KontrolFreek Blog

KontrolFreek Celebrates Forty Years of Arcade Games by Unveiling America’s Favorite Title
Pac-Man Ranked Number One by 79 Percent of American’s Ages 18-70

ATLANTA – June 28, 2011 – Remember when an arcade was the only place you could go for the thrill of a game? Just forty years ago, before the Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, teenagers across the country gathered up loose change and headed to pizza parlors, miniature golf courses and arcades to play their favorite video games.  An online research survey conducted by KontrolFreek and IBOPE Zogby found that Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Space Invaders have stood the test of time and are America’s all-time favorite arcade games. 

The top 10 favorite arcade games in the KontrolFreek and IBOPE Zogby 2011 survey of active gamers are:

1. Pac-Man
2. Donkey Kong
3. Space Invaders
4. Asteroids
5. Frogger
6. Ms. Pac-Man
7. Centipede
8. Pong
9. Mortal Kombat
10. Galaga

The complete survey results can be found on the KontrolFreek website.

“While all of these games kept it simple, they were able to give game players a truly unique and memorable experience,” said KontrolFreek CEO Ashish Mistry.  “As the leader in creating performance gaming gear for the active gamer lifestyle, we created the innovative Rcade Freek to breathe new life into gaming classics by giving console players the feel of an arcade joystick in the palm of their hand.”

The Rcade Freek was developed based on extensive user research and provides gamers a classic feel by improving the ergonomics, comfort, and precision of their Xbox 360 or PS3 controller. To further celebrate this 40-year milestone, KontrolFreek is releasing two new color options, Retro Red and Groovy Green, for its newest gaming accessory. The new Rcade Freek colors are available now and are priced at $9.99.

Joining in the celebration, celebrity video game players weighed in on their favorite arcade games and memories:

Alison Haislip, NBC’s “The Voice” V Room and G4’s “Attack of the Show!” :
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was my favorite. It was the game my brother and I played whenever our mother took us to Pizza Hut.”

James Kyson Lee, CBS’ “Hawaii 5-0” and NBC’s “Heroes”:

“Definitely Street Fighter II: Champion Edition and Super Street Fighter II Turbo were my favorite arcade games. During high school, we used to go to the burger joint that had it and have our own tournaments, lining up quarters on the machine to mark who was next. At the time, it had the most number of combination moves, characters, and story - and it was a challenge to finish the game.”

AJ LoCascio, Back to the Future: The Game:

“Easily the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game was my favorite. It was too perfect. I think my favorite memory of it was playing it recently at my friend Dennis's house; he has an arcade cabinet in his apartment and four of us played and beat the game on the spot.”

Fun Survey and Arcade Game Facts:

• 57.4 percent of republicans preferred blasting Asteroids versus 48.1 percent of democrats
• 7.1 percent of married people included Punch Out as their favorite game versus 20.9 percent of singles and 26.3 percent of divorced respondents
• In 1971, the first known coin-operated arcade video game, The Galaxy Game, made its debut on the campus of Stanford University
• Centipede was the first game that was designed by a woman
• According to Guinness World Records Williams’ Blaster cockpit is the most valuable arcade machine with an estimated worth of $12,000
• The fastest perfect Pac-Man score was achieved in 2009 by David Race who completed the game flawlessly in 3 hours, 41 minutes, and 22 seconds
• Pac-Man, Dragon's Lair, and Pong are all on permanent display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
• According to Wikipedia, Pac-Man revenues equaled 10 billion quarters by the late 1990s
• Notable celebrities who are also turning 40 this year include Ewan McGregor, Snoop Dogg, Mark Wahlberg, Emmanuel Lewis, Mariah Carey, Luke Wilson, Jada Pinkett Smith and many others

About KontrolFreek
KontrolFreek is the leader in creating performance gaming gear for the active gamer lifestyle. Since 2007, the company’s range of highly acclaimed products for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have combined the latest in ergonomics, engineering and materials technologies. KontrolFreek has cleverly merged the simplicity of design with performance boosting features to improve accuracy, maneuverability and comfort for gamers of all levels and gaming genres. For more information, visit KontrolFreek.com or join FreekNation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

About IBOPE Zogby International
IBOPE Zogby International is a non-partisan, premier global public opinion polling and market research firm that offers timely, accurate results and in-depth analysis and insights. IBOPE Zogby International works with issue experts in a vast array of fields including healthcare, technology, finance, insurance, energy, agriculture, public affairs, and media who offer insightful data analysis and exceptional service to clients in countries throughout the world. IBOPE Zogby International experts analyze data and work with clients to develop and implement new strategies, and offer customized and attractive solutions to challenges our clients face. IBOPE Zogby International was formed in January 2010 following the acquisition of Zogby International by IBOPE Inteligencia of Brazil, a subsidiary of IBOPE Group. 

ATLANTA – May 31, 2011 – This summer KontrolFreek, makers of the popular FPS Freek™ and Speed Freek™, celebrates forty years of arcade games with the release of two new color options for their newest game accessory, Rcade Freek™. Available in new vibrant shades of Retro Red and Groovy Green along with classic VIPR black, Rcade Freek’s fashionable colors will help personalize your controllers and bring the fun of arcade games into your home, while assisting you to topple your best “Hi-Score.” The new Rcade Freek colors will be available from June 20^th 2011.

 Forty years after Galaxy Game, the earliest known coin-operated arcade video game, made its debut on college campuses, Rcade Freek breathes new life into nostalgic play. The accessory features a sleek, high-polished dome that attaches directly to the analog joystick on both the Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3, giving the true feel of classic arcade games with added comfort and ease. 

 From game enthusiasts, college students to families, arcade games remain universally popular among a variety of audiences. Rcade Freek redefines how classic games (Ms. Pac-Man, Space Invaders,) casual games (LIMBO, PixelJunk Shooter) and fighter games (Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter 4) are played. As a recognized leader in the premium game accessory market, KontrolFreek’s introduction of new color options for Rcade Freek reflects the company’s dedication to giving their diverse customers game accessories they crave.

 “To celebrate the 40^th anniversary of arcade games, we want to bring the classic arcade experience back to gamers of all levels, and we’ve been thrilled with the response to the product,” said Ashish Mistry, KontrolFreek president and CEO. “Casual gamers who would not normally purchase premium game accessories are excited about playing with Rcade Freek, and our new color options will expand the appeal of game accessories to an even larger market.”

 Media have already given two-thumbs up to the original Rcade Freek:

***** “A worthy investment for any console arcade junkie” Game Informer

“Rcade Freek is a fun way to spice up retro favorites or remixes” Gaming Bits

“It really shines on games like Soulcaliber and Tekken” VG Revolution

 Rcade Freek, the newest accessory in KontrolFreek’s range of premium game products, replicates the control typical of arcade game play, while also allowing the versatility required for a variety of game genres including classics and fighter titles. The product was developed based on extensive user research and provides gamers a competitive edge by improving design ergonomics, comfort, performance and accuracy. The Rcade Freek is priced at $9.99 and will be on sale from June 20^th 2011 for purchase. 

About KontrolFreek
KontrolFreek is the leader in creating performance gaming gear for the active gamer lifestyle.  A rapidly growing company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, KontrolFreek makes premium accessories that give players at all levels the competitive edge. Since 2007, the company’s range of highly acclaimed products for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have incorporated the latest in ergonomics, engineering and materials technologies. KontrolFreek has cleverly merged the simplicity of design with performance boosting features to improve accuracy, maneuverability and comfort for gamers of all levels and gaming genres. For more information, visit KontrolFreek.com or join FreekNation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

Winners will be chosen at random on Tuesday, February 8th and will receive vouchers for Sony’s new device when it becomes available later this year along with some select KontrolFreek products.

If for some reason the NGP is not released, we will still hook you up with something of equal value. Good luck to all our fans! Be sure to register and stay tuned for the announcement of the winners!

Go to our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/kontrolfreek to win!

Players will thrive in the shadows with the new analog stick adapter

October 26, 2010 – ATLANTA – KontrolFreek (www.kontrolfreek.com), makers of the highly popular FPS Freek™, Speed Freek™, FPS Freek Legendary and other analog stick adapters, announced today they are introducing a limited edition FPS Freek Prestige model to celebrate the November release of Call of Duty: Black Ops from developer Treyarch. The FPS Freek is well received among professional, hardcore and casual gamers and has been proven to increase range of motion, reduce thumb fatigue and improve accuracy. It is especially popular among players of the acclaimed Call of Duty (COD) franchise and many competitive gamers simply will not play without them.

The FPS Freek Prestige features a sleek all black profile with a laser-etched military-themed insignia design inside of a concave thumb rest, allowing for enhanced control and precision. Available in limited quantities this holiday season, the FPS Freek Prestige is available immediately for pre-order here: Order FPS Freek Prestige.

The FPS Freek Prestige works on both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 controllers and by lengthening the controller’s analog thumbsticks, it allows for 40 percent greater leverage and range of motion, giving users the opportunity to hit targets much faster and more accurately. The increased leverage also offers better control and less exertion – adding more comfort to long gaming sessions.

These performance benefits work hand-in-hand with the new, high-stakes wager matches that give COD players a chance to gamble points and become the top players in a match. Since these matches are based on how adept a player is at wielding a variety of weapons and defeating their opponents, the FPS Freek Prestige gives users an advantage over their opponents allowing them to win more points that can be used to purchase highly coveted contracts, initiate player customizations and acquire better weapons. Napalm strikes, remote controlled car bombs and operational helicopters will all also be earned more easily with the FPS Freek Prestige in place.

“The reception of our FPS adapters have been extremely positive, and the FPS Freek Prestige follows in the tradition of giving players a means to play longer, react faster and aim more accurately,” said Ashish Mistry, KontrolFreek president and CEO. “COD: Black Ops is indeed a highly anticipated title and we are thrilled to deliver a product specially designed for COD fans, who have been great supporters of KontrolFreek products.”

About KontrolFreek

Fast-growing KontrolFreek makes high-quality video game console controller accessories that give players at all levels the competitive edge.  Using the latest in ergonomic science, engineering, and materials, the company’s Xbox 360 and PlayStation accessories are acclaimed by both critics and consumers alike. KontrolFreek’s product line cleverly combines simplicity of design with performance boosting features to improve speed, accuracy, maneuverability and comfort for players of all levels and across a variety of gaming genres. KontrolFreek is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit www.KontrolFreek.com.

To join KontrolFreek’s growing community, visit www.facebook.com/kontrolfreek or www.twitter.com/KontrolFreek.

Contact:
Chris Keene
For The Win! PR for KontrolFreek
302.463.1665
Chris@ftwpublicrelations.com