Magnavox Odissey
Photo 1: Evan-Amos, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (Magnavox-Odyssey-Console-Set.jpg) Photo 2: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Magnavox Odyssey in museum.jpg) Photo 3: Evan-Amos, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (Magnavox-Odyssey-Controller-FL.jpg) Photo 4: Allstone, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Magnavox Odyssey Cartridge.png)
Video game console, 1972, Magnavox. The Odyssey was the first home video game console, designed by Ralph Baer's team at Sanders Associates from 1966 and released by Magnavox in September 1972. It has no processor and no memory: discrete transistor circuits draw two paddles, a ball and a line on the television, and the games are defined by plug-in cards that rewire the circuit and by coloured plastic overlays placed on the screen, with dice, cards and boards for the rules. About 350,000 were sold and it inspired Atari's Pong.
| Years | 1972 to 1975 |
|---|---|
| Logic | discrete transistors and diodes, no microprocessor |
| Display | monochrome, 2 player squares, 1 ball, 1 vertical line; screen overlays for colour |
| Games | 12 game cards, 28 games in total with the accessories |
| Controllers | 2 detachable controllers with three knobs |
| Accessories | light rifle, overlays, boards, cards and dice |
| Price (1972) | US$99 |
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