Wonder Wizard
 A Wonder Wizard in a showcase | |
| Manufacturer | Magnavox, General Home Products |
|---|---|
| Type | Dedicated home video game console |
| Generation | First generation |
| Released | USA: June 1976 |
| CPU | AY-3-8500 |
| Graphics | Black & white |
| Sound | Via internal speaker |
Controller input | 2 attached paddle-based game controllers |
| Power | 9 V AC adapter (100 ma) or 6 x C batteries |
| Dimensions | 14.5" x 9" x 4" |
The Wonder Wizard (model number: 7702) is a dedicated first-generation home video game console which was manufactured by Magnavox[1] and released by General Home Products (GHP) in June 1976[2] only in the United States.[3][1][4]
The console features two paddle-based game controllers attached to the system[1] and contains the same circuit board as the Magnavox Odyssey 300[5][4][2] and the same bottom part housing as the Magnavox Odyssey.[4][2] The paddles are larger than those of the Odyssey 300.[6]
The console had a dealer cost of $39 but initial retail price was set at $60 (compared to the MSRP of the Odyssey 300 at $70).[7]
Games
[edit]The system contains three built-in Pong-based games:[4]
- Handball
- Tennis
- Hockey
Just like the Odyssey 300, the Wonder Wizard uses a switch so that the players can choose between the three preset difficulty levels.[2]
Technical specifications
[edit]- CPU: General Instrument AY-3-8500 ("Pong-on-a-Chip")[4]
- Input: Two game controllers/game selection, difficulty (pro, intermediate, beginner), and power button (on/off/reset)[4]
- Graphics: Monochrome[4]
- Sound: Built-in speaker[4]
- Dimensions: 14.5 by 9 by 4 inches (370 mm × 230 mm × 100 mm) (l x h x w)[4]
- Power: 9 V AC adapter (100 ma) or 6 x C batteries[4]
The switch box in the scope of delivery is the same as those of the Odyssey 100 to 4000.[3] The top of the console was available in two versions: one with silver colored knobs and a woodgrain design in the upper section of the housing, and one with black knobs and a full woodgrain design.[2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Wonder Wizard". retrogamingconsoles. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "TheGameConsole.com: Magnavox Video Game Consoles". www.thegameconsole.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- 1 2 "Pong-Story : Wonder Wizard models". www.pong-story.com. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ↑ "Zwolle Computermuseum PONGs/DSC03312". computarium.lcd.lu. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
- ↑ "Evolution of Home Video Game Consoles: 1967 - 2011". Hongkiat. 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ↑ "More Magnavox Games". Vol. 16, no. 36. Television Digest Inc. 1976-09-06. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
External links
[edit]
- Wonder Wizard on www.old-computers.com
- Wonder Wizard on IMDb
- Wonder Wizard on MobyGames
- Overview of the Wonder Wizard and the other models of the series on www.pong-story.com