Good things come in small packages as the old saying goes. And now, gaming hardware specialists CRKD seem to have taken this to heart with their latest controller, the itty-bitty CRKD Atom.

A multiplatform controller you can use on PC, mobile/tablets, smart TVs and most importantly for us in this review, Nintendo Switch. This smaller than palm sized wonder has some real bite behind its cute first impressions.

Atomic Scale

Now, I have played with nano controllers in the past, but this is by far the smallest controller I’ve ever used. Clocking in at just 7cm x 4cm, CRKD Atom is smaller than 8Bitdo’s Zero and Micro controllers.

The whole controller has the vibe of a shrunken down SNES controller. The unit has a D-pad, four face buttons, four shoulder buttons and – / + buttons. Sadly, there are no thumb sticks here.

Travelling Light

In the box, you get the controller, a fittingly small USB-A to -C charging cable, a wrist strap and some paperwork. But that’s all you really need. It’s super easy to connect to systems thanks to its use of Bluetooth. The hardest thing being remembering where you put it down if I am honest.

The Atom also comes in a number of different colourways with there being eight colours available! from the retro inspired Pal Grey to Hot Pink and Yuzu Yellow. We chose the Glacier Blue version, which is a kickback to the old school transparent shells of Gameboy Colours of the 1990s.

More than Novelty

CRKD Atom feels solid and unlikely to break which is a huge plus. Especially since some may see this as a novelty a first glance. Sure, it’s not as ergonomic as your standard controller, as in the heat of a game you will end up just pressing everything, but its not really built for taking on epic RPGs or lengthy sessions of play.

It’s very much a controller you can whip out and throw down a challenge or two with your mates while on the train. Or while waiting for a bus. Or bored out your mind during a maths lesson.

A New Challenger

CRKD Atom is perfect for versus fighters I found. Games like Capcom Fighting Collection, BlazBlue Centralfiction, Skullgirls 2nd Encore and, of course, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. It can even be connected with a USB to eliminate any lag you may feel. However, I didn’t feel that lag was an issue.

When setting up the controller you can also remap the buttons to better suit the situation.

However, it is very much worth noting that these settings will be lost as the unit doesn’t have any on-board memory. So, you’ll need to redo them every time you want to play, which is a minor pain.

The Atom retails for £19.99/€19.99 which is definitely fair given what you get. here is undoubtedly a level of novelty to having a controller that’s dwarfed by your hands, but, when push comes to shove, CRKD Atom surprisingly holds its ground very well.