Magnavox Odyssey2 \ Philips Videopac
Type Console Developer Magnavox
Release Date 02-Dec-78 Region(s) North America, Europe, Brazil, Japan
Initial Price $199 USD Games Released 62 (49 US\Euro + 13 Euro exclusives)
  1. History & Reviews
  2. Models & Clones
  3. Games & Emulation
  4. Specs & Manuals
  5. Other Media
  6. Web Resources
DW FACTS
     by Dark Watcher
Magnavox's answer to the Atari 2600, The Odyssey² was released in 1978 to compete with the new gaming monster.  The Odyssey² wasn't as powerful as the Atari 2600 (it was slower, had lower resolution, and supported only one sound channel compared to the 2600's two) .  However, Odyssey² graphics were sharp with no trace of the screen flicker which sometimes plagued Atari 2600 games.  Unlike any other system at that time, the Odyssey² also included a full alpha-numeric touchpad keyboard, which was to be used for educational games, selecting game options or programming.  This was a major selling point of the system.

Because of limited third party support most games were copycats of arcade titles released on Atari 2600.  One game in particular generated lawsuits by Atari because of similarities to Pac Man.  The Odyssey² still managed to sell millions of consoles and was more popular in Europe where it was also called the G7000 Videopac.

FACT:  Probably the most interesting thing about Odyssey² software was that almost all the games were written by one man.  Ed Averett, a former Intel salesman who started writing all the Odyssey² games after the other Magnavox designers simply ran out of ideas, wrote twenty-four games in four years.

Image courtesy of JunctionEight
MODELS
     Officially licensed releases
7000 Series
Kooton Odyssey2 (Japan)
 Magnavox Odyssey2 (United States)
 Philips Odyssey2 (Canada)
Philips Odyssey (Brazil)
 Philips Videojeu C52
 Philips Videopac G7000
Radiola Jet 25
 Schneider 7000
 Siera G7000
7200 Series
Philips Videopac G7200
 Radiola Jet 27
 Schneider 7200
Philips N60
    
7400 Series
Brandt Electronique Jo7400
 Continental Edison/SABA Jo1450
 Philips Videopac G7400
Radiola Jet 47
 Schneider Videopac 74+
 Siera Videopac + G7400
7401 Series
Philips Videopac G7401
 Radiola Jet 471
 Schneider Videopac +741
 
CLONES
     Non-licensed hardware releases
No clones were released for this system.
FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO
     Interesting facts on software for this system
Software for the Magnavox Odyssey2 was distributed in the ROM cartridge format. Since Magnavox produced virtually every game for this system, the carts are nearly identical (which is not a good thing IMHO).

The cartridges are about the same size as the Atari 2600, but they have a weird handle protruding from the top.  This appendage allows for easier cartridge insertion\removal from the system but does not afford any room for an end label.  This is a minor irritant especially when trying to find a certain game amongst those loose carts in your collection.

The games were mostly packaged in a thick plastic clam-style box which contained the cartridge along with the instruction manual.  The artwork is very consistent, featuring colorful illustrations that attempted to depict the 'feel' of its contents.  Like the games, there is no game information on the spine so organizing these games is a pain.
Sample Game Play
Magnavox Odyssey2 Game Boxes
 
SCREENSHOTS
     Captured in-game images
Alien Invaders - Plus
 Armored Encounter \ Sub Chase
 Atlantis
Baseball
 Blockout \ Breakdown
Casino Slot Machine
Cosmic Conflict
 Demon Attack
 Electronic Table Soccer
Football
 Freedom Fighters
 Hockey \ Soccer
Invaders from Hyperspace
 KC's Krazy Chase
 Killer Bees
Monkeyshines
 Out of this World \ Helicopter Rescue
 Pachinko
Pick Axe Pete
 Pocket Billiards
 Power Lords
PT Barnum's Acrobats
 Quest for the Rings
 Showdown in 2100 A.D.
Smithereens
 Take the Money and Run
 Thunderball
Turtles
 UFO
 War of Nerves
 
EMULATION
     First and third party system emulators
O2EM

Great emulator for Windows.  Ensure to get the O2EM Launcher to add even more value.
SPECS & MANUALS
     For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.
Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
Intel 8048 (8-bit) 1.79 MHz Intel 8244 VDC 64 bytes \ 128 bytes
Screen Resolution Color Palette Polygons \ Sprites Audio
160 x 200 12 colors 4 1 channel (mono)
Media Format Media Capacity Games Released Other Supported Formats
Cartridge 8 KB 62 (49 US\Euro + 13 Euro excl) None
Internal Storage External \ Removable Storage Game Controllers Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
1024 bytes BIOS ROM None 8-way Joystick with Fire button Voice synthesizer, Chess Module
Controller Ports Network Ports Other Ports Audio \ Video
Two (hardwired) None None RF
Power Supply - External Other Outputs  Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 110V, 50\60Hz
Output: AC 12V, 600mA		 None None
Manuals
Philips Videopac G7000 Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.52 MB
Philips Videopac G7200 Owners Manual (PDF) - 1.30 MB
Philips Videopac G7400 Owners Manual (PDF) - 1.74 MB
OTHER MEDIA
     Peripherals, Promotions, Commercials, Brochures, Etc.
Magnavox Odyssey2 Television Commercials
Magnavox Odyssey2 Print Advertisements
WEB RESOURCES
     Highly recommended websites for this system
The Odyssey2 Homepage

Great site for everything on the Odyssey2 & the Videopac		 Videopac.com

Excellent resource for the Videopac including protos and games		 Hardware Secrets

Great article on the inner workings of the Odyssey2 system
DISCUSS
     Visitor insights and feedback
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