Odyssey 2 question???

[jeffg]

Hey guys I just got an odyssey 2 in box with styrofoam and everything today and the ac adapter is wired in, but the
other wire has a really odd end to it?

How does this thing connect into your tv?


Thanks
Jeff

[Bill Loguidice]

You either need a classic TV switch box or get one of these adapters: http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=42 (it can be from anywhere, including eBay)

This is of course assuming that your Odyssey 2 is standard issue. Also, I believe certain early versions had proprietary TV switch boxes. Personally, I have one of the ones that uses a standard connector. Most likely you do too.

[ozyr]

I think you are talking about the wierd odyssey2 connector that was on the earlier units? If that is the case, the adaptor mentioned above will not work. You need a special switchbox, or you need to replace the cord with a regular RCA type cord.

http://www.ozyr.com/o2/tvcordhk.html

or you can find sites that have the composite video hack (I don't have that one listed yet). Don't have a link for that one...

P.S. Welcome to the Odyssey2. Have a 'select game' on me! :D

[Zadoc]

O2 is one of those systems that I never really got around to owning and never really had a great deal of interest in. Someone here should convince me otherwise.

[Bill Loguidice]

O2 is one of those systems that I never really got around to owning and never really had a great deal of interest in. Someone here should convince me otherwise.

Unless you try to collect every computer and videogame system possible like I do, frankly I don't think I could convince you as who knows what you like. The Odyssey 2 is not one of the more sexy collectibles.

Anyway, some of the more interesting aspects of the Odyssey 2 are obviously the keyboard, the speech synthesizer which was also used for music, and the Master Strategy series of board game/videogame hybrids. The audio-visual performance is underwhelming, but there's a surpising lack of flicker. There's also a nice and relatively inexpensive multi-cart that is pretty much complete, including prototypes. Systems are relatively cheap and most games are plentiful. There are a select handful of standout games.

[Zadoc]

O2 is one of those systems that I never really got around to owning and never really had a great deal of interest in. Someone here should convince me otherwise.

Unless you try to collect every computer and videogame system possible like I do, frankly I don't think I could convince you as who knows what you like. The Odyssey 2 is not one of the more sexy collectibles.

Anyway, some of the more interesting aspects of the Odyssey 2 are obviously the keyboard, the speech synthesizer which was also used for music, and the Master Strategy series of board game/videogame hybrids. The audio-visual performance is underwhelming, but there's a surpising lack of flicker. There's also a nice and relatively inexpensive multi-cart that is pretty much complete, including prototypes. Systems are relatively cheap and most games are plentiful. There are a select handful of standout games.

My tastes are that I like good games and unique and original software/hardware. I've only ever played an O2 on one occasion, and then it was some uninspired math/edutainment game.

How did this speech synthesizer intergrate into games? And what really good software is there for the system?

No, I'm not trying to collect every single game system, but if there's some stellar software for the O2 I'd like to grab it.

[Bill Loguidice]

Well, if you see any of the Master Strategy series of hybrid board game/videogames complete or mostly complete, you need to snatch those up. The whole series is excellent and it provides a unique play experience rarely found elsewhere (there have been a handful of such hybrids for various computers).

My favorite game is KC Munchkin! (most O2 games had exclamation points, by the way), which is a very imaginative Pac-Man derivative with dots you actually have to chase. You can build your own mazes too.

As for the speech synthesizer, several games supported it, but was not required. Turtles used it for speech and music and games like Smithereens!, another favorite of mine, used it for speech and sound effects, which almost sounded digitized. Normal O2 sound played through the TV, while the speech synthesizer has its own speaker. Smithereens! by the way is like an arcade style artillery duel derivative. Instead of changing angles and power via number, you sort of flicked the joystick.

[ozyr]

O2 is one of those systems that I never really got around to owning and never really had a great deal of interest in. Someone here should convince me otherwise.

You either love it or hate it. About all I can say is try it some time, if you can find someone who has the O2 (at a Convention or such). It is a unique system that has it share of good and bad games. Biggest gripe from most folks is the lower rez graphics. The game play is good, but for the most part, don't look as good as other systems from that time. The only thing it can do that the 2600 and others could not, is display more items on the screen without flickering like crazy (a feature I like).

Myself, I just like the darn thing. Can't help it... :D

[tholly]

having a complete O^2 collection (although I haven't spent a good deal of time on alot of the games) i can say that Attack Of The Timelord!, KC Munchkin!, and Pick Axe Pete! are some of the best games on the O^2

[AtariBuff]

I also have a complete collection but for the european Philips Videopac G7000/G7400. Nice artwork on the instruction manuals, the games with background (for the G7400) look neat. The beforementioned hybrid games surely are the centerpiece of the collection (besides some ultrarare Videopac releases like the late numbers aund that damn Backgammon) :D

[kirin jensen]

Like the others have noted, one the best things about the O2 is that the best games are reasonably priced and for the most part plentiful. UFO, KC Munchkin, and Pickaxe Pete are all solid gaming. KC Munchkin and its sequel KC's Crazy Chase both let you build your own mazes. THe Computer Intro cart is pretty useable (at least, compared to Atari's Basic for the 2600). Killer Bees is amazing and fast as all get out. Attack of the Timelord and KC's Crazy Chase both make use of the Voice. Even better are the homebrews available for the O2. And the joysticks are amazingly responsive. No need for the Atari masturbation-style "My joystick is my penis" deathgrip here.

It's not merely nostalgia that makes me enjoy this console. I didn't own one back in the day (although I jonesed for one mightily) and never even saw some of the best games for it when it was new.

I'd say give it a look in emulation first. I did and ended up buying one. :D