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.[12][13] Intellivision Productions was renamed Blue Sky Rangers Inc. and their video game intellectual property was transferred to the new Intellivision Entertainment.[14][15]

At the Portland Retro Gaming Expo in October 2018 the new Intellivision console was officially unveiled, including its name and launch date of October 10, 2020. Developer kits were expected to go out in Summer 2019.[11]

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 third installment in the franchise in honor of its 25th anniversary.[16][17] 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.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20]

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.[21]

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.[22]

The console features Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, HDMI out, an SD card slot, a wireless charging cradle for Amico controllers on the top, passive cooling, and three USB ports, two of which are for charging, and the remaining of which is for expandable storage.[1][23] The body also features a built-in LED ambient lighting system that can change pattern and color in response to gameplay, known as Interactive Guidance Lighting.[1][24] This feature is intended to make playing games on the console "fun and memorable" while also helping guide players in an interactive way.[5]

The Intellivision Amico comes bundled with two controllers. The controllers can charge wirelessly when they are placed into their cradle on top of the console, charge using a wired USB-C connection, or charge using both methods at the same time. They feature Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, speakers, a microphone, an accelerometer, force feedback, and a gyroscope. They also feature a 3.2 in (81.28 mm) full-color touch screen, four oversized shoulder buttons, a home button and a 64-way pressure-sensitive directional disc[1][27][28] surrounded by a ring of LEDs.[29] 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 a free controller smartphone app in place of an Amico controller when needed.[30]