A New Intellivision Console Is in the Works

As modern video game companies push the limits of technology with virtual reality implementation and Hollywood-level production values (and budgets), it turns out that there’s a sizable portion of the gaming public that yearns for simpler times. It’s how Nintendo created a sensation with its NES and SNES Classic systems, and why Sega and Capcom keep generating fanfare with retro throwbacks like Sonic Mania, Mega Man 11, and the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection.

That love of classic gaming now includes the revival of the Intellivision console, which was originally released by Mattel in 1979 and was on shelves through 1990. This new Intellivision is being touted as a “family video game console” and is being headed by Intellivision Entertainment's president, Tommy Tallarico, an industry veteran who served as a composer on games like Earthworm Jim and 2000’s Spider-Man on the PlayStation.

In a press release, Tallarico stated that this new console will separate itself from modern competition by “focusing on bringing all age groups and levels of gamers and non-gamers together while introducing new generations of people to the legacy success of the Intellivision brand.”

During its formative years, Intellivision touted games like BurgerTime, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and plenty of others. Though the console was a hit in the early and mid-'80s, it lost steam after the video game crash of 1983 and could never rebound once the NES took hold of the market. Aside from the games, the system also had one of the more unique ad campaigns at the time. Instead of featuring flashy graphics and hyperactive children in the commercials, the most memorable Intellivision ads involved the erudite actor and journalist George Plimpton giving his expert opinion on why the system was far better than its Atari competition.

As for more details about the Intellivision revival—you’ll just have to wait until October 1, 2018 for information to become available, according to the company.