Two Ambassadors for Safe In Our World — a mental health charity in games — recently put our modular controller attachments to the test, and reading their feedback genuinely made our day.
This is why we're so passionate about what we do - every story reminds us that gaming really can be for everyone. Even small changes in interaction can sometimes create meaningful differences in how manageable, intuitive and sustainable gaming feels over time. Here are a few extracts:
“GAMES ARE MY JOY!”
After trying out hardware from Thumb Soldiers for their Nintendo Switch, Ladell shared that the Stud and Rock n Roller attachments opened up new gaming opportunities. “I was able to play games that I’ve not previously been able to focus on, such as Hades (1 and 2). The hardware lessened my thumb cramp and strain – and allowed me to rest them a lot easier on a bigger surface area.”
“Having this tech allows me to ease the strain,” says Ladell. “It did make me feel more hopeful about what games I can now play on my Switch.”
To our delight, Ladell also reported less pain after using the attachments compared to their usual levels. “I have chronic pain, so holding controllers (especially a handheld like the Switch) for long periods of time is never fun – but games are my joy!”
“IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING YOU TAILOR TO YOURSELF”
Codie, Class of 2026, noted that she loved how modular the hardware is and how simple it felt to swap pieces around. “Thumb Soldiers aren’t trying to make this a one-size-fits-all solution. It feels like something you tailor to yourself, which I think is really important for accessibility.”
Codie goes on to say, “I could quickly tell these are very specialised tools, and something you’d need to experiment with to find your perfect setup.”
“Gaming should feel fun and inclusive, not tiring or frustrating because of physical barriers. I didn't realise how much I was compensating”
Breaking down her experience, Codie described the types of hardware she tested and how it impacted not just her, but her partner’s gaming experience. “The biggest benefit was the Shroom thumbstick. I have hypermobility and extended joints, especially in my thumbs, and I didn’t realise how much I was compensating until I used it.”
“The added height from where it has to sit on top of the standard thumbsticks actually made things feel a lot more natural and comfortable."
