A Cozy Afternoon with the Magnavox Odyssey 2

Cozy . . . or crappy?

Behold the Magnavox Odyssey 2 Microprocessor!

For years, I've loved making fun of this dinosaur console. I still do! But since I enjoy Atari games, I should give the old "O2" a second chance. Or third chance, actually, since this silver monster is the third O2 I've owned.

The Odyssey 2 "splash screen," so to speak. Each game opens with this colorful select screen.

The original Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972, holds a place in the history and heart of classic gaming, especially the story of visionary Ralph Baer. But by the time the Odyssey 2 dropped in 1978, Atari had established a foothold, and the flashy Intellivision followed soon after. I won't get deep into the history or the wonky advertising or the use of exclamation points or the overseas Videopac success or the Pac-Man lawsuit or Mr. Baer's contributions and all the other vital lore here, but I recommend researching the O2 story, if you're as fascinated with video game history as I am.

Pick Axe Pete is classic Odyssey 2 action. Note my high score (136) and my gamer tag (D-R011). The blue numbers to the right indicate current score.

So what the hell did the O2 have to offer?

1. The O2 was technically faster than the Atari, according to my research, allowing it to display more sprites and characters with smoother movement. This is apparent in the game UFO. I don't recall a moment of flicker, even with sprites and explosions all over the screen! (Of course, Atari programmers found solutions to work around the limitations of the 2600.)

In UFO, the action gets fast and frantic, with no flicker or slowdown. This game rocks!

2. A keyboard. Calling the hard membrane keypad a "keyboard" feels like a stretch today, but in 1978, it was a damn big deal. By including this feature, Magnavox could market the O2 as an affordable home computer ("microprocessor"), with basic software and educational titles.

   

   Monkeyshines is a "Challenger" game of monkey tag for one or two players. The monkeys' many animations, as well as the randomized stages, really show off what the O2 can do. Also, you can make your own "monkey bars" using the keyboard!

   Surprisingly, I discovered the keyboard a welcome addition; it allows swift and easy selection of game variations. Best of all, you can type in your name to display next to your high score. I imagine many a living room battle to beat your competitor and triumphantly key in your own name, which is displayed until your high score is beaten, or the game turned off.

If you've ever used an old "membrane keyboard," you know it requires extra pressure to push, both squishy and unyielding. Regardless, the Odyssey 2 utilizes the keyboard in some useful and creative ways.

3. Board Game Video Games that combined a physical board game with turns at the video game on-screen. These hybrid games were critically well-received, and I still think it's an interesting idea. In Quest for the Rings, the dungeon master pushes the keyboard to control aspects of the video game. I played Quest for the Rings once, and was impressed with the map overlay, and the character selection, each with their own special ability (I didn't have the board or pieces).

Q-Bert opens each level with a kind of tutorial animation. It's fun to watch him hop around!

I ripped this Odyssey 2 ad from an old magazine.

Okay, but should I play the Odyssey 2 today?

. . . Maybe. Here are some things to consider.

1. The Odyssey 2 is affordable, mostly. The O2 console and titles have been, and continue to be, cheaper to collect than other retro games. It's possible to obtain the whole collection, if that's your thing. However . . .

2. Many of the games really are awful. The worst titles are often packaged with others on one cart, as though two terrible games are better than one half-decent title. If you've ever played Out of This World/Helicopter Rescue, you know what I mean. Hence, I make fun of the O2. However . . .

3. A fair number of games are actually pretty good. The O2 suffered from sparse third-party support, but the arcade clones we do have often offer a twist to the gameplay that makes them feel unique. Take Pick Axe Pete, obviously inspired by Donkey Kong; it incorporates disappearing ladders, key collection, and multiple doors & pathways. However . . .

4. Many of the good games are totally permadeath. What I mean is that O2 games often, but not always, take an approach of "one hit, you're dead, game over." No extra lives! I found this frustrating in previous plays, but with a little practice, this aspect also became a unique part of the experience.

   
   

SO . . . I recommend the Magnavox Odyssey 2 to collectors and retro gamers who have already played enough Atari 2600. If you love the Atari 2600 as much as myself, then you may find the Odyssey 2 a curious and fun diversion. And it's cheaper than a Fairchild F or Bally Astrocade, I think.

If you're looking for sharper graphics, go with the Atari 7800, Intellivision, or Colecovision, but if you like to keep it simple, the O2 is an affordable choice with some interesting, fun, and unique games.

Q-Bert on O2 is more arcade-accurate than the Atari 2600 version, with a larger pyramid, more enemy types, and actual diagonal controls. It's fun! Fortunately, you have many extra lives. The simple graphics do not distract from great gameplay.

Tips for collecting:

• Games from the blue-box "Challenger Series" are a good bet.

• You can get a flash cart! I prefer to collect the actual games, but this would be a good way to play some of the more expensive games, imports, and homebrews.

• The few third-party titles, from Imagic and Parker Brothers, are generally quality.

• Homebrews are all over the Internet. Some look fantastic.

• The Odyssey 2 is largely region-free, meaning you can order "Videopac" games from across the pond. My copy of Q-Bert appears to be from France.

• The Voice Module is pricey, unnecessary, and totally awesome.

• Research the titles first. If you buy up all the games at the local retro store without any foreknowledge, be warned. You may end up in the same place I found myself with my first O2: a stack of cheap and terrible games, and wondering why I even bothered.

• You don't need all the pieces and parts of Quest for the Rings, unless you want to play the board game. The video game can be enjoyed on its own.

Stay away from those laser blasts! UFO uses a unique aiming and shield system that adds a subtle layer of strategy to what otherwise could have been another Asteroids clone.

In Speedway! (Game 1 of 3 in the pack-in), you either get bored on easy, or overwhelmed on hard.

Spin-Out! was probably more fun in 1978. This is Game 2 of the pack-in title.

In Crypto-Logic!, the first player types a word or phrase, which is scrambled. Then, the second player must type out the correct word. An effective, simple, and fun use of the keyboard, and easily the best game of the original pack-in, which is funny considering you could play this with pen and paper.

I enjoyed many cozy afternoons and evenings playing Q-Bert, Pick Axe Pete, UFO, and Monkeyshines . . . all good games. Happy gaming!