Which system variant is superior?

[Emily]

For me, I want to know which Intellivision is better; Intellivision vs Intellivision2. I own the Intelly2, and was thinking about getting the Original, but Im not sure...Can someone who has had both versions or knows the differences between the two help me compare them?

Also I guess this could be a thread for comparing all system variants....

Anyone have an Onyx(colecovision)?

[davidbrit2]

The Intellivision 2 is more compact and features removable controllers, but there are a few incompatible 3rd party games (Donkey Kong, and others). That was by design, unfortunately.

[IntvGene]

Here's the rundown as I see it:

INTY I
- no removable controllers
- matches the color of the Intellivoice
- doesn't match the ECS (unless you have a rarer one)
- can't use system changer
- WOODGRAIN!
- better power switch
- non removable (hardwired) power supply
- sort of prone to overheating
- can play Donkey Kong (quite possibly the worst version)

INTY II
- removable, but blocky controllers
- matches ECS, System Changer, keyboard, etc.
- can use system changer
- removable power supply
- smaller, sleeker look
- terrible power switch
- timing issues with Shark! Shark!, Space Spartans and Super Pro Football

If I were you, I wouldn't rule out the Sears. It's one of my favorites:
It's got a stylish white case, disc-style power and reset switches, and detachable controllers. It also has a "blocker" chip that suppressed the "Mattel Electronics presents" text. This affects the title screen of some games. It also is basically an Intellivision I, so it has the same hardware problems as it, i.e can't use the System Changer on it.

[rxd]

Something I've never understood. For years I've kept hearing that the Intellivision controllers are hardwired to the system. I recently bought 2 Intellivision model 1 systems and opened them up just for the hell of it. The controllers do plug into the system board. So they really aren't hardwired at all, it's just that you have to remove the top of the system to unplug them. So while you can't simply detach them from the system, unplugging them from the system isn't exactly rocket science either....

[Jumpman Jr.]

Its all about the origional...
bad everything... thats the way its supposed to be :D

[Leo_A]

I'd say the INTV rerelease of the original model Intellivision. Only advantage of the Intellivision II was detatchable controllers, which someone already mentioned basically already exist if you open the case of the original model. So go with the model with the fewest years on it.

[puxley]

For what it's worth, the Inty II controllers have lousy fire buttons. They make an already difficult to love controller just impossible to like.

And, I love playing Shark! Shark!, so the original is the only way to go for me.

[Kid Ice]

IIRC the second model w/ detachable controllers has longer controller cords. A big issue for me with the first Intellivision was that the cords for the controllers were so short, you had to be right on top of the console to play it.

[TheRedEye]

- timing issues with Shark! Shark!

Oh, so it's completely useless. Glad I read that, thanks!