Atari has announced the Intellivision Spirit, a modern revival of the iconic 1980s gaming console that once challenged the Atari 2600. This move follows Atari’s strategic acquisition of the Intellivision brand earlier this year, aiming to blend nostalgia with contemporary gaming features for retro enthusiasts.
Key Takeaways
- Modern Revival: The Intellivision Spirit is a new console celebrating 45 years of Intellivision.
- Price and Availability: It costs $149.99, with pre-orders open now and shipping starting December 5.
- Classic and New Features: The console includes 45 built-in games, wireless controllers, HDMI output, and retains the original’s aesthetic.
- Strategic Acquisition: Atari’s purchase of the Intellivision brand in May 2024 paved the way for this collaboration.
A Blast From The Past, Reimagined
The Intellivision Spirit aims to capture the essence of the original 1980s console while incorporating modern conveniences. It features the classic gold-and-black aesthetic with a wood grain front panel, reminiscent of its predecessor. However, the new Spirit boasts wireless controllers, replacing the original’s unique disc-and-keypad design. For seamless integration with modern entertainment setups, it includes HDMI output for connecting to contemporary displays. A USB-A port is also included, hinting at potential future library expansions.
A Curated Collection Of Classic Games
Included with the Intellivision Spirit are 45 classic games, highlighting the system’s historical strengths. The selection features a strong lineup of sports titles such as Baseball, Super Pro Football, and Chip Shot Super Golf, reflecting Intellivision’s reputation for realistic gameplay. Strategy games like Utopia, Sea Battle, and B-17 Bomber are also present, showcasing the platform’s depth. Fan favorites like Astrosmash, Shark! Shark!, and Boulder Dash round out the collection. Each game comes with authentic controller overlays to enhance the retro gaming experience.
Bridging Decades Of Gaming Rivalry
This launch marks a significant moment, as Intellivision was once Atari’s greatest rival in the early days of home video gaming. Atari’s acquisition of the Intellivision brand in May 2024, which included rights to over 200 titles, has effectively ended this long-standing competition. Matt Burnett, VP of Strategic Operations at Atari, stated, "Becoming caretakers of such an important brand is both a big responsibility and a very fun expansion of our work at Atari." The Intellivision Spirit, developed in collaboration with Plaion, represents a celebration of gaming history, transforming a former rivalry into a collaborative venture for retro gaming fans and collectors.
