Hottest Video Game System Every 80’s Kid Wanted In Illinois

The Mattel Intellivision holds a special place in the history of video games. Launched in 1979, it was one of the first home gaming consoles to truly challenge the dominance of the Atari 2600. The name "Intellivision" itself is a combination of "intelligent" and "television," reflecting its ambition to bring sophisticated entertainment to households.

I remember my brother and myself staying up all night playing football and baseball games, we created playoffs and then ended up with our own Super Bowl and World Series.

The console was notable for its innovative approach to gaming.

It offered advanced graphics for its time, with a resolution that surpassed many of its competitors. Players were treated to more detailed visuals, making games more immersive than ever before. Intellivision also broke new ground with its unique controller design—a keypad paired with a directional disk. Each game came with custom overlays that players could slide over the keypad, providing specific commands for each title.

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One of Intellivision’s standout features was its game library, which included a mix of sports, strategy, and arcade titles. Mattel even developed a voice synthesis module, the Intellivoice, which added spoken words to certain games, a groundbreaking feature for the early 1980s. Titles like Major League Baseball and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons showcased the system’s ability to deliver rich, varied gameplay experiences.

Mattel also pushed the boundaries with its marketing.

The company positioned Intellivision as the more sophisticated alternative to Atari, targeting adults and families who wanted a premium gaming experience. Actor George Plimpton became the face of the brand, appearing in commercials to highlight the console's superior graphics and gameplay.

Though Intellivision ultimately succumbed to the fierce competition of the gaming industry, its influence is undeniable. It paved the way for the development of more complex gaming systems and introduced concepts that remain relevant today, such as innovative controllers and voice integration. For many, the Mattel Intellivision is a nostalgic reminder of a time when the future of gaming was just beginning to take shape.

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