CRKD is once again playing the small card, but this time with a more ambitious approach. The brand has announced the ATOM+, the evolution of its curious keychain controller, an accessory that seems almost like a joke until you start examining its features. We're talking about an ultra-compact controller, designed to attach to keys, a backpack, or fit in any pocket, but compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, PC, mobile phones, tablets, and Smart TVs.Its arrival is scheduled for the end of June 2026, with a recommended price of 34,99 euros, a rather aggressive figure if it really lives up to its promises.
The big news is the addition of two analog sticks with TMR technology, or tunnel magnetoresistance. To put it simply: it's a magnetic system designed to prevent the dreaded... stick drift, that glitch where the character moves on its own even if we don't touch the controller. In theory, it should offer more precision and durability than mechanical sticks. traditional controls and even improvements over Hall Effect sensors, which had become a kind of lifeline for many gamers fed up with expensive controllers that age poorly. Furthermore, the ATOM+ includes action buttons, digital triggers, shoulder buttons, and other controls. toggleVibration, motion control, turbo mode, and programmable buttons. All of this in a ridiculously small form factor, which is commendable, although it also raises a reasonable question: will it be comfortable for long sessions? It's probably not the controller I'd use to play through an 80-hour RPG, but it does seem ideal for quick games, retro gaming, mobile games, or as an emergency controller when traveling.
The ATOM+ integrates with the application CRKD Companion App, from which you can remap buttons, adjust vibration, update firmware and register the controller within the True Collection system, which reveals its unique serial number and rarity level. It will be available in four colors: Smoke Black, Glacier Blue, Retro Purple, and Pal Grey. Here, CRKD is playing smart: it's not trying to replace a full-size controller, but rather to fill a very specific niche—that of a gaming accessory that's attractive, affordable, functional, and easy to carry. At €34,99, it could be a perfectly reasonable treat for those who play on multiple platforms or want to always have a controller handy. The key, as always with these mini formats, will be whether the ergonomics are good or if it ends up being more adorable than truly practical.