In 1975 Magnavox released a slightly improved version of the Odyssey 100... the Odyssey 200. Clever eh? Improvements over the Odyssey included:
On-screen scoring using small rectangles
Playable by 2 or 4 players
A third game was added simply titled SMASH
All of this was possible by the inclusion of two additional Texas Instruments IC chips.
Odyssey 200
Odyssey 200 (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."
