In 2024, Atari acquired the Intellivision brand and the entire catalogue of games associated with the historic console, marking a significant turning point in the video game landscape. This acquisition has great historical significance, as Atari and Intellivision were key players in one of the earliest and most iconic “console wars” of the 1980s, a rivalry that shaped the history of the video game industry. Atari’s acquisition not only brings back the Intellivision brand, but also reflects the importance of preserving the historical roots of these legendary consoles.
The origins of the Intellivision
Launched in 1979 by Mattel, the Intellivision was a pioneer in the world of consoles. With significantly more advanced graphics than its competitors, the Intellivision represented a new era in the world of video games. The system included a wide variety of games, including officially licensed sports titles, making it an attractive product for a wide range of users. Its innovative design and graphical superiority were some of the reasons that set it apart from its competitors and made it a benchmark in the industry. Its rivalry with the recently launched Atari 2600 became one of the first major battles in the console market, with both companies trying to win over consumers.
The rivalry between Atari and Intellivision
The competition between Atari and Intellivision was epic and had a significant impact on the video game landscape of the time. On one side was Atari with its 2600 console, which had already achieved great success and sold around 30 million units, and on the other side was Intellivision, which unfortunately could not match the sales of its competitors and only managed to sell around 5 million units. However, the quality of the games offered by the Intellivision and its innovative technology helped to make the rivalry between the two consoles particularly heated. The companies constantly challenged each other to offer new games, innovative accessories and technical improvements, forcing both brands to evolve rapidly to meet growing market demand.
Over the years, Intellivision tried to stay competitive with the launch of the Intellivision II in 1983, an improved version of the original console with a more streamlined and compact design. Despite its attempts at innovation, the video game industry suffered a crisis in 1983, known as the video game market crash, which hit all companies involved in console production hard. Due to this crisis and economic difficulties, Mattel decided to sell the Intellivision brand in 1984.
From then on, the Intellivision brand remained in the shadows, but its legacy as one of the first real consoles to challenge Atari remains alive in the collective memory of fans.
The acquisition of Intellivision by Atari In 2024, the history of Intellivision takes a new turn with its acquisition by Atari. This symbolic gesture closes a decades-long cycle, as it can be said to have ended the long and historic war between the two consoles. Atari has decided to acquire the Intellivision brand and catalogue of games, breathing new life into the history and games that defined an era of video games. Atari stated that this acquisition represents an opportunity to revive and modernise some of the most iconic Intellivision games, making them available to new generations of gamers.
What remains of Intellivision
Today, decades later, Atari’s acquisition of Intellivision is not only a commercial matter, but also a gesture that celebrates the legacy and history of two of the most iconic consoles of the past. Intellivision’s games continue to be a video game legacy that has influenced the development of the industry, and through this acquisition there is hope that many of these titles can still be revisited and played today, perhaps on modern platforms, thanks to Atari’s willingness to preserve and revive the brand.
