Overview
Brazilian gaming developed distinctly due to the “Reserva de Mercado” (1977-1992), an import ban that protected domestic computer production. This created a unique ecosystem of domestic clones, MSX dominance, and later, the world’s largest Master System market through Tectoy’s local manufacturing.
Fast Facts
- Import ban: 1977-1992
- Result: Domestic clone industry
- Console winner: Sega Master System
- Key company: Tectoy
- Legacy: Distinct gaming culture
The Reserva de Mercado
| Effect | Result |
|---|
| Computers banned | Domestic production required |
| Clones flourished | MSX, ZX Spectrum, CoCo clones |
| Innovation | Local adaptation required |
| End (1992) | Market opened, clones declined |
Brazilian Computers
| Computer | Type | Notes |
|---|
| Gradiente Expert | MSX | Hugely popular |
| Hotbit | MSX | Another popular clone |
| TK-90X | Spectrum | Microdigital clone |
| CP-400 | CoCo | TRS-80 clone |
The Master System Phenomenon
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|
| Manufacturer | Tectoy |
| Market share | Dominant in Brazil |
| Duration | Produced into 2020s |
| Exclusives | Monica’s Gang, others |
Unique Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|
| MSX preference | Standard before consoles |
| Extended lifecycles | Hardware supported longer |
| Localisation | Portuguese games, local themes |
| Piracy | Significant market factor |
Legacy
The import ban period created a distinct Brazilian gaming culture with different platform preferences and extended hardware lifecycles. This experience shaped how gaming developed in Brazil even after market liberalisation.
See Also