Review of FPS Freak for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

You may have recently seen one of the online advertisements by Kontrol Freek about their FPS Freak that has taken internet gaming websites by storm. What exactly is the FPS Freek? More importantly, does it actually work? Kontrol Freek recently sent me a pair to review, and while I was skeptical at first about if they would actually improve my play, I wasn't disappointed with the results.

What is the FPS Freek?
The FPS Freek is an accessory that attaches onto an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 controller. It extends the length of the analog stick so that players have more control over aiming in their favorite first person shooter. According to the description on KontrolFreek.com, "The added analog stick length provides 40% more linear distance from full stop to stop. This gives you more leverage and increased precision without disturbing your natural gaming playing feel."

How Does it Feel?
While the extra height felt foreign in the beginning, after a short time I forgot that the accessory was even there. The FPS Freek has more than twice the texture of a traditional Xbox 360 analog stick, which is important in keeping a sweaty thumb from losing its grip during an intensive match. While I liked the texted grip, the accessory didn't feel as soft and comfortable as a normal Xbox 360 analog stick.

Does it Actually Work?
What could have been a better way to test the FPS Freek than during the Halo Reach Beta? For the first hour that I used the product, I actually saw a noticeable decrease in my average kills. This can be attributed to the learning curve associated with using the FPS Freek. After a lifetime of gaming and almost ten years of playing the Halo franchise, my thumb's muscle memory had to cope with unfamiliar territory of being higher up than normal.
Slowly but surely my muscle memory adapted, and I was no longer losing games that I should have won. After another hour of playing, I began to notice slightly higher kills. One to two additional kills per match may not seem like much, however in free for all playlists where games can be won (or lost) by a single point, this can make all the difference in the world.

It Can Damage Your Controller
Even the biggest Halo or Call of Duty fans need a break from playing their favorite game from time to time. The FPS Freek can be a hindrance rather than a boon when played with many other games. Attaching and removing the accessory every time you switch games can be a hassle and also has the potential to damage your controller. One solution is if you have multiple controllers then attach the product onto one of them, and simply don't take it off. Then simply use one of your other controllers for your non-fps games.

Is it Worth it?
The FPS Freek has an msrp of $19.99; however it is currently being sold for $9.99 on both Kontrolfreek.com. If you find that many of your matches are determined by just a kill (or two), then the FPS Freek is definitely worth purchasing to increase your game. It won't necessarily make you a better player; it'll just help you aim more efficiently.

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