Crkd disrupts controller market with $70 pro and keychain upgrade

CRKD, a name gaining traction in the burgeoning third-party controller space, just dropped a pair of intriguing offerings that could seriously shake up the competition. Forget incremental upgrades; these are ambitious moves, particularly the Ult Pro, a wireless controller boasting features typically reserved for far more expensive devices—and undercutting the official Switch 2 Pro Controller by a cool $20.

Ult pro: a $70 pro controller that demands attention

Let’s be clear: $70 for a controller packing six mappable buttons (four back buttons and two extra shoulder triggers), swappable stick caps and a d-pad, and dual-mode Hall effect triggers is bordering on absurd. The Ult Pro connects via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless, complete with a paired dongle, and even includes a charging cradle—a feature conspicuously absent from many competitors. The ability to independently switch each Hall effect shoulder trigger between analog and hair-trigger mode when used with a PC is a particularly shrewd touch, catering directly to the competitive gaming crowd. A 1,000Hz polling rate on PC, turbo functionality, and the capacity to remember connections to multiple devices further solidify its appeal.

But here's the caveat: all this promise needs to be validated. While CRKD has demonstrated competence with previous releases—the Les Paul guitar controller, Neo S gamepad, and fret button attachment all receiving positive reviews—we'll need to see independent assessments before declaring the Ult Pro a definitive win. It's a bold gamble, and one worth watching.

Atom plus: pocket-sized power, refined

The Atom Plus, a diminutive controller previously known for its keychain-friendly design, receives a significant upgrade with the inclusion of TMR analog sticks. This is no mere aesthetic tweak; it addresses a key area of concern in the original Atom. Beyond the sticks, the Atom Plus has undergone a thoughtful redesign, rearranging the shoulder buttons for a more ergonomic feel, adding rumble, dual four-way toggle buttons, and turbo mode. Available in a range of visually appealing colorways—Smoke Black and Glacier Blue (transparent) and Retro Purple and Pal Grey (solid)—the $30 price tag represents a modest increase over its $20 predecessor, justified by the substantial enhancements.

The Atom Plus is slightly larger than its predecessor, measuring 90mm (3.5in) wide versus the original’s 69mm (2.7in). This slight increase in size is a worthwhile trade-off for the improved functionality and comfort. It’s a clever example of how incremental improvements can coalesce into a genuinely compelling product. CRKD’s commitment to providing quality accessories at accessible price points is evident, and the Atom Plus is a testament to that philosophy.

Ultimately, CRKD isn't just entering the controller market; it's challenging the established order. The Ult Pro, in particular, is a provocative proposition—a controller that demands attention, even if it remains to be seen whether it can consistently deliver on its ambitious feature set. The June release date can’t come soon enough.