KontrolFreek boosts driving game performance

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 29th 2006 at 12:00PM }

Earlier this month, IGN was sent a prototype controller adapter designed to improve sensitivity in driving games. Those who play racing games know that nothing beats a good wheel and pedal set up, but there are many who don't want to spend extra money on such a peripheral. Control pads, however, are far from optimal. Analogue controllers have ushered in the era of analogue steering, but making small adjustments with an analogue stick can be a pain. This typically results in oversteering and requires constant correction -- something that can really pull you out of the experience.

Enter the new adapter from KontrolFreek. The small adapter attaches directly to the left analogue stick easily. The adapter sports little wings on each side to give players extra leverage, making small adjustments easier. The adapter may look silly, but IGN claims that it actually does improve control. Head over to the KontrolFreek website for more info. You can also register to be notified when the product becomes available. So, would you stick some horns onto your controller if it gave you the edge?

Tags: adapter, controller adapter, ControllerAdapter, driving, peripherals, racing, racing games, RacingGames

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

LunarDuality @ Nov 29th 2006 12:40PM

I've got my eyes on that wireless wheel but can't afford it yet. This is definitely an interesting concept and I would love to test-drive this device. But it's only useful to me if it can be easily snapped on and off. I mean, I don't *only* play driving games. Then again, maybe it helps in other games too?

audioeric @ Nov 29th 2006 1:28PM

It looks like it should snap on and off easily.. Turn10, the team behind Forza Motorsport, also got to play with one.. Check it out here:

http://forzamotorsport.net/devcorner/pitpass/pitpass25.htm

It's about half way down the latest Pit Pass...

tcc3 @ Nov 29th 2006 1:20PM

{Grabs both "wings" with index and thumbs of both hands like it is a tiny steering wheel}

I dont get it how does this work again?

=)

tcc3

Donnie Walker @ Nov 29th 2006 2:54PM

Hi guys, Donnie Walker here, I invented this product and designed it so i would love to answer some of your questions. 1. It does snap on and off easily, you take your fingers and lift up under the snaps and it comes right off. I have been using a prototype for some time and it comes off easily and has not damaged my analog stick in anyway. 2. To the guy who doesnt understand how this works or helps. There are several notes made by various reviews on this issue. First, this product, unlike some other products on the market, allows you to use the existing surface of the analog stick and does not add material on top of the analog. this dont sound like a big deal but if you get use to using a thumbstick, then you add material on top of it, it changes the distance your thumb travels from full left to right motion, thus changing your physics with games. anyway, also, the side rails allow you to go into corners pretty hard in racing games without fear of sliding off the thumbstick. while on long slow curves you might just let your thumb rest againt the side rail and make alot smaller adjustments on your steering. Anyway, email me with any questions you have, im here for you. Make sure you fill out a pre order form, this is not a committment but we might offer some good specials to all pre orders. We do not take any credit card info on pre orders, its just your email, name and fav games. Thanks.

blank @ Nov 29th 2006 2:56PM

All i have to say is, "where and when?"

I reluctantly purchased the "controller condoms" (which i still don't recall the actual name of) back in March or April. They cost ~$4-5 and after about 10 minutes of use I began to covet them. Beforehand, I had callouses on the palmside ball of my thumb knuckle (sorry, im no anatomologist, but if you are here you know what im referring to) on either hand, and had pain after gaming for half-hour every session. Since that purchase, I haven't had any thumb stress and my accuracy/grip has improved.

I would assume this could do similar for the all the racing games. I think a pair would be great, especially for MotoGP's right throttle stick assignment. I may even reassign any games throttle to the right stick if i had something like this.

As far as the looks... who, that would realistically purchase this, cares? It's an xbox, green is their "thing". I would assume it would be the xbox green over anything else. It's a small detachable component, if it were clear or white, do you actually think you would be able to keep track of and not lose it? This thing could go through the wash and upon seeing the green and immediately associate it with the 360.

Anywhere i can sign up for a "gamestop/eb finally has one" notifiction email? As long its sub $6 per stick, this will be coming soon to a thumbstick near me.

Donnie Walker @ Nov 29th 2006 3:11PM

Thank you for the reply, i also picked up the geltabz condums and used them for about 2 minutes in Rainbow Vegas, wow what a waste. This product is going to cost 9.95 for a pack of 2 and for those who pre order at our site, might get a discount on a second pack, like buy one pack for reg price get the second for half. Be sure to pre order at www.kontrolfreek.com so you can get your discount and the emails on updates. Thanks.

stephen @ Nov 29th 2006 5:05PM

so will this help w/ control in other games as well? maybe fps? i'm just getting used to playing console fps games (more used to mouse/keyboard), so anything that would help would be great.

TheBLAHBLAHBLAH @ Nov 29th 2006 4:33PM

Looks interesting. Why not make them a gray color to match the controller? Instead of the bright green? Looks like it may help with other games as well.

Donnie Walker @ Nov 29th 2006 5:55PM

yeah we have been discussing colors a lot lately and have decided to go with white and a darker green then the prototypes. this will give a variation to choose from but also keeps it to two colors so we dont have over head of colors not wanted. we would use grey but grey would be to easy to lose.