I’ve reviewed my share of cell controllers over the previous few years, however none of them are fairly just like the Turtle Seaside Atom. As quickly as I noticed how distinctive this controller is, I knew I needed to have it. Fortuitously, our associates over at Turtle Seaside have been type sufficient to ship one out for overview.
Design
No doubt, the design is essentially the most polarizing facet of the Turtle Seaside Atom Controller. It adopts the favored horizontal structure which locations your telephone within the heart, akin to a Nintendo Swap. Nonetheless, whereas most different firms have opted to attach the left and proper halves with a spring mechanism to lock the telephone in place, Turtle Seaside has made the left and proper sides unbiased of one another.
For the reason that left and proper halves are fully separate from one another, this makes it doable to suit telephones of virtually any dimension with out combating to stretch the controller and squeeze your telephone into it. As an alternative, the left and proper halves each join independently utilizing their very own clamp. They then use a 2.4GHz wi-fi connection to speak with one another, together with Bluetooth to attach along with your telephone.
That is how the Atom units itself aside from all the different cell controllers utilizing this similar structure. Moreover that, it resembles most different controllers with the analog sticks and buttons in related locations.
I’ll say that the controller is sort of thick, though light-weight. When you’ve got giant fingers, then the Atom will relaxation comfortably in them, nevertheless, the bottom may have used some texture so as to add further grip. I discovered myself wishing there was some embossing or rubber on the again as a result of it will probably really feel fairly slick in your fingers.
One other means the Turtle Seaside Atom stands out from the pack is by how compact it’s when not in use. When not connected to your telephone, the Atom is ready to slide collectively the place it’s held securely by magnets. This makes it essentially the most compact cell controller I’ve used that’s additionally able to mounting to your smartphone to imitate a Nintendo Swap.
Nonetheless, whereas this ingenious design has made it extra transportable, the shortage of a hardshell case is de facto puzzling. It’s true a hardshell case would have made the Atom extra cumbersome whereas on the go, however by selecting a carrying pouch, Turtle Seaside has left the analog sticks unprotected. The very last thing you wish to do is abuse the joysticks on a $100 controller and find yourself with stick drift or worse.
Consumer expertise
For those who’re questioning what video games and companies the Atom works with, then Turtle Seaside has a helpful listing for you proper right here. I’ve spent the previous few weeks taking part in video games from the cloud—in addition to put in on my telephone—with the Turtle Seaside Atom, and it has labored fantastically.
The buttons have been all responsive and I haven’t seen any perceivable lag. Likewise, the analog sticks labored nicely and there was no drift or any points.
Initially, I had worries that once I held onto only one facet of the controller that it would really feel unstable, however that didn’t show to be the case. My telephone at all times felt safe within the Atom controllers, and there was by no means an issue inserting or eradicating my machine.
I even made certain to make use of a smartphone with a big 6.8-inch show and a case. With a few of the different controllers utilizing this related structure, I might normally must take away the case as a result of the match can be too tight. It was tremendously extra handy to have the ability to go away my case on whereas utilizing the Atom controller.
Only a reminder, that identical to all the different cell controllers which use this design, the Atom will block the facility port. You’ll nonetheless have the ability to hear sound from the audio system as a result of there are vents on the fitting half of the controller, nevertheless, you may be unable to cost your smartphone with the controller connected.
Talking of energy ports, the Turtle Seaside Atom makes use of a USB Kind-C port to cost, and it’s rated for 20 hours of playtime. In my expertise, that appears about proper. I’ve barely needed to cost the Atom the previous few weeks as I’ve used it.
Remaining ideas
The Turtle Seaside Atom is essentially the most distinctive cell gaming controller I’ve ever seen. Whereas the format has been utilized by a number of different manufacturers, Turtle Seaside has put its personal inventive spin on the design and I like it.
Editor’s Selection
This award is reserved for merchandise, apps, and companies which have an total common rating of 4.25 or greater. Graded on a scale of 1-5, our opinions take a look at a wide range of facets to find out a complete ranking. Elements which assist to create the composite rating will typically embrace design, options, worth, guarantee, audio, battery, normal and efficiency.
On high of that, the controller works nice and Turtle Seaside matches the worth of a lot of its rivals that use an analogous design. My solely criticisms can be the usage of a pouch as an alternative a hardshell case which leaves the analog sticks unprotected, and the again facet may have used just a little texture so as to add some grip.
Moreover these minor nitpicks, the Atom is a good cell controller for your whole cloud gaming wants. The Turtle Seaside Atom is at the moment accessible from its web site or Amazon for $100, and is available in three completely different shade variations.
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