The original video game systems from makers such as Atari, Intellivision, and Coleco still have a strong appeal for gamers who grew up in the golden age of home video games. And since these games take up almost no space in terms of today's memory requirements, the new combination controller/consoles have been doing quite well in the retro market.

One of the best is the Intellivision 25. This system contains 25 of the best games available for the Intellivision console back in its hey-day. And all 25 games are packed inside a single controller that plugs into the audio and video jacks on your television or VCR. It's the ultimate portable handheld gaming system--you can use it at home, at your Aunt Bertha's house, or in a hotel while traveling. The eight-foot cable gives you plenty of room to plug it in, lean back, and let the nostalgia wash over you.

The blue controller is comfortable to use and would feel at home connected to any of the big three consoles. It features a thumbstick, a D-pad, and five buttons, giving you more control over these games than you had with the wonky Intellivision controller.

That does mean, of course, that purists won't have the same control settings for their games as they did a quarter-century ago. The control schemes for the games have been changed, and some weird graphics and audio touches have been inserted that make some of the games feel a bit different. Four AA batteries are required and not included.

Our final knock is the game selection. While some of the classics are here--including Tower of Doom, Thunder Castle, Sub Hunt, and Astrosmash--other games we'd loved to have seen were omitted. Intellivision says that two-player games were left out because the controller is just a one-person-at-a-time system. Other games that had movie tie-ins or were based on arcade machines were also left out for legal reasons.

But even so, the Intellivision 25 is an incredible bargain for those gamers looking to introduce their kids to the wonders of 16-bit graphics--or just to play it themselves, for old time's sake.

Pro: Great price, lots of games.
Con: Some changes, some games missing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Intellivision Productions
1104 Highland Ave., Suite L
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
877-468-5876
http://www.astrosmash.com