Magnavox Odyssey 100
 

The Magnavox Odyssey 100 was released in 1975 and unlike the original
Odyssey release just 3 years before it did not use interchangeable cartridges.
Instead it's games were hard coded and contained within it's circuitry. The games included were Tennis and Hockey selectable by way of a switch.

You had the choice of powering it with an A/C adapter or 6 "C" cell batteries. The controllers are attached to the console and could not be removed which required both players to remain close to the unit at all times. Like the previous Odyssey system there was no digital score keeping. This was instead done with a 2 plastic sliders. Magnavox also decided to cut costs and problems associated with varying TV screen sizes by not including any color overlays. This was a disappointment to many players who thought it added realism to the games and left them in a black & white world. The biggest improvement the 100 model had over the original was the inclusion of sound.


Odyssey 100


Odyssey 100 (inside)
 

Console owned is complete with box and mint.

Original patent filed by Ralph Baer:  "The present invention pertains to an apparatus [and method], in conjunction with monochrome and color television receivers, for the generation, display, manipulation, and use of symbols or geometric figures upon the screen of the television receivers for the purpose of [training simulation, for] playing games [and for engaging in other activities] by one or more participants.

The invention comprises in one embodiment a control unit, an apparatus connecting the control unit to the television receiver and in some applications a television screen overlay mask utilized in conjunction with a standard television receiver.

The control unit includes the control, circuitry, switches and other electronic circuitry for the generation, manipulation and control of video signals which are to be displayed on the television screen.

The connecting apparatus selectively couples the video signals to the receiver antenna terminals thereby using existing electronic circuits within the receiver to process and display the signals generated by the control unit in a first state of the coupling apparatus and to receive broadcast television signals in a second state of the coupling apparatus.

An overlay mask, which may be affixed to the television screen, determines the nature of the game to be played or the training simulated.

Control units may be provided for each of the participants. Alternatively, games [training simulations and other activities] may be carried out in conjunction with background and other pictorial information originated in the television receiver by commercial TV, closed-circuit TV or a CATV station."


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