# Atari CX78

> video game controller

**Wikidata**: [Q118874693](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118874693)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atari-cx78

## Summary
The Atari CX78, also known as the Atari Joypad 7800, is a model of video game controller classified as a gamepad. As a subclass of video game controllers, it is designed to be held in two hands with fingers providing input. It is identified within gaming databases and digital archives by specific hardware IDs and image resources.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Video game controller model
- **Subclass of:** Gamepad (type of controller held in two hands where fingers provide input)
- **Aliases:** Atari Joypad 7800
- **PCGamingWiki ID:** Controller:Atari_CX78_Controller (Value ID: 169821)
- **Kultboy Controller ID:** 73
- **Commons Category:** Atari CX78
- **Wikipedia Coverage:** Available via Wikimedia Commons (sitelink count: 1)
- **Visual Resource:** Image available at `Atari-CX78-7800-Controller-FL-wThumbStick.jpg`

## FAQs
### What type of controller is the Atari CX78?
The Atari CX78 is a video game controller model categorized specifically as a gamepad. This classification implies it is a device held in two hands where fingers provide input.

### What are the aliases and identifiers for the Atari CX78?
The device is also known as the "Atari Joypad 7800." It is assigned the ID `73` in the Kultboy database and `Controller:Atari_CX78_Controller` (with a specific value of 169821) on PCGamingWiki.

### Is the Atari CX78 distinct from a joystick?
Yes, as a gamepad, the CX78 is distinct from a standard joystick. While joysticks are often held in one hand and operated with a thumb or hand, the CX78 is designed to be held in two hands with finger-based inputs.

## Why It Matters
The Atari CX78 serves as a specific hardware example within the broader taxonomy of gamepads, which are fundamental input devices for video game consoles. Its classification as a gamepad places it within a lineage of controllers that prioritize ergonomic, two-handed grip and precise finger inputs over earlier single-handed joystick designs. The existence of dedicated IDs in hardware databases (like Kultboy and PCGamingWiki) underscores its relevance as a distinct piece of gaming hardware history, cataloged for technical reference and preservation.

## Notable For
- **Hardware Classification:** Represents a specific model of the gamepad class, distinct from the general concept of a video game controller.
- **Database Identification:** Notable for having specific unique identifiers in gaming archives, including PCGamingWiki and Kultboy.
- **Nomenclature:** Recognized under the specific alias "Atari Joypad 7800," linking it to the broader Atari hardware lineage.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
The Atari CX78 is a video game controller model. Structurally and functionally, it falls under the "gamepad" class. A gamepad is defined as a type of video game controller designed to be held in two hands, where the fingers (rather than the wrist or arm) provide the primary input. This distinguishes the device from other controller types such as joysticks or gaming keypads.

### Nomenclature and Aliases
In historical and technical documentation, the device is identified primarily as the "Atari CX78." It also carries the alias "Atari Joypad 7800," suggesting a specific association or compatibility with the Atari 7800 console line, though the source material strictly defines this as an alias.

### Technical and Archival Identifiers
The Atari CX78 is tracked in several technical databases:
- **PCGamingWiki:** The controller is listed with the ID `Controller:Atari_CX78_Controller`. It possesses a specific technical qualifier value of `169821` (property P9675).
- **Kultboy:** The device is cataloged with the controller ID `73`.
- **Wikimedia Commons:** An image file named `Atari-CX78-7800-Controller-FL-wThumbStick.jpg` serves as the visual representation for the device.

### Context within Gamepad Evolution
As a gamepad, the Atari CX78 is part of a controller class that has evolved to become a staple in gaming culture. Gamepads generally allow for precise input through finger movements and are distinct from single-handed devices. While the source material provides extensive context on the gamepad class—including features of modern controllers like haptic feedback or the specific button layouts of the Atari Jaguar Pro Controller—these are listed as general characteristics or examples of the *class* rather than specific attributes of the CX78 unit itself. The CX78 represents the standard application of the gamepad form factor.