Sega Activator

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The Sega Activator was an octagonal game controller for the Sega Genesis that used infrared beams to interpret movements. The Activator was placed on the floor, and the player stood inside the octagon, punching and kicking to break the light beams and send signals to the Genesis. It was marketed as a new type of martial arts simulator, but it did little more than break light beams as opposed to pressing buttons on a controller. In no way did the Activator know if you punched, kicked, or jumped. The player had to memorize which light beam in which direction did what, rendering the device a useless, and hard to use, gimmick. The light beams were also easily distorted by a non-flat ceiling, or obstructions, such as beams of a ceiling fan or light fixture. It did not see much commercial success. Few games were designed to be used with it, one of them being Eternal Champions. Additionally, some normal games, most notably Mortal Kombat and Comix Zone, are actually more difficult to play with an Activator.

[edit] External links

• Sega Activator Ring Instructional Video
• The Sega Activator is voted the worst game controller