Mattel Intellivision Video Games For Sale

Overview

Released by Mattel Electronics in 1979, the Intellivision broke new ground as the first home console powered by a 16-bit processor. While its graphics and sound were closer to the 8-bit standards of the time, the system’s architecture gave it a reputation for being a “smarter” console, setting it apart from the Atari 2600. It featured tile-based visuals, multi-channel audio, and later support for voice synthesis through the Intellivoice module — innovations that felt futuristic to early ’80s gamers.

Backed by aggressive advertising with George Plimpton and a strong lineup of realistic sports and strategy titles, Intellivision captured nearly 20% of the U.S. market by 1981 and went on to sell millions of units along with roughly 20 million cartridges during its prime years.

Collector Appeal

For collectors, the Intellivision delivers a mix of nostalgia and mechanical charm. Complete-in-box (CIB) games with intact overlays and manuals are especially prized, with sets bundled alongside rarities like the Intellivoice module or Entertainment Computer System (ECS) fetching strong premiums.

Standout titles such as Utopia (often credited as the first city-building simulation), World Series Major League Baseball (a landmark in voice-enhanced sports gaming), and fan favorites like Astrosmash showcase the system’s creative ambition. Limited-run hardware such as the rare Keyboard Component or other specialty add-ons remain sought-after centerpieces for serious collectors.

And yes—the quirky controllers with pop-in overlays, while notorious for stickiness, have become a beloved hallmark of the system’s tactile appeal and enduring collector charm.

Fun Intellivision Facts

First 16-bit surprise: Long before the Genesis and SNES, the Intellivision ran on a 16-bit CPU. Its graphics and sound were closer to 8-bit systems like the Atari 2600, but that hidden 16-bit heart makes it a jaw-dropping fact for collectors who assume the “16-bit era” started a decade later.

Talking games in 1982: With the Intellivoice module, players suddenly heard characters and commentary coming from their TV—sci-fi style audio that felt futuristic at the time.

Strategy before SimCity: Utopia is often credited as the first city-building game, while World Series Major League Baseball blended stats, management, and voice prompts—ambition far ahead of its time.

Market contender: By 1981, Intellivision captured roughly 20% of the U.S. console market, thanks to slick ads, clever sports simulations, and a “smarter than Atari” reputation.

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