Movember and SMG Studio launch ballsy new gaming controller

Australian indie powerhouse SMG Studio — the team behind Moving Out, Death Squared, and LEGO® Party — has officially entered the hardware arena, and they’ve done it in the most SMG way possible: by releasing a controller designed to grab your attention… quite literally.

Launching in partnership with Movember for Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, the new Nut Check Pro controller is a bold, tongue‑in‑cheek reminder aimed at young men aged 15–39, the group most at risk of testicular cancer. According to Movember, 75% of men in this age bracket aren’t aware of their risk, which is exactly the insight behind the controller’s deliberately abnormal design.

A Controller That Feels Wrong for All the Right Reasons

The Nut Check Pro features a noticeably misshapen handle on one side — a physical cue meant to mimic the feeling of something being “off.” The idea is simple: gamers instantly notice when their controller feels different, so why not apply that same instinct to their own bodies?

Throughout April, the controller will be trialled by prominent Aussie creators, including Aussie Antics, who will be encouraging their communities to “know their nuts” and take testicular health seriously.

With 95% of Australian men aged 18–34 gaming regularly, and averaging around 109 minutes of play per day, the Nut Check Pro aims to turn that daily habit into a potentially life‑saving reminder.

Movember’s Three‑Step ‘Steam. Roll. Repeat.’ Self‑Check

Movember is using the campaign to push a simple, quick self‑check routine that any guy can do during an AFK break:

Warm up in a steamy shower — this relaxes and loosens things up.
Roll one testicle gently between your thumb and finger — get familiar with what’s normal and check for changes or pain.
Repeat on the other side.

More than 1,000 Australian men were estimated to be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2025, but the good news is that it’s highly curable when detected early. Symptoms vary — lumps, bumps, swelling, pain, or even just a strange sensation — so Movember stresses the importance of knowing what’s normal for you and speaking to a doctor if something feels off.

What the Experts and Creators Are Saying

Sam McKeown, Director of Cancer Research at Movember, emphasises the importance of early detection:

“We know Testicular Cancer is highly curable when caught early. The key is for men to take the time to know what’s normal for them and not shy away from taking action if something doesn’t feel right.”

Gaming creator Aussie Antics adds his signature flair:

“The Nut Check Pro isn’t just a meme, it’s a call to action you can’t ignore. This Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, SMG Studio and Movember are making sure that when it comes to your health, you’re never an NPC.”

And from SMG Studio themselves, Game Director Mark Fennell says:

“It’s a completely nuts idea for our first hardware product, but it’s an important message to young Aussie men that we wanted to get behind. We hope it reminds young men that when something doesn’t feel right with your personal hardware, you need to take control and do something about it.”

Where to Learn More

For more information on testicular cancer and Movember’s Know Thy Nuts campaign, head to:
Movember.com/KnowThyNuts