Retro Video Gamer

The Atari 2700 (also known the Atari Remote Control VCS) is a prototype video game console that was developed by Atari, Inc. to be a wirelessly controlled version of Atari's popular Atari 2600 system. Intended for release in 1981, the 2700 was one of several planned follow-ups to the 2600, but the system was never put into full production. While It is unclear how many of these systems exist, former Atari employee Dan Kramer has stated that at least 12 consoles were made, plus extra controllers.

The 2700 was fully compatible with the Atari 2600 system and intended to use that systems games and accessories. The 2700's new features over the 2600 included wireless controllers featuring a combination of a joystick and paddle, touch sensitive switches, and a streamlined wedge-shaped case.

Internally, the product was also called the "RC Stella", where "RC" referred to Radio Control and "Stella" was the internal Atari codename for the 2600.

Source: Wikipedia (http://http)

Never knew about this, very cool!

It is indeed neat and Atari sure was ahead of the game with some of the stuff they did with this console.  It's too bad they never actually released it.

Already on my list of repro prototypes 
But i may use bluetooth controllers.

Would have loved to have one of the those.  2600 joysticks really suffered from cable length, I've gotta believe all that radiation from setting directly in front of a floor model RCA couldn't have been good for me.  If only this had existed back then. 

It's funny how the regulations of the time forced a heavy shield around the cart stot of the VCS to prevent an theoretical  amount of TVi yet, radio controls and antennas the size of fencing rapiers were allowed!

Quote from: "retromod"Already on my list of repro prototypes 
But i may use bluetooth controllers.

If you make it NTSC compatible, I'd get one!

Does anyone know how big the housing was? Like 5200 or more like 7800 from size. I personally believe it is in 5200 size.

No idea about size.  It may indeed be as large as the 5200.  The folks from Atari Museum may know.

Looks like, even though it was cancelled and never released, Atari did start working on advertisements for the system. Here is one that I found at Atari Museum...

Quote from: "TrekMD"No idea about size.  It may indeed be as large as the 5200.  The folks from Atari Museum may know.

after review of some picture it seems it is identical to the 5200 size. This is not bad as I may have one 5200 chassis (due to heavily broken system and non-working mainboard) left to build the 2700 protyp out of it. But after the concept study the next item will be the gray 2600 from Tramiel decade, then the bonny prototyp.Hopefully the bluetooth mod is completed until then so perfect to build the last prototyp: the Atari 2700.

Wonder how durable the controllers would have been? For the time period, it seems like replacements would have been expensive.

Quote from: "onthinice"Wonder how durable the controllers would have been? For the time period, it seems like replacements would have been expensive.

Given that they have an exclusive chip, I have no doubt they would have been expensive to replace.  They are not even fixable now based on what is said on the video.

Ouch! That is a collectible to look and do not touch.

Quote from: "onthinice"Ouch! That is a collectible to look and do not touch.

Apparently fewer than 10 were made, so the go for a lot of money. 

Ouch again!

A wise man said if you have to ask the price, then you can't afford it. So I will not ask but would wire-less controllers make the games any better?

Watch the video when you have a chance.  Lots of good info in it. 

Watched the video but it led to more questions. 1981 seems off for a production year. Yes, the features seem similar to the 5200 but way better.  We all know they canceled the 7800 and released it later. Seems like this could have been the same thing. Going back to the features, none of these were ever used in a standard Atari system. Why would Atari waste the resources in 1981 to make such a system and never use any of the features in later models?

Did anyone else notice how quickly the guy tried to hide the broken antenna on the one controller?

Yes, they did hide that controller quickly.    After watching the video I kept wondering why Atari never used the tech on other consoles. It would have been cool to see some of that implemented on other consoles.

Not sure either. The answer could be why Atari failed as a company. Too many projects like this eating up money for research and development. Poor management?

according to history the remote control was a very high integrated device. As in final testing stage the remote also influenced door opener etc. the FCC was not given. A complete re-development was required so the project was ditched.

Atari's main problem at this stage was that they started too late to use their already existing technology for new products. Finally customers asked for new features and better technology. The 68000 projects together with the upcoming chipsets were the answer - but plug was pulled with Tramiel. It was also the lack of people management to keep talented guys. Marketing was the evil on the other side blocking new systems.

Found this on twitter, apparently there are only 12 known to be built .

(http://s29.postimg.org/npi0rrjav/atari_prototype.png)

Pioneering wireless controllers there!

What year was this?

Did Retromod not have one of these?

Looks like someone found the box for this!  As elusive as the console itself!  These were posted by Curt Vendel for the Atari Museum...