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Mark plays.... Philips Videopac / Magnavox Odyssey - Episodes 10 & 11
A new series of small videos, not really reviews but just some games I happen to really like. This is episodes 10 & 11.
Games: Various Magnavox Odyssey2 & 3, Philips Videopac G7000, G7400 games
Publisher: Philips / Magnavox
Platform: Magnavox Odyssey / Philips Videopac
The Philips Videopac+ G7400 console was a rare beast, it was released in very limited quantities in 1983 but only in Europa. An American release was planned named the Odyssey³ Command Center but it never saw the light of day.
The G7400 console could play all Videopac / Odyssey2 games out there. Three types of games exist. The original G7000 videogames, the plus versions sporting an additional high-resolution background which would only be visible on the G7400. And finally the special G7400 only games with high-resolution graphics very reminiscent of Teletext, BBC Micro or ZX Spectum.
Here I am playing the rare G7400 through my video-grabber with some of my favourite games whilst I comment on the gameplay, etc.
http://www.videopac.org/ - home of Philips Videopac / Magnavox Odyssey
Comments
Great to see this stuff in action, thanks! I have an extensive Odyssey2 collection. The platform has its deficiencies, certainly, but also quite a few pluses, into a great speech synthesizer. I always wanted to nab a Philips Videopac+ G7400, but as you say, I'm at a double disadvantage being in the US and the fact that it's limited even in Europe.
Books!
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
It was interesting to see these videos.
That Freedom Fighters game looks like it was inspired by Defender (of course without the scrolling screen).
VectrexMad!
http://www.vectrex.co.uk
It was interesting to see these videos.
That Freedom Fighters game looks like it was inspired by Defender (of course without the scrolling screen).
VectrexMad!
http://www.vectrex.co.uk
You are correct. The "Defender" soon-to-be-Gamasutra-published bonus chapter from Vintage Games agrees with you, complete with image:
Caption: The Magnavox Odyssey2’s Freedom Fighters! (1982) was that platform’s answer to Defender, and, instead of mapping controls to the console’s keyboard, implemented an awkward two-joystick control scheme that worked best with two players at the helm. Image from the Freedom Fighters! Manual shown here.
;-)
Books!
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
Great stuff, Dr. Mark! How big is your retro collection?
But a lot of it is in plastic boxes with lids on them stored in the attic and closets.
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
The Freedom Fighters game has a hyperdrive function making your ship temporarily green - you won't be able to fire whilst using it - and you'll have a super-fast maneuverability. On a regular G7000 it is impossible to use the two sticks at the same time - you will either grow more limbs or play with a second player steering.
On the G7400 it is possible to set the controllers on the surface of the G7400 and play with two sticks at the same time without worrying about sliding them around - of course the fire button still is tricky then. I might be tempted to show that in another video - if people want to see it - perhaps my wife Elise can film me doing this.
Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl
Thanks for the feedback. It's very much appreciated.
PS3: MarkVergeer | Xbox 360: Lactobacillus P | Wii: 8151 3435 8469 3138
Armchair arcade Editor | Pixellator | www.markvergeer.nl