Review: Inclusive GameWerks' Adaptive Flipper Controller Opens Pinball to More Players
Inclusive GameWerks is a small Colorado-based business that manufactures and sells adaptive controllers that can be used in place of the side flipper buttons and center action buttons on pinball machines. The company was formed in 2023 by six people intent on ensuring their friend, who uses a wheelchair, was able to play pinball alongside them.
The Problem
Product Offerings
- The first is a patent-pending adaptive flipper controller plus a wiring harness, the latter of which internally connects the controller to a pinball machine's flipper switches ($375).
- The second product is an additional harness that can be used to connect an already-purchased adaptive flipper controller to an additional pinball machine ($50).
Installation & Compatibility
Customization Options
Each controller and harness is build-to-order. When purchasing a harness online, customers indicate the name of the pinball machine into which the harness will be installed. Then, a custom harness is built to support the specific machine, whether it be a two, three, or four flipper game. When purchasing a controller, a customer can request a specific color.
Personal Experience
I purchased an adaptive flipper controller and an accompanying harness a few months ago (at full retail price) for a new pinball machine (The Mandalorian). Inclusive GameWerks were very responsive in answering my pre-sales questions. Once purchased, the harness was installed by a store technician as part of the pre-delivery setup of the pinball machine.
Design & Ergonomics
The adaptive flipper controller is an elongated six-sided device with three flipper buttons - left, action, and right - located on one face of the controller. While the controller is bulkier than a standard Xbox controller, its purposefully designed shape allows it to be used with its three buttons facing up, towards, or away from the player as is most comfortable.
Comfort & Performance
Capabilities & Limitations
Areas for Improvement
Conclusion
David Hutchison is a Professor at Brock University where he is cross appointed to the Department of Educational Studies and the Department of Digital Humanities. A former Director of Brock University’s GAME program, David is the author of six education and game related books, including Playing to Learn: Video Games in the Classroom.
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