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This tiny gamepad with dual analog thumbsticks pushes the limits of portable controllers

By · Via The Verge · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Measuring approximately 3.5 inches wide, the controller is about a half-inch smaller than 8BitDo’s Zero 2 yet includes dual analog thumbsticks with tunneling magnetoresistance technology. It pairs over Bluetooth with systems like the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, mobile devices, and PCs using D-pad combinations at startup. A mobile app enabled by an internal NFC chip allows players to adjust settings such as remapping controls and disabling rumble. Despite these features, the diminutive layout creates handling issues for larger hands and lacks analog triggers for racing titles.

Key points

  • Extensive multiplatform Bluetooth support allows the controller to function across Ninten…: Extensive multiplatform Bluetooth support allows the controller to function across Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PC, smart TVs, and mobile operating systems.
  • The ultra-small form factor introduces ergonomic drawbacks, including closely clustered s…: The ultra-small form factor introduces ergonomic drawbacks, including closely clustered shoulder buttons that can cause accidental inputs.
  • Digital microswitch triggers restrict functionality in racing games because they cannot r…: Digital microswitch triggers restrict functionality in racing games because they cannot register gradual analog acceleration.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

As much as I appreciate the ingenious design of the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con, my family and I can’t stand using them as standalone gamepads. So when we travel with the Switch 2, we always bring at least one full-size gamepad, plus a couple of 8BitDo’s Zero 2 controllers for games that don’t use analog thumbsticks. I’ve spent years hunting for an alternative that pairs the size of the Zero 2 with as much of the functionality of a larger controller as I can get, and CRKD’s new Atom Plus is nearly exactly that. But if you have larger hands like I do, you may find the gamepad’s focus on portability a struggle.

This tiny gamepad with dual analog thumbsticks pushes the limits of portable controllers

Larger hands may struggle with the Atom Plus, but it squeezes a lot of functionality into an extremely tiny controller.

Larger hands may struggle with the Atom Plus, but it squeezes a lot of functionality into an extremely tiny controller.

Measuring around 3.5 inches wide, the $29.99 Atom Plus is about a half-inch smaller than…

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