Here comes a new challenger ... and it's Intellivision?

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

In today's dose of baffling video game news, Intellivision is back and it's planning to release a new console: The Intellivision Amico. [https://www.intellivisionentertainment.com/]


Wait, where are you going, it's really not a joke. Someone decided Oktober 2020 is the time when the stars will align for Intellivision, the "also ran" to the Atari 2600, to once more gloriously enter the console fray. Also, it'll ostensibly get an exclusive new Earthworm Jim game made by the original dev team (yes, Doug TenNapel included). Apparently it's intented to be a low-cost, low entry barrier 2D-focused system "both gamers and non-gamers are able to have fun with and play together".

First impression? I know it's a mock-up, but the console looks like medical equipment. I guess they expect a device that might just defibrillate you is going to be big with 2020's kids. Glad they kept the classic Intellivision controller design. I look forward to videos about how terrible they are, assuming this thing ever makes it to market.

Speaking of, anyone willing to take bets? Or express their bewilderment? Either is fine.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

Ok, so, I'm old enough to remember most of those games first time around. And can I just say I applaud the 'no DLC or micro transactions' promise. But two and a half years to produce and ship an emulator for 30 year old games? Basically someone saw the sales of the Nes Mini (or whatever it's called) and thought "we need a piece of that!".

Serious prediction? It'll sell moderately well to people in their late 30s / early 40s who want to show their kids what gaming was like 'back in the day'.

Snarky prediction? It'll sell like fucking hotcakes to hipsters who'll show off their 'niche' console with it's 'retro' graphics to all their 'asshole' friends.

 

[CaitSeith]

https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/22/18008970/intellivision-amico-console-announcement-release-date-price

"We are creating a console that parents want to buy, not that they were asked to buy"

I don't know about the first part, but the second is probably because no one asked for this.

 

[09philj]

Remember the Atari VCS that's meant to be coming out in December?

Yeah, me neither.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

As someone who owned and loved the original Intellivision (I beat Bomb Squad on a black-and-white TV with no voice synthesis module, and once had nightmares about Microsurgeon), all I can say is: Um, we've moved on. This is stuff I'd love to see on PC, but under no circumstances would I plunk down a hundred and fifty bucks for a console.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I'm getting hand cramps just looking at those controllers.

 

[stroopwafel]

All those kinda pre-nes games are very outdated. Really don't understand how anyone would want to play intellivision/atari2600/c64/amstrad etc unless it's for a curiosity piece or if they are aspiring game designers who want to understand rudimentary design. I've been around since those old systems were still new and even I don't feel like playing them again. Only retro games I still really love are Super Nintendo games which still look as good and play as well as they did 25+ years ago. For some reason games of that system never feel dated.

This looks like something a hipster would buy to demonstrate how games didn't have 'DLC' in the old days while unironically declaring to be nostalgic for the '50s while not even having been alive back then. They probably put it next to their smartphone turned into Vectrex.

 

[Dalisclock]

There are literally gaming sites online that allow you to play these kind of games through your browser. I don't know about the legality of them but considering I can find them with seconds of googling I guess it's not high on the priority list of the companies that might own the copyrights.

 

[Richard Kain]

There's actually a lot interesting about this system from a design perspective. The style of the controller is very different from what you normally see from other consoles, which can both help and hinder its chances in the market.

The biggest drawback to the new Intellivision is that its non-standard controller will prevent it from playing most action-oriented or twitch-based games. A circular pad can be good for some simple motions, but it is no substitute for a decent analog stick, and barely even comparable to a proper d-pad. You can't play a Mario-style platformer with this thing.

The biggest advantage is that its atypical controller has features that make it distinct from other consoles. While it can't by design have a very strong action focus, there's all manner of other games that would work on this thing, while not working well on any other system. The touchscreen provides a considerable degree of interface flexibility and unique feedback, while the circular pad is good for more flexible on-screen interface navigation. The microphone and speaker are the icing on top.

The biggest challenge for the team behind this is going to be convincing developers to take a risk on it. Software titles designed specifically for their unusual interface could really shine. Quick-and-dirty ports, on the other hand, will largely be a waste of time. For an unproven system with much less brand recognition, zero install base, and the kind of competitive landscape we are currently looking at, it will be an extremely harsh, up-hill battle. I don't particularly like their chances. But I do respect that they're trying something different. What they really need is a killer-app. A unique title that fully utilizes the strengths of their system.

 

[Batou667]

That's just weird. Some of the retro titles and also some of the 90s e-celeb name power appeals to me, but other than being some kind of retro purist snob console, what exactly is the raison d'etre here? Was there any reason this couldn't have been a smartphone app, for example, or a Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft console subscription service? In my opinion the hardware itself is the weakest aspect of this offering, which although quaint, is a little worrying. Ultimately I will judge it on the strength of the software, if it actually launches (call me cynical). I would pay the $200ish price point just for a decent EarthWorm Jim 3, and I mean that quite sincerely.

 

[Terminal Blue]

Well, at least it's got a bangin' synthwave track..