Retro Video Gamer

Where Old School Video Games Live On

27 May, 2008 | No comments

Intellivision Systems

Intellivision was a video game console released by Mattel in the late 70s. It‘s main competitor was the Atari 2600 whom it handily brushed aside. The Mattel concept was not only to release a video game player, but have it mimic a simple “intelligent” computer. At that time, the novelty of computer based games was just starting and they were not readily available.

INTELLIVISION SYSTEM CANADIAN W/KEYBOARD &22 GMS F549
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM CANADIAN W/KEYBOARD &22 GMS F549
Paypal   US $999.99
Vintage 1980s Intellivision Game System & Over 35 Games
Vintage 1980s Intellivision Game System & Over 35 Games
Paypal   US $499.95
INTELLIVISION 11 1982 SYSTEM COMP W/KEYBOARD F546001
INTELLIVISION 11 1982 SYSTEM COMP W/KEYBOARD F546001
Paypal   US $299.99
INTELLIVISION Game System + 13 games w/Tron & MORE!
INTELLIVISION Game System + 13 games w/Tron & MORE!
Paypal   US $299.99
Mattel Intellivision 2 Video Game System with 12 Games
Mattel Intellivision 2 Video Game System with 12 Games
Paypal   US $199.99
INTELLIVISION ORIGINAL  SYSTEM  CIB W/3 GAMES F529001
INTELLIVISION ORIGINAL SYSTEM CIB W/3 GAMES F529001
Paypal   US $179.99
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM w Donkey kong,burger time & 7 more
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM w Donkey kong,burger time & 7 more
Paypal   US $159.99
Intellivision 2 game system in box
Intellivision 2 game system in box
Paypal   US $150.00
Mattel Intellivision 1979 Game System w/box and games
Mattel Intellivision 1979 Game System w/box and games
Paypal   US $150.00
INTELLIVISION  III  SYSTEM #3504 WORKS  W/GAME  F547031
INTELLIVISION III SYSTEM #3504 WORKS W/GAME F547031
Paypal   US $129.99
Intellivision System in Box Tested and Ready to Enjoy
Intellivision System in Box Tested and Ready to Enjoy
Paypal   US $129.99
 ORIGINAL MATTEL INTELLIVISION SYSTEM + 19 GAMES
ORIGINAL MATTEL INTELLIVISION SYSTEM + 19 GAMES
Paypal   US $129.00
Intellivision MASTER COMPONENT System w Intellivoice A+
Intellivision MASTER COMPONENT System w Intellivoice A+
Paypal   US $119.95
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM   WITH  GAME WORKS   F507027A
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM WITH GAME WORKS F507027A
Paypal   US $99.99
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM   WITH  2 GAMES  WORKS   F512016
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM WITH 2 GAMES WORKS F512016
Paypal   US $99.99
Mattel Intellivision Video Game System with 8 Games
Mattel Intellivision Video Game System with 8 Games
Paypal   US $99.99
Intellivision MASTER COMPONENT System Looks Unused WoW!
Intellivision MASTER COMPONENT System Looks Unused WoW!
Paypal   US $99.95
Intellivision Model 2 CONSOLE 20 Games System TESTED
Intellivision Model 2 CONSOLE 20 Games System TESTED
Paypal   US $84.99
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM  WITH 4  GAMES  WORK   F507033
INTELLIVISION SYSTEM WITH 4 GAMES WORK F507033
Paypal   US $79.99
Intellivision II system & 17 games, no cords
Intellivision II system & 17 games, no cords
Paypal   US $75.55
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The initial Intellivision console consisted of 4 games at a hefty price tag of $299.

In the 1980s, Mattel started to incorporate additional software into the devices enabling them to play more games and sales started to climb. Compared to the other products available at the time esp. Atari, Intellivision had superior images and sound production. But Mattel still did not have enough games on the market to reveal what its console could do.

Further modification on later models of Intellivision has even better sound effects, a key board and a built in basic programming language.

This was followed by addition of voice on units called Intellivoice. Since the development of Intellivision, the company had promised an attachment that would change the device into a home PC. Research and development was slow and the final product did not come out into the market until l981. At a steep price of $700, there were few buyers and the idea failed.

Later Mattel did come up with a new computer module called Intellivision 11, but this never took fruition. There were problems with both the software and hardware and many of the accessories for the computer were not available or the design was outdated. In 1983, Mattel did release its home PC called the Entertainment Computer System.

However, by this time there were some genuine competitors in the field of home PC and in the video game industry. By 1984, Intellivision had already seen its heyday and was finally closed.

Check out our selection of Intellivision games.