M Network
| Company type | Label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Predecessor | Mattel Electronics |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Mattel Electronics |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Products | Video games for Atari 2600, IBM PC, Apple II |
| Parent | Mattel Electronics |
M Network served as the label under which Mattel Electronics published video games during 1982 and 1983 for platforms such as the Atari 2600, IBM PC, and Apple II.
History
During the early 1980s, Mattel's Intellivision console was a direct competitor to Atari's 2600 system. While Mattel developed titles primarily for its own hardware, it also produced simplified adaptations of these games for the Atari 2600, releasing them under the M Network brand.
M Network was responsible for creating home versions of well-known arcade games including BurgerTime, Bump 'n' Jump, and Lock 'n' Chase (all launched in 1982). Alongside these ports, the label introduced original titles like Tron: Deadly Discs (1982) and Kool-Aid Man (1983), which stands out as an early example of a "promogame" distributed through mail orders by redeeming UPC codes from Kool-Aid products.
The programmers at Mattel, famously dubbed the "Blue Sky Rangers", also developed games tied to Mattel’s own intellectual properties, such as Masters of the Universe: The Power of He-Man (1983), capitalizing on existing media franchises.
Cartridges released by M Network for the Atari 2600 shared a similar design to Intellivision cartridges but were modified to fit the larger slot size of the Atari system. Many game titles were altered for their 2600 versions; for instance, Astrosmash was renamed Astroblast.
Although Mattel produced software for Atari hardware, it opposed Atari’s efforts to penetrate the Intellivision market. In response to Atari hiring former Mattel staff to create Intellivision-compatible cartridges, Mattel initiated legal action in the early 1980s accusing Atari of misappropriating trade secrets.
In May 2023, Atari SA secured the rights to more than a dozen M Network games, including titles like Armor Ambush, Astroblast, and Star Strike. A selection of these M Network games is planned for release as downloadable content in October 2024 as part of the Atari 50 video game anthology.
