Atari Mindlink
{{Short description|Unreleased Atari video game controller}}{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Mindlink
| logo =
| image = File:Atari 2600 exhibit (Mindlink).jpeg
| caption = A Mindlink controller at the National Videogame Museum
| developer = Atari
| manufacturer =
| carrier =
| type = Video game controller
| releasedate =
| display =
| graphics =
| Sound =
| input =
| location =
| controllers =
| output =
| camera =
| touchpad =
| connectivity = Controller port
| dimensions =
| weight =
| topgame =
| compatibility =
| successor =
| related =
| website =
}}
The Atari Mindlink is an unreleased video game controller for the Atari 2600, originally intended for release in 1984.{{cite web |author=Top 5 Hardware Super Fails |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/top-5-with-lisa-foiles/2796-Top-5-Hardware-Super-Fails |title=Top 5 Hardware Super Fails | Top 5 with Lisa Foiles Video Gallery | The Escapist |publisher=Escapistmagazine.com |date= |accessdate=2014-08-18 |archive-date=2018-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707201630/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/top-5-with-lisa-foiles/2796-Top-5-Hardware-Super-Fails |url-status=dead }} The Mindlink was unique in that its headband form factor controls the game by reading the myoneural signal voltage from the player's forehead.{{cite web |first=Curt |last=Vendel |url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2600/mindlink.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919114640/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2600/mindlink.html |url-status=live |archive-date=2018-09-19 |title=The Atari Mindlink System |publisher=Atari Museum |accessdate=2018-12-08 }} The player's forehead movements are read by infrared sensors and transferred as movement in the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/453147/blog/the-atari-mindlink-and-other-outrageous-controllers/|title=The Atari Mindlink and other outrageous controllers|last=Scullion|first=Chris|date=2014-03-10|website=Computer and Video Games|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313015713/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/453147/blog/the-atari-mindlink-and-other-outrageous-controllers/|archive-date=March 13, 2014|accessdate=2014-08-18}}
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{{cite web |url=http://www.t3.com/features/20-worst-game-accessories-ever-1/mindlink-jpg |title=20 Worst game accessories ever |publisher=T3 |date=2012-03-23 |accessdate=2014-08-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090558/http://www.t3.com/features/20-worst-game-accessories-ever-1/mindlink-jpg |archivedate=2014-08-19 }} due to moving their eyebrows to play the game. None of these games were ever released in any other form.