Strange Intellivision console - Pics added!

[o2william]

Today while out thrifting, I came across an odd-looking Intellivision console. I've never seen one like this before, and a quick Google search didn't pull up anything. I didn't buy it so I can't provide any photos, but I'll describe it.

It was the same design as a model one console (definitely not an Intellivision II), however it was a light cream color -- a bit yellowish, but I couldn't tell if that was the console's real color or it had yellowed with age. No woodgrain strips anywhere, just solid plastic. It was definitely not a Sears Super Video Arcade; I own one of those so I know what they look like. It had a regular Intellivision logo on it. I think the controllers were detachable, but I can't remember for sure.

I almost bought it, but I wasn't sure if it was anything special so I passed. Now I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't go back and pick it up. It was $12.

[MegaDrive20XX]

sounds almost like a sears telegames console or a smaller verison of the INTV 2

[dojosky]

go back there and pick it up !!!!!!! $12 is a steal !!! i'd suggest asking retrogmr on this hes an intv expert and maybe other intv experts will chime in here and help ya out at first i thought it was the sears tele games arcade system then no thought maybe intv 2 but it isn't so i am out of guesses so hope someone will chime in and help answering that question ...

[SoulBlazer]

Could it have been the Intelivision III, the revised Model 1 that INTV sold?

[wufners]

http://www.intellivisionlives.com/bl...are/index.html

Check out the pic at the bottom--the Tutorvision Educational Video Game System. That looks like what you were describing.

And if that is it . . . get yer buns back there and buy that sucker!!!

"In development 1988 - 1989; never released" --you could be lookin' at a proto!

More info on it, about 1/2 way down the page:

http://www.intellivisionlives.com/me...ews030715.html

[o2william]

Nope, it's not the Tutorvision. I've actually seen a proto of one of those in person so I would have recognized it!

Although it was similar in color to the Sears console, I don't remember it having any kind of woodgrain base. It's not an Intellivision III, and although the plastic was similar to that of the Intellivision II, it had a different design. After looking at photos online, I can tell it's not a Tandyvision or a Sylvania Intellivision either.

I'm starting to really wish I'd bought it... certainly would have if I didn't already own a perfectly good console. I figured it was one of the regular Intellivision variations until I got home and couldn't find any photos online. I may head back to the store tomorrow and see if they still have it.

[ddockery]

Similar to the INTV II... are you sure it's not just the ECS addon without the keyboard?

[Leo_A]

I'd second that suggestion of the ECS.

Did it look like this? (The thing in the upper right corner connected to the Intellivision II).

http://www.intellivisionlives.com/bl...ia_pix/ecs.gif

Or maybe even the System Changer module?

[ianoid]

Come now, WHEN IN DOUBT, BUY IT! All you have is $12 to lose, and if you can test it out, you can recoup the cash selling a bare console tested.

I am shocked at how much that knowledgable people on these boards leave behind at really low price points! Perhaps I'm just more of a thrift gambler.

[sniperCCJVQ]

Come now, WHEN IN DOUBT, BUY IT! All you have is $12 to lose, and if you can test it out, you can recoup the cash selling a bare console tested.

I am shocked at how much that knowledgable people on these boards leave behind at really low price points! Perhaps I'm just more of a thrift gambler.

Post of week.

[o2william]

OK, quit yer naggin'... I went back today and bought it.

Top:


Bottom:


My digicam isn't the greatest, but the colors in these pics are pretty accurate. As you can see, it's basically an Intellivision I except for the color of the plastic, which is a uniform off-white throughout. The controllers are NOT detachable, despite what I thought in my earlier post. A copyright notice on the bottom says (C)MATTEL, INC. 1979 U.S.A.

Anybody ever see a console like this?

Come now, WHEN IN DOUBT, BUY IT!

Consider me properly chastised. I used to follow that rule every time. If I hadn't ended up with worthless junk so often, I would have this time too.

[Ed Oscuro]

Afraid I have to go with the guys saying that you should've picked it up the first time, O^2 William :)

Personally, I'd be thrilled to see an Inty of ANY stripe (with or without!) in the wild. Even an Atari 2600 would be a first for me (so far, I've found one lone VCS cartridge, a pretty bad Space Invaders which I picked up just so it could have a nice home...sweet of me I know ;P)

As for the pic...that plastic is semi-transparent? On the bottom it looks like I can see shielding underneath. That or a section got yellowed. Looks to me like the color of the console is supposed to be cream colored...that's not the right color for yellowing.

[omnedon]

Does it have the woodgrain stripes on the side?

I'm wondering if someone discoloured the brown/black plastic on purpose, if that is even possible?

'79 screams original Inty. Proto maybe? Weeeeeeerd.

[SoulBlazer]

I'm thinking this one of the original test run machines.

Mattel test markedt the system in some major cities in 1979 before going national with it in 1980.

Head over to the Blue Sky Rangers website. Look around there, and if you're still not sure, send them a e-mail with a question and the pics.

[SoulBlazer]

http://www.intellivisionlives.com/bl...elli_tech.html

A picture of the original model, for compairson.

[christianscott27]

first the white 2600 and now this? thats a way cool intellivision, obviously a major score. if you're feeling brave it might be cool to open it up and get some pics of the guts. BTW does it work?

[icbrkr]

It's not a Fresno test run model, I somehow managed to get one of those - they look exactly the same as the production run.

[Ed Oscuro]

first the white 2600 and now this?

Going OT a bit, but you're referring to an eBay auction from a little while back? My impression was that the item wasn't really anything but a spraypainted VCS...was I wrong?

[o2william]

As for the pic...that plastic is semi-transparent? On the bottom it looks like I can see shielding underneath.

You have a sharp eye, sir. The plastic on the bottom is just transparent enough that you can see the shielding through it, which gives it a yellowish tint.

Does it have the woodgrain stripes on the side? I'm wondering if someone discoloured the brown/black plastic on purpose, if that is even possible?

No woodgrain. The controllers don't look discolored; I'm sure they were made from brown plastic. They look like regular Intellivision I controllers.

It does work. It brought up a normal looking title screen on Sub Hunt. It really seems like a garden variety Inty I except for the color of the plastic.

Couldn't find anything on the BSR site that looks quite like it. I'll send them an email later and see if they have any idea.

This turned up in Anaheim, California, BTW.

[SoulBlazer]

If it's not one of the original test run systems of 1979, then you very well may have a prototype system!

Assuming it has'nt been pained.

But yeah, please do let us know what you hear back from the BSR people.