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I've jumped at any chance to talk about the CRKD Atom in the past, as I adore the tiny keychain controller. It's a bit gimmicky as its super small size makes it uncomfortable to hold compared to the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers. However, the frequent discounts across the Atom range and the pad's nostalgic designs have earned it a permanent place in my Ninty setup.
At the moment, the entire CRKD Atom lineup is actually down to just $17.99, but it feels harder to recommend them now that the newly upgraded Atom+ is closer to release than ever. Estimated to ship between Jun 22 and 26 this year, the newly upgraded $29.99 (CRKD) controllers are available to pre-order now. They share the same nostalgic designs as the older Atom, including a PAL Grey Edition that's reminiscent of the PAL SNES from my childhood. However, CRKD has made them far more Switch 2-friendly than what came before, and that's all thanks to their brand-new thumbsticks.
The original CRKD Atom controller was equipped with a d-pad as far as directional buttons go, and that was what. It was entirely fine for whipping out for quick sessions of Super Mario Bros via the NES Nintendo Switch Online service. Yet, without any sticks at hand, it rendered a lot of modern Switch and Switch 2 releases unplayable.
The controller is only 2.7 inches in length, so it wasn't the kind of pad I'd have recommended for achieving the tightest drifts in Mario Kart World anyway. But it did mean it was more limited, which was a bit of a bummer. CRKD has rectified the issue with the new Atom+ as it is the pad not only has sticks, but TMR thumbsticks at that. That means these palm-sized controllers are not only better equipped at playing modern games but also fighting back against stick drift.
The new Atom+ is now palm-sized as a result of its new sticks, but I'm entirely okay with that. The older controller was so ridiculously tiny that it frequently brought on bouts of pins and needles, which is not ideal for gaming on the go, or gaming full stop. With its slightly larger form factor, I have much higher hopes of playing my Switch 2 on a train and on the go, without any uncomfortable hand cramping. Sure, the controller is less cute as a result, but that's a bit lower on my list of priorities.
The Atom+ is also equipped with not just new thumbsticks, but digital bumpers and trigger buttons that provide "tactile feedback and full compatibility with modern games" according to CRKD. To make them more in line with Switch 2 games, the upcoming pad also includes vibration feedback and integrated motion controls.
While the Atom has received a new modern transformation, some of my favorite features have remained. The controller is compatible across a wide range of platforms, including the Switch 2, original Switch, PC, smartphones, and more via Bluetooth, and the new versions all come packaged with a USB-C charger for juicing up on the go. Its battery life remains a bit of an enigma on the official CRKD product page. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it can at least match the 10 hours of playback of the older Atom.
All this does come at a cost, and the Atom+ is a bit pricier than what CRKD is now calling the "OG Atom." The original Atom controller range would sit at the official CRKD storefront at retailers like Amazon for $19.99, while the upcoming Atom+ is available to pre-order for $29.99 each.
If at that price, you'd rather start looking at larger retro controllers instead, I wouldn't blame you. There's plenty of other options at a similar price point that not only support the Switch 2 but also the best retro consoles too. Yet, if today's return to $17.99 (Amazon) deal price for the OG Atom is anything to go by, it's likely the new Atom+ will be just as susceptible to savings once the biggest sales events roll around.
Our team has rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases if you're after more accessories to complete your Ninty gaming setup.
