Why was the Magnavox Odyssey such an influential game system?

Why was the Magnavox Odyssey such an influential game system?

Bill Kunkel (Editor-in-Chief, "Tips & Tricks" Magazine) gives expert video advice on: What are the most influential first-person shooters?; What is one of the best strategy video games available?; What are some of the most influential role-playing video games? and more...

Despite the fact that the Odyssey was a failure, it was such an influence due the fact that it was produced in 1971, and the fact that it was a programmable machine. It actually came with a series of different games on cards that you slid in and plugged in. It was way ahead of its time.