Intellivision
The Intellivision is a home video game console released by Mattel Electronics in 1979. The name is a portmanteau of "intelligent television". Development began in 1977, the same year as the launch of its main competitor, the Atari 2600. In 1984, Mattel sold its video game assets to a former Mattel Electronics executive and investors, eventually becoming INTV Corporation. Game development ran from 1978 to 1990, when the Intellivision was discontinued. From 1980 to 1983, more than 3.75 million consoles were sold. As per Intellivision Entertainment (the current holders of the Intellivision brand) the final tally through 1990 is somewhere between 4.5 and 5 million consoles sold.
First model Intellivision (1979) | |
| Manufacturer |
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|---|---|
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Second |
| Release date | |
| Lifespan | 1979—1990 |
| Introductory price | |
| Discontinued | 1990 |
| Units sold | > 3.75 million (1980–83) |
| Media | ROM cartridge |
| CPU | GI CP1610 |
| Memory | 1K RAM, 6K ROM |
| Display | Standard TV, 159×96 resolution, 16 color palette |
| Graphics | Standard Television Interface Chip (STIC) |
| Sound | GI AY-3-8914 (three-channels, one noise generator) |
| Online services | PlayCable |
| Best-selling game |
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In 2009, IGN ranked the Intellivision No. 14 on their list of the greatest video game consoles of all time. It remained Mattel's only video game console until the HyperScan in 2006.