The Atari CX30+ Paddle Controller Bundle has a very specific and unforgiving objective: to perfectly recreate the analog precision and tactile experience of the original Atari paddle controller. It is designed to replace modern digital input methods (like joysticks or d-pads) that fail to deliver the smooth and positional control essential for classic games like Pong, Breakout, Warlords, and Night Driver. The user’s primary goal is achieving definitive high scores and experiencing these foundational titles as they were originally intended, relying entirely on the smooth, unrestricted rotation of the dial. This is a mission in pure retro fidelity, where the smallest discrepancy in movement can really ruin the experience.
The functionality of the CX30+ centers entirely on the quality of its internal rotary encoder and the physical feel of the dial. Unlike cheap replicas that suffer from rotational “jitter” or “drift” when the dial is stationary, the CX30+ is engineered for optical accuracy and stability. The dial offers perfectly smooth, low-friction rotation, translating precise wrist movements into immediate screen movement with a 1:1 ratio, which is crucial for defensively positioning a bat in a game like Breakout. This high-resolution performance successfully eliminates the “dead spots” and incremental movement found in lesser modern controllers.
The secondary function is the fire button, which requires a low-latency, crisp response. The CX30+ delivers a satisfying, tactile click, ensuring instant actuation for quick releases in games that require repeated firing. The main functional criticism is the controller’s overall weight. Due to its light build, intense, rapid rotation during high-level play often causes the unit to slide across the desktop, requiring the player to stabilize it with their off-hand. This stability issue slightly detracts from the otherwise flawless performance.
Visually, the CX30+ is a faithful and loving reproduction of the iconic design established by the original Atari CX30. It features the classic black base and distinctive dial, striking a perfect balance between nostalgic aesthetic and modern build quality.
The presentation shines in its durability upgrades. The enclosure uses a sturdy, high-quality ABS plastic that feels less fragile than the vintage units, a significant improvement over the easily damaged, thin wiring of the originals. The dial itself has a comfortable, slightly textured grip, ensuring rotation remains reliable even during extended gaming sessions. The minimalist design prioritizes function—there are no distracting lights or extraneous buttons—just the essential dial and fire button, making the presentation clean, authentic, and fit for purpose.
The sound aspect of the CX30+ is a lesson in intentional silence and tactile feedback. The most important audio characteristic is the absolute quietness of the rotary dial.
The only prominent sound the controller makes is the crisp, mechanical “click” of the fire button. This auditory confirmation of actuation is vital for games that rely on rapid, timed presses. The CX30+ uses a high-quality switch that provides excellent feedback, adding a satisfying punch to the physical interaction.
So we have looked at the controller set, but what about the games that are included in this bundle? Well the set comes with a four in one cartridge featuring four classic paddle games. The games that are on the cart are Night Driver, Canyon Bomber, Breakout, and Video Olympics.
Night Driver is a game that is fast and has you rotating the paddle constantly to avoid crashing into obstacles. It’s one of those arcade games that has you lasting as long as you can to rack up a high score.
Canyon Bomber has you flying a plane through a canyon and bombing the object below. It could be a ship or a base, and you have to take out more of it than the computer controlled opponent. The more of it you take out, the more points you get.
Breakout is a game that really needs no explanation. It’s a game that has you controlling a paddle (bat) that you hit a ball with to break bricks. As you break the bricks, it increases your high score.
Video Olympics is a set of sports themed takes on the classic Pong game. You pick a theme and sit down to play a classic game of Pong. Hit the ball and try to score a point with the winning player reaching the score cap.
I appreciate the games that are included on the cartridge and I like the ability to change games using the dip switches. It’s easy to do and is a great way to save space in the way they’ve made multi-game carts. The issue I have really is the selection offered and the number offered. I mean on one side, I would have liked to have seen Warlords on this cart. I mean it would have been a better game to include over Canyon Bomber. On the other side, four games? The bundled cart you get with the 2600+ gives you ten games to play. Why couldn’t they have done a six or ten game cart like they did with the 2600+ bundled cart?
This may have come down to timing or just not something they wanted to do with every multi-cart. It could also be due to Atari wanting to eventually bring some of these titles out as re-releases. While I can understand this chosen direction, it doesn’t make it feel any less like a missed opportunity to at least include more games than four.
The CX40+ Paddle Controller Bundle is an overwhelming success, achieving its objective of delivering a hyper-accurate, low-latency analog experience for the most demanding classic titles. Its core strength lies in its jitter-free rotational accuracy, which is simply indispensable for competitive play in games designed around this specific input method. For any retro enthusiast or collector looking to truly feel the original gameplay intentions of the golden age of arcade classics, the CX40+ is not merely a novelty, it is an essential and high-value peripheral.
If you have paddle games on 2600 or 7800, then you owe it to yourself to pick up this bundle as it’s a wonderful set and works much better than the original controllers that were released.
Disclaimer: A review unit was provided
In addition to writing articles, Ryan Byers also creates content for his YouTube channel called "Obscure Games and Consoles", collects video games, and dabbles in video game development.