Intellivision is developing a comeback console!
First it was Colecovision, which failed spectacularly. Next was Atari, who just launched a hugely successful IndieGoGo for its Atari VCS system. Now Intellivision is planning a comeback as well!
Intellivision, along with ColecoVision, were the primary rivals to the hugely popular Atari 2600. Released in 1979 and sporting an actual 16-bit processor, the Intellivision was far more advanced than the 2600. Commercials comparing the two systems showed off how sad Atari games like Baseball looked side-by-side with the Intellivision baseball title. Sadly, the video game crash of 1983 not only took down Atari, but every other console of the time as well. During its lifespan, the console sold 3 million units and boasted a library of 118 games.
It’s back!
With other nostalgia-fueled consoles doing the whole comeback thing, Intellivision is getting another chance as well. It was recently announced that a big stake in the Intellivision brand was purchased by video game composer and enthusiast, Tommy Tallarico. Tallarico has been a big personality in gaming over the years, from his gig hosting the gaming TV show Electric Playground to founding the Video Games Live traveling video game music concert.
Right now, details of the new console are very slim. The full plans for the console are set to be announced in October, but here’s what we do know:
The console will be a download-only machine, with a focus on games for the whole family. They fully admit they have no plans to compete with Sony or Microsoft, which would be suicide. This console will be designed to fill the gap between more hardcore game consoles and something more focused on fun and pick-up-and-play games. With a commitment to quality, they claim that the console will eschew shovelware and only approve games they feel are at least a “7 out of 10”. A $199 price tag is currently their target price for this machine.
Can it succeed?
The full details of this console are months away, but I’m not sure that there’s room for it in today’s market. Between the Playstation, Xbox and Switch, Steam and mobile gaming and the upcoming Atari VCS, is there room in the market for a new Intellivision? Time will tell, and we’ll know how good of a shot this console will have once the full details of it are released in October.
Thanks for reading. As always, upvotes, resteems and comments are appreciated!
Cover Image Source: Screen Rant
I think Atari is going to have it hard enough (though their Indiegogo campaign seems to be going reasonably well so far). Intellivision doesn't have quite the same name recognition so they will really have to step it up on implementation. I hope they don't try to bring back those disc controllers :).
Intellivision has a very small, but dedicated fanbase. That being said, you're right that they'll have to do something to make them stand out if they want this to succeed. The market is just too crowded for another console that plays mostly indie titles.
I loved the INTV, as some of my friends had them when I was a kid, but yeah those were some of the worst controllers ever conceived. I do still love the keypads and overlays that went with each game. That was a creative and original concept.
Atari had a keypad controller too but it was separate and used on very few games (e.g. Star Raiders). I never had an Intellivision until long after it was commercially dead. I ended up getting rid of it. I could just never get used to those controllers.
I'm still debating about the new Atari console. I have said I am not going to give them any of my money up front and it is still more than a year out...assuming it comes out at all and there is no delay. I just don't have a lot of trust in the new Atari. On the other hand, it looks damn cool and $200 isn't a terrible price for the hardware plus its linux based so there's lots of things you could do with it even if it is ultimately a failure...
True. They really did nail the aesthetics of that console. No doubt its going to be a hit with modders and hackers.
Cool! It will be a portative console?
Those details have been revealed, but based on what I've read so far I think that's highly unlikely.
It's a pity! I think, there is a huge need in new and qualititative portable consoles. Hope that Sony will please us with something.
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There seems to be a market for nostalgic things like this, so I guess they will make some profit with this. I don't think this can be viewed as competition for Playstation, Xbox and Switch, but it doesn't have to be.
With a good marketing strategy I could imagine it being succesful within its limits.