The Atari paddle controllers are analog spinner game controllers for the Atari VCS/2600 console. Paddles were manufactured in pairs, and two controllers plug into a single input, resulting in up to four-player multiplayer (with two paddle pairs). Additionally, each controller has a side-mounted button. While the original version shipped in 1977 with the Atari VCS, an updated version was released in 1978 with minor differences in the sticker graphics, and is somewhat shorter overall. Over 50 games were designed to use the paddle controller over the life of the system.
Like the Atari joystick, paddles are compatible with certain other consoles which use the same input scheme. One notable example is Super Breakout for the Atari 800, which has 4 inputs, allowing up to 8-player simultaneous play.
The similar Atari driving controller was released in 1977, but is officially only supported by Indy 500.
Log in to comment