Atari CX-42 Wireless Controllers (1983)

**Coming Soon! 

Atari CX-42 Wireless Controllers 

🥇First Commercially-Released Wireless Video Game Controllers 

The Atari CX-42 Remote Control Wireless Joysticks, released in 1983 for approximately $100, were a groundbreaking attempt to free gamers from the tangle of cords during the golden age of the Atari 2600. Rather than using infrared technology like a TV remote, which requires a straight line of sight, the CX-42 system used a radio frequency (49 MHz) similar to walkie-talkies or baby monitors, allowing players to sit up to 20 feet away from the television. The setup consisted of a central receiver box with a telescoping metal antenna that plugged into the console's joystick ports, paired with two oversized joysticks equipped with flexible fiberglass antennas. Because each joystick had to house its own radio transmitter and a heavy 9-volt battery, the bases were much thicker and blockier than the standard Atari controller, making them a bit of a handful for younger children. While they worked beautifully without noticeable lag for most arcade games, the high price tag and occasional signal interference from other household electronics kept them from becoming a standard living room fixture before the video game crash of 1983.

Acquired from: eBay.com