Wonder Wizard
A dedicated Pong-based console sharing hardware with the Odyssey 300.
The Wonder Wizard (model 7702) is a first-generation home video game console built by Magnavox and sold by General Home Products (GHP) starting in June 1976, exclusively in the United States. Its internal circuit board is identical to that of the Magnavox Odyssey 300, and it uses the same bottom housing as the original Magnavox Odyssey. The paddle controllers are larger than those on the Odyssey 300.
The system contains three built-in Pong-style games: Handball, Tennis, and Hockey. A switch lets players choose from three preset difficulty levels—pro, intermediate, and beginner—just like the Odyssey 300.
The console runs on a General Instrument AY-3-8500 "Pong-on-a-Chip" processor. It has two attached game controllers, along with controls for game selection, difficulty, and power (on/off/reset). Graphics are monochrome, and sound comes from a built-in speaker. The unit measures 14.5 x 9 x ? inches (length x height x width) and can be powered by a 9 V AC adapter (100 mA) or six C batteries.
The included switch box is the same model used with the Odyssey 100 through 4000. The console top came in two versions: one with silver knobs and a woodgrain design on the upper section, and another with black knobs and a full woodgrain finish.
The dealer cost was $39, with an initial retail price of $60 (compared to the Odyssey 300's MSRP of $70).
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Magnavox, General Home Products
- Generation
- First generation
- Release Date
- USA: June 1976
- Power
- 9 V AC adapter (100 ma) or 6 x C batteries
- Cpu
- AY-3-8500
- Graphics
- Black & white
- Sound
- Via internal speaker
- Controllers
- 2 attached paddle-based game controllers
- Dimensions
- 14.5" x 9" x 4"
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Wonder Wizard was manufactured by Magnavox and released by General Home Products (GHP) in June 1976 exclusively in the United States. Its model number is 7702. The console contains the same circuit board as the Magnavox Odyssey 300 and the same bottom part housing as the Magnavox Odyssey, but its paddle controllers are larger than those of the Odyssey 300.
The system has three built-in Pong-based games: Handball, Tennis, and Hockey. Like the Odyssey 300, the Wonder Wizard uses a switch to let players choose between three preset difficulty levels (pro, intermediate, beginner). 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.
The switch box included in the scope of delivery is the same as those of the Odyssey 100 to 4000. The console's input includes two game controllers, game selection, difficulty, and a power button (on/off/reset).
Reader's Guide
The Wonder Wizard occupies a minor but distinct place in first-generation console history as a rebadged variant of the Magnavox Odyssey 300, sold under the General Home Products name. Its dealer cost of $39 and initial retail price of $60 positioned it below the Odyssey 300's MSRP of $70, suggesting an attempt to capture budget-conscious buyers. The console's shared circuit board with the Odyssey 300 means it offered identical gameplay—three Pong variants with three difficulty levels—but its larger paddles and two available top-panel designs (silver knobs with partial woodgrain, or black knobs with full woodgrain) gave it a slightly different physical identity. The use of the same switch box as the Odyssey 100 through 4000 indicates component commonality across Magnavox's line. Released only in the United States and only in June 1976, the Wonder Wizard had a short market window. Its legacy is that of a hardware clone within the same corporate family, illustrating how early console makers reused designs across brands and price points. The console is documented on sites such as old-computers.com, IMDb, MobyGames, and pong-story.com.
Did You Know?
- The console was available with either silver knobs and partial woodgrain or black knobs and full woodgrain.
- The switch box included is the same as those used with the Odyssey 100 through 4000.
More in Video Game Consoles by Generation, Part 6 1-24
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