Who collects Odyssey?

Rev. Rob · February 14, 2008

Before you vote, I don't mean Odyssey^2 or Odyssey "pong" systems. I mean the original Magnavox Odyssey.

I am just trying to get a feel for how many collectors there are out there.

BassGuitari · February 14, 2008

I have the original set complete in box, but I haven't tried to pick up any of the extra games or the light gun or anything like that.

So...I kinda collect Odyssey?

thomasholzer · February 14, 2008

I used to, but now I got a complete collection:

http://videogamecollectors.com/gallery/album128

.

Rev. Rob · February 14, 2008

I used to, but now I got a complete collection:
http://videogamecollectors.com/gallery/album128

.

Very awesome, indeed. I am missing the 1973 games and the case so far.

thomasholzer · February 15, 2008

Thx, for completeness I'm still after the blue double-ender (which are cards 7 & 8 ), but often big bucks on ebay.

Edited February 15, 2008 by thomasholzer

Rev. Rob · February 15, 2008

Thx, for completeness I'm still after the blue double-ender (which are cards 7 & 8 ), but often big bucks on ebay.

I've never actually seen one on eBay before.

Lord Thag · February 15, 2008

I've always wanted to see one of these in person. Are any of the games actually playable? Rev, you seem to be the champion of the underdog '70s systems, do you ever play yours?

Rev. Rob · February 15, 2008

I've always wanted to see one of these in person. Are any of the games actually playable? Rev, you seem to be the champion of the underdog '70s systems, do you ever play yours?

I play it from time to time when I can convince one of my friends to play it with me. There are no "one player" games.

Several of the games are very playable, especially the basics like Table Tennis, Hockey, and Handball. I find them to be enjoyable for the fact that they are as primitive as possible, and because the Odyssey's controllers have an "English" knob, that adds an element not usually seen. Keeping score on your own is kinda lame, though.

Other games, like Football, are not playable at all, and reading the instructions is a big fat yawn that will leave you scratching your head. Yet others, (I'm looking at you, Simon Says), are just dumb.

The light gun is the coolest console light gun I have ever seen, but mine only works three inches from the TV. I've heard that some do work, though.

I can go on and on, but there's a blog here at Atari Age called Chronogamer, and the proprietor has some very detailed reviews of all Odyssey games. Pictures too! Link: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?a...;blogid=87&

I don't agree with all of his opinions, but there's not a better source for Odyssey reviews anywhere on the internet.

Edited February 15, 2008 by Rev. Rob

Lord Thag · February 15, 2008

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

By the way, since you seem to be really into the really ancient systems, have you ever played an APF 1000? Talk about your weird, obscure, yet strangely compelling systems. It also has a computer attachment called the Imagination Machine. Very interesting system I've you've never played one.

I'm partial to the Arcadia 2001 as well. Another weird one.

Rev. Rob · February 15, 2008

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

By the way, since you seem to be really into the really ancient systems, have you ever played an APF 1000? Talk about your weird, obscure, yet strangely compelling systems. It also has a computer attachment called the Imagination Machine. Very interesting system I've you've never played one.

I'm partial to the Arcadia 2001 as well. Another weird one.

I haven't played an APF-M1000 or the Imagination Machine. There's one on eBay right now that I was watching, but it went over $135, and well, forget about it. As for the Emerson Arcadia 2001, I am interested in it. It's only of those consoles that I watch for, but don't want to make the heavy financial investment in, unlike some other console that I collect for. It would certainly make a nice addition to my collection one day.

Lord Thag · February 15, 2008

I got lucky with APF. Got the entire setup with pretty much all of the games for $80. Neat, weird system. Rare as heck. Very fun to show off tou your friends.

As to the Arcadia, you can get them super cheap. FYI, the power adaptor is a standard radio shack 12v. I scored mine with ten games for $10 because the auction listed it as minus the power supply. $8 later at radio shack, and the whole thing fire up perfectly. The cool thing about the arcadia is that you can import GADS of games for it, and there are several other european systems with compatable carts (leisurevision, hanimex etc)

Very obscure and fun to collect for. Some of the games are quite fun. Star Chess is great with a friend!

y-bot · February 15, 2008

Here's some pics of my collection. I have the rifle boxed but it was in storage when I took the pics.

1TL200 BLAK Run 1 console S/N 7773659 "renewed". Came from New Zealand but I think it's a standard US console. Large sticker sheet, pink screens on instructions. Stickers unused, chips sealed, original batteries.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03647.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03648.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03649.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03650.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03651.jpg

Carrying case with instructions, ac adapter and boxed RF switch

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03661.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03662.jpg

The 6 1972 add-on games

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03663.jpg

The 4 1973 add-on games

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/y_bot/DSC03664.jpg