Magnavox Odyssey²

Magnavox Odyssey²

Manufacturer	Magnavox
Generation	Second generation
Release date	December 2, 1978
Media type	ROM cartridge (2-8KB)
Input controller	2 joysticks, QWERTY membrane keyboard
Predecessor	Magnavox Odyssey

The Magnavox Odyssey² is the successor to the first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, and takes advantage of the new technology of programmable ROM modules. It was released by Phillips in all territories outside the US, where it was known as Phillips Videopac G7000, except Brazil where it was knows as Phillips Odyssey 2.

Unlike any other system at that time, the Odyssey² included a full alphanumeric membrane keyboard, which was to be used for educational games, selecting options, or programming (Magnavox released a cartridge called Computer Intro! with the intent of teaching simple computer programming), which allowed for more complex input than offered by the standard joystick of the era. It also had an add-on speech module which vastly enhanced the music and sound effects and even added voice to certain games.

Technical specifications

Technical specifications
CPU	Intel 8048 8-bit clocked at 1.79 MHz.
Memory	CPU-internal RAM: 64 bytes Audio/video RAM: 128 bytes BIOS ROM: 1024 bytes
GPU	Intel 8244 (NTSC) or 8245 (PAL) custom IC (it also handles the audio)
Display	160×200 resolution (NTSC) 16-color fixed palette; sprites may only use 8 of these colors 4 8×8 single-color user-defined sprites; each sprite's color may be set independently 12 8×8 single-color characters; must be one of the 64 shapes built into the ROM BIOS; can be freely positioned like sprites, but cannot overlap each other; each character's color may be set independently 4 quad characters; groups of four characters displayed in a row 9×8 background grid; dots, lines, or solid blocks
Audio	noise generator, mono 24-bit shift register, clockable at 2 frequencies
Media	ROM cartridges of 2,4 or 8 KB
Output ports	RF Audio/Video connector SCART (France only)
Power	AC 110V, 50\60Hz / DC 12V, 600mA