 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.
