master system 1 or 2 (pal)

[elvis]

The Model 2 doesn't support game cards, so I would heavily suggest the Model 1.

Question: does anyone here collect card games?

I've honestly never known anyone who has. I have a Sega SC-3000H with tape drive:
http://www.stickfreaks.com/sc3000h.php

...and a number of games on tape. But I've never met anyone with any card games (let alone a decent collection).

Anyways, as already mentioned the Master System 2 only does RF out. You can mod it for other outputs:
http://www.stickfreaks.com/smsmod.php

But it's there by default in the Master System 1 and "plus" models.

[AARST]

True, I only have two game cards, but Spy vs. Spy is pretty awesome.