Random Facts

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The Magnavox Odyssey is the first and oldest home video game console in the world. It was released in North America in September of 1972. It sold for $99.95 (equivalent to $618 in 2021) The Odyssey consists of a black, white and brown oblong box connected by wires to two rectangular controllers. The console connects to the television set through an included switchbox, which allows the player to switch the television input between the Odyssey and the regular television input cable and presents itself like a television channel on channel 3 or 4, which thereafter became the standard for game consoles. The controllers, designed to sit on a flat surface, contain one button marked Reset on the top of the controller and three knobs: one on the right side of the controller and two on the left with one extending from the other. The reset button resets individual elements depending on the game, such as making a player's dot visible after it is turned off. The system can be powered by six C batteries, which were included; an optional AC power supply was sold separately. The Odyssey lacks sound capability and can only display monochrome white shapes on a blank black screen. The games themselves do not use ROM cartridges like later consoles but instead use "game cards" composed of printed circuit boards that plug into the console. These cards modify the internal circuitry like a set of switches or jumpers, causing the Odyssey to display different components and react to inputs differently. Multiple games use the same cards, with different instructions given to the player to change the style of game. A total of 28 games distributed on 11 different game cards were released for the Magnavox Odyssey. 13 games were included with the console. A set of 12 in America and a different set of 10 in other countries with 6 others available for purchase either individually or in a bundle. The additional games primarily used the same game cards with different screen overlays and instructions. Another game, "Percepts", was available for free to players that sent in a survey card. A light gun accessory, "Shooting Gallery", was available for purchase and included 4 games on 2 cards that used the rifle. The final 4 games for the Odyssey were released for sale in 1973. The console does not enforce game rules or keep track of score for the games; that is left up to the players. Magnavox sold 69,000 units its first calendar year and 350,000 by the time the console was discontinued in 1975.