Genre: Space Combat Simulator
Developer: Mattel Electronics
Publisher: Mattel Electronics
Year: 1982
Platform: Intellivision
Space Spartans is a space combat simulator released for the Intellivision in 1982. Developed and published by Mattel Electronics, the game is notable for being the first to utilize the Intellivoice module, introducing synthesized speech to the Intellivision platform.
In the game, players assume the role of a spaceship commander defending the Federation from an alien invasion. The gameplay is divided into two main modes: a strategic star map and a first-person combat screen. Players must navigate the star map to intercept enemy forces and engage in combat to protect their star bases.
The Intellivoice module provides critical information during gameplay, including alerts about star base status, energy levels, and system damage. This auditory feedback enhances the immersive experience, as the game displays minimal on-screen text.
Space Spartans was one of the first games to support the Intellivoice module, a voice synthesizer adapter for the Intellivision. Despite its innovative use of speech synthesis, the module’s limited capabilities resulted in low-quality audio. Nevertheless, the game remains a significant part of Intellivision’s history, showcasing early attempts at integrating voice technology into video games.
