ABPA Backgammon
ABPA Backgammon — frequently asked questions
- What platforms is ABPA Backgammon on?
- ABPA Backgammon was released on Intellivision.
- When did ABPA Backgammon release?
- ABPA Backgammon was first released on October 16, 1980.
About ABPA Backgammon
Intellivision Backgammon is identical with the board game. Backgammon is a game played by two players (the computer can be one of the players). Each player has 15 pieces. The object of the game is to be the first to move all your pieces completely around and finally off the board. Moving your pieces off the board is called "bearing off". The first player to bear off all his pieces is the winner. Each player moves in a direction beginning from his opponent's Home Table and coming around to his own Home Table. Thus one player always moves clockwise and the other always counterclockwise. You can play against the computer at two skill levels - one for beginners or intermediate, another for experts - or two players can compete against each other. It displays the American Backgammon Players Association (ABPA) logo.
Summary via IGDB.
ABPA Backgammon on Wikipedia
ABPA Backgammon is a backgammon video game for Intellivision. This was one of the original four launch titles for the Intellivision system.
Source: Wikipedia (text under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Game details
- Platforms
- Intellivision
- Developer
- APh Technological Consulting
- Publisher
- Sears
- Game modes
- Single player
Details via IGDB.
Collector value & authenticity
Intellivision · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-20
How often it sells
- Loose: about 4 times a year
- Complete: about once a month
- Sealed: about 2 times a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-20.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $3.00 in Apr 2009, $7.20 five years ago, and $8.09 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2010 | $5.49 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $7.77 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $4.95 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $1.95 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $3.13 | $6.50 |
| Jan 2015 | $10.49 | $9.99 |
| Jan 2016 | $12.00 | $10.00 |
| Jan 2017 | $12.00 | $4.75 |
| Jan 2018 | $4.57 | $7.68 |
| Jan 2019 | $4.33 | $8.88 |
| Jan 2020 | $3.52 | $11.99 |
| Jan 2021 | $6.01 | $11.83 |
| Jan 2022 | $8.99 | $16.63 |
| Jan 2023 | $12.23 | $20 |
| Jan 2024 | $6.96 | $16.50 |
| Jan 2025 | $5.53 | $12.85 |
| Jan 2026 | $8.09 | $14.76 |
| Oct 2026 | $8.09 | $13.92 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Product # |
|---|---|
| North America Mattel Electronics | 1119 |
- North America: Product number confirmed by the game's own manual and Mattel's own catalogue.
- Region
- NA
- Released
- 1979
- Controller
- Hand controller
- Players
- 1 or 2
- Authenticity
- Low
One of the four cartridges the system started with, a competent board-game adaptation for patient players.
ABPA stands for the American Backgammon Players Association, whose name Mattel put on the box. It was one of the four original Intellivision launch cartridges, and APh Technological Consulting built it. It is a single-player game.
It is a slow, thoughtful title in a library known for sports and action, and it appeals mostly to board-game fans. It is also a piece of Intellivision history for collectors who want the first four.
How it was made
Developed by APh Technological Consulting for Mattel Electronics. The game was also included later in the Intellivision Lives! compilation.
Worth knowing
- From the Intellivision manual. Against the computer there are two skill levels: Level 1 for beginners and intermediates, Level 2 for advanced players; pressing Level 1 or 2 starts a one-player game.
- From the Intellivision manual. Pressing either top side button shows the pip count, a running score found by multiplying pieces on each point by that point's value; lower is better.
Before you buy
Came with two keypad overlays. Common enough that a complete copy is a realistic goal, and the box and manual make up much of the difference over a loose cart. Nothing particular to watch for beyond a working cart.
Watch on YouTube
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