Odyssey 2.1: Rebuilding a Classic Game Console

[Jess Ragan]

http://kiblitzing.blogspot.com/2013/05/its-odd-odd-odd-odd-mod-rebuilding.html

 

I recently found an old Odyssey2 rotting away in my parents' barn, so I decided I'd bring it back to life as a weekend project, while giving the hardware some much-needed modern conveniences. It was one of the later models with hardwired controllers, so I pulled them out and replaced them with 9-pin controller ports, making the system compatible with Atari, Coleco, and Sega joysticks. I also chucked the badly rusted RF modulator box inside the Odyssey2, and replaced it with a composite video cable scavenged from a Chinese TV Games unit.

 

It's still an Odyssey2, with all the baggage that comes with it, but at least I can play its games with my favorite controllers and connect it to a modern television set. The best part is that the mods were sinfully easy, requiring only moderate soldering skill, a few spare parts, and absolutely none of the electrical math I dread. Here's the information I used to hack the system:

 

Joystick information:

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22012

A/V connections:

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/odyssey2/faq/essentials/#51

My only major beef is with the screws I used to attach the two joystick ports. I just used what I had on hand, but I'm pretty sure I could find something better suited to the task, with screw-on bolts for the other ends to keep the ports secure. Aside from that, I'm pretty proud of my work! Now I'm itching to tackle another system; possibly that unloved Vader 2600 in the tractor shed.

[Serious]

I'd love to see some photos of what you've done.

[Jess Ragan]

Sure! Will these do?

[Seob]

Next step get rid of all cables.

Edited May 14, 2013 by Seob

[Jess Ragan]

How'd you manage to mount the joystick connectors on the back? I tried this, but the circuit board got in the way. Did you use D-shell connectors with downward facing pins? I used D-shells with solder cups, myself.

 

I would have used RCA ports instead of an A/V cable, but I didn't have any to spare. I did, however, have a TV Games unit from China that I never wanted to lay eyes on again. I figured I might as well take advantage of it. The advantage to this is that the cable is right there when I need it... I don't have to dig around for one.

 

I noticed that you put in a new AC adapter and power switch. The power switch I can understand (the default power button is kind of crummy... mine's very stiff and a little unpredictable), but why a new AC adapter? An NES power supply works pretty well with a later model Odyssey2, and they're not exactly in short supply.

[Seob]

How'd you manage to mount the joystick connectors on the back? I tried this, but the circuit board got in the way. Did you use D-shell connectors with downward facing pins? I used D-shells with solder cups, myself.

 

I would have used RCA ports instead of an A/V cable, but I didn't have any to spare. I did, however, have a TV Games unit from China that I never wanted to lay eyes on again. I figured I might as well take advantage of it. The advantage to this is that the cable is right there when I need it... I don't have to dig around for one.

 

I noticed that you put in a new AC adapter and power switch. The power switch I can understand (the default power button is kind of crummy... mine's very stiff and a little unpredictable), but why a new AC adapter? An NES power supply works pretty well with a later model Odyssey2, and they're not exactly in short supply.

Hi Jess,

This is Odyssey's european sister the Videopac. They don't come with a power switch at all, so that's why i added it. There are also a lot of different versions of the videopac, some come with a separate power supply some with built in power suplly. This model came with a built in power supply, so a power cord was attached to the console. Since i wanted to get rid of all attached cables i put in the power socket.

Don't know if there is a difference internally between the mainboard of the odyssey and videopac, but the console had the room between the mainboard and the back. I also used soldercups d-connetors. Here is a view of the inside. All modding has been don on the bottom part of the console, so i can swap it with a different top if this breaks.