Page 19 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #1

Intellivision Lives!

On Your Computer!

By Chris Cavanaugh
I button. The standard games, such
as the surprisingly complex Utopia,
the arcade-like Astrosmash and the
don’t think the console
wars of today have any-
thing on the console wars of the “Pac-Manesque” Night Stalker are
included. The real gems are the
late 70’s/early 80’s. You had a rarer games, such as Yogi’s Ad-
choice to make: The Atari 2600 or venture, Brickout, Hypnotic Lights
the Mattel Intellivision. For me the and Santa’s Helper, which were
choice was always obvious: The never released for a number of rea-
Atari 2600. For some reason, I al- sons. Unfortunately, not many of
ways felt superior over kids who the unreleased games are avail-
owned the Intellivision and would able to play, as many are demos or
usually voice my opinion accord- incomplete. Also unavailable for
ingly. “Oh, you own that console? play are arcade ports and other li-
It’s okay, I suppose,” and then I censed games such as Burgertime
would continue to snicker behind being the exception). and the Tron series.
their backs while playing Recently, I was glad to learn a As with all emulators, the only
“Adventure.” Of course there were CD-ROM titled, Intellivision Lives, thing lacking is the ability to emu-
no valid reasons for me to feel as I was being released so everyone late the original console’s control-
did. Mattel’s Intellivision was could have a lers. Intellivi-
graphically and audibly superior chance to play sion Lives is
over the 2600. However, George these great no excep-
Plimpton’s attitude on Intellivision games. Intellivi- tion. The
commercials made me want to put sion Lives is not gold disc In-
my foot through the TV screen. just an Intellivi- tellivision
Intellivision owners would recipro- sion emulator controller
cate their feelings of superiority by but an encyclo- could be
managing a guffaw while compar- pedic history of frustrating at
ing Atari’s sports games to the In- the game unit times and
tellivision’s. I think Odyssey own- as well. Aside using a com-
ers were created so the Atari and from over 50 puter key-
Intellivision owners could agree on games, there is Night Stalker board only compounds
whom to laugh at. an easy to navigate menu the problem. If a device
As I got older and wiser, and which takes the reader on an inter- which allows you to port your origi-
had a tad more expendable cash to active journey exploring the many nal Intellivision controller into your
blow on my videogame collection, I facets of the Intellivision. PC becomes available, we’ll let you
discov- Spacey, if not know.
ered an hummable music Overall, we highly recommend
Intellivi- plays as you read this CD. The games certainly do
sion and the development hold up well, and it’s also a great
a few of history, program- nostalgia trip. I also implore any
its games mer biographies die-hard Atari 2600 owners who
in a thrift and their often- may still have ill feelings towards
store and hilarious stories of the Intellivision to give it a whirl.
decided how the games You will be surprised at what great
to pur- came to fruition. games you are missing out on.
chase The CD also in- Just try not to put your foot through
them for cludes box art, the monitor when you see George.
the sake of pro- Major League Baseball trivia, hidden codes,
moting world screenshots and even a Overall Rating: A-
peace. From that day forward I commercial featuring a certain
have enjoyed the Intellivision im- aforementioned spokesman. Visit :
mensely and have learned to for- Oh yeah…it has games, too! http://www.intellivisionlives.com
give those who put down my be- Well over 50 original Intellivision for more details .
loved Atari 2600 (George Plimpton titles are playable at the click of a

Classic Gamer Magazine Fall 1999 19