[ Atari 2600 ] [ Odyssey 2 ]
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 was the first massively popular home video game console to feature rich colors and sounds (in comparison to earlier systems), and many consider this legendary system to be the one that truly started the entire home video gaming revolution. With over 500 commercially released games including many conversions from arcade classics such as Pac-Man, Frogger, and Asteroids, the Atari 2600 became a smash hit for young and old generations alike. The system sold an estimated 40 million units during its lifetime which lasted well into the 1980s. Even today, many people will find Atari 2600 games to be simplistically addictive.
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Manufacturer: Atari Released: 1977 Display: 16 Colors, 8 Shades (192 x 160 Res.) Sound: 2-Channel Mono Processor: MOS 6507 (1.19 MHz) Game Media: Cartridge (4KB Capacity) Controller: Detachable 1-2 Button Joysticks / Paddles Original Price: $200 |
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| Pitfall | Basketball | Cosmic Ark |
Odyssey 2
When Magnavox Odyssey˛ was released in 1978, one of its unique features was that the game console itself contained a simple keyboard which could be used in educational games, in setting options, or in simple programming applications. The poor 1-channel audio system was widely criticized. A speech synthesizer expansion unit was released which provided much-improved audio including voice, music, and sound effects. There were approximately five dozen games released for the console throughout its lifetime, and sales were substantially less than that of the Atari 2600.
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Manufacturer: Magnavox/Philips Released: 1978 Display: 16 Colors - 8 Per Sprite (160 × 200 Res.) Sound: 1-Channel Mono Processor: Intel 8048 (1.79 MHz) Game Media: Cartridge (8KB Capacity) Controller: Fixed 1 Button Joysticks, Keyboard Original Price: $200 |
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| Thunderball | Frogger | Popeye |
