This entry was specially crafted using part of the information from Martín Arrúa’s fascinating article: “Videojuel, The Story of the First Argentine Video Game Console Created and Designed in La Plata“ from 0221.com.ar. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, don’t hesitate to check it out.
I also want to express my gratitude to its inventor, Mario Luis Díaz, for kindly answering my most pressing questions. I can’t thank him enough for his willingness to collaborate on my work.


Name: Videojuel
Type: Magnavox Odyssey Clone
Manufacturer: Laboratorio Electrónico Hiroshima – Buenos Aires
Country: Argentina
Year: 1975
Original Price/Found Prices: Unknown
Games: 9 game cards for 12 games
Technology: No CPU, “discrete” circuit
Availability: 1975 – 1977?
Units Produced: 150
The Videojuel is a dedicated console manufactured by the Argentine company Laboratorio Electrónico Hiroshima in 1975.
The system is a clone of the Magnavox Odyssey, sharing its “jumper”-style cartridge design, which connects and disables parts of the console to generate signals. It also uses overlays and cards, just like the Odyssey.
It can be considered the first video game console designed in Latin America.
Tabla de contenidos
Development
Mario Luis Díaz (born 1939) is a licensed electronics technician who, after several years in military service, decided to open his own local business, Laboratorio Electrónico Hiroshima, in 1966 in the La Plata district of Buenos Aires. This workshop specialized in selling and repairing Japanese audio equipment and televisions, later becoming an authorized Panasonic service center.
In the early 1970s, Mario had the idea of using television for something beyond just watching daily programming. At that time, Argentine TV broadcasts were limited to a few hours per day. He envisioned developing a device to give televisions more functions, especially during the hours when there was no programming.
After learning about the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972-73, he decided to turn this idea into an electronic system for playing and learning through the television. However, when he discussed it with friends and acquaintances, no one saw it as a good idea, so he shelved it.
In 1975, Mario decided to revisit the concept, bringing it to life in the form of the Videojuel.

The creation and development of the console were lengthy and complicated due to numerous challenges, the most notable being Argentina’s limited material resources at the time, Mario Díaz’s financial and time constraints, disputes with labor unions, and the country’s unstable situation under Isabel Perón’s government.
The Videojuel’s casing design was patented on October 21, 1975, in the Argentine Industrial Models and Designs Registry.


Commercialization
The Videojuel was showcased at an electronics exhibition at the Albert Thomas Industrial College, where fourteen consoles were set up for 28 people to play simultaneously. It was a huge success, attracting attention from children and adults alike.

Not long after, Mario began selling the Videojuel through appliance stores connected to Laboratorio Electrónico Hiroshima.
For a while, his shop was overwhelmed with visitors eager to play the Videojuel, leading him to set up two televisions with two consoles at the counter to allow four people to play at once.
However, despite the positive reception, the system’s high price and skepticism about using a TV for gaming led to slow sales.
Financial difficulties, along with the arrival of the more popular Telematch by Panoramic in Argentina, forced production to cease. Only 150 units were ever made.
Gameplay and Features

The Videojuel came in a suitcase-style case that stored the console, controllers, and accessories. Unlike other consoles of the era, it had an industrial-style aesthetic but shared almost all elements with the Odyssey, such as game cards and functionally identical controllers.

The console had a catalog of 9 game cards for playing 12 games—most taken from the Odyssey, except for Fútbol, which was from the Spanish Overkal. This is interesting because it suggests that the Overkal was known by Mario Luis Diaz. Additionally, Videojuel included games from the Odyssey’s expansion sets, such as Volleyball, Handball, and even Shooting Gallery with its respective rifle.

Original Odyssey game equivalents in parentheses, except for Fútbol as mentioned before.
- Tenis Ping-Pong (Table Tennis)
- Esquí (Ski)
- Mamá Dice (Simon Says)
- Fútbol (Soccer from Overkal)
- Tenis (Tennis)
- Carrera Espacial (Analogic)
- Hockey (Hockey)
- Persecución / El Gato y el Ratón (Cat and Mouse)
- Ataque Submarino (Submarine)
- Pelota a Paleta (Handball)
- Voley (Volleyball)
- Tiro al Blanco (Shooting Gallery)
Like the Odyssey console, the Videojuel had limited gameplay capabilities. It came with overlays that were placed on the TV screen depending on the game. Accessories included a light gun for Tiro al Blanco and playing cards for Mamá Dice.
Players could only control the ball’s angle, and the system lacked on-screen scoring and sound. Because of these limitations, most games relied on overlay designs to make gameplay slightly more complex, following rule sets outlined in the instructions—essentially making it an electronic board game.
Related links
- Videojuel Instructions, courtesy of Sly DC
- Videojuel on CompuClasico.com
Photos
- Mario Luis Díaz
- 0221.com.ar
- CompuClasico.com