Intellivision · 1983
Kool-Aid Man
A two-part Intellivision action game where you guide children through a haunted house before taking control of Kool-Aid Man to chase down Thirsties.
- Publisher
- Mattel Electronics
- Format
- Cartridge
- Genre
- action game
- Released
- 1983
01
Overview
Part One has you guide two children through a haunted house, collecting sugar, a pitcher, and Kool-Aid mix while avoiding roaming Thirsties. Once the children reach the kitchen sink, Kool-Aid Man bursts through a wall and Part Two begins, with you controlling him as he chases Thirsties and Phantom Flavors. The game offers four skill speeds and thirteen levels of increasing difficulty.
02
Why it matters
It is one of the earliest licensed character games on Intellivision and showcases Mattel's in-house design work during the late 1980s console era. Its two-part structure, shifting from evasion to pursuit, is an uncommon design choice for a single-player cartridge of that period.
03
The physical edition
A typical complete copy includes the game cartridge, the original Intellivision box, and the instruction booklet; the North American box features Kool-Aid Man breaking through a brick wall on the front. Regional editions may differ in box art, labeling, or included accessories, so verify the specific edition you are examining.
04
Playing it today
The game runs on any standard Intellivision console with a controller that has a disc and side action keys. It is a single-player experience with straightforward controls and a moderate learning curve.