Atari Revives Intellivision: The Sprint Console Brings Back a Classic Rival
Atari is making a move that has stunned the gaming world by reviving its former arch-rival. The company has officially announced the Intellivision Sprint, a new console celebrating the 45th anniversary of the classic Mattel system. This announcement follows Atari’s acquisition of the Intellivision brand last year, signaling a clear strategy to consolidate classic gaming legacies. The Sprint isn’t a complex modern machine; it’s a direct love letter to the past, designed purely for nostalgia but with essential modern upgrades that today’s players expect. It represents a fascinating chapter in gaming history, where former competitors are now united under one banner.
The console is scheduled for a holiday 2025 release, aiming to be a perfect gift for retro enthusiasts. It arrives pre-loaded with 45 iconic games, ensuring you can play immediately. Classics like Astrosmash, Baseball, and the voice-controlled B-17 Bomber are all included, offering a comprehensive tour of the library that defined a generation. The physical design faithfully recreates the look and feel of the original Intellivision, serving as a conversation piece for any entertainment center. This careful attention to retro aesthetics shows Atari’s commitment to honoring the original console’s legacy.
Blending Retro Design with Modern Convenience
The controllers have received the most significant update. They mimic the original’s unique disc-and-keypad setup but are now completely wireless, cutting the cord on a classic frustration. Understanding that the original control scheme can be confusing for new players, Atari includes double-sided overlays for every built-in game. These plastic guides slide into the controller, clearly labeling what each keypad button does. For connectivity, the console features an HDMI port for crisp output on modern TVs and a USB-A port, hinting at future ways to expand the game library beyond the built-in titles. This blend of old and new makes the library accessible without compromising its classic charm.
A Deliberate Step Away from Recent Controversy
Atari has been careful to distance the Sprint from the failed and controversial Intellivision Amico project. The Sprint is positioned as a straightforward, no-surprises retro product, betting squarely on the power of nostalgia to find a market in 2025. By focusing on a simple plug-and-play model with a proven library, Atari avoids the ambitious pitfalls that plagued the Amico. The Intellivision Sprint will launch on December 5 in the US and Australia, followed by a European release on December 23, priced at an accessible $149.99. This strategic release aims to capture the holiday market with a dose of pure, uncomplicated gaming nostalgia.
