Editing Magnavox Odyssey (section)

==Design==
[[File:Magnavox-Odyssey-Controller-FL.jpg|thumb|right|An Odyssey controller]]

The Odyssey consists of a black, white, and brown oblong box connected by wires to two rectangular [[game controller|controllers]]. The console connects to the television set through an included switch box, which allows the player to switch the television input between the Odyssey and the regular television input cable, and presents itself like a television channel on channel three or four, which thereafter became the standard for game consoles.<ref name=" TCW142144"/> The controllers, designed to sit on a flat surface, contain one button marked Reset on the top of the controller and three [[control knob|knob]]s: one on the right side of the controller, and two on the left with one extending from the other. The reset button resets individual elements depending on the game, such as making a player's dot visible after it is turned off. The system can be powered by six [[C battery|C batteries]], which were included; an optional [[Alternating current|AC power supply]] was sold separately.<ref name="PCWorld"/> The Odyssey lacks [[sound effect|sound capability]] and can only display [[monochrome]] white shapes on a blank black screen.<ref name="DS"/>

Internally, the Odyssey architecture is composed of digital computing parts. The circuitry is implemented in [[diode–transistor logic]] using discrete [[transistor]]s and [[diode]]s. The games themselves do not use [[ROM cartridge]]s like later consoles, but instead, use "game cards" composed of [[printed circuit board]]s that plug into the console. These cards modify the internal circuitry like a set of switches or [[jumper (computing)|jumpers]], causing the Odyssey to display different components and react to inputs differently. Multiple games use the same cards, with different instructions given to the player to change the style of the game.<ref name="VGHttl"/>

[[File: Magnavox odyssey gameplay.jpg|thumb|left|Table Tennis game for the Odyssey on a CRT television, without any overlay]]
The Odyssey is capable of displaying three square dots and a vertical line on the screen. Two of the dots are controlled by the two players, and the third by the system itself. The main console has two dials, one of which moves the vertical line across the screen, and one which adjusts the speed of the computer-controlled dot. Different games direct the player to adjust the dials to different positions, such as changing the center line of a [[tennis]] game into the side wall of a [[handball]] game. The games include plastic overlays that stick to the television via static cling to create visuals. Games that use the same game card can have different overlays, which can change a game with the same controls from, for example, a mountain ski path to a movement-based [[Simon Says]] game.<ref name=" VGHttl"/>

In addition to the overlays, the Odyssey came with dice, poker chips, score sheets, play money, and card decks.<ref name="GQ"/> One [[peripheral]] controller was released for the Odyssey, the first video game [[light gun]]. Named the Electronic Rifle, the rifle-shaped device registered a hit when pointed at a light source such as a dot on the television screen.<ref name="DS"/> Four shooting-based games were included with the light gun.<ref name="TCW151153"/> The light guns were designed and manufactured by [[Nintendo]], based on their 1970 Beam Gun toy.<ref name="BeamGun"/>