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Math-a-Magic! Echo!

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Math-a-Magic! / Echo! Odyssey^2, 1978

 

Okay, this should be short and sweet.

 

Because of the Odyssey^2 keyboard, Math-a-Magic is fairly usable as far as Math edutainment goes, however, it really doesn't count as a game. Yes, there's a timer, so you can see how many problems you can do in a certain amount of time, and yes, a "music noise" is played every time you've answered 10 more problems correctly, but it's just not a game. You can pick from four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and three different skill levels for your math-a-magical fun. No, there isn't actually any magic in this game, other than the title.

 

There's an algebraic version of the game. As you may guess, instead of asking 3 x 4 = ? they ask 3 x ? = 12. I was impressed by the big numbers they were willing to use for the third skill level. (numbers in to the thousands)

 

There's a pretty cool drill program for Multiplication and Addition tables, so I'm actually going to make my kids use it for real. I don't care if they like it or not. Heh.

 

I guess if you have basic math issues, or are learning, Math-a-Magic! will help you and it will actually take you up to three and four digit numbers.

 

Echo!

 

This is like Simon or Touch-me. A sequence plays and gets added to, you play it back to the console using the keyboard, repeat until you get it wrong. This echoing game gives you three chances to make a mistake and then it's game over. I was only able to get to a 33 note sequence.

 

The keyboard wasn't as helpful to me here, as my number "four" key didn't consistently input. That could've been my fault for not looking at what I was doing all the time. I guess it's hard to touch type when you can't feel the keys.There's no variations for Echo! You can't make it more than four different numbers for the sequences. You either do it or you're out. I wonder how far the sequence can go? I might cheat just to find out.

 

Bottom line for this cart: I personally could live without Math-a-Magic!, but I might force my kids to learn on it. Echo! isn't bad and the buttons respond better than my old Simon does. More often than not on my Simon when I make a mistake it's because a lens didn't make the proper connection.

 

Next entry is the last game from 1978. I missed it for the Bally Professional Arcade when I was going through its 1978 library. I give you Sea Wolf! Hey, there's no actual exclamation point as part of its title. That suddenly seems weird.

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Nelio

I was impressed by Math-a-Magic!, probably because I had no expectations whatsoever. It's good edutainment, and I liked the available "game" modes.

 

I lost on Echo! after a 23 note sequence. I only played it once, as I had no interest in beating my score (although I was trying to beat yours on that first try :D). My sequence was all weird with lots of repeating notes. Also, in 23 notes, the number 2 was only used twice. I'm not sure if this should have actually made it easier for me, but I failed miserably. Maybe I'm just tired. It's 3 AM.

 

(Most of my posts were written well late at night, when I find the time to chronogame in peace.)

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Mezrabad
On 11/19/2012 at 9:13 PM, Nelio said:

I was impressed by Math-a-Magic!, probably because I had no expectations whatsoever. It's good edutainment, and I liked the available "game" modes.

 

I lost on Echo! after a 23 note sequence. I only played it once, as I had no interest in beating my score (although I was trying to beat yours on that first try :D). My sequence was all weird with lots of repeating notes. Also, in 23 notes, the number 2 was only used twice. I'm not sure if this should have actually made it easier for me, but I failed miserably. Maybe I'm just tired. It's 3 AM.

 

(Most of my posts were written well late at night, when I find the time to chronogame in peace.)

I can't imagine hitting the 33 notes anymore. That was probably a musical talent, certainly not my short term memory ability.

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