 | |
|---|---|
 Universal Odyssey with controller model 1 | |
| Developer | NBCUniversal (Comcast Corporation) |
| Manufacturer | Universal Neptune |
| Product family | Universal Video Game Consoles |
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Sixth generation |
| Retail availability | NA May 6, 2000 EU December 21, 2000 AUS December 21, 2000 JP March 7, 2001 PAL March 12, 2001 |
| Discontinued | February 24, 2012 |
| Units sold | 14.8 million |
| Media | ROM cartridge, CD-ROM (Add-On) |
| CPU | Motorola 68000 and Zilog Z80 |
| Storage capacity | Universal Odyssey Memory Card (20 MB max. capacity) |
| Online services | Universalville |
| Best-selling game | Grand Theft Auto: Geoshea Edition, 5.2 million (as of September 2005) |
| Successor | Universal Mercury |
Universal Odyssey is a video game console that was manufactured by Universal Studios-owned console manufacturer Universal Neptune. It was released on May 6, 2000, in North America, December 21, 2000 in Europe and Australia and March 7, 2001 in Japan. It was later released in the PAL region on March 17, 2001. The sixth-generation console competed with Sony's PlayStation 2, Sega's Dreamcast, the Nintendo GameCube and Microsoft's Xbox. The Universal Odyssey was Universal's first home console to date. The console was shown at E3 1999. Today it is the longest living ROM cartridge/CD ROM-based home consoles. It costs $90 currently. Universal released a handheld version of the console called the Universal Do-Go. Universal Odyssey production officially ended in February 2012. On March 2, 2012, Universal released its successor, the Universal Mercury.
History[]
Universal began providing development kits to game developers for its own video game console codenamed "Neptune Odyssey" as early as September 1998. The console was announced as the Universal Odyssey at a press conference in North America in 1999. Universal unveiled its software lineup for the sixth-generation console at E3 2000, focusing on 6 launch titles that included Grand Theft Auto: Geoshea Edition, Frantic Mayhem Royale, Furryous, and Rayman 2: The Great Escape. Several titles that were originally scheduled to launch with the console were delayed.
Hardware[]
The Universal Odyssey supports all CD-ROMs and cartridges, even the Sega-developed GD-ROM disks. It also has a internet modem with internet connection being 195 mbps, which is why the price of the Universal Odyssey made a bit of sense.
Games[]
After the lauch, Universal Neptune announced that Sony, "Balls", Microsoft, Nintendo and others allow their subsidiaries, divisions and development studios develop titles to Universal Oddyssey.
Launch titles[]
North America[]
- Grand Theft Auto: Geoshea Edition
- Grand Theft Auto: Worms
- Frantic Mayhem Royale
- Furryous (through Universalville Arcadium)
- Rayman 2: The Great Escape
- Soldier of Fortune
- Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed
Japan[]
- Grand Theft Auto: Geoshea Edition
- Grand Theft Auto: Worms
- Frantic Mayhem Royale
- Gurando Paradaisu: Roiyaru Fantajī
- Tomb Raider Chronicles
Europe[]
- Grand Theft Auto: Geoshea Edition
- Grand Theft Auto: Worms
- Frantic Mayhem Royale
- Rayman 2: The Great Escape
- Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed
Main games[]
- Main article: List of Universal Odyssey games
Successors[]
Universal Odyssey was discontinued in 2012, and they planned to release a successor to the console under the name Universal Uranus. The console was renamed for "obvious reasons" and it's now known as Universal Mercury.
Gallery[]
