Intellivision Amico console | Launching October 2020 | :shock:

I quite like the sentiment behind it - family friendly, accessible gaming, level playing field, no DLC, low software prices, etc, but I don't for a second believe the games will actually be very good. Oh, and all the games will be exclusive? Yeah, we'll see how that works out for them. :fp:

I mean, we're talking about games that were fairly niche in the 80s, let alone today. Feel bad for the kid with 'responsible' parents who gets them this instead of a PS5 or an XBox One Two.

I know that hardly anyone is gonna be into this... but I gotta admit that I love the idea behind the console. Software will be priced between $2.99 and $7.99 and the console itself will retail for between $149 and $179. Cheaper games, interesting controllers... but, yeah, launching in October - near to when the Xbox SX and PS5 will launch - feels extremely bold.

> Gameplay previews

> Hardware chat

> Anniversaries (choose a free game!)

Now obviously the Amico isn't competing for the PS5 / Xbox Series section of the videogame market; I personally see it as being something that is looking to reawaken the Wii and DS type of market. Many of the people that played those systems moved on to mobile gaming or just stopped playing and the Amico is seeking to attract those people back. The games have a focus on local multiplayer fun; family-oriented action that is simple but slick.

I like this idea and, whilst it'll be tough for Intellivision to get attention and break (back!) into gaming, the pricing and attractiveness to the mass market will help. The system is scheduled to launch Q2 2021.

I'm not buying anything from a man with a curly moustache.

Victor Mildew wrote:I'm not buying anything from a man with a curly moustache.

Hee! I do kinda get the impression that everyone working on the Amico is super-enthusiastic and passionate about it; you gotta be quirky to get in the door :-).

Those games all vary in apparent quality from free flash game (snake? pong? pool? ...really?) through mobile and peaking at steam and eshop fodder. I'm sure some of them will be ok fun for 15 minutes with friends, but absolutely nothing there looks like a killer app, or even anything that wouldn't work on any other platform. No one is going to rush out to buy a new console to play a knock-off bomberman.

The casual market can already access games like these on mobile (and, for all that was said about the cheaper pricing for games on amico, they suddenly look expensive for what they are when you compare to mobile). The Wii was a phenomenon because of its motion controls and the amico hardware looks like it is trying to capture that, but I didn't see that reflected in the games at all. Wii sports sold the Wii's hardware, I don't see any amico equivalent.

OrangeRKN wrote:...No one is going to rush out to buy a new console to play a knock-off bomberman...

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Dynablaster isn't a knock-off! It's a name that was used in Europe by Hudson for some early Bomberman games! I guess it's being used to tie in with the retro vibe.

OrangeRKN wrote:...The Wii was a phenomenon because of its motion controls and the amico hardware looks like it is trying to capture that, but I didn't see that reflected in the games at all. Wii sports sold the Wii's hardware, I don't see any amico equivalent.

Yeah, I think Intellivision will have a battle getting traction in the market, Orange. They're a tiny company compared to the big guns and advertising will undoubtedly be limited; there will be some fans (ironically, probably older hardcore gamers familiar with Intellivision and Atari rather than the target family / casual sector) but it will be difficult.

I do think that some of the games look fun, though, and I can see the attraction of pick-up-and-play sofa gaming. The games cover a wide variety of genres, including board-type games that could attract an older mindset. With mobile gaming being a generally solo experience and console gaming moving further towards high expense, I could see a sizeable gap in the market for family-casual play at an accessible pricing point. Oh, and I love that the games have no form of micro transactions - you buy the game and that's it!

It might sound horrible but it's the sort of thing I'd grab second hand or when there just not wanted in retail anymore for like 50quid as a curiosity to mess with for a bit.

jawa wrote:

Wow, its like the past 30+ years of gaming never happened.

Intellivision Amico console | Launching October 2020 | :shock:

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