Atari Settles Classic Rivalry with the Announcement of Intellivision Sprint
- Oct 17 2025
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In a nostalgic nod to gaming's golden era, Atari has officially unveiled the Intellivision Sprint, a modernized revival of the legendary Intellivision console that once competed head-to-head with Atari's own 2600 system. This announcement comes on the heels of Atari's 2024 acquisition of the Intellivision brand, effectively bringing an end to the "First Console War" that defined early home gaming.
The Intellivision Sprint honors the original's 45th anniversary by packing 45 built-in classic games, blending retro authenticity with contemporary conveniences like HDMI output and wireless controllers. Priced at $149.99, the console is available for pre-order on Atari's website starting today, with shipments expected in early December 2025.
Key Features and Upgrades
The Sprint stays true to the Intellivision's distinctive design, complete with woodgrain aesthetics and the iconic disc controllers, but it's been upgraded for today's gamers:
HDMI Connectivity: Plug directly into modern TVs for crisp, upscaled visuals.
Wireless Controllers: Two rechargeable controllers that dock into the console for charging and storage, featuring the classic disc and keypad layout.
Overlays Included: 48 double-sided overlays (two per game) with updated designs to map controls.
Expandability: A USB-A port allows connection of original Intellivision II controllers (with an adapter) or adding extra games sold separately.
Ready-to-Play: No cartridges needed—everything is built-in, with an included HDMI cable and USB power adapter (AC adapter not included).
This isn't Atari's first rodeo with retro revivals; the company previously released the Atari 2600+, but the Sprint marks a fresh attempt to breathe life into the Intellivision lineup after the ill-fated Amico project.
Built-In Games: A Blast from the Past
The console comes loaded with 45 fan-favorite titles, including first-time official releases like Boulder Dash. Here's the full lineup:
Action/Adventure
Armour Battle, Astrosmash, Bomb Squad, Boulder Dash, Buzz Bombers, Frog Bog, Hover Force, Night Stalker, Pinball, Shark! Shark!, Space Armada, Space Battle, Space Spartans, Star Strike, Sub Hunt, Thunder Castle, Tower of Doom, Vectron
Sports
Baseball, Bowling, Chip Shot: Super Pro Golf, Golf, Motocross, Mountain Madness: Super Pro Skiing, Slam Dunk: Super Pro Basketball, Slap Shot: Super Pro Hockey, Soccer, Spiker!: Super Pro Volleyball, Stadium Mud Buggies, Super Pro Decathlon, Super Pro Football, Tennis, Auto Racing, Body Slam: Super Pro Wrestling
Strategy/Other
Deep Pockets: Super Pro Pool & Billiards, King of the Mountain, Reversi, Sea Battle, Snafu, Takeover, Thin Ice, Triple Action (Racing Cars / Biplanes / Battle Tanks), Triple Challenge (Chess / Checkers / Backgammon), Utopia, B-17 Bomber
These games highlight what made Intellivision stand out in the late '70s and early '80s: deeper strategy games, sports simulations, and innovative controls that went beyond simple joysticks.
Atari Champions Gaming History
For Atari, this launch represents a another push into the retro gaming market, where nostalgia-driven hardware like the NES Classic and Sega Genesis Mini have found massive success. By uniting former rivals under one banner, Atari is positioning itself as a steward of gaming history.
If you're a fan of vintage gaming or just curious about the roots of the industry, the Intellivision Sprint looks like a great addition to the retro console lineup. Head over to Atari's website to pre-order and relive the glory days, or introduce a new generation to the console that dared to challenge Atari's dominance.
