The Rivalry is Over! Atari Just Unveiled the Intellivision Spirit

If you told a gamer in 1982 that their beloved Atari would one day resurrect its fiercest rival, the Intellivision, they would have probably told you to lay off the Pac-Man for a week. Yet, here we are! In a move that truly cements Atari as the king of retro revivals, the company has announced the Intellivision Spirit, a stunning modern take on the classic Mattel console!

This isn’t just news; it’s the official, heartwarming (and slightly mind-bending) end to the First Console War!

Woodgrain, Wireless, and the Wonderful Wheel

The original Intellivision launched in 1979 and immediately threw down the gauntlet against the Atari 2600. It boasted better graphics, richer sound, and a completely unique controller. The Intellivision Spirit captures all that vintage charm while tossing out the RF switch and coiled phone cords for good.

• The Look: It’s got that unmistakable gold and black chassis with the classic wood-grain aesthetic—pure 1980s living room magic.
• The Controller: Those iconic 16-direction rotary disc controllers are back, but now they are wireless and dock right into the console for charging!
• The Overlays: Yes, they’re included! The console ships with keypad overlays for every game, faithfully recreating the experience of consulting the plastic sheets to remember what button did what.

45 Games: The Hall of Fame is Built-In

In celebration of the original console’s 45th anniversary, the Intellivision Spirit comes pre-loaded with a library of 45 classic titles. The Intellivision was famous for its superior sports and strategy games, and the roster reflects that legendary edge:

Ending the Console War, Just in Time for the Holidays

This announcement is particularly significant because Atari acquired the Intellivision brand and its massive game library back in 2024. This new console is the first physical product of that legendary truce, celebrating a shared history rather than a rivalry.

• Modern Connections: It connects directly to your TV via HDMI (no more fuzzy screen!).
• Release Date: The Intellivision Spirit is set to launch on December 5th in the US and Australia, and December 23rd in Europe.
• Price: The MSRP is $149.99.

This is the perfect gift to unbox during the holidays—a true piece of gaming history that bridges four decades of rivalry and innovation.

Pre-Order

You can secure your piece of retro history right now on the official Atari store!

• Pre-Order Link: Atari Intellivision Sprint

Which of the 45 games are you most excited to fire up first, now that you can finally get your hands on this legendary console?

Will you be picking up this piece of gaming history? Which classic Intellivision game are you most excited to play again?