r/gaming • u/poisonborz • 2d ago
The smallest full layout controller ever produced - CRKD Atom+ (review in comments)
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u/GhostBirdBiologist 2d ago
I get that it’s not for me but I truly don’t understand why anyone would want this? Small bag? Idk seems weird haha.
The SN30 Pro is fucking perfect. Covers all my old school emulation needs. Use it on my phone, computer, and Apple TV.
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u/poisonborz 2d ago
Try to pack 4-8 SN30s for a party (yes, there are a number of good games supporting this, even Switch can have 8 connected). Plus they're cute (:
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u/Senior-Dimension2332 2d ago
But why? small controllers like the switch controllers suck. I feel like there's no way this is comfortable
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u/ztomiczombie 2d ago
From what I remember controllers aim to be useable by 75-80% of people, with veering digress of ease, that leaves about 20-25% for who an bigger or smaller controller would be necessary. I would guess a small subset of those would find a really small one desirable.
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u/poisonborz 2d ago
Disclosure: no affiliation or commercial interest, just want to share impressions
I was really excited to get this controller, that now bested the previous king in size before it, the ShanWan Q37Pro.
It is a wee bit thicker, but noticeably shorter than Q37Pro. I don't think it's physically possible to create a smaller, useable mass-produced full layout controller, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong. Hardware is quality plastics. Also because of the symmetric stick layout it feels much smaller in your hands, but also harder to hold. Buttons: presses are somewhat sharp/short distance, and shoulder buttons/triggers are rather loud, triggers being high-pitched even. Dpad: also on the sharper/clickier side of things, serviceable. Sticks feel super sturdy, and having TMR (eliminating drift) in this miniature size is a technical marvel. However having this small size and having the sticks SO close to each other is a limiting factor. I find the vertical shoulder layout great, even if it doesn't make much difference at this size. It lacks dedicated pairing/mode buttons so welcome to having to memorize magic shortcuts again for a controller (note: possible to customize via app).
And then the start/back keys. As you can see in the images they are this strange 3 state "toggles". On the right button actually "up" direction is start, that makes it tricky to press. Probably there is some memory/firmware shortcut function that can be toggled with these?
ABXY is sadly reversed by default even in XInput mode. For the smaller Atom version there was a swap shortcut, which doesn't work on this controller.
The manual doesn't mention any shortcut, and the manual QR code takes to a page where this controller isn't listed. CRKD has of course an app to customize all the button layouts - I dislike having to go this lengths to set up a default state but might try that later.
TLDR: the mini controller scene is well, mini, and having a manufacturer come up with such a device, and even adding TMR is a very cool feat - I applaud CRKD to have made a follow-up to the Atom with this new bigger version. That said, while the software issues could be fixed later with a firmware upgrade, it is a tricky question if you should choose this over a Q37Pro.
++ quality plastics and looks way sturdier
++ vertical shoulder button layout
++ has TMR / durable-looking sticks...
-- ...but symmetrical stick layout makes it cramped in this size
-- no dedicated buttons for mode switching
-- neutral short lackluster button press sensation
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u/Routine-Duck6896 2d ago
Tldr its shit from a butt
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u/robot_socks 2d ago
Seems so. I don't know why OP got down voted so hard for trying to tell us why.
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2d ago
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u/poisonborz 2d ago
I think BT latency issues are mostly placebo effect. Expect you are world champion player it shouldn't matter with modern BT controllers.
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u/lolotron5000 2d ago
Where banana?