CRKD Shrinks a Proper Controller Onto Your Keychain With the ATOM+

CRKD has begun global shipping of the ATOM+, a genuinely tiny $29.99 controller designed for mobile devices, tablets, PCs and Nintendo hardware. The successor to CRKD's original miniature ATOM pushes the keychain-controller concept considerably further by adding TMR magnetic thumbsticks intended to resist drift, a complete control layout, Bluetooth connectivity, USB-C charging and support for the CRKD companion app.

It comes in Smoke Black, Glacier Blue, Retro Purple and Pal Grey, with European pricing listed at €34.99 and UK pricing at £29.99. The interesting part is not merely that somebody made a small gamepad—novelty micro controllers have existed for years—but that CRKD is putting modern magnetic stick technology into something intended to live beside your house keys.

Mobile gaming accessories increasingly divide into two extremes: elaborate telescopic controllers that turn a phone into a pseudo-handheld, and tiny pads that can disappear into a pocket until needed. ATOM+ plants itself enthusiastically in the second camp. Nobody should expect full-size ergonomics from something this small, but as a permanently carried backup for retro games, platformers or cloud streaming, the concept has obvious appeal.

The phrase 'I forgot my controller' becomes considerably harder to defend when the controller is literally attached to the keys you used to leave the house.