The Master System was a success in Europe , and later in Brazil .
It failed to ignite significant interest in the Japanese or North American markets , which , by the mid-to - late 1980s , were both dominated by Nintendo .
Although the Master System was a success in Europe , and later in Brazil , it failed to ignite significant interest in the Japanese or North American markets , which , by the mid-to - late 1980s , were both dominated by Nintendo .