Hardware review: Atari 2600 remote control joysticks

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Sometime back in the early 80's(I'm too young to remember so I have to get some outside info here), Atari was experimenting with new ideas for products for the 2600. There were all sorts of stuff, the Mindlink, Voice Commander, 2600 keyboard, that never made it to the shelves. Among those many items, the is the Atari 2700 - basically a 2600, but with remote control joysticks. They were kind of flimsy though, and several other things led to the 2700's demise early, but...Atari made a product out of the 2700 that was used for the 2600 - remote control joysticks.

These are pretty cool. They're huge, but cool. Basically, it's a regular 2600 joystick on top, then from there to the bottom it has a 6 inch base. No cords - just an antenna sticking out of it. It requires batteries as well. How does it work? You setup a box that they come with. It has an antenna, has two cords to plug-in to the 2600's joystick ports, and has the power from the 2600 plugged into it, and then it has a cord that plugs into the 2600. It's simpler than it sounds. Now you don't need any "strings attached" to play 2600 games!

It's a blessing to not have to be limited by the short joystick cords anymore. They work up to about 20 feet as well. It feels strange at first, but you'll get used to it. You don't have to have the joystick directly lined up with the signal box either(unlike *cough* some nintendo *cough* remote paddles I know of), you can have it in almost any direction you like. Be careful though, because it does have limits, and if the box doesn't get the signal, you character on-screen just screws up, but you can fix it by stepping back into the limits.

If you can find a pair, grab them, it's worth it. But you can live without them. Sometime I prefer the good 'ol cords(like when my battery dies in the remotes), but usually I just use the remotes now. Pretty cool.

I'll get some pics up soon(just like with everything else around here =)

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By Adam Pratt