Atari Mindlink
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]
A Mindlink controller at the National Videogame Museum. | |
Developer | Atari |
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Type | Video game controller |
Connectivity | Controller port |
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. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
- Vendel, Curt. "The Atari Mindlink System". Atari Museum. Archived from the original on 2018-09-19. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- Chris Scullion Games Editor, CVG UK Follow @scully1888 (2014-03-10). "The Atari Mindlink and other outrageous controllers - CVG US". Computer and Video Games. Computerandvideogames.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
- "20 Worst game accessories ever". T3. 2012-03-23. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-18.