If you’re a fan of classic gaming, you may have heard whispers about “Space Cadet,” a charming and colorful multiplayer game developed for the Intellivision in the early 1980s. But unless you were an industry insider at the time, you never got the chance to play it—because it was canceled before it was completed.
Like many promising projects from the early days of home gaming, “Space Cadet” never saw an official release, leaving it as one of those fascinating “what could have been” titles from the era when Mattel Electronics was pushing the boundaries of console gaming.
Gameplay: a competitive, lighthearted space adventure
At its core, “Space Cadet” was a two-player competitive battle that pitted the Ice Planet against the Fire Planet in a race to dominate the cosmos. Players controlled small, zippy flying saucers—the titular Space Cadets—and maneuvered through space with the goal of bumping asteroids into the enemy’s planet. Each successful hit would convert a portion of the opposing planet into the attacking team’s color.
The game was designed with fast-paced, strategic action, as players had to navigate obstacles, time their asteroid collisions carefully, and work against the clock. Victory was awarded to the team that managed to fully convert their opponent’s planet first, or to the team with the most successful hits when time expired.
Why it was so unique (and adorable)
“Space Cadet” was shaping up to be one of Intellivision’s cutest and most lighthearted multiplayer games. While many space-themed games of the era leaned toward intense arcade-style shooting mechanics, this one focused more on bumping, bouncing, and playful competition, making it a fun pick for casual gamers and party settings.
The simple, blocky graphics—a hallmark of the Intellivision—gave the game a charming, cartoonish feel, with bright colors representing each team’s planet and sparkling asteroids adding a touch of whimsy. The game’s multiplayer design also encouraged a social, back-and-forth experience, making it an ideal choice for friendly rivalries.
Despite its engaging premise, “Space Cadet” was never officially released. Mattel Electronics was undergoing financial struggles in the early 1980s, and as the video game market became increasingly competitive, several titles—including promising projects like this one—were quietly shelved.
It’s unclear how far along development had progressed before cancellation, but given the existence of packaging prototypes and partial game code, it seems “Space Cadet” was close to completion before Mattel pulled the plug.