Intellivision Amico

In May 2018, Tommy Tallarico announced his plans to launch a new Intellivision console and formed a new company, Intellivision Entertainment, serving as president.[13][14] Intellivision Productions was renamed Blue Sky Rangers Inc. and their video game intellectual property was transferred to the new Intellivision Entertainment.[15][16]

At the Portland Retro Gaming Expo in October 2018 the new Intellivision console was unveiled, including its name and launch date of October 10, 2020. Developer kits were expected to go out in Summer 2019.[12] In May 2019, Intellivision Entertainment revealed its first major console exclusive title, announcing that it had assembled ten members of the original Earthworm Jim team to create a fourth installment in the franchise in honor of its 25th anniversary.[17][18] The following month, the company debuted the functioning Amico hardware behind closed doors at E3 2019, allowing industry insiders to play in-development games on one of the functional console variants, and try out the compatible phone controller mobile app.[19]

At Gamescom in Cologne, Germany in August 2019 Tommy Tallarico debuted a trailer that contained in-game footage running on the Amico hardware to the public for the first time.[20] In October 2019, Tommy Tallarico attended Insomnia Dubai, a gaming convention held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to announce they set up an office in Dubai to launch the Amico in the MENA region on the same day as North America and Europe.[21]

In January 2020, Intellivision Entertainment made 2,600 special Founder's Edition vintage wood-grain bundles available for pre-order. The number 2,600 was a jab at long-time competitor Atari and its 2600 console. The allotted amount sold out in five hours. The company opened another round of VIP pre-orders in late March of that year. Within a few days, over 10,000 additional units were pre-ordered with several days remaining in the sale. At that time, Tommy Tallarico stated that Intellivision had also received purchase orders for 100,000 units from major retailers but further orders were put on hold because of manufacturing uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[22]

The mixed crowdfunding/investment company for video games Fig announced its acquisition by Republic, a larger crowdfunding/investment company in April 2020, allowing Fig to open itself to larger campaigns. On that announcement, it opened a campaign for Amico pre-orders, as well as for those that wanted to invest in the console.[23]

On May 14, 2020, it was announced former Microsoft executive and Xbox co-founder J Allard had joined Intellivision Entertainment to serve as the company's global managing director, assisting the company in launching the Amico.[24]

On August 5, 2020, during a YouTube video special event it was revealed that due to specific quality criteria that could not be fulfilled in time for October 10, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and after consulting with retail partners, distributors, manufacturers and "other trusted allies", the release of the Amico would be delayed from October 10, 2020 to a new target release date of April 15, 2021, or April 3, 2021 (a pun on a rocket launch countdown, presented as "4, 3, 2, 1, launch!") for the Founders Edition consoles, unless the situation caused by the pandemic changes.[25]

On September 16, 2020, it was announced that Chinese manufacturer Ark Electronics was awarded the contract to produce the Intellivision Amico due to their experience, expertise and long-standing reputation as a leader of innovation in the manufacturing industry.[26]

The console features Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, HDMI out, a microSD card slot, a charging cradle for two Amico controllers on the top, passive cooling, and one USB-C port on the back for accessories and expansions.[1][27][2] The body also features a built-in LED ambient lighting system with 40 independently controlled LEDs[2] that can change pattern and color in response to gameplay, known as Interactive Guidance Lighting.[1][28] This feature is intended to make playing games on the console "fun and memorable" while also helping guide players in an interactive way.[6] The console will launch with five available colors: Glacier White, Graphite Black, Vintage Woodgrain, Galaxy Purple and GTO Red.[29]

Intellivision Amico controller

Animated render of the Intellivision Amico controller
Developer	Intellivision Entertainment
Type	Video game controller
Release date	April 3, 2021 (2021-04-03) (Founders Edition) April 15, 2021 (2021-04-15)
Introductory price	Approx. US$60 TBC
CPU	Unknown CPU[1]
Memory	Unknown memory[1]
Storage	Unknown storage[1]
Display	3.2 in (81.28 mm) 4:3 TFT LCD capacitive touchscreen,[30] full-color, 320 × 240 QVGA[1][31] @ 125 ppi
Sound	Speaker, microphone, haptic force feedback[1]
Input	Touchscreen[1] Gyroscope[1] Accelerometer[1] 64-way pressure-sensitive directional disc[1] 2 x 2 shoulder buttons (two each for left and right hand orientation), home button[1]
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID[1]
Power	Wireless contact charging, USB-C[1]
Dimensions	6 × 2.75 × 1 in (152.40 × 69.85 × 25.40 mm)[1]

The Intellivision Amico comes bundled with two controllers, designed to be ambidextrous for right or left handed preference. The controllers can charge when they are placed into their cradle on top of the console, or charge using a wired USB-C connection. The battery charges in 2 hours, and provides 4–6 hours of continuous gameplay on a full charge.[2] They feature Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, speakers, a microphone, an accelerometer, haptic force feedback, and a gyroscope. They also feature a 3.2 in (81.28 mm) full-color touch screen, a home button and a 64-way pressure-sensitive directional disc. Four oversized buttons are placed as two shoulder buttons each for right handed or left handed orientation.[1][32][33] Each shoulder button features an LED light, and the disc is surrounded by a ring of eight LEDs.[34] These LEDs, in addition to the LEDs on the console, have brightness settings, or can be turned off.[2] The controllers come with wrist straps[1] to prevent them from flying away during game action if not held securely. Up to six additional players can connect, with players able to use additionally purchased controllers (in limited cases, including Bluetooth controllers)[3] or a free controller smartphone app in place of an Amico controller when needed.[35]