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Atari breathes new life into Intellivision with the Sprint, blending retro charm and modern gameplay for a true console revival.
Reliving the Glory Days of Console Rivalry
If you grew up gaming in the 1980s, you know the thrill of the early console wars—the legendary showdown between Mattel’s Intellivision and the ever-dominant Atari. While later generations got swept up in the Nintendo vs. Sega saga, the real OG gamers remember the joy of swapping between Pong and Starship on Atari or diving into Tron and Utopia on Intellivision. Now, decades later, Atari is pulling off one of gaming’s most delightful plot twists: reviving their old rival, Intellivision, through a fresh new console called the Sprint.
From First Console War to Modern Collaboration
Back in 1980, the Intellivision wasn’t just any Atari challenger; it was Mattel’s bold answer to the Atari 2600. This wasn’t a mere copycat—it brought superior graphics, realistic sports simulations, and quirky controllers featuring numeric keypads with removable overlays. It was like the Pepsi Challenge for consoles, creating a fanbase that passionately chose sides.
Fast forward to 2024. Atari now owns the Intellivision brand and instead of letting this gem gather dust, they teamed up with Plaion to honor Intellivision’s 45th anniversary with the Sprint. And boy, did they nail it. The console embraces the iconic gold and black colors and those wood grain accents that practically shout retro coolness without dipping into cheap knockoff territory.
A Game Library Worth Celebrating
What truly sets the Sprint apart is the treasure trove of 45 built-in games that span sports, strategy, and arcade genres. Classics like Astrosmash, Shark! Shark!, Star Strike, and Boulder Dash make their return. The sports titles include Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, and Super Pro Football—highlighting why Intellivision was once a strong contender in the console arena.
Innovative Nostalgia: Controller Overlays and Modern Enhancements
One of the coolest features Atari preserved is the use of controller overlays. If you’ve never experienced Intellivision’s magic, these overlays slipped over the numeric keypad and showed exactly which buttons did what for each game. It was like low-tech augmented reality—brilliantly simple and incredibly effective.
The modern Sprint edition upgrades these with wireless controllers (thank goodness for cutting the cord!), HDMI output for crisp visuals on new TVs, and a USB-A port for potential game library expansions. Atari has clearly thought this through—they’re staying true to Intellivision’s roots while making it a breeze to enjoy in 2025.
Striking the Perfect Balance: Retro Meets Today
The design team behind the Sprint struck a perfect harmony between preservation and progress. There’s no desperate attempt to make Intellivision flashy or edgy—just a respectful nod to its original identity, enhanced with contemporary usability.
Guardians of Gaming Heritage
What’s truly fascinating here is Atari’s role as a guardian of gaming’s rich history. As Matt Burnett, Atari’s VP, aptly put it, they’re positioning themselves not just as purveyors of nostalgia but as caretakers of a legacy. Instead of letting Intellivision slip into obscurity, they’ve chosen to champion this piece of gaming culture and bring it back to life with care and respect.
Who’s This Console For?
Now, fair warning: the Intellivision Sprint isn’t for everyone. It’s a niche delight for design lovers who appreciate thoughtful revivals, history buffs eager to experience the formative years of console gaming, or curious players wanting a hands-on glimpse at the pre-PlayStation console wars.
It’s a bit like holding a playable piece of pop culture archaeology—where the best design isn’t about reinventing but knowing exactly what to treasure and update. Atari seems to have struck that rare balance perfectly with the Sprint.
“Sometimes the best design isn’t about reinvention. Sometimes it’s about knowing exactly what to keep and what to carefully update.” – Matt Burnett, Atari
FAQ
- What is the Intellivision Sprint?
It’s a newly released console celebrating Intellivision’s 45th anniversary, featuring 45 built-in games and a retro-modern design. - Does the Sprint support modern TVs?
Yes, it includes HDMI output to connect easily to contemporary televisions. - Are the controllers wired or wireless?
The Sprint comes with two wireless controllers designed to resemble the classic Intellivision controllers, complete with overlays. - Can I add more games to the Sprint?
There’s a USB-A port hinting at the possibility of expanding the game library in the future. - Is the Sprint a good choice for casual gamers?
While it’s a fantastic collector’s piece and a trip down memory lane, it might not appeal to everyone, especially those used to modern gaming complexity.
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