A wireless joystick for Atari?
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Under the pompous title of "fabulous technological advance"A North American company marketed a wireless remote control supposedly compatible with Atari 8-bit consoles and computers.
Camerica Freedom Stick-whose translation is something like "The Lever of Freedom of Camerica"- it's ainfrared devicewhich came onto the market in1990with the promise ofendwith the tangle ofcontrol connection cablesto home entertainment equipment.
The device consists of asmall remote unitwhich connects via a cable to the computer or game console. Theinfrared joystickcan send the signal within aaverage range of 4.5 metersor 15 feet.
According to their notices, this joystick canworks with Atari 2600 and 7800 consoles, in addition to theXL and XE series computers. As if that were not enough, he also prides himself on working with theNintendo and Sega consoles, apart from theCommodore C64 and C128 computers
Likewise, with a view to allowing the user to "feel the action of an arcade lever", it comes withsuckers for adhering to surfacesand give it greater stability.
As for his appearance, theFreedom Stickit's aNintendo NES Advantage joystick clone, a fact that earned him a lawsuit from the Japanese company.
Some comments on the Internetquestion the real scopeof the device connection and its compatibility. It is even claimed that thisOnly works with Sega Master System. Although if we look closely, the box shows thewell-known platformer Ninja(Mastertronic, 1986).
The truth is that it usesfour "AA" type alkaline batteriesand it doesn't have a power adapter input, which, in practice, can easily add to the budget of any gaming enthusiast.
HisOriginal price was US$ 69.95. Today you canfind some Freedom Sticks on eBaybyUS$ 35-although without being sold.
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