Wonder Wizard
A Wonder Wizard in a showcase
ManufacturerMagnavox, General Home Products
TypeDedicated home video game console
GenerationFirst generation
Release dateUSA: June 1976
CPUAY-3-8500
GraphicsBlack & white
SoundVia internal speaker
Controller input2 attached paddle-based game controllers
Power9 V AC adapter (100 ma) or 6 x C batteries
Dimensions14.5" 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 for short) 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

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

  • CPU: General Instrument AY-3-8500 ("Pong-on-a-Chip")[4]
  • Input: 2 game controllers/game selection, difficulty (pro, intermediate, beginner), and power button (on/off/reset)[4]
  • Colors? No.[4]
  • Sound? Yes, played through a 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]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wonder Wizard.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Wonder Wizard". retrogamingconsoles. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "TheGameConsole.com: Magnavox Video Game Consoles". www.thegameconsole.com. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  3. 1 2 "Pong-Story : Wonder Wizard models". www.pong-story.com. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  5. ↑ "Zwolle Computermuseum PONGs/DSC03312". computarium.lcd.lu. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  6. ↑ "Evolution of Home Video Game Consoles: 1967 - 2011". Hongkiat. 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  7. ↑ "More Magnavox Games". Vol. 16, no. 36. Television Digest Inc. 1976-09-06. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
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