There should be no compatibility problems with the adaptor as it has both male and female plugs. The Voice comes complete with a new AC adaptor that is meant to replace the one that comes with the original system. The slot in The Voice is on a slight angle which makes inserting a cartridge seem incorrect, and there is no cover over this slot, a situation which could lead to dust build-up on the exposed connector. The Voice has its own built-in speaker and volume control. The module leaves the keyboard uncovered and allows for access to the on/off power switch. When plugged into the cartridge slot, The Voice looks like an extension of the original unit. The Voice module is made of the same material as the Odyssey 2 console and is styled similarly. If a game doesn't require The Voice, sound effects will still come from the TV speaker. Only cartridges that are specifically in The Voice series make use of the special capabilities of the module. The Voice has its own slot into which all current and future Odyssey 2 cartridges can be inserted. It is actually a huge hardware cartridge that plugs into the cartridge slot of the main Odyssey 2 console. The Voice, as the component is called, has a retail price of about $100. Magnavox hopes to get a jump on the competition by being the first to introduce an add-on module that gives their system the capability of voice and sound effects. The joysticks are connected to the console by bothersomely short, non-detachable cables. These joysticks are not overly responsive to player control, indeed they seem a bit sluggish. Their insides contain a flat pattern of switches that are pressure activated. The two eight-directional joysticks that come with the Odyssey 2 package have one action button each. A touch typist would find the keyboard on the Odyssey 2 a nightmare, but for those who hunt-and-peck, there is no real problem. In addition, the keyboard is recessed and thus difficult to type on. Like the membrane keyboard of the Atari 400 personal computer, the Odyssey 2 keyboard offers no tactile response when a key is pressed. There are 49 keys on the plastic covered membrane keyboard. No other system comes out of the box with a built-in alphanumeric keyboard. The thing that sets the Odyssey 2 apart from other game machines is the keyboard. Sound effects are sent to the speaker in the TV. The Odyssey 2 is capable of medium-resolution color graphics comparable to those of the Atari VCS. This includes the keyboard console, an AC adaptor, two joysticks, and a starter cartridge. The Odyssey 2 video game system retails for just under $200. ![]() Magnavox has taken a large step in the right direction by introducing The Voice, a speech synthesis module for their Odyssey 2 game system. As new home arcade systems flood the market, manufacturers of older units must continue to design special features for their machines to ensure that they don't become obsolete.
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