Intellivision: The Iconic 1979 Home Gaming Console by Mattel Electronics

Discover the history of Intellivision, Mattel Electronics' revolutionary home gaming console released in 1979.

Learn about its legacy, sales, and impact on the gaming world.

The Intellivision is a pioneering home video game console launched by Mattel Electronics in 1979, emerging as a strong competitor to the Atari 2600. With development beginning in 1977, Intellivision set itself apart by offering superior graphics and an innovative controller with a numeric keypad. Over its lifetime, it achieved remarkable success, selling between 4.5 and 5 million units globally by 1990, according to Intellivision Entertainment.

During its peak from 1980 to 1983, more than 3.75 million consoles were sold, making it a prominent force in the early gaming industry. The console had an active game development period stretching from 1978 to 1990, introducing beloved games like Astrosmash and Burgertime. Even after Mattel sold its video game assets in 1984, the console's legacy continued under INTV Corporation.

As one of the first systems to offer downloadable content through a special peripheral and with games that pushed the boundaries of early gaming technology, Intellivision remains a fondly remembered piece of gaming history.