Mattel Intellivision

Overview

The Mattel Intellivision debuted in 1979 as a second-generation console with a distinctive keypad controller and a library that leaned on sports and arcade-style experiences. REG-Linux treats the platform as the intellivision system group so metadata scraping, themes and visual sets that match the retro aesthetic can load automatically.

Technical specifications

• Manufacturer: Mattel
• Release year: 1979
• Hardware type: home console
• CPU: General Instrument CP1610 16-bit processor at 1.789 MHz
• Memory: 1 KB RAM + 2 KB ROM plus up to 16 KB cartridge ROM
• Video: STIC chip driving 160×96 resolution with 16 colors
• Audio: AY-3-8914 PSG offering three square-wave channels and noise

Supported ROM extensions

int, bin, rom, zip, 7z

Quick reference

• Emulator: RetroArch
• Core: libretro: freeintv
• ROM folder: /userdata/roms/intellivision
• Accepted ROM formats: .int, .bin, .rom, .zip, .7z
• System group: intellivision

BIOS

Intellivision emulation requires two BIOS files so freeintv can initialize the platform.

MD5 checksum	Share file path	Description
62e761035cb657903761800f4437b8af	bios/exec.bin	Intellivision EXEC ROM
0cd5946c6473e42e8e4c2137785e427f	bios/grom.bin	Intellivision GROM ROM

Place both files in /userdata/bios/ without renaming them.

ROMs

Store Intellivision ROMs in /userdata/roms/intellivision using one of the accepted extensions. The collection can stay zipped; the core reads .zip and .7z archives directly.

Emulators

RetroArch (libretro: freeintv)

RetroArch runs the freeintv core to recreate the Intellivision hardware. Use the Quick Menu ([HOTKEY] + the south face button, see controller configuration) to adjust hotkeys, controller mappings and shaders. REG-Linux also surfaces many of the same settings through EmulationStation menus.

Standardized options available to every Intellivision session include intellivision.videomode, intellivision.ratio, intellivision.smooth, intellivision.shaders, intellivision.pixel_perfect, intellivision.decoration, intellivision.game_translation, intellivision.audio_latency and intellivision.video_threaded.

ES setting name	REG-Linux.conf_key	Description & values
GRAPHICS BACKEND	intellivision.gfxbackend	Choose OpenGL (opengl) or Vulkan (vulkan).
AUDIO LATENCY	intellivision.audio_latency	Buffer size in milliseconds: 256, 192, 128, 64, 32, 16, 8. Increase if you hear crackles.
THREADED VIDEO	intellivision.video_threaded	Use an additional thread for rendering (true On, false Off).

libretro: freeintv configuration

freeintv relies on RetroArch’s shared GUI. Adjust per-core overrides and controller mappings through the Quick Menu just like any other libretro core.

Controls

The Intellivision controller combined side-mounted face buttons with a 12-button numeric keypad. REG-Linux recommends enabling controller tattoos (REG-Linux v39+) and using bezel overlays (e.g., from the BezelProject) so keypad layouts remain visible.

Here are the default Intellivision controls shown on the REG-Linux Retropad:

Troubleshooting

• Verify exec.bin and grom.bin exist in /userdata/bios/.
• Try a different ROM archive if one fails; some dumps remain incomplete.