Best Intellivision Games Ranked: Ultimate List for Gaming Enthusiasts

The Mattel Intellivision, released in the late 1970s, was a pioneering home video game console that offered a wide range of innovative and engaging games. For gaming enthusiasts, the Intellivision boasts a library of titles that remain memorable and enjoyable even today.

Top-Ranked Intellivision Games

1. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons stands out as one of the best Intellivision games, offering an immersive adventure experience. Although it does not follow the traditional rules of Dungeons & Dragons, it captures the essence of exploration and danger. The game features maze navigation, arrow firing, and monster destruction, making it a standout title. It was the first Intellivision game to use more than 4K of ROM, a significant technological achievement at the time.

2. Beamrider

Beamrider is another highly acclaimed game, known for its 3D-like graphics and engaging gameplay. Players ride along space beams, firing lasers and torpedoes at flying saucers across 99 levels. The game's simplicity belies its depth, with collectibles and extra lives adding to the challenge. It is often compared to Space Invaders and Star Fox, making it a must-play for retro gaming enthusiasts.

3. BurgerTime

BurgerTime is a classic arcade-style game where Chef Peter Pepper must assemble burgers while avoiding enemies like Mr. Pickle and Mr. Hot Dog. The game's mechanics, similar to Mario's Cement Factory, involve walking over ingredients to complete burgers. Its addictive gameplay and nostalgic value make it a favorite among Intellivision fans.

4. Astrosmash

Astrosmash combines elements of Asteroids and Missile Command, where players blast falling rocks while avoiding losing points if rocks hit the ground. This game was a bestseller for the Intellivision, known for its longevity compared to other arcade games of the time. Its unique twist on classic arcade gameplay makes it a memorable experience.

5. Pitfall

Pitfall is a groundbreaking game that set a new standard for home console games. With 255 screens, it offered a much longer adventure than most arcade games. Players navigate through a jungle, avoiding obstacles like tar pits, quicksand, and wild animals. The game's visuals and animation were superior to many of its contemporaries, making it a highlight of the Intellivision library.

Honorable Mentions

Treasure of Tarmin

Treasure of Tarmin, also known as Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Treasure of Tarmin, features 3D RPG gameplay that was rare for its time. The game involves exploring mazes, fighting monsters, and collecting treasure, providing a deep and enjoyable experience.

Happy Trails

Happy Trails is a puzzle game inspired by Konami's Loco-Motion. Players guide a cowboy along a path by sliding tiles into place, avoiding rival cowboys and guiding the cowboy to bags of money. The game's unique mechanics and challenging gameplay make it an overlooked gem in the Intellivision catalog.

Dig Dug

Dig Dug is a classic maze game where players control Dig Dug as he burrows through the ground, inflating and popping monsters. The Intellivision version is notable for its smooth gameplay and faithful recreation of the arcade intermissions, making it a superior port compared to other consoles of the time.

Community Favorites

The Intellivision community has also ranked several other games highly, including:

Thundercastle: A challenging game with a unique blend of action and strategy.
Beauty and the Beast: A game that stands out for its graphics and gameplay.
Shark Shark: A simple yet addictive game where players control a shark navigating through a maze.
Bump 'n Jump: A racing game with a twist, where players can jump over obstacles.
Lock 'n Chase: A maze game where players control a character who must lock doors to trap enemies.

These games, along with the top-ranked titles, showcase the diversity and innovation of the Intellivision library, offering something for every type of gamer.