This tiny gamepad with dual analog thumbsticks pushes the limits of portable controllers

<figure> <img alt="A person holds the CRKD Atom Plus gamepad over a Nintendo Switch 2 console." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/crkd1_d836b8.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">As much as I appreciate the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/31/23571821/nintendo-switch-joy-con-joystick-drift-button">ingenious design of the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con</a>, my family and I can't stand using them as standalone gamepads. So when we travel with the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/nintendo/686603/nintendo-switch-2-review">Switch 2</a>, we always bring at least one full-size gamepad, plus a couple of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/6/12/17451594/8bitdo-zero-2-controller-switch-e3-2018-keychain-sn30-pro-plus">8BitDo's Zero 2 controllers</a> for games that don't use analog thumbsticks. I've spent years hunting for an alternative that pairs the size of the Zero 2 with as much of the functionality of a larger controller as I can get, and CRKD's new Atom Plus is nearly exactly that. But if you have larger hands like I do, you may find the gamepad's focus on portability a struggle.</p> <div class="product-block"><h3>CRKD Atom Plus</h3> <figure class="product-image"><img width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/crkd2_e38fff.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt=""></figure> <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/CRKD-ATOM-Wireless-Controller-Gaming-Console/dp/B0GTWN5S8S/"> $29. …</a></li></ul></div> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1013985/crkd-atom-plus-tmr-analog-thumbstick-controller-gamepad-switch-ios-android-hands-on">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>