Atari decided it was time to add some new bells and whistles to its Atari 2600 Video Computer System.

The new features would be a brand new console system with a sleek new wedge look and the

newest feature of all...  they made it wireless.   

The joysticks are simply amazing, they fit in the palm of your hand fairly comfortably and the

 most amazing part about these new joysticks is the features built in.  

The joystick is a standard 8 position joystick, but it is also a 270 degree paddle controller built into the same stalk!!!  

The unit also had select and reset buttons right on the joystick as well.   

It makes me wonder why this joystick wasn't re-engineered back into a hardwired

 version and used on the 5200, this was THE perfect joystick, far superior to the current 5200

analog joystick in control, feel and features.
 

        The Atari 2700 "RC Stella" case design was a radical change in direction from the original Atari 2600 console case design.  

 The Atari 2700 and its unique controllers were designed by Roy Nishi former head of Atari's Industrial Design group.

   According to Roy Nishi, the case design although sleek and high tech looking actually can be

 traced back to the primitive days of old glass tube radio receivers.

  Apparently based on an old wedged shaped RCA radio receiver design Roy created

 a design trend which would follow into the Atari 3200, 5200, 2800, 7800 and even the Atari 2600jr consoles.  

Giving Atari a unique sleek sexy high-tech look to its gaming consoles.
 
 
 

The Atari 2700 joysticks were well crafted, sturdy and durable.   Their new look and feel would have made many a gamer very happy.    Many have wondered why Atari never released the Atari 2700.   The units were complete, boxes were manufactured, color dealer flyers were sent out, it appears everything was ready.    Apparently during the Quality Assurance testing of the Atari 2700 RC Stella by John Protsman, it turned out that the controllers emitted a signal within a 1000 foot radius.   What this meant was the units would cause havoc with other Atari 2700's nearby.   Also the controller electronics were based on the design of a garage door opener, so the controllers would have the possibility of causing other remote controlled devices to operate.       The transmitter/receiver packs would require a complete redesign which management deemed too costly and the project was shelved.   However a by-product of this venture may have turned out to be the large, bulky wireless joysticks Atari sold that worked with the Atari 2600, 7800 and its 8-bit computer line.