Did you know? The first wireless controller for consoles was launched by Atari in the 1980s

No More Wires. The phrase in bold letters appeared on one of the company’s advertising posters. Atari for promotion Game-Mate 2which was renamed to Atari Remote Control Wireless Joysticks or CX-42 in 1983 (the 2600’s standard joysticks were called CX-40). This controller holds the title of the first wireless joystick for consoles.

CX-42: the Atari 2600 wireless joystick

In 1983, while the video game market was facing turbulence that would culminate in the so-called video game crisisAtari decided to innovate once again. A year before Jack Tramiel, former CEO of Commodore, took control of the company, Atari released a wireless version of its joystick, called the CX-42. In terms of structure, it followed the pattern immortalized in Atari 2600. One action button and movement in 4 directions.

Manufactured by Cynex Manufacturing Corp, the wireless control was sold in a package containing two units, as well as a base for connectivity.

The CX-42 controllers worked with radio frequency (RF) signals, similar to Nintendo’s WaveBird controller, which would appear twenty years later. He operated between 49.83 and 49.89 MHzaccording to records from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and each joystick used a 9V battery and was equipped with a telescopic antenna for data transmission.

According to this advertisement at the timeAtari mentioned that it was possible to play up to 6 meters away from the console/computer. Thanks to compatibility with the DB9 port, in addition to Atari, the CX-42 could be used on other platforms, such as Coleco and computers such as the Commdore Vic 20.

The legacy of the CX-42

As the years passed, the CX-42 has become a collector’s item. For those interested in rescuing this historic piece, it is possible to find original controller units in stores like eBay for prices in the range of US$ 30.

At the time of launch, the CX-42 cost between US$45 and US$55, depending on the distributor. Despite its short-lived popularity at the time, it is remembered as a precursor to modern controls.

Updated version

Atari recently released an updated version of the CX-42, compatible with both the company’s recent options and retro consoles. Available by US$ 34,99this new edition maintains the nostalgic design, but incorporates important improvements, such as a rechargeable battery via USB-C.

The new controller is compatible with consoles Atari 7800+ e 2600+recently launched, and can also be used in Atari 2600 e Atari 7800 originals with the help of a DB9 adapter.

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