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Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging

Contributed by Stephen Coles on Jun 2nd, 2015. Artwork published in .
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 1
Source: www.theoldcomputer.com Bank Panic, © 1987 Sega. License: All Rights Reserved.

“The Sega Master System is a third-generation home video game console that was manufactured by Sega. It was originally released in 1985 as the Sega Mark III in Japan. After being redesigned prior to its North American launch, the console was renamed Master System and released in 1986 in North America, 1987 in Europe, and 1989 in Brazil.” — Wikipedia

The Light weight of Ed Benguiat’s ITC Modern No. 216 was used for the system’s logo and packaging of the console. Most of the initial game packaging also used the typeface, creating a cohesive identity for the brand. To our contemporary eyes it seems odd to see a bookish serif promoting video games, but tightly spaced, large x-height serifs were commonly used in the ’80s for every kind of high-tech product. (See Apple.)

Later, the type in the logo switched to a wider, small-size-optimized version of Century and the game titles replaced ITC Modern 216 with the much bolder Pistilli Roman or their own branding.

For more on the main Sega logo, see Sega logo (1976–present).

Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 2
Source: atariage.com “Chopper Commander” on AtariAge. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 3
Source: atariage.com “Chopper Commander” on AtariAge. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 4
Source: www.theoldcomputer.com Fantasy Zone, © 1986 Sega. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 5
Source: www.theoldcomputer.com Kung Fu Kid, © 1987 Sega. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 6
Source: www.theoldcomputer.com Space Harrier, © 1987 Sega. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 7
Source: www.theoldcomputer.com Super Tennis, © 1986 Sega. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 8
Source: www.theoldcomputer.com Wonder Boy, © 1987 Sega. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 9
Source: rover.ebay.com “cartridgesgalore” on eBay. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 10
The Ninja, © 1986 Sefa. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 11
Source: www.theoldcomputer.com Action Fighter, © 1987 Sega. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 12
Source: andydecarli.com Fantasy Zone (later edition), © 1986 Sega. License: All Rights Reserved.
Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging 13
Source: rover.ebay.com License: All Rights Reserved.

Typefaces

  • ITC Modern No. 216
  • ITC Garamond
  • Pistilli Roman
  • Helvetica
  • Univers
  • Franklin Gothic

Formats

Topics

Designers/Agencies

Artwork location

3 Comments on “Sega Master System logo and accessory/game packaging”

  1. Victor says:
    Jan 20th, 2023 1:12 pm

    To be honest those covers were atrocious, specially if you compare them to the japanese originals…

  2. damageinc86 says:
    Jan 19th, 2024 5:04 am

    Any Idea what the font for the “Action”, “Shooting”, and other upper left labels are? They aren’t any of those listed here. Arial comes close, but I noticed in specific, the G in “Shooting” is way off using Arial. Thanks.

  3. If you’re asking about “Shooting” in the second-to-last image for Fantasy Zone, that’s Franklin Gothic Extra Condensed. Now added to the list of typefaces.

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