Product Review: “Speed Freek” Racing Accessory, By Kontrol Freek

by Andrew Podolsky on October 30, 2007 at 6:31 pm

Is that a bottle opener on your controller? While that might be the ultimate in drinking while gaming, this little plastic doodad offers something even better–greater precision and comfort during marathon driving sim sessions.

Speed Freek (found at www.kontrolfreek.com) is a scooped plastic thumb rest that snaps onto your Xbox 360 controller’s left analog stick. While you’re playing a driving game like Forza or Project Gotham Racing, the slightest pressure will move the stick to exactly the degree you’re looking for.

Using Speed Freek is a marked improvement over jamming down your thumb on the stick, which you’ll really appreciate if you play a lot of driving games. I tested out the Speed Freek on both Project Gotham Racing 4 and Stuntman: Ignition, and I was able to gently coax my vehicle into the proper racing lines with minimal effort.

Andrew testing out Speed Freek

Speed Freek was designed by a racing game fan, and it shows. There’s considerably less pressure on the wrist during long sessions, and a greater feeling of control. Plus, it won’t cost you a lot (you get two attachments for ten bucks) and it’s a heck of a lot better than shelling out for a ridiculous looking racing wheel.

While most gamers probably won’t use Speed Freek for their favorite games, those dedicated racing fans who are hurting their wrists with intense pressure might find it extremely “handy”. While the scoop stays securely in place, you can rotate it for the best angle or take it off entirely when you’re not using it.

From left: Inventor Donnie Walker and Kontrol Freek Rep Lloyd Cooper

Speed Freek is pretty sturdy for what it is, although it might be possible to bend the plastic scoop out of place with a lot of heavy-duty use. But for an added advantage in online racing, at a reasonable price, Speed Freek would make for an excellent stocking stuffer for the racing freak in your life.

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Tags: accessory, Kontrol-Freek, Speed-Freak

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Comments »

Donnie Walker
on October 30, 2007 7:20 pm

Great article, we appreciate you posting it, have a great day.
LordCancer
on November 4, 2007 8:56 am

Did you use this on any FPS games? Sounds interesting for use with racing games though. I wonder how well it works for the dead spot as I call it, your review seems to indicate it helps but does it counter the unrealistic over steer at all? I really hate that, you have no indication your back end is going to kiss your front end till its too late.

If you could tell me how it works on the right hand joystick against some one in an fps who hops flops I’d be interested. I’m actually one of those people but I find it amusing and irritating when my right thumb has a seizure against someone doing it to me and my reticle looks like a 3 year old with a wiimote.
Donnie Walker
on November 5, 2007 4:08 pm

LordCancer,
The product works ok on the right analog if you are playing a game that does not require fast action on the buttons. If you are playing Halo 3, it slows you down hitting the melee button. It was never intended for FPS games, but alot of people are using it for FPS. We (KontrolFreek) have a fps product we are working on and testing at the moment, maybe it will be available soon. Thanks
LordCancer
on November 5, 2007 8:05 pm

Hey Donnie thats cool, thanks for the reply.

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