# TAC-2

> game controller compatible with Atari 2600 video game systems

**Wikidata**: [Q4349854](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4349854)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TAC-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tac-2

## Summary
The TAC-2 is a video game controller designed for use with the Atari 2600 console. Released in 1983, it is classified as a joystick and falls under the broader category of game controllers. It was manufactured by Suncom and is also known by aliases such as "TAC-2 (Totally Accurate Controller)" and "TAC 2."

## Key Facts
- Released in 1983.
- Compatible with Atari 2600 video game systems.
- Classified as a joystick and part of the video game controller model category.
- Manufactured by Suncom.
- Alternate names include "TAC-2 (Totally Accurate Controller)" and "TAC 2."
- Has a sitelink count of 5 across various language versions of Wikipedia.
- Identified in databases with Freebase ID `/m/09_39p` and Kultboy controller ID `128`.
- Image available via Wikimedia Commons at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Normal_tac2.jpg`.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the TAC-2 controller?
A: The TAC-2 is a joystick-style video game controller made for the Atari 2600 system. It was released in 1983 and produced by Suncom.

### Q: Is the TAC-2 compatible with modern consoles?
A: No, the TAC-2 was specifically designed for the Atari 2600 and is not natively compatible with modern gaming systems.

### Q: Are there other names for the TAC-2?
A: Yes, it is also referred to as "TAC-2 (Totally Accurate Controller)" and "TAC 2."

## Why It Matters
The TAC-2 represents a notable entry in the history of third-party video game controllers during the early 1980s. As part of the joystick class of input devices, it contributed to the expanding peripheral ecosystem around the popular Atari 2600 platform. Its design and release reflect the growing market for alternative and specialized controllers aimed at enhancing gameplay experiences. Though not widely documented, its presence in historical research and collector databases underscores its niche but meaningful role in gaming hardware evolution.

## Notable For
- Being one of several third-party joysticks released for the Atari 2600 in the 1980s.
- Having multiple recognized aliases including “Totally Accurate Controller.”
- Featuring in both English and non-English Wikipedia editions, indicating some cross-cultural recognition.
- Identified in specialized databases like Kultboy and Freebase, supporting its archival status among retro gaming enthusiasts.

## Body
### Overview
The TAC-2 is a video game controller developed for use with the Atari 2600 home console. It belongs to the joystick subclass of input devices and was commercially available starting in 1983.

### Manufacturer and Naming
- Produced by Suncom.
- Also known by alternate titles:
  - TAC-2 (Totally Accurate Controller)
  - TAC 2

### Compatibility and Classification
- Designed exclusively for the Atari 2600.
- Categorized as:
  - Instance of: Video game controller model
  - Subclass of: Joystick

### Identification and References
- Wikidata description: "game controller compatible with Atari 2600 video game systems"
- Freebase ID: `/m/09_39p`
- Kultboy controller ID: `128`
- Described in the source work: *The Joy of Sticks: Researching the History of Game Controllers That Used the Atari Standard*

### Availability and Documentation
- Covered in five different language versions of Wikipedia, including English, Spanish, Finnish, and Swedish.
- A dedicated Commons category exists titled “Suncom TAC-2,” sourced from the English Wikipedia.
- An official product image is hosted on Wikimedia Commons: `Normal_tac2.jpg`.

## References

1. The Joy of Sticks: Researching the History of Game Controllers That Used the Atari Standard
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013