The Philips Videopac G7000, released in 1978 (marketed as the Magnavox Odyssey² in the U.S.), is one of the earliest and most iconic home video game consoles of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Known in Europe under the Philips brand, the G7000 combined interchangeable cartridges, built-in membrane keyboard, and simple-yet-charming graphics to create a uniquely creative gaming experience long before the NES era. Today, it stands as an important piece of European gaming history and a beloved collector’s item.
📘 Introduction
At a time when home video games were still new, the Philips Videopac G7000 pushed boundaries by offering:
- Swappable game cartridges
- Educational and programming-style games
- A futuristic keyboard built directly into the console
- Innovative game designs beyond simple Pong-style clones
It represented Philips’ major push into interactive entertainment and became one of the most widely known consoles across Europe.
⌨️ Built-In Keyboard — A Console That Encouraged Creativity
One of the G7000’s most distinctive features is its full membrane keyboard.
This keyboard allowed users to:
- Input commands in certain games
- Enter text, numbers, and options for strategy games
- Interact with mini programming environments
- Enable gameplay modes not possible on joystick-only consoles
This made the G7000 feel like a hybrid between a console and a simplified home computer.
🎮 Joysticks Designed for the Early Gaming Era
The Videopac G7000 featured two wired joysticks:
- Single-button design
- Spring-loaded analog-like stick
- Side ports for easy replacement
- Compact and durable
Although stiff by modern standards, they reflect the unique charm of early arcade-style home controllers.
🧠 8-Bit Hardware in the Pre-Computer Age
The G7000 was powered by:
- Intel 8048 CPU @ 1.79 MHz
- Simple sprite and character graphics
- Single-channel sound
- Games stored on ROM cartridges labelled “Videopac”
Despite modest hardware, its games were colourful, imaginative, and varied.
🔥 A Library of Numbered “Videopac” Cartridges
Videopac games are famous for their numbered labels, such as:
- Videopac 01 – Race / Spin-Out / Cryptogram
- Videopac 02 – Air-Sea War / Battle
- Videopac 04 – Volleyball / Basketball
- Videopac 08 – Baseball
- Videopac 12 – Take the Money and Run
- Videopac 14 – Golf
- Videopac 17 – Chinese Logic
- Videopac 20 – Stone Sling
Some titles were completely unique, blending text input and strategy gameplay long before PCs were common.
Special Voice-Enhanced Titles
With the optional Voice Module, the G7000 supported several voice-synthesized games, a rare feature for the time.
🕹️ Notable Games & Innovations
Although simple, many Videopac titles were remarkably creative:
- K.C. Munchkin! (a Pac-Man-like game controversial in the U.S.)
- Cosmic Conflict (first-person space shooting)
- Pickaxe Pete (a proto-platformer similar to Donkey Kong)
- Quest for the Rings (hybrid board game + video game)
- The Great Wall Street Fortune Hunt
- Conquest of the World
These unique hybrids helped set the Videopac apart from Atari-era competitors.
📺 Clean, Crisp European RF Output
The G7000 outputs via RF for CRT televisions, producing:
- Stable image quality
- Vibrant early digital colours
- Minimal interference compared to many 1970s consoles
Adapters exist today to convert it to composite or HDMI.
🛠️ Build Quality & Reliability
The Philips Videopac G7000 is known for excellent durability:
- Heavy, solid construction
- Reliable membrane keyboard
- Long-lasting cartridges without edge connector issues
- Robust power supply
Common issues include:
- Joystick wear
- RF cable oxidation
- Slight membrane keyboard aging
Overall, it is one of the most reliable pre-1980s consoles.
🌍 Cultural Impact
The G7000 is hugely significant in Europe:
- One of the earliest mass-market consoles in EU households
- Strong presence in Germany, Netherlands, France, and Greece
- Educational appeal due to keyboard and strategy games
- Helped shape early generations of European gamers
- Collectible today for its unique hybrid design
In the U.S., its twin — the Magnavox Odyssey² — gained a loyal niche following.
📦 Items Included in This Collection Entry
📜 Conclusion
The Philips Videopac G7000 is a remarkable landmark in gaming history — a bridge between the simplicity of Pong-era consoles and the sophistication of early home computers. With its numbered game cartridges, built-in keyboard, unique hybrid gameplay experiences, and durable design, it remains one of the most fascinating and collectible systems from the late 1970s.
A true European gaming icon — and an essential showpiece in any serious retro collection.