Engineering:Atari Mindlink
.jpeg) A Mindlink controller at the National Videogame Museum. | |
| Developer | Atari |
|---|---|
| Type | Video game controller |
| Connectivity | Controller port |
The Atari Mindlink is an unreleased video game controller for the Atari 2600, originally intended for release in 1984.[1] The Mindlink was unique in that its headband form factor controls the game by reading the myoneural signal voltage from the player's forehead.[2] The player's forehead movements are read by infrared sensors and transferred as movement in the game.[3]
Specially supported games are similar to those that use the paddle controller, but with the Mindlink controller instead. Three games were in development for the Mindlink by its cancellation: Bionic Breakthrough, Telepathy, and Mind Maze. Bionic Breakthrough is basically a Breakout clone, controlled with the Mindlink. Mind Maze uses the Mindlink for a mimicry of ESP, to pretend to predict what is printed on cards. Testing showed that players frequently got headaches[4] due to moving their eyebrows to play the game. None of these games were ever released in any other form.
References
- ↑ Top 5 Hardware Super Fails. "Top 5 Hardware Super Fails | Top 5 with Lisa Foiles Video Gallery | The Escapist". Escapistmagazine.com. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/top-5-with-lisa-foiles/2796-Top-5-Hardware-Super-Fails. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
- ↑ Vendel, Curt. "The Atari Mindlink System". Atari Museum. http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2600/mindlink.html. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ↑ Scullion, Chris (2014-03-10). "The Atari Mindlink and other outrageous controllers". http://www.computerandvideogames.com/453147/blog/the-atari-mindlink-and-other-outrageous-controllers/. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
- ↑ "20 Worst game accessories ever". T3. 2012-03-23. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090558/http://www.t3.com/features/20-worst-game-accessories-ever-1/mindlink-jpg. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
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