CRKD Atom+ Expands Its Tiny Controller Design for Easier Switch 2 Travel

CRKD's Atom+ is a small controller with a deliberately narrow purpose: it is built to be easy to bring along. The updated version takes the original Atom concept and gives it a modest growth spurt, adding more physical presence while staying far smaller than a conventional Pro-style gamepad. That balance is the central appeal of the Atom+, particularly for Switch 2 owners who routinely travel with a dock, extra accessories, games, charging gear, and more than one controller.

The Atom+ is still unmistakably tiny. It is not positioned as a full-time replacement for a standard-sized Switch 2 Pro controller, and players expecting the long-session comfort of a larger pad may find its compact frame limiting. But the new size appears to address an important practical issue with the original: a controller can be compact enough to disappear in a crowded gaming room or bag. The Atom+ remains highly portable, while being a little easier to spot and handle.

For players whose priority is getting an extra controller safely from one house to another, that may be more valuable than it sounds. The difference between a travel pad that must be carefully packed and one that can slip into remaining space in a case can matter a great deal during multiplayer sessions away from home.

A small increase that targets a real travel problem

CRKD's approach with the Atom+ is not to compete directly with full-sized controllers on every front. Instead, it leans into portability. The controller is described as being roughly the length of a palm, a scale that allows it to occupy very little room alongside larger Switch 2 equipment.

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That can be especially helpful for people carrying a complete setup. A dock, steering wheels, cables, and other accessories can turn a seemingly roomy case into a tightly packed puzzle. Standard Pro-style pads introduce another concern: their thumbsticks. When a larger controller is squeezed between hard accessories or pressed against other gear, players may worry about sticks being bent, snagged, or damaged in transit.

The Atom+ has sticks of its own, but its much smaller footprint changes the packing equation. It can take up space that would otherwise be unusable, rather than requiring a dedicated compartment. Its size also reduces the likelihood of it rubbing against other accessories in a tightly filled case. That is a practical advantage for anyone who has tried to protect a conventional controller while also carrying the rest of a portable console setup.

Its travel-first design is perhaps best understood as an answer to controller anxiety rather than a pure answer to performance. A larger premium pad may feel better in the hands, offer more features, and become the preferred option for long solo sessions. Yet it can also be the controller a player hesitates to bring to a party, a friend's home, or any event where bags are overcrowded and equipment is more likely to be knocked around.

Not meant to replace a Pro-style controller

The Atom+ has clear trade-offs. While its added size makes it more usable than the original Atom, it remains small enough that comfort can become an issue, particularly during extended play. Players with larger hands, or those planning long competitive sessions, should keep their expectations in check. Compact controllers inevitably ask hands and wrists to work in a more compressed position than traditional pads do.

That limitation is particularly relevant for games that keep everyone playing for hours. Multiplayer titles can easily turn a quick visit into an all-night contest, and comfort matters when menus, minigames, races, and rematches continue well past the original plan. The Atom+ can make an appealing spare controller in those settings, but it is not necessarily the controller every player will want to use as their everyday primary option.

It also lacks one feature that can make Pro-style controllers especially attractive: rear controls. Back paddles or rear buttons can offer a meaningful advantage in games that benefit from additional inputs without moving a thumb away from a stick. The Atom+ is not attempting to replicate that experience. Its strengths are simple storage, low bulk, and the reassurance that it can be packed without devoting a large protected area to one accessory.

That distinction is important. The Atom+ does not need to outperform a full-sized controller to have a place in a Switch 2 collection. It can complement one. A player might keep a larger pad at home for regular use, then grab the Atom+ when they need an extra controller that will fit into a bag with minimal fuss.

Built for multiplayer bags and crowded cases

The strongest use case for the Atom+ is social gaming on the move. Party games, racing games, and competitive multiplayer sessions often require more controllers than a player would typically use alone. Carrying several full-size pads quickly consumes a case, especially if the system itself and dock need to travel too.

Because of its compact design, the Atom+ offers the possibility of bringing multiple pads without giving up the rest of the setup. Four colors are available, which opens an additional practical benefit for local multiplayer: each player can quickly identify their own controller. A color-coded set can reduce mix-ups during a chaotic session and makes the tiny pads easier to find when accessories are scattered around a room.

The compact dimensions also suit all-in-one carrying cases. In a PlayTrek 2-in-1 case, for example, multiple Atom+ units can potentially be packed while leaving room for other items. A comparable set of Pro-style controllers would demand substantially more space. For players who frequently take a Switch 2 setup to gatherings, that difference could be the deciding factor.

There is a subtle benefit here as well: a compact controller can be easier to treat as a dedicated travel accessory. Rather than repeatedly unplugging and repacking a favorite premium pad, players can reserve the Atom+ for trips. That leaves a larger controller safely at home while ensuring there is always a functional option ready for spontaneous local multiplayer.

Pricing and availability details

The Atom+ is listed at £27.99 in the UK. An earlier £29.99 figure has also been associated with the controller, while the UK listing is described as its full £27.99 MSRP. In the United States, it is currently noted as having an introductory sale price through Amazon, though a specific US price has not been detailed here.

At that level, the Atom+ occupies a different space from many premium controller alternatives. It is not being sold on the promise of every high-end feature or maximum ergonomic comfort. The value proposition is more focused: a small, lightweight controller that is easier to carry, easier to fit around other hardware, and less stressful to transport than a larger pad with more vulnerable protruding parts.

Potential buyers should still consider how they play. Someone seeking a main controller for long solo sessions may be better served by a full-size model with a more natural grip and extra features. Someone who already owns a preferred Pro-style controller but wants a second pad for visits, parties, and travel could find the Atom+ much more compelling.

A focused update rather than a total reinvention

The "Plus" in Atom+ is meaningful because the controller's small size was both its defining feature and its biggest compromise. Increasing its dimensions without losing the compact identity is a focused adjustment. It does not transform the Atom+ into a standard controller, nor does it try to. Instead, it makes the original concept more practical for people who wanted just a bit more presence from the tiny pad.

For Switch 2 players assembling a portable multiplayer kit, that may be exactly the right change. The Atom+ is still likely to be too compact for some hands and too limited for those who rely on rear paddles or maximum comfort. But its strengths are easy to understand: it is small enough to disappear into a case, yet now large enough to feel like a more deliberate travel controller rather than merely a novelty.

In a market full of increasingly elaborate gamepads, CRKD's updated controller makes a straightforward case for taking up less space. The Atom+ will not replace every player's favorite full-sized pad, but it could become the controller they are most willing to bring with them.