A B+ |
C B |
SMS SMS |
Back to the Future II / Back to the Future II & III | different | C- | F | SMS |
Back to the Future III / Back to the Future II & III | different | C+ | F | SMS |
Baku Baku Animals / Yoshi’s Cookie | different | A- | B | SMS |
Batman Returns | different | B- | B- | draw |
Battlemaniacs / Battletoads | different | A | A- | SMS |
Black Belt / Kung Fu | different | A | C- | SMS |
Bonanza Bros. / Mario Bros. | different | A- | B- | SMS |
Bram Stoker’s Dracula | similar | B | C | SMS |
Bubble Bobble | similar | B+ | B | SMS |
Buggy Run / Monster Truck Rally | different | B | D | SMS |
Buster Douglas / Mike Tyson Punch Out | different | C+ | A- | NES |
California Games | similar | A+ | C+ | SMS |
Captain Silver | similar | A- | B- | SMS |
Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse /Mickey Mouse | different | A+ | D | SMS |
Chase HQ | similar | B | B- | SMS |
Choplifter | similar | A- | B | SMS |
Chuck Rock 2 / Bonk’s Adventure | different | A- | B | SMS |
Clound Master | similar | C | C | draw |
Columns / Tetris | different | A- | A- | draw |
Cool Spot / Spot | different | A | C | SMS |
Cosmic Space Head / Linus Space Head | similar | C | D | SMS |
Daffy Duck / Bugs Bunny | different | B | F | SMS |
Dead Angle / Cabal | different | A- | C | SMS |
Deep Duck Trouble / Duck Tales | different | A | B | SMS |
Desert Speedtrap starring Road Runner / Road Runner | different | B+ | C+ | SMS |
Desert Strike / Cobra Command | different | A | D | SMS |
Dick Tracy | different | B | C | SMS |
Double Dragon | different | A | B+ | SMS |
Dr. Robotinik / Dr. Mario | different | A | B- | SMS |
Dynamite Headdy/ Mega Man 6 | different | A | B+ | SMS |
E-Swat / Robocop | different | B | C | SMS |
Enduro Racer (Japanese version)) / Exitebike | different | B+ | B | SMS |
F1 / F1-Hero | different | B+ | D | SMS |
Fantastic Dizzy | similar | C+ | D+ | SMS |
Fantasy Zone | similar | B+ | B | SMS |
Fantasy Zone 2 / Stinger | different | B+ | B- | SMS |
FIFA Soccer / Goal! 2 | different | B+ | B | SMS |
Flintstones | different | C | C | draw |
Gangster Town / Freedom Force | different | A+ | B | SMS |
Gauntlet | similar | B | C | SMS |
George Foreman | different | C+ | C+ | draw |
Ghostbusters | similar | B | D | SMS |
Ghouls’n Ghosts / Ghosts’n Goblins | different | A+ | B- | SMS |
Global Gladiators / M.C. Kids | different | A- | D | SMS |
Golden Axe / TMNT 2 | different | A+ | B+ | SMS |
Golden Axe Warrior / Zelda | different | A | A- | SMS |
Golfmania / Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf Golvelius / Zelda 2 |
different different |
A- A- |
C- A- |
SMS draw |
GP Rider / Mach Rider | different | B | C | SMS |
Great Golf (Japanese version) / Golf Great Volleyball / Volleyball |
different different |
B C+ |
B- C |
SMS SMS |
Heroes of the Lance | similar | C | D- | SMS |
Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) | different | A | C | SMS |
Home Alone | different | C+ | C- | SMS |
Hook | different | B- | F | SMS |
Hulk / Batman: Return of the Joker | different | A- | D+ | SMS |
Impossible Mission / Mission: Impossible | different | B+ | B | SMS |
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | different | B- | D | SMS |
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | similar | B- | F | SMS |
James Bond / James Bond Jr. | different | B | B- | SMS |
James Pound 2 / Kid Icarus | different | A- | B- | SMS |
Joe Montana Football / Tecmo Super Bowl Jurassic Park |
different different |
B A- |
A- C- |
NES SMS |
Kenseiden / Castelvania 2 | different | A | C- | SMS |
Klax | similar | B | C+ | SMS |
Krusty’s Fun House | similar | A- | B | SMS |
Land of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse /Mickey Mouse 3 | different | A+ | C+ | SMS |
Laser Ghost / Chiller | different | A- | D | SMS |
Legend of Illusion/ Chip N Dale | different | A | C | SMS |
Lemmings | similar | B | B- | SMS |
Line of Fire / Super Spy Hunter | different | B | C- | SMS |
Lord of the Sword/ Dragon’s Lair | different | B | F | SMS |
Lucky Dime Caper/ Duck Tales | different | A | B | SMS |
Marble and Madness | similar | A | A- | SMS |
Marksman Shooting & Trap Shooting / Hogan’s Alley | different | B | C- | SMS |
Master of Darkness / Castelvania | different | A | B | SMS |
Masters of Combat / Karate Champ | different | A | F | SMS |
Mercs / Ikari Warriors | different | A- | B | SMS |
Micro Machines | similar | B+ | B+ | draw |
Miracle Warriors / Dragon Warrior | different | A- | B | SMS |
Monopoly | different | C | C- | SMS |
Montezuma's Revenge / Super Pitfall Moonwalker / Blue Brothers |
different different |
B A+ |
F F |
SMS SMS |
Mortal Kombat / Yie Ar Kung-Fu | different | A- | C | SMS |
Mortal Kombat II / TMNT: Tournament Fighters | different | A | B | SMS |
Name (Master System / NES) | Type | Master | NES | Winner |
Ms. Pac-Man | similar | C+ | D | SMS |
Ninja Gaiden | different | A- | B- | SMS |
Forgotten Worlds / Contra | different | A- | A- | draw |
Olympic Gold / Track and Field | different | A- | B | SMS |
Operation Wolf | similar | C | C | draw |
Out Run / Rad Racer | different | A | B | SMS |
Pacmania | similar | B- | B- | draw |
Paperboy | similar | A- | C+ | SMS |
Parlour Games / Side Pocket | different | C+ | B | NES |
Phantasy Star / Final Fantasy | different | A+ | B+ | SMS |
Pinguim Land / Ice Climber | different | B- | C- | SMS |
Populous / M.U.L.E. | different | A | B+ | SMS |
Power Strike / Life Force | different | A+ | A- | SMS |
Power Strike II / Star Soldier Predator 2 / Predator |
different different |
A+ B |
C F |
SMS SMS |
Prince of Persia | similar | A | B+ | SMS |
Pro Wrestling | different | C+ | C+ | draw |
Psychic World / Mega Man 3 | different | B | B- | SMS |
Psycho Fox / Super Mario Bros. 2 | different | A | B+ | SMS |
R-Type / Defender II | different | A+ | C- | SMS |
R.C. Grand Prix / R.C. Pro-Am | different | A- | B | SMS |
Reggie Jackson Baseball / Baseball Stars II | different | A- | A- | draw |
Rainbow Island | similar | C | C | draw |
Rambo First Blood Part 2 | different | A- | F | SMS |
Rambo III / Gotcha | different | A | B+ | SMS |
Rampage | similar | B | C | SMS |
Rampart / Conflict | different | B | C+ | SMS |
Rastan / Demon Sword | different | A- | C | SMS |
Ren and Stimpty | different | A | B | SMS |
Renegade | similar | A | C- | SMS |
Road Rash / Match Rider Robocop 3 |
different similar |
A C- |
C D+ |
SMS SMS |
Robocop vs Terminator / Robocop 2 | different | B+ | F | SMS |
Rocky / Karate Kid | different | A+ | B- | SMS |
Running Battle / P.O.W. | different | A- | B | SMS |
Rygar | different | B | B | draw |
Safari Hunt / Duck Hunt | different | B | C- | SMS |
Sagaia / Gradius | different | A- | B+ | SMS |
Scramble Spirits / 1942 | different | C | D | SMS |
Sensible Soccer / Goal! | different | B+ | B- | SMS |
Shadow Dancer / Ninja Gaiden II | different | A+ | B+ | SMS |
Shinobi | similar | A- | C+ | SMS |
Shooting G / Trick Shooting | different | A | C | SMS |
The Simpsons: Bart vs Space Mutants | similar | C+ | C+ | draw |
The Simpsons: Bart vs the World | similar | C | C- | SMS |
Smash TV | similar | C+ | C+ | draw |
Sega Open Tournament Golf/NES Open Tournament Golf Solomon's Key |
different similar |
A C+ |
A- C+ |
SMS draw |
Sonic Spinball / Pinball | different | B- | C+ | SMS |
Space Harrier | similar | B+ | D+ | SMS |
Space Harrier 3D / The 3D Battles of World Runner | different | A+ | D+ | SMS |
Speedball 2 / Speedball Spellcaster (Kujakuo) / Kujakuo |
diferrent different |
A- A- |
B- C+ |
SMS SMS |
Spiderman: Return of the Sinister Six | similar | C- | D | SMS |
Spy Vs. Spy | similar | C | C+ | NES |
Star Wars | similar | C+ | C | SMS |
Street Fighter 2 / Urban Champion | different | A- | D | SMS |
Streets of Rage / Double Dragon II | different | A+ | A- | SMS |
Strider | different | B | C | SMS |
Submarine Attack / Sqoon Super Off Road |
different similar |
B B |
B- B |
SMS draw |
Superman / Batman | different | B | B- | SMS |
Super Racing / Super Sprint Super Tennis / Tennis Tazmania / Tiny Toon |
different different different |
B B- A- |
D C B |
SMS SMS SMS |
Teddy Boy / Donkey Kong | different | B | B- | SMS |
Terminator 2: Judgment Day | similar | D- | F | SMS |
The Jungle Book | similar | A- | B- | SMS |
The Lion King | similar | A | C | SMS |
The New Zealand Story | similar | B | B- | SMS |
The Ninja / The Legend of Kage | different | B | B- | SMS |
The Terminator | different | B | D- | SMS |
Thunder Blade/ Tiger-Heli | different | A- | C | SMS |
Tom and Jerry | different | A- | B- | SMS |
Ultima IV | different | B | B | draw |
Vigilante / Bad Dudes vs Dragon Ninja | different | A | B | SMS |
Wanted / Wild Gunman | different | A | C- | SMS |
Wimblendon / Evert & Lendl: Top Players' Tennis Winter Olympics / Winter Games |
different different |
B+ A |
C D- |
SMS SMS |
Wolfchild / Werewolf | different | B- | F | SMS |
Wonder Boy / Adventure Island | similar | B | C+ | SMS |
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap /Super Mario Bros. 3 | different | A+ | A | SMS |
Wonderboy in Monster Land / Astynax | different | A- | B- | SMS |
Wonderboy in Monster World / Adventure Island 3 | different | A+ | B+ | SMS |
World Games / World Games | similar | B | B | draw |
World Grand Prix / F1-Race World Soccer / Soccer Wrestlemania |
different different similar |
B B- F |
C C+ F |
SMS SMS draw |
X-men | different | B | F | SMS |
Xenon 2 / Xevious | different | B | B- | SMS |
Y’s | similar | B+ | B | SMS |
Zillion / Metroid | different | B+ | B | SMS |
Zillion II: the Tri Formation / Journey to Silius | different | A- | C+ | SMS |
Final Results:
SMS wins: 169 (86.22%)
SMS wins: 169 (86.22%)
Draw: 22 (11.22%)
NES wins: 5 (2.55%)
NES wins: 5 (2.55%)
Total: 196 (100%)
Detailed comparison:
Adventure Island vs Wonderboy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D53zWOsed2o
Astérix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Swzr6p2iM
Aladdin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YclQ8e5VeUA&t=110s
Alien 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhO6FmeWq88
Astérix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Swzr6p2iM
Aladdin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YclQ8e5VeUA&t=110s
Adams Family: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfgXRa1xKF8
After Burner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBxDBNn_dI
Altered Beast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcE1dCzWZuA
Back to the Future 2&3 (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOiHjUfH2ZI
Back to the Future 3 (SMS): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkRmG4jBNh0
Bram Stoker's Dracula: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dozSSrVNYAc
California Games: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDrY0IwBSvY
Captain Silver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXXXM58Qlno
Choplifter (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJmsywfSCrI
Choplifter (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-iBbZ8suFM
Cool Spot (Master System): : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkllwTMvJq8
Spot (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFJMB2Gv4rY
Desert Strike (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPwM_d0XCVs
Cobra Command (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqk9Qp0JHDQ
Dick Tracy (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6nWDRiv_AQ
Dick Tracy (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlrSTgkLQh0
Double Dragon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H3ZG9_ohhs
Fantasy Zone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ2vHHB0lNc
M.C. Kids (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nKywTkMnAs
Global Gladiators (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWNZreMBI48
Ghostbusters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WDt0HGf4io
Ghost'n Goblins (NES) vs Ghouls'n Ghosts (SMS): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5xByhHjBpY
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (SMS): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQMN36W_oIo
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWdMaI5NoDA
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (version2, NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbrejmkDSsw
Jurassic Park (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39DPFa-djqU
Jurassic Park (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8UJQB-bNaU
Krusty's Fun House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nomh9x_Bq04
Kung Fu (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-gyVEqS1Ts
Black Belt (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4LyIKU2qmM
Mickey Mouse (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQcIYr8LaYc
Mickey Mouse Castle of Illusion (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE-rFtBnvjY
Mickey Mouse 3 (NES):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grwyEb8T344
Mickey Mouse Land of Illusion (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP4VuReh0p0
Ninja Gaiden: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RlptxQv8rA
Paperboy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBzAGAHBN-o
Phantasy Star vs Final Fantasy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRPsk1Cra0k
Prince of Persia (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr-bH19FfjA
Prince of Persia (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVKJZeSpDR0
Rambo First Blood Part 2 (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sphZtBCuDU
Rambo First Blood Part 2 (SMS): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WITYnVFbroI (2 player coop)
Rampage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o-p8Jrt5pE
Road Rash (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zSqNzOgXUY vs
Match Rider (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PbcQhhZfHo
Robocop vs Terminator (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3J1YOSHq1g
Robocop vs Terminator (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye9jb6lhYM0
Robocop 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Aoh0X4Loac
Shinobi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSjRNTmGHqo
Space Harrier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8UAbidlK0Q
Space Harrier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8UAbidlK0Q
Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey5E70MzhNk
Star Wars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nFxxlwY6n0
Street Fighter II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdYKZxzpKz0
The Lion King: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVeazl3yJkw
The Simpsons: Bart vs the World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEKsZ5cbs_4
The Terminator (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9scVSn9nkjA
The Terminator (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGqon5tzWqU
Tom and Jerry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPbInhZ-r7s
Track & Field (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIjDpOFensY
Olympic Gold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLSfjAWHCLQ
Winter Games (NES): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMPd1yhNFWE
Winter Olympics (Master System): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or4m3k2Sr3g
Zelda / Golden Axe Warrior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swWUQqYFfXE
Unfortunately the competition shown here could not be experienced at the right time in the USA and Japan due to Nintendo's monopoly practices. In the rest of the world, the Master System had 80% marketshare. Find out more in:
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