In 2024, a striking 74% of Brazilians are gamers, with smartphones dominating how they play.
While video games are a global phenomenon today, from hyper-realistic titles to casual mobile games, Brazil’s gaming history is deeply rooted in the 1980s. This era saw the explosion of console clones, many of which became wildly popular before fading into obscurity.
The Era of Console Clones
During the 1980s and 1990s, Brazil’s gaming landscape was shaped by the launch of numerous console clones. These were often replicas of popular systems like the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and Atari, which hadn’t officially arrived in the country. This boom was fueled by factors like import prohibitions and efforts to reduce production costs through local partnerships.
Not every console faced this clone-dominated path. Sega, for instance, had a significant official presence in Brazil, with consoles like the Master System and Mega Drive being licensed and manufactured by the local company Tectoy. However, for many other devices, local manufacturers stepped in to create and sell their own versions.
Marcus Vinicius Garrett, a researcher and expert on Brazilian gaming history, noted that these clones were instrumental in popularizing video games in Brazil. “Officially, video games began to appear only in 1983,” Garrett explained. “But before that, there was already interest with some clones that arrived before. They were of importance because they helped leverage the arrival of the video game in Brazil.”
Five Forgotten Gaming Giants of Brazil
Brazil has a rich history with video games, dating back to the late 1970s with the first console clones. Over the decades, many devices gained traction, often by offering more affordable alternatives or versions of consoles unavailable officially.
Here are five classic video games that achieved significant success in Brazil before disappearing from the scene:
Odyssey
While the original Odyssey never saw a release in Brazil, the Odyssey 2 was marketed simply as “Odyssey.” Launched in 1978 internationally, it arrived in Brazil in 1983 with the backing of Philips. Developed by Magnavox, the Odyssey was unique for its time. Its success in Brazil was so immense that games were even localized, including “Dian and Minasa,” which featured Renato Aragão, a beloved Brazilian comedian.
However, its popularity waned with the arrival of NES clones. Philips had plans for an Odyssey 3, but it was never released, and the company moved on from the project.
Dynavision
Dynavision, by the Brazilian company Dynacom, was among the earliest clones in the country. Its first 1983 model was an Atari 2600 adaptation with a distinct design. By 1989, Dynavision II arrived as an NES clone.
Dynacom’s extensive catalog of official games made Dynavision a standout Atari clone. The Dynastick controller was a notable feature, offering enhancements over the original Atari controller. Later iterations, Dynavision 3 and 4, were updated versions compatible with Nintendinho, Famicom, and NES cartridges.
Despite its recognition, Dynavision couldn’t outcompete other clone brands imitating Nintendo and Atari. The official launch of Nintendo in Brazil further squeezed the market share for these clones.
Phantom System
In 1988, Gradiente launched the Phantom System in Brazil, a highly popular Nintendinho clone. While compatible with the NES, its design echoed the Atari 7800, and its controllers bore a striking resemblance to Sega’s Mega Drive. It supported both Japanese and American system cartridges.
The brand even released near-identical versions of popular games, such as “Super Mario Bros.,” which was rebranded as “Super Brothers.” Eventually, Playtronic, a partnership between Gradiente and Nintendo, began officially manufacturing the console in Brazil, leading to the discontinuation of the Phantom System.
Polystation
The Polystation was another NES clone, but its casing mimicked the Psone, the slimmer version of Sony’s PlayStation. Launched in 1997, it gained considerable popularity in Brazil in the early 2000s.
Manufactured in China, its affordability was a major draw, costing a fraction of official Nintendo and Sony consoles. Despite its PlayStation-like appearance, the Polystation only accepted Nintendinho cartridges. Its appeal was further boosted by cartridges advertised as containing “more than 99 games,” though they often featured only a few titles with many repetitions.
Zeebo
A more recent entry, the Zeebo, was manufactured by Tectoy as an accessible gaming option. Launched in 2009 in collaboration with Qualcomm, it was unique in that it didn’t require physical media like cartridges or discs. Instead, players could download games via a 3G network provided by the brand.
The Zeebo offered adaptations of mobile titles, as well as PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games. It also came with accessories like a keyboard and a motion-sensing controller. Despite these features, the Zeebo was discontinued in 2011, failing to capture a significant market share.
