You have to be kidding me. Just when you thought the Intellivision name was destined to be a cautionary tale in the history of vaporware (I’m looking at you, Amico), Atari—yes, that Atari—has swept in to save the brand and immediately announce a brand-new console.
It’s called the Intellivision Sprint, and this time, it’s not a touchscreen gimmick; it’s a modern revival of the legendary 1980s console, celebrating its 45th anniversary. I am genuinely stunned, and yet, completely intrigued.
The first console war is suddenly back
Let’s not forget the history here: the original Intellivision, released in 1980, was a direct competitor to the Atari 2600. Their rivalry was known as The First Console War, defined by the Intellivision’s push for richer graphics, more realistic sports games, and those unique disc controllers.
Now, with Atari having acquired the Intellivision brand and a huge chunk of its game catalog in 2024, they are clearly focused on preserving that legacy, not burying it under a mountain of failed hype.
The Intellivision Sprint, created in collaboration with PLAION REPLAI, is a dedicated console with a few key upgrades:
- Authentic Design: It features the original’s gorgeous gold and black surface and that classic wood grain front.
- Modern Connections: It includes HDMI output for modern TVs and a USB-A port for library expansion.
- Wireless Controls: It ships with two wireless controllers that retain the unique design of the original.
45 games, £99.99, and a whole lot of history
This thing is loaded. The Intellivision Sprint comes pre-loaded with 45 fan-favourite games, highlighting the system’s competitive edge in sports and strategy titles.
We are talking about legendary titles like Baseball, Super Pro Football, and Super Pro Skiing, alongside strategy classics like B-17 Bomber and Utopia. Even arcade favorites like Astrosmash and Shark! Shark! are included. Crucially, the console includes the unique and eye-catching controller overlays for every game.
After years of chaos surrounding the brand, this is a shockingly clean, collector-friendly announcement:
- Price: £99.99.
- Pre-orders: Start today, October 17th.
- Launch: December 5th in the USA and Australia, and December 23rd in Europe.
It’s a bizarre twist of fate that the console that tried (and failed) to take on Atari in 1980 is now being expertly resurrected by its former rival. I’ll admit it—I need to see how those wireless disc controllers feel. This is a must-watch pre-order for any serious retro fan.
Pre-order the Intellivision Sprint now on Amazon, or visit the Atari website to learn more.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
