Voting Station

Magnavox Odyssey

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Gaming Console

The Resume

    (January 27, 1972-1975)
    Released in America (May 1972)
    Game cards include 'Table Tennis,' 'Ski,' 'Simon Says,' 'Fun Zoo,' 'Percepts,' 'Tennis,' 'Analogic,' 'Baseball,' 'Hockey,' 'Football (Passing and Kicking),' 'Soccer,' 'Cat and Mouse,' 'Football (running),' 'Haunted House,' 'Invasion,' 'Submarine,' 'Roulette,' 'States,' 'VolleyBall,' 'Wipeout,' 'Shootout,' 'Dogfight,' 'Prehistoric Safari,' 'Shooting Gallery' and 'Interplanetary Voyage'
    First generation gaming console
    An estimated 200,000 units sold
    Production ended in 1975
    $100

Why Magnavox Odyssey might be annoying:

    It started as a project of the Defense Department and was kept top secret (1967).
    Unlike most later consoles, it was initially powered entirely by six C batteries.
    Taking advantage of how irritating the batteries were to replace, Magnavox released a power adapter, sold separately.
    The graphics consisted of black and white dots or blocks.
    The games were programmed inside the gaming system and needed to be activated by cards.
    Plastic screens had to be put over the television screen for certain games to appear cogent.
    The controllers were clunky rectangle blocks with nobs attached.
    Its 'Electric Rifle' (sold separately) worked with the game 'Shooting Gallery' by sensing light on a television screen. Simply shooting the gun at a light bulb registered 'hits.'
    It did not have sound.
    Magnavox was sued by Nolan Bushnell for patent infringement, accusing the company of copying his hit game 'Pong.' It was the first video game lawsuit.
    It sold less than expected as most consumers were not aware it would also work on televisions other than Magnavox.

Why Magnavox Odyssey might not be annoying:

    Its inventer, Ralph Baer, went on to create 'Simon' for Mattel.
    Nintendo sold the console in Japan.
    Magnavox won their court case against Nolan Bushnell.
    Each unit sold for $100.
    It shipped with over 300 parts.
    Its 'Electric Rifle' was the first add-on peripheral.
    Despite marketing problems, it was moderately successful.
    Though other experiments with television gaming occurred before it, this is considered the first gaming console.

Credit: Captain Howdy


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 31 Votes: 74.19% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 20 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 22 Votes: 59.09% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 24 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 27 Votes: 62.96% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 90 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 158 Votes: 53.80% Annoying