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The Intellivision, released by Mattel Electronics in 1979, was one of the first major competitors to the Atari 2600. Marketed as a more advanced home console with superior graphics and sound, the Intellivision aimed to revolutionize home gaming by offering a more immersive experience. Despite not surpassing the Atari 2600 in sales, it gained a loyal following and left a lasting impact on the video game industry.
1. The Birth of the Intellivision
In the late 1970s, Mattel, a company known for its toys, decided to enter the growing video game market. The Intellivision (short for “Intelligent Television”) was designed to offer a more advanced alternative to the Atari 2600, featuring better graphics, a unique controller, and a library of diverse games.
2. Technical Advancements Over Atari 2600
The Intellivision was one of the first home consoles to feature a 16-bit microprocessor, making it technologically superior to the Atari 2600’s 8-bit architecture. It offered higher-resolution graphics, better sound capabilities, and a unique keypad controller that allowed for more complex gameplay mechanics.
3. The Controller: A Unique Innovation
Unlike the simple joystick of the Atari 2600, the Intellivision’s controller featured a numeric keypad and a circular disc for movement. The keypad allowed for overlays to be inserted, giving each game a customized button layout. While innovative, the controller was often criticized for being less intuitive than Atari’s joystick.
4. A Strong Game Library
The Intellivision had a diverse game library, with standout titles such as Astrosmash (1981), Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1982), and Utopia (1982), one of the earliest city-building simulation games. Sports games like Major League Baseball (1980) were also highly popular and helped the console appeal to a broad audience.
5. The Marketing Battle with Atari
Mattel aggressively marketed the Intellivision as a superior alternative to the Atari 2600. Its advertising campaign featured side-by-side comparisons showcasing the Intellivision’s better graphics and sound. The “Intellivision Man,” played by actor George Plimpton, became the face of the campaign, reinforcing the console’s image as a more sophisticated gaming system.
6. The Introduction of Third-Party Developers
Just like Atari, Mattel eventually allowed third-party developers to create games for the Intellivision. Companies such as Activision and Imagic released popular titles, further expanding the console’s game library and increasing its appeal to players looking for a variety of experiences.
7. The Intellivoice Expansion
One of the most unique features of the Intellivision was the Intellivoice module, an add-on released in 1982 that enabled synthesized speech in games. Titles like B-17 Bomber (1982) and Space Spartans (1982) showcased voice technology that was ahead of its time, though the feature was not widely adopted due to high costs.
8. The Console Wars and Market Challenges
While the Intellivision was technologically superior in many ways, the Atari 2600 had a much larger market share and stronger third-party support. By the early 1980s, the home gaming market became highly competitive, with new consoles like the ColecoVision entering the scene, making it harder for the Intellivision to dominate.
9. The Impact of the 1983 Video Game Crash
The video game crash of 1983 severely affected the entire industry, including Mattel. With declining sales and financial struggles, Mattel Electronics was forced to discontinue its gaming division in 1984. Despite this setback, the Intellivision remained a beloved system among fans.
10. The Legacy of Intellivision
Despite being overshadowed by Atari and later Nintendo, the Intellivision left a lasting impact on gaming. Its emphasis on advanced graphics, unique controllers, and innovative gameplay influenced future console designs. Many Intellivision games have been re-released on modern platforms, keeping the legacy of the system alive. The Intellivision was an ambitious console that pushed the boundaries of home gaming in the early 1980s. While it may not have achieved the same commercial success as its competitors, it played a crucial role in shaping the industry and remains a cherished part of video game history.