Unboxing the KontrolFreek Alpha thumbsticks for Xbox One

Neil writes "Anything that can enhance your gaming performance is a good thing and KontrolFreek reckon their thumbsticks will enhance any session. Their Alpha range looks very interesting…so interesting we thought we better show them off with an unboxing video."

[oKidUKo]

Would those bumps provide as much grip as the standard sticks?

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

The default PS4 sticks are so bad and I haven't found a decent replacement for them yet. I prefer the domed sticks on PS3 way more.

[GHOSTxx420]

U ever tried switching them? I replaced mine with xbox 1 sticks, pretty sure u could put the ps3 sticks on it. Just look up how to take it apart it doesnt take long to do it..

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

I actually bought domed sticks for them but the texture and height of them sucks. Also I read the PS3 sticks will not just pop on with out trimming the edges which I can't do. The main reason I hate the default sticks is because of the border around the whole stick that actually makes my thumbs hurt after a while of playing a shooter. My thumbs actually got so sore after a few weeks of this that within five minutes of starting my thumbs hurt like hell which used to take a hour or two. Funny thing is no other thumbsticks I've ever come across make my thumbs sore.

[IanTH]

Well here's a cheapish option - with 4 sets in it no less - to consider at $7: goo.gl/G5o6ZR

I bought what appear to be an identical pack of those from a different seller for a couple bucks cheaper. I've enjoyed the original concave buttons on the PS4 controller, as it sounds many do. However that pack might give you the feel you're looking for. I used the extenders (why I looked into these, but KontrolFreak options are too expensive for my blood), then I feel like you NEED domed ones (slightly lower edges make it easier to get your thumb on top of rather than concave versions). They have smaller, non-extender versions in that pack: one concave and one convex set.

I find the sets that have the rows of small bumps to have better grip than the ones with only a few. I put those on my PS3 & 360 controllers to try them out. They work pretty well, though the small ones are thin rubber and therefore conform a bit more to the original thumbstick than the solid, preformed extenders. I'd say for $7 prime shipped, it's worth giving it a go to see if it'll get you that old PS3 thumbstick feel. If you are interested in trying extenders, this will definitely give you the more convex feel. The smaller ones, given their moderate flexibility, are more of a gamble. You can see what else is out there though. A handful of different cheap options like this exist if 15-20 bucks for a single set of KontrolFreak branded rubber seem a bit extreme to you (as they do to me).

Hope this might help.

[TeamLeaptrade]

Everyone I know who owns these thumb sticks say they work wonders. I'm debating if I should ever try them though. I don't have a problem with the analog sticks or anything, but if it helps in some ways, maybe I'll pick up a box.