Developer: Realtime Associates
Publisher: Crave Entertainment
Platform(s): Nintendo GameCube, PS2, Xbox, Nintendo DS
Release Dates:
Windows:
NA: April 30, 1999
Playstation 2:
NA: November 20, 2003
PAL: September 24, 2004
Xbox:
NA: February 2, 2004
GameCube:
NA: November 4, 2004
Genre: Compilation
Rating(s):
ESRB: E
PEGI: +3
Intellivision Lives! is a compilation game of sixty games for the cult-classic competitor of the Atari, the Intellivision. Made famous by its quirky numbered controls and its arcade-styled graphics, the Intellivision sold millions. The Intellivision released more than one-hundred and twenty games, so this compilation only brings the most memorable games of the console. The Intellivision also had a peripheral which could be connected to the system and brought voices to the games; however, the games that have this feature can be counted with one hand.
The game’s overworld is designed to look like an 80’s pizza parlor; the games are stacked over in different sections which are portrayed as Arcade machines. The overworld also has a jukebox with random music that can be played. The jukebox is a classic example of a feature that could have been better if the game enabled ‘custom soundtrack’ in the Xbox version, because the jukebox only brings strange nonsense music that plays even though when you’re playing a classic game. The option of music in the jukebox can be turned off, thankfully.
The graphics of the Pizza Parlor look dull and uninteresting, speaking of graphics; the game also boasts interviews and commercials as unlockables, most of them which have a horrible quality of video. It’s just unthinkable, because all interviews (Despite the fact that they were made in the 2000’s), look as though the quality were of the 80’s or even the 70’s.
Now speaking of the games, there’s not much to say here. Most games are playable, but there are some games that require two player controls in order to be playable, or just another controls. Some games are so awkward, they’re simply unplayable. For example, in the game Bomb Squad, you’re left to do something you really don’t have a clue. Some other games are playable and are actually fun, amongst the funnest I would probably have to mention Astrosmash and Space Hawk. But otherwise, some games are simply too abstract or just strange. Some games feature goals you must complete in order to see videos or other unlockable features.
Here’s a problem with the controls: While the controls say that they’re designed to mimic the construction of the original Intellivision console, sometimes you have bring up the select screen in order to see a giant Intellivision controller which must be used to select options in the game, instead of simply doing them in the main control you’re using.
Very few games feature music; most of them are played in simple silence with sound effects from the game.
Overall, the game isn’t bad if you’re an old-school game fan. Otherwise, there are better games. Not to mention, that this a poor excuse of a compilation game in general, with weak graphics, strange controls, and unnecesary music from a random jukebox.
Gameplay: 6.5, Some games are fun and playable; but others are strange and obscure.
Graphics: 4.5, the overworld is cheaply done, and the videos feature horrendous quality. Overall, the game’s graphics were top-notch during the time.
Controls: 5.5, Sometimes unorganized controls, and it’s painful when a game forces you to use two controllers for a one-player game.
Sounds: 6.0, Strange jukebox music which can thankfully be turned off; otherwise, very few Intellivision games feature music, but boast that nice old-school sound effects.
Overall: 6.0, The game isn’t bad if you were an Intellivision fan, otherwise, this game isn’t very great.
