CRKD Atom+ enlarges its tiny controller formula for easier Switch 2 travel

Small controllers are usually judged on a simple question: can they be carried without becoming one more awkward object to protect? CRKD’s Atom+ appears designed around that problem. The retro-inspired pad is an enlarged follow-up to the original Atom, yet it remains deliberately miniature—roughly palm-length—and is positioned less as an everyday full-size controller replacement than as a compact option for taking a Switch 2 setup on the move.

That distinction matters. The Atom+ is not trying to beat a conventional Pro-style pad at every task. Its value is in making room inside a crowded case, where a dock, steering wheels, cables and other accessories can leave a normal controller’s sticks exposed to knocks or pressure. The larger Atom+ keeps the portability premise of the original while adding thumbsticks and enough extra physical presence to be easier to spot and handle than its predecessor.

A small increase with a practical purpose

“Plus” can be an unhelpfully vague product label, but the changes described for the Atom+ have a coherent use case. The controller is bigger than the original Atom, while still taking substantially less space than larger Switch 2 controller alternatives. That is a worthwhile middle ground for players who want a separate pad in their bag without turning the bag into a controller case with a console squeezed in around it.

The newly added sticks are especially important to how the Atom+ fits into that role. Thumbsticks are the raised analog controls generally used for movement and camera input. They are useful, but they are also among the parts owners worry about when packing a controller tightly against hard accessories. A palm-sized controller leaves less bulk to negotiate when arranging a travel case, potentially reducing the chance of its controls being pressed against other gear.

That does not mean compactness alone makes any controller damage-proof. It means the Atom+ changes the packing equation. A large pad can demand its own protected slot; the smaller controller can be placed with more freedom, leaving space for the rest of a Switch 2 kit. For somebody carrying multiple controllers for local multiplayer, that difference could be more important than premium ergonomics.

Portable multiplayer is the clearest fit

The Atom+ makes the most sense as a controller brought out for trips, visits and multiplayer sessions rather than as the one pad used for every game. Its small footprint makes it easier to pack several controllers at once. Four colors are available, which gives groups a straightforward way to distinguish pads without occupying the space that multiple full-size controllers would require.

That is a particularly sensible proposition for games built around couch competition and long, unpredictable sessions, including Dokapon Kingdom and Mario Kart World. A group does not necessarily need every player to use a large, feature-heavy controller. It may instead need a set of pads that can arrive safely in one bag and be deployed with minimal setup. In that context, the Atom+’s small form is not just a novelty; it is the central feature.

Travel-friendly gear is often discussed as though the only benefit is lighter weight. In practice, volume can be the harder constraint. A bag has a fixed shape, and accessories with tall sticks, broad grips and large shells can be hard to arrange around a dock or case divider. The Atom+ seems built for players trying to avoid that particular game of luggage Tetris.

Related coverage includes CRKD Atom+ Expands Its Tiny Controller Design for Easier Switch 2 Travel.

Why it should not be mistaken for a Pro-controller substitute

Portability comes with a clear ergonomic trade-off. The Atom+ is still very small, and comfort can become an issue during extended play. Hand comfort is not a cosmetic concern: when a controller is too narrow or compact for a player’s grip, wrists and fingers may need to hold a more cramped position. That may be tolerable for short sessions or as a spare pad, but it is a less convincing proposition for an all-day controller.

It also lacks one feature valued on larger Pro-style alternatives: back paddles. Back paddles are extra inputs placed on the rear of a controller, where fingers can reach them without leaving the main face buttons or sticks. For players who rely on those controls, the Atom+ is not a direct replacement for a more fully featured pad such as the Turtle Beach Rematch. The comparison is useful precisely because it highlights the different priorities: compact storage on one side, a larger grip and additional rear controls on the other.

Potential buyers should therefore start with a practical question: is this controller intended to be the main way to play, or the easiest one to bring? The supplied details strongly support the latter. Anyone looking to replace a full-size controller for daily play should take the stated comfort limitation seriously rather than assuming a modest size increase removes the compromise.

What the Atom+ seems to improve over the original

The original Atom established the miniature form factor. The Atom+ retains that identity but addresses two obvious concerns for a controller that is extremely tiny: visibility and control layout. The added size makes it less likely to disappear among a crowded game-room collection or within a packed bag, while the sticks broaden the type of input it can offer.

This is an incremental hardware approach, but an appropriate one. Making a portable controller significantly larger could defeat the reason to choose it. Keeping it very small, meanwhile, risks making it too difficult to use comfortably. The Atom+ attempts to sit between those poles: larger enough to improve usability and smaller enough to preserve the travel advantage.

There is no reason to treat that balance as universal. Players with larger hands, or those planning lengthy solo sessions, may still prefer a conventional controller. But a full-size pad is not automatically the best fit for every Switch 2 owner. The Atom+ targets a narrower but legitimate need: a controller that can travel alongside rather than compete with the rest of a portable setup.

Price, colors and buying considerations

In the UK, the Atom+ has a stated MSRP of £27.99. An introductory sale price has been noted through Amazon in the United States, but no exact US figure is provided here, so shoppers should check the current listing rather than assume a matching price or promotion. Product pricing and sales can change, and regional listings do not necessarily follow the same pattern.

Before choosing it, consider the following:

• Choose the Atom+ for bag space: Its standout advantage is the ability to fit around a Switch 2 travel setup with less crowding than a full-size controller.
• Consider several pads for local play: The four-color selection and compact form make a multi-controller travel kit more plausible.
• Expect a comfort compromise: The pad remains small, and extended sessions may be less comfortable than with a larger controller.
• Do not expect premium rear controls: Players who depend on back paddles should keep a Pro-style alternative in mind.
• Protect it sensibly anyway: A smaller controller may be easier to position safely, but careful packing remains worthwhile when sticks and accessories share a case.

For Switch-focused players weighing broader hardware and game news, our look at the Ocarina of Time remake preview offers another Nintendo-related read.

The Atom+ ultimately looks like a purpose-built spare or travel controller, not a miniature challenger to every feature of a traditional pad. That is no slight. For the player whose priority is getting several controllers, a dock and assorted accessories to a friend’s house without worrying over every vulnerable thumbstick, a carefully scaled-up tiny controller may be the more practical answer.