Magnavox Odyssey 4000
This is the last of the line of dedicated video game consoles that Magnavox produced commercially: the Odyssey 4000 game console. It was released in 1977 and used a new Texas Instruments Ball and Paddle chip, the AY-3-8600.
The AY-3-8600 chip allowed the Odyssey a total of siz different games:
- Tennis
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Smash
- Gridball
- Practice Mode
THe Odyssey 4000 has a skill switch that allows for three levels: novice, semi-pro and pro. Additional settings allow for automatic serving and variable ball speeds.
The Odyssey 4000 also has detachable controllers and an extra AY-3-8615 chip for display in color rather than the black and white of previous models.
Odyssey 5000
Magnavox had plans for a new Odyssey 5000. It would have been built around two chips, National Semiconductor's MM571068 and Signetics' MUGS-1, and would have had a total of seven games (Tennis, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Knockout, Tank, and Helicopter). Planned variations on these games would have created twenty-four different gaming experiences. The unit would have allowed up to four players and included a Practice mode for solo play against the computer. However, the console never was released to the public and only ever has existed as a prototype. However, it forms the basis of the next generation of Magnavox Odyssey home console, the Magnavox Odyssey 2.
Technical Details
Released
1977
Brand
Magnavox
Type
Odyssey TV Games
Name
Magnavox Odyssey 4000
CPU Class
AY-3-8xxx
CPU
General Instruments AY-3-8500 Ball & Paddle
Memory
RAM: none
Sound Chip
AY-3-8600
Sound
Mono beeps
Display Chip
AY-3-8600 & AY-3-8615 (color)
Display
Color
Best Color
Limited color display
Best Graphics
not applicable
Sprites
none
Original Price
$99.99
Related Systems
Odyssey TV Games
»
Magnavox Odyssey
4000
(1977)
Odyssey VideoPac / Odyssey 2
Related Media
World Wide Web Links