Magnavox Odyssey²

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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[edit]

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