Four More Iconic Intellivision Games - The Next Mount Rushmore

 

I recently did a video on the Mount Rushmore of Intellivision games, meaning the four most iconic titles. You can watch the video by clicking HERE.

The four listed below barely missed the cut and could have easily been included. (Utopia gets an honorable mention.) What are your four picks for the most iconic Intellivision games? Let me know in the comments!

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Cloudy Mountain

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Cloudy Mountain was a groundbreaking title for the Intellivision, and one of the earliest video games to bear the Dungeons & Dragons name. Released at a time when most games featured simple mechanics and limited depth, Cloudy Mountain offered a more complex, story-driven experience that featured strategy, exploration, and survival. Players ventured through various environments, battling monsters and gathering items, all while navigating procedurally generated mazes that increased the game’s replayability.

                       

The game’s use of random generation to create unique layouts for each playthrough was revolutionary for its time, and it allowed players to experience something different each time they played. The added tension of limited arrows and the need to think strategically about each encounter made Cloudy Mountain stand out. With its overhead view, sound design, and strategic elements, the game foreshadowed many of the hallmarks of modern RPGs and adventure games. Its inclusion on this list is well-deserved for pushing the boundaries of what video games could offer in terms of complexity and innovation.

Tron: Deadly Discs

Based on Disney's beloved Tron movie, Tron: Deadly Discs became an immediate hit for the Intellivision due to its fast-paced action and exciting gameplay. Players controlled a warrior who threw energy discs to defeat enemies, while also needing to defend themselves from incoming attacks. The game was simple in concept but offered a nice sense of speed and reflex-based gameplay that delighted fans.

Tron: Deadly Discs featured arcade-like action that mirrored the futuristic aesthetic of the Tron film. The ability to use walls to rebound discs for trick shots added a layer of depth that separated it from other action games of the time. Furthermore, its connection to the Tron franchise made it an iconic licensed game, showing how video games could expand on the worlds established by movies. Its popularity as one of the Tron video game tie-ins and its contribution to the Intellivision's library of action titles firmly secure its place on this list.

B-17 Bomber

The most famous title to take advantage of the Intellivoice module, B-17 Bomber brought a new level of immersion to video games by incorporating voice synthesis technology. The game put players in control of a World War II B-17 bomber, requiring them to manage various aspects of the mission, including navigation, bombing, and gunning down enemy aircraft. The Intellivoice feature provided real-time audio feedback, with a voice narrating information about incoming enemy planes, bomb targeting, and other mission-critical details, creating an immersive experience that was ahead of its time.

The strategic gameplay required players to balance offense and defense, making tactical decisions as they attempted to complete bombing runs while fending off attacks from enemy fighters. The ability to switch between different stations on the plane, including the gunner and navigator, added layers of complexity and made the player feel like they were truly in control of a wartime bomber (relatively speaking). Its innovative use of voice technology and its multi-faceted gameplay make B-17 Bomber one of the most memorable games in the Intellivision’s catalog, deserving its place on this list for pushing the boundaries of interactive audio in gaming. Say it with me, now: “Beeeee Seeev-uhn-teeeeen Bomm-ber.”

Night Stalker

Night Stalker is one of the defining titles of the Intellivision, combining maze-based action with elements of survival horror. Players controlled a lone protagonist trapped in a labyrinth, stalked by robots, bats, and spiders. Armed with a limited supply of bullets, players had to navigate the maze, avoid enemies, and strategically pick up new weapons to survive. The eerie, pulsing soundtrack and the tension of being hunted through dark corridors set Night Stalker apart from other maze games of its time.

The game was challenging due to its survival mechanics—players had to carefully balance offense and defense while making decisions on when to fight or flee. Its atmospheric design and minimalist graphics contributed to an ominous, high-stakes gameplay experience that resonated with players. Night Stalker highlighted the Intellivision's ability to deliver more mature, tension-filled experiences. Its innovative mix of action, strategy, and suspense helped cement its legacy as one of the Intellivision's most iconic titles, making it an essential part of the console's library. There’s a reason many people were anxiously anticipating the proposed reimagining of the game on the unreleased fiasco that was the Intellivision Amico.