---
title: MAGNAVOX Odyssey 500
categories:
- Pongs
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1976'
params:
  name: Odyssey 500
  image: /media/museum/photos/magnavox_odyssey500_1.jpg
  company: /companies/magnavox
  company_name: MAGNAVOX
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Odyssey 500
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Magnavox
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1976'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Smash, Hockey, Tennis
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: 3 knobs for each player (vertical movements, horizontal movements, english effect)
  - label: CPU
    value: Unknown
  - label: SPEED
    value: None
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: game selection, players graphic selection, power on/off
  - label: RAM
    value: On screen
  - label: COLORS
    value: 'Yes'
  - label: SOUND
    value: Built-in speaker
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: RF TV video output
  - label: OS
    value: 6 x C cell batteries
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: External power supply
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 'No'
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  - software
  - links
  photos:
  - title: WITH BOX
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/magnavox_odyssey500_withbox.jpg
  - title: CONTROL PANEL
    subtitle: ''
    text: We can see here the different switches of the control panel. There are three different playfield (smash, tennis and hockey) and three different player graphics. That's why the box says there is also a Soccer game! It's in fact the hockey game with the Smash player graphics...
    image: /media/museum/photos/magnavox_odyssey500_cp_1.jpg
  links:
  - title: www.atariarchives.org
    url: http://www.atariarchives.org/bcc2/showpage.php?page=278
    text: This excellent web site has a scan of an old article about some Odyssey systems
  - title: www.pong-story.com
    url: http://www.pong-story.com/odyssey_other.htm
    text: Odyssey dedicated page. Excellent website.
  related:
  - /museum/magnavox-odyssey-100
  - /museum/magnavox-odyssey-200
  - /museum/magnavox-odyssey-2000
  - /museum/magnavox-odyssey-300
  - /museum/magnavox-odyssey-400
  software:
  - /software/hockey-628
  - /software/smash-626
  - /software/soccer
  - /software/tennis-625
  oc_id: 1283
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230614010950/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1283
    date: '2023-06-14'
---

The Odyssey 500 was released in 1976, and was very advanced for that time considering the technology used. It was in fact the only system of its kind. As a matter of fact, the white paddles representing the players were replaced by simple color graphics: two tennis players with their rackets (TENNIS game), two squash players (SMASH & SOCCER?), or two hockey players holding their sticks (HOCKEY).

On the control panel, one can find two switches: one to select the playfield (a wall on the left, a central net or two walls with goals), and the other one to select player graphics (as described above). That's why the box claims there is a fourth game, Soccer. It's in fact a combination of the "hockey" playfield and "smash" player graphics!

Promotional text from the box:\
\- Works on any TV... color or black & white\
\- Digital on-screen scoring - displays each player's score\
\- Action sound - for game realism\
\- Vertical, horizontal, speed & English controls - for exciting action\
\- Automatic serve - adds greater challenge to each game\
\- Full color playing fields & players - Only when used with a color TV\
\- AC adapter included - for economical, battery-free use\
\- New All-Pro: Smash, Hockey, Tennis & Soccer

---

**Contributors** : [www.pong-story.com](http://www.pong-story.com) New All-Pro: Smash, Hockey, Tennis, & Soccer

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>