Games That Defined The Magnavox Odyssey 2

[@thenosweargamer1449]

Thanks for watching! I mistakenly said the system came out in 1979, from a typo I made in my notes, when it actually came out in 1978. Sorry for the error and thank you @sandal_thong8631for pointing it out.

[@sandal_thong8631]

Glad to help!

[@PongbyAtari]

1st game console I ever bought so it definitely has a special place in my gaming memories 😊 my dad who was born in 1916 loved playing bowling on the MO2 this video brings back a lot of good memories and makes me miss all the loved ones who are gone.

[@drguillotine7485]

First i ever owned as well

[@monsterhobbies]

My sister had an Odyssey 2 system and I bought a few games for it myself back in the day. One way I discovered how to play KC Munchkin really quickly and rack up massive points was to go into the editor maze and re-work it so that there was a box around the "Ghost Box" and that KC would run in a track of walls around the screen edge where the dots were...much like a NASCAR circuit. The ghosts rarely ever got out of that outer box, but I made it so KC could go up a hall from the box before getting to the outer "ring". Once he got in the outer ring, KC could circle around to the 4 corners, eat the dots and then move to the next level. All this was going fine, level after level, hour after hour. Then the console would start heating up and wreaking havoc to the game you were playing. Well, after about 30 000 points of running the course, this single dot decided to pass through a wall section (Our Odessey had a knack for doing this with the images when it was running hot) and into the central "Ghost Box". Well, the dot didn't pass back out through the wall, so the only way to eat it was to go into the center of the map and into the ghost box. Well, I did that and was eliminated by all 4 ghosts and no walls or corners to duck around. Game over and I didn't play on the Odessey 2 much after that. Same sort of thing happened to my Dad with the racing game on the 3 game starter cartridge that came with the Odessey 2. The first car game was the one shown in your video where the cars fall from the top of the screen. The second was the cars going around a broken rectangle track and the third game was a word scramble typing game. My sister got the Odessey for Christmas and we played it on New Years 1982, waiting for the count-down. My Dad and sister were playing the second race car game on the broken rectangle track and Dad's car hit one of the outer corners of the track and passed through the corner edge and ended up on the outside top edge of the track! It couldn't get back in, so they couldn't finish the race because both cars had to pass the finish line. So while we were trying to figure out how to get the car back in the track, I said that Dad should try pointing the controller straight up and see what would happen. Dad did just that and the car drove to the top of the screen and disappeared....as if it drove off the map. Dad held the stick up for a few minutes and suddenly the car appeared at the bottom of the screen, still driving, until it hit the bottom of the track. - So this car actually drove straight up, off the TV screen, and then circled the back of the TV tube and came up at the bottom of the screen. It literally went around the world (It's own electric world) and returned at the bottom of the track! You would have had to see it to believe it!

[@machinecode1388]

My first system....and still have it 40 years later 😂.....so many great memories!!

[@ataribowlingcgc4465]

My Favorites: 1. Quest for the Rings - A unique videogame/boardgame hybrid that was really well executed. 2. K.C.'s Krazy Chase 3. Pick Axe Pete 4. K.C. Munchkin 5. Killer Bees 6. Turtles 7. UFO Patrol 8. Attack of the Time Lord 9. Frogger 10. Monkey Shines There are also some great homebrews (just to name a few): 1. Dark Mage 2. Amityville 3. Kill the Attacking Aliens 4. Amok 5. Frozen Fort

[@urbanknish]

This was almost my exact experience with the Odyssey 2 as a kid. Great post!

[@SomePeopleCallMeWulfman]

That helicopter changing direction really looks amazing!

[@infonut]

These games cost $25 - $35 which in 1978-1984 was a painful bite and I was far from financially stable in those dark years but I did breakdown and buy this one because for some reason it was only $5 at Sears and for TWO games. I found out all too soon why.

[@Asterra2]

My father randomly picked this console up during a trip through a mall. Him asking the question, "Do you want to take this home?" is one of my very earliest memories. I assume we were trying the console out for a bit before he asked. He personally only played it briefly that evening, and as far as I know, that's the only time he ever played any video game. Every game we ever owned for the thing, he bought that day. We never added to the library. I remember the full list: Speedway/Spin-Out/Crypto-Logic, Basketball/Bowling, Armored Encounter/Sub Chase, Golf, Football, Baseball, Cosmic Conflict, Take the Money and Run. As you can see, the selection was dictated by availability-those are all basically launch titles. It probably goes without saying that I got the most fun out of Cosmic Conflict and Take the Money and Run, even without a second player.

[@indyracingnut]

Only 30 seconds in....admire the Odyssey 2 system so much. Thanks for bringing it up!! Speedway was my favorite. The Indy 500 is tomorrow and hence why its my favorite. ❤

[@8bitrocketstudios]

Pretty amazing that they did such nice graphics on all of these games (for the time of course). UFO is really close to the Vectrex pack-in, Mine Storm!

[@shayhannah5430]

For me, when I drag the O2 out and dust her off for some games its Attack of the Timelord, KC's Crazy Chase, Turtles, and Showdown in 2100 AD (now THAT'S an awesome title.)

[@awwrelic]

The first time I played an Odyssey 2 was probably around 1982 or 83, when my brother bought one; I remember playing KC Munchkin on it, and was quite fun. However, I didn't get one of my own until maybe around 2014, along with The Voice and some games, from a local used game store. I still pull it out sometimes to play. Favorites of mine include KC as well as the sequel, KC's Krazy Chase (which deliberately baited Atari, and made hilarious use of The Voice), PT Barnum's Acrobats which also uses The Voice, Attack of the Timelord (no relation :)) and UFO. At CORGScon last weekend I picked up Type n' Tell, which seemed to me like a way to advertise the capabilities of The Voice. All you do with it is spell out sentences and it will read it back in a very robotic voice. Not really a game, but I did get it for $5.

[@desiv1170]

Great list. KC's Krazy Chase! with The Voice module is my favorite O2 game.

[@CasperEgas]

I have the Videopac. I love the games that come with an entire board game. These really are a must try!

[@Scotty-Z70]

this was my first video game system, that i ever owned. My dad got it for me because it looked like a computer. it wasn't. the keypad was rather useless

[@Winnipeg_Jets_Fan]

This was my first gaming console. KC Munchkin and UFO were my favorite games!

[@SoulBlazer08]

Interesting list, thanks for sharing! I like how you dug into the library to pick out some unusual games, and nothing requiring the Voice (which I'm sure didn't sell that great.) I am a little surprised you didn't pick one of the 'Master Strategy' games since they really were unique and one of the games people most associate with the O2.

[@aleksandrbmelnikov]

Only one game that defined Odyssey 2 was K.C. Munchkin. It was better than Atari 2600 Pacman. You had to chase the dots, and it just looked better too. I'm surprised nobody has made a remake of it.

[@bonemasterd1]

Great video! There definitely needs to be more videos on KZbin about the Odyssey 2.

[@salserio6727]

I'm surprised that you didn't include Quest for the Rings in the list. That game was certainly defining with the accompanying gameboard. It was certainly one of the first RPGish games on any system. Although it could be frustrating, it had elements that I loved and there was such satisfaction getting past the dragon and reaching the ring.

[@diamondking1969]

Thanks for showing the Odyssey2 some love.

[@danestegman155]

Good video! I had a Magnavox Odyssey 2 system that my sister gave to me! At the time, i was more into the Atari 2600 etc. I did sell the system. I wish I could have kept it! That Odyssey golf game, does look like the Atari 2600 version of it! I liked it when the golfer hits the ball against a tree and his reaction to it! Nice!

[@InsaneWayne355]

I never knew anyone that had an Odyssey 2, but the local record shop (that also sold stereo equipment and random electronics) had a demo unit that you could play. I was always amazed by it; that and the Vectrex, which was also available to demo.

[@someguy2741]

Great. I will have to go look for the games in the basement. There was a DnD board game that used the oddysey to fight the battles set up by the game. There were 4 character types and 4 battle areas... and maybe 4 variants of those. I am sure it is something clever like dragon or dungeon something something. It was impressive. The board game was simple on its own the video game was pretty good even playing random battles but when combined it was really a good combination.

[@infonut]

I have it and nearly every game (about 1/3 with actual boxes) up in the attic. You failed to mention Attack Of The Timelord which seams to be the one everyone enjoys. And the K.C. game that was sued was the original one. The second one flew by without a hitch when everyone else started copying them. I acquired mine at 2nd hand stores throughout the 90's when people where actually throwing these away to make room for new. The unique thing about the Odyssey is its bionic cardboard box. Still sturdy as new after all these years. Even the box for the Voice Module adapter.

[@waynerowlinson6177]

I didn't have a Magnavox Odyssey 2 until about 8 years ago, and didn't have any friends who had one growing up. When I first hooked it up I was very dissatisfied with it. I actually thought it was pretty terrible. Then I plugged in K.C. Munchkin, Demon Attack, and Pickaxe Pete. Three great games. I now have a pretty sizeable collection, and there are a few others I like as well. When it was released, I already had a Coleco Telstar and my sister had an Atari 2600. I would have drooled over this compared to the Telstar, but there is a reason Atari was the king back then.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

When I was a kid, I got one of these at a Yard Sale. I definitely got "Poor man's Atari" vibes from it. The worst feature is that the joysticks are hardwired into the thing.

[@lsgreger2645]

I think what hurt this also is that TV/electronic stores were like franchises back in the day. The big box stores like sears at the time had their own relabled brand and the TV stores were a Zeneth or Magnavox store. These would only be in the Magnavox stores and I think that hurt it. Sears had an agreement with Atari so it was more available.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I played some Odyssey² games at a friend's house. I remember playing Helicopter Rescue (and maybe bowling?). Usually we played the two-player games Baseball and Football which were better than the Atari ones from 1978, except Basketball which stunk. I also remember playing skiing. I was surprised that Atari's 1980 Golf was pretty much a copy of Odyssey² Golf. This console's games compare well to Atari's 1977-8 collection. But once Atari went to 4K carts, they got a lot better, but Odyssey² stayed pretty much the same.

[@someguy2741]

It brings back the memory of sooooo many car crashes.

[@Scotty-Z70]

i played a LOT of Monkey Shines...one of the only games that made the keyboard important.

[@Scotty-Z70]

i don't remember the tV series "Out of this World" but i completely remember the game that i played ...it was ...ok.

[@kins749]

Much under-rated system, more please maybe some reviews

[@midimusicforever]

We need someone to make a Magnico! Are there any more veritable video games legends out there, ready for such a quest?

[@salserio6727]

OK... my list would be (in no particular order): Showdown in 2100 AD Pick Axe Pete Quest for the Rings Monkeyshines K.C. Munchkin K.C.'s Crazy Chase P.T. Barnum's Acrobats Armoured Encounter Baseball Conquest of the World

[@LouGojira2]

My favorite Odyssey 2 games in no particular order: Killer Bees KC's Krazy Chase Turtles Attack of the Time Lord Smithereens PT Barnum's Acrobats Pick Axe Pete UFO Freedom Fighters Blockout / Breakdown Cosmic Conflict Showdown in 2100 AD Take the Money and Run

[@sandal_thong8631]

Today I was looking for a real racing game for Odyssey², in this case Spin-Out, which should have been on the same cart as _Speedway!_ though the latter is more of a passing-traffic game than a race (similar to _Street Racer_ for Atari). Oh, well. Maybe next time.

[@catholicactionbibleonlyist1813]

no plains on getting a Magnavox Odyssey 2, however I love it's Graphics

[@EviesRevue]

Classic system, and love the Voice!

[@80skid61]

Pachinko was a great game! I used to play against the computer and keep all the balls on my side so they couldn't score.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

I grew up on this.

[@WWJD85]

I thought I missed a live stream for a sec there.

[@thomascrown6553]

They had a pattern to the racing game

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

Still have this game, with about 10-15 games. Haven't played in many years though. Picked this over the Atari 2600 the controls were superior. i later purchased a Coleco Gemini (2600 clone).

[@tomkinsg]

Was there an American football 2 player game for this system where you pointed the joystick N S E W NE SE SW NW to pick your offense or defense?

[@sandal_thong8631]

I read that I was Odyssey² debuted in 1978, not 1979, so it makes sense it compares well with 1977-8 carts by Atari. Mattel's Intellivision may have done limited city release in 1979, but Atari getting the must-have Space Invaders in 1980 gave Atari the market, despite imitators. Pac-Man was the next must-have game (Pac-Man fever), and neither of these systems got it, except for the copies you mentioned. If Atari had not released Pac-Man in 1982 on the 2600, but saved it for the 5200 and 400/800 home computers (which were the same tech-level, I think) then people would have bought either of those instead of 5 million more Atari 2600s, in my opinion, and maybe the Video Game Crash of 1982 wouldn't have happened.

[@sensibleperson1979]

I agree, if you compare the early O2 titles to the launch titles for Atari, it comes off as way more sophisticated. Had Atari not evolved they way it did, maybe O2 could have had a chance.

[@sandal_thong8631]

@@sensibleperson1979 I wouldn't say that. Pickaxe Pete (1982) and Popeye (1983-European and Brazil release only), were about as good as it got. If Mattel got Space Invaders, then Intellivision might have been the system people got in 1980 instead of Atari. In which case Atari might have gone for a newer system in 1981 to compete, or given up and just pushed the computers with Asteroids and Missile Command?

[@sandal_thong8631]

@@sensibleperson1979 Parker Bros. and Imagic also released some other games for it in Europe and Brazil in 1982-3. I don't think he's reviewed Q*Bert yet, but he did Frogger, Super Cobra, Atlantis and Demon Attack, with Frogger being the best one (you jump on green grass at the end, not the water). I read they showed off Odyssey³ at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1983, but it was inferior to ColecoVision and too late with the Crash.

[@mtshark7]

Nice list!😊

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

It sounds like the same exact soundchip as the Atari 2600

[@mcflyguy8873]

UFO Rocks!

[@scarosone14]

1at game sysyem I owned. List is great. I would of included The Quest for the Rings as well. Great multiplayer game that was part video game and part board game.

[@johneygd]

Pick axe pete and munch man are definitely must haves and popeye is one who could,ve been on this list as well😁

[@GeneSimmonsBoots]

I tell anyone who will listen it's worth getting an O2 for Killer Bees! alone. It's a fantastic, frantic game unlike any other I've ever come across. When ever I play my O2 it's the first game I tackle. Then I usually follow it up with some UFO and the KC games.

[@sensibleperson1979]

The Challenger series with the purple stripe on the box were all very playable and hold up today. UFO, Pick Axe Pete, Freedom Fighters, Attack of the Timelord, and KC Munchkin are still fun to me.

[@jasonz7788]

Awesome thanks

[@DennyT123]

I wish I had an Oddysey 2

[@davidfox8791]

I had to G 7000 but never had The voice synthesiser And I had the intelligent With voice sensitivity

[@Scotty-Z70]

okay, i didn't become a Christian until age 15, so I used to call Pick Axe Pete a swear word name (the middle word).

[@mcflyguy8873]

Pick Axe Pete > Donkey Kong

[@Woodwerker]

I starte out with the Atari 2600 - never played this system before. I would have to say the Atari is way better. Thanks for the video!

[@rileymcphee9429]

I'm doing research on old systems to emulate and tbh, every game you mentioned looks like a knock off of another game.. I see little value in any of these games.