Our friends from KontrolFreek wanted me to let you guys know they were putting out a whole slew of new products. This is not a paid advertisement; we just have a happy relationship, they randomly let us test out their products, and most importantly, I actually am head-in-heels in love with them. They asked me to write a little something, so I happily obliged.
For those of you not familiar with the KontrolFreek lineup, KontrolFreek is a pair of simple plastic knobs that fit over the analog sticks for your console controllers. So what? Why do you as a hardcore gamer need them? Well, I’m getting to that, good reader. These thumbsticks increase the fulcrum point, which increases the amount you need to push the thumbstick to make the same movement. That increases your actual pinpoint accuracy in first person shooters, lessens your turning in racing gamers, etc.
Try to keep up, ladies.
I hate gimmicky products and hate plastic junk, so I didn’t see the purpose of these little doo-hickeys until they were nice enough to send me a test pair to try out. After that? Well, I’ve got a handful of controllers around the house for my PS3 and 360, but I always use controllers with the KontrolFreek knobs on it. Any visitors have to use the regular controller. Sorry, but the King must have his home court advantage.
Anyway, you wouldn’t think they could improve on their product, but they keep managing to crank out new types of thumbsticks, designed specifically for different genres of games. Until recently, their arsenal included two models: the FPS freek (my weapon of choice) is, duh, for shooters, you’ve got a strange looking Speed Freek racing thumbstick (which I can’t figure out how they works, but they do).
However, they have recently announced two new types of thumbsticks: a sports game Kontrol Freek thumbstick, the TD Freek (touchdown, get it?) and a Halo Reach Commemorative Limited run of FPS Freeks called the FPS Legendary. Launching on September 14th with the release of Halo Reach, these slick little buggers look like they will have the same function, but have two new important features, an improved attachment prong and a convex thumb surface. The regular FPS Freeks have a plastic prong attachment to the thumbstick; I’m sure it’s sturdy enough to survive me switching out thumbsticks between controllers, but I have never dared try. I don’t want to break the prong and be without my secret weapon.
Here’s their write up for the new “thumbs”:
Available in limited quantities, the FPS Freek Legendary will begin shipping on September 14 and is available immediately for order here:
http://www.kontrolfreek.com/legendary.asp
Featuring a laser-etched grip surface on a new convex-shaped, platinum color thumb pad, this latest FPS Freek model also incorporates an improved three-clip attachment – giving players a boost to both style and functionality. The FPS Freek Legendary is what snipers, laser-lovers, and players who enjoy sticking n00bs with plasma grenades need. Players that prefer to engage from a distance, and especially those that are salivating for the new DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) will find the perfect companion in the FPS Freek Legendary. The FPS Freek has proven time and time again to help gamers at all skill levels improve their shooter play. By lengthening the controller analog sticks, the attachment allows for approximately 40% greater leverage and unmatched aiming precision in all FPS environments.
Bottom line: These KontrolFreek thumbsticks are definitely one of those products where you can happily go on living without using them…until you try them. Then, there’s no going back. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but I’ve come to really enjoy my addiction.
Do you dare risk it? I’m glad I did. Come check them out over at http://www.kontrolfreek.com.
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