VideoSport MK2
One of the first European video game consoles, sold by mail order.
The VideoSport MK2 was a dedicated home video game console built by VideoSport Ltd. and Redbourn Plastics, both based in Saint Albans, Hertfordshire. It ranks among the earliest video game consoles made in Europe. Most units were sold through Henry's, a British retailer of televisions and hi-fi equipment, from 1975 to 1977. Customers could buy the console in stores or order it by mail. The original price in March 1975 was £37.50, dropping to £34.72 in May 1975, then to £29.50 in May 1976, and finally to £20.20 later that year or early 1977. By May 1976, over 10,000 units had been sold.
The console’s main body has only a power switch and a knob to choose among three games: Football, Tennis/Pong, and Hole-in-the-wall. Two wired controllers each have two paddles (for vertical and horizontal movement) and a button (for serving and goal kicking). Two versions exist: an original with gold lettering and a later one without, likely a cost-cutting measure. The console was mostly hand-assembled, and the color of the push buttons varied depending on which parts were bought at the time.
Inside, the hardware uses just two TTL-type integrated circuits, each containing four NAND ports, with the rest of the circuitry made from discrete components. Power comes only from the mains current.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- VideoSport Ltd. / Redbourn Plastics
- Generation
- First generation
- Release Date
- March 1975
- Lifespan
- 1975 - 1977?
- Price
- £37.50
- Discontinued
- Unknown
- Units Sold
- >10,000 (as of May 1976)
- Predecessor
- None
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The VideoSport MK2 has a central body with only a power switch and a knob to select one of three games: Football, Tennis/Pong, and Hole-in-the-wall. Two controllers connect via cables, each with two paddles for vertical and horizontal movement and a button for serving and goal kicking. Two variations exist: the original with gold letters and a later version without gold letters, likely introduced to reduce production costs. The console was mostly assembled by hand, and the colour of the push buttons depended on what parts had been purchased 'on the fly'.
Inside the console, there are only two TTL-type integrated circuits, each containing four NAND ports. The remaining circuitry comprises discrete components only. The power supply is provided only through the mains current. Customers could purchase the console in stores or have it delivered by mail.
Reader's Guide
The VideoSport MK2 holds significance as one of the earliest European entries into the home video game market, predating many later consoles. Its distribution through Henry's, a British retailer of television and Hi-fi equipment, and availability via mail order made it accessible to a broad audience. The console's hand-assembled nature and variable button colours reflect the ad hoc manufacturing methods of the era. The price dropped substantially over its short lifespan, from £37.50 in March 1975 to as low as £20.20 by late 1976 or early 1977, suggesting efforts to remain competitive. By May 1976, over 10,000 units had been sold, indicating a modest but notable market presence. Its simple TTL-based hardware, using only two integrated circuits and discrete components, exemplifies the minimalist design of early dedicated consoles. The three built-in games—Football, Tennis/Pong, and Hole-in-the-wall—represent the typical sports and skill-based offerings of the first generation. The VideoSport MK2's legacy lies in its role as a pioneering European console, demonstrating that the video game industry was not limited to North America or Japan.
Did You Know?
- The VideoSport MK2 was mostly assembled by hand.
- It was one of the first European video game consoles.
- The console's price dropped from £37.50 to £20.20 over its production run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manufactured the VideoSport MK2?
The console was produced by VideoSport Ltd. in partnership with Redbourn Plastics, both companies headquartered in Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, England.
When did the VideoSport MK2 launch and what was its original price?
It reached the market in March 1975 at £37.50, and the price was cut several times over its two-year sales window, ultimately settling at £20.20 by late 1976 or early 1977.
Where could customers buy the VideoSport MK2?
The console was primarily distributed through Henry's, a British retailer known for televisions and hi-fi equipment, and was available both in-store and via mail order between 1975 and 1977.
How many VideoSport MK2 units were sold?
By May 1976, more than 10,000 consoles had been sold to British consumers.
Why is the VideoSport MK2 considered significant in gaming history?
It is recognized as one of the earliest dedicated home video game consoles produced in Europe, marking a pioneering moment for the British video game industry well before the era of more widely known systems.
More in Video Game Consoles by Generation, Part 6 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced