Review
"College Football 26": A touchdown, but the extra point doesn't stick
by Kim Muntinga
More feel for the stick: a sports game test of the "Clutch Sports" from Kontrolfreek
18/12/2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Kim Muntinga
Thumbstick attachments are considered shooter accessories. I only use them for sports games - and notice the difference especially when it comes to control.
Tumbstick attachments are one of those accessories that usually appear in a very specific context: shooter, competitive play, aim improvement. Aim more precisely, react faster, patch better. That's exactly why I didn't have them on my radar for a long time. Because I currently play one thing above all else on my Playstation: sports games. To be more precise, it's «eFootball PES 2020» and «EA Sports College Football 26».
I bought the «Clutch Sports» from Kontrolfreek, a subsidiary of Steelseries, for one reason. «College Football 26» demands fine control from me in the run game» and in the yards after catch, where small inaccuracies too often creep in with the bare analogue sticks: A controlled cut becomes hectic, a patient run ends in an unnecessary loss of space. I didn't want to learn new game mechanics. I wanted more feel for the stick.
The fact that this wish was fulfilled with an accessory that is often labelled as a shooter tool was not a given at first. This makes it all the more exciting to see whether the Clutch Sports make a difference where sports games are most sensitive: with small movements, when maintaining speed, when pulling off a clean run. That's exactly how I measure them.
Why thumbstick attachments make sense in sports games
Sports games place different demands on the analogue stick than action or shooter titles. It is rarely about maximum swings, almost never about spontaneous flicks. Instead, the game constantly calls for nuances: light touches, controlled braking, a quick cut at the right time. In football and football games in particular, the flow of the game does not come from spectacular inputs, but from consistent, precisely measured movement.
This is exactly where the idea behind the «KontrolFreek Clutch Sports» comes in. The additional grip doesn't change what I enter, but how securely I do it. The thumb slips less, small corrections feel more deliberate. That sounds unspectacular, but it's crucial in the context of sports games: the better I feel the stick, the less I think about it.
Processing and fit on the PlayStation controller
The «Clutch Sports» are quickly explained, but the details are crucial. They are simply plugged onto the existing analogue sticks and sit there noticeably tight. Nothing wobbles, nothing comes loose accidentally. Not even during quick changes of direction or longer sessions. The raised edge and textured surface give the thumb an immediate grip without feeling sharp-edged.
At the same time, the «Clutch Sports» can be removed without effort, making it easy to switch between different game genres. In daily use, they collect some skin grease and dust, but can be cleaned easily without the surface losing its grip. The decisive factor for me is that they don't look like a foreign body, but rather like a functional extension of the controller. As long as you use them in the right context.
The practice: «eFootball PES 2020» and the art of ball control
In «eFootball PES 2020», the effect of «Clutch Sports» is particularly evident in ball control. Dribbling relies less on spectacular tricks and more on calm, precisely controlled movements. The attachments make it easier for me to keep the ball close to my foot and to place passes and shots more deliberately. Small changes of direction seem more controlled and the game feels more stable overall. Also because the thumb slips less, even if it is slightly sweaty.
«College Football 26»: Run Game and Yards after Catch
The most obvious difference for me is in «EA Sports College Football 26». The run game is all about reading gaps and reacting at the right moment. With the «Clutch Sports» it's easier for me to stay patient: delay the run briefly, exploit the block, then pull cleanly through the lane. Or I can make the right cut at the right time and change the direction of travel.
This advantage is also tangible in the yards after catch. After catching the ball with a receiver, I can manoeuvre it better through traffic, absorb contact and keep my balance. All of this requires precise control. The thumbsticks give me noticeably more confidence here. I can simply change direction more precisely. The result is not miracle runs, but consistently one or two more yards. In football, that's often the decisive factor.
The fact that «College Football 26» seems more mature in terms of gameplay compared to «Madden» and at the same time creates a denser, livelier atmosphere is a big part of its appeal for me. A categorisation that I've gone into in more detail in this article.
Acclimatisation, long-term impression and classification
Of course, the changed stick feeling feels unfamiliar at first. In the first few sessions, I tend to steer slightly too hard because the additional grip provides more feedback. But this phase is short. After a few games, the muscle memory adapts and the new control feels natural.
Even over longer sessions, the «Clutch Sports» remain comfortable. The thumb is stable without getting stuck, and the textured surface prevents the typical «slipping» that can occur after hours. This is an advantage that should not be underestimated, especially for sports games that are often played in long matches or seasons.
At the same time, it quickly becomes clear over time that the «Clutch Sports» are not a universal accessory for every playing situation. I use them deliberately and specifically for sports games and that's exactly where they stay on the controller. For other games such as shooters or action games, I take them off again, not because they are fundamentally unsuitable there, but because their advantage lies clearly in controlled movement sequences. This selectivity is important in order to realistically categorise the added value.
In addition, thumbstick attachments are not a standardised product. The height, shape and surface structure can differ significantly and influence the feel of the game accordingly. Many manufacturers, including Kontrolfreek itself, offer different variants that can even be combined. Different attachments for the left and right sticks are not a gimmick, but a logical consequence of different tasks: Movement on one side, camera or directional control on the other.
Price classification: little material, noticeable effect
Given their size, thumbstick attachments initially seem overpriced. It is a small piece of plastic, the benefits of which are not immediately obvious. However, the value of the «Clutch Sports» lies not in the material, but in the change in the feel of the game. Anyone who regularly plays sports games and attaches great importance to clean motion control will get a clearly noticeable added value here.
In a nutshell
A noticeable upgrade for sports games
The "Clutch Sports" do not change any game mechanics and do not replace any skills. They intervene where sports games are most sensitive: in the precise dosing of movement. In "eFootball PES 2020" and "EA Sports College Football 26", they do exactly what I was hoping for. Runs feel more controlled, changes of direction more predictable, yards after catch less random.
Their biggest advantage is their restraint. They don't impose themselves, but improve the existing feel of the game where it already exists. For me, the "Clutch Sports" thumbsticks are not an accessory that must always remain on the controller. But one that I don't want to do without when playing sports games.
Pro
- Noticeably more control with finely dosed movements
- Very good grip, even with slightly damp thumbs
- Firm fit on the analogue stick, no slipping in the game
- Moderate change in height (+ approx. 0.5 cm) with positive leverage effect
- Simple installation and equally uncomplicated removal
Contra
- Short familiarisation phase due to changed stick height
- Not a universal accessory for all genres
Header image: Kim Muntinga
My interests are varied, I just like to enjoy life. Always on the lookout for news about darts, gaming, films and series.
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