Jaguar Rotary Controller
The game was programed with an option to use a rotary controller (similar to the controller on the Tempest arcade machine) with Tempest 2000 on the Jaguar despite the fact that Atari never released such a controller. Such a controller was planned for development and release by Atari, but no prototypes exist. However, several homebrew options exist by using parts from a Jaguar controller and either an Atari 2600 Driving Controller or new, higher-precision rotary encoders.
To unlock the Controller Type option easter egg, the player must press the Option button in the Main Game Menu to access the Option Menu. Then hold Pause on Controller 1 and Controller 2 at the same time in the Options menu. You will then hear the word "Excellent", and the Controller Type option will appear below the Display Setup and Controller Setup options. You can then choose between Rotary or Joypad for either player 1, player 2, or both. When using a rotary controller in one player modes the second controller port and a standard joypad are used for some bonus levels and entering the players initials.
The one used by Jeff Minter during testing was made from a hacked-up 2600 driving controller, and until about 2004, he had never actually played with a more suitable controller.
Read more about this topic: Tempest 2000