Retro fans, rejoice! two classic names from the golden age of gaming are joining forces in a move few saw coming. Atari has announced the Intellivision Sprint, a reimagined version of the beloved Intellivision console that first challenged Atari’s dominance more than four decades ago. This sleek new system blends nostalgic design with 21st-century convenience, offering 45 built-in games, HDMI output, and wireless controllers to deliver a perfect mix of retro authenticity and modern playability.
The collaboration between Atari and Intellivision comes after the decades-long battle ended with Atari buying the Intellivision brand in 2024. Back in the early 1980s, these two titans were fierce rivals. Atari ruled home gaming with its 2600, while Mattel developed the Intellivision, which boasted superior graphics and a unique keypad controller. Now, in a surprising twist of fate, Atari is helping carry the Intellivision legacy forward, giving longtime fans and curious newcomers a way to experience the system’s classic library without the hassle of vintage hardware.
A Retro Console for the Modern Living Room
The Intellivision Sprint keeps the retro aesthetic intact, from its iconic woodgrain finish to its compact, nostalgic form factor. But inside, it’s built for today’s tech. The HDMI connection ensures crisp visuals on modern HDTVs, while wireless controllers free players from the tangle of cords that used to define early home gaming setups. Each controller features a modernized version of the original Intellivision disc pad and keypad, while still utilizing improved overlays for every game.
To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the release of the Intellivision, the Sprint includes 45 games straight out of the system’s heyday, spanning sports, shooters, and sci-fi adventures that helped define early console gaming. Players can expect classics like Astrosmash, Night Stalker, Slam Dunk: Super Pro Basketball, and Spiker!: Super Pro Volleyball, among others. The collection also includes a handful of hidden gems that highlight Intellivision’s distinct flavor: more strategic, often more challenging, and unmistakably ‘80s.
In a year filled with retro revivals and collectors’ editions, the Intellivision Sprint stands out because of what it represents: cooperation between two historic rivals to preserve gaming history. Atari’s involvement signals a growing trend in the industry of legacy companies working to celebrate their roots while appealing to an audience that values both nostalgia and accessibility.
The Intellivision Sprint isn’t just a throwback, it’s a tribute. A love letter to the pixel pioneers and joystick jockeys who shaped the medium we know today. Whether you’re reliving your childhood (I used to jump on my BMX bike and ride to Sears to play on the display console) or discovering gaming’s early magic for the first time, this console aims to make “retro” feel fresh again. For those who remember huddling around tube TVs and blowing on cartridges, the Intellivision Sprint offers the best of both worlds: instant nostalgia with zero setup fuss. And for newer gamers raised on ultra-high-def worlds, it’s a crash course in where it all began.
You can preorder the Intellivision Sprint on Atari’s website for $149.99. The Sprint is expected to ship in early December 2025.
