The previous a number of years have seen cellular gaming push tougher into delivering true console-like experiences. From native diversifications of standard video games like Name of Obligation Cellular and Diablo Immortal to streaming companies like GeForce Now and Xbox Recreation Cross, it’s simpler than ever to take the video games you play at house on the highway. This makes controllers just like the Turtle Seashore Atom extra vital than ever.
Either side of the controller snap to every facet of a cellular system horizontally which may very well be an issue for people with larger (or foldable) Android telephones. However for anybody with a median sized cellphone, the Atom is nice for enjoying native or streaming a pleasant quantity of video games. Enter lag is non-existent for probably the most half, and the final really feel is excellent.
Listed here are our ideas on the Turtle Seashore Atom after spending a number of weeks with the controller related to a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Turtle Seashore Atom controller is for avid gamers who need console-like experiences for native cellular video games and streaming companies like Xbox Recreation Cross to GeForce Now. This isn’t for the occasional sport of Sweet Crush Saga or Uno. It is obtainable for iOS and Android, although Android customers have the unique advantage of a devoted Xbox button.
Cellular video games are getting extra advanced due to titles like Genshin Influence in addition to cellular ports of hit console and PC titles like Name of Obligation and PUBG. Streaming companies like GeForce Now and Xbox Recreation Cross permit customers to stream first-person-shooters, motion journey video games and racing titles, all of which may be troublesome and not using a controller.
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The cool factor in regards to the Atom Controller is that on a base degree, it really works completely nice with video games like those talked about above. Anybody even barely aware of an Xbox controller is aware of what to anticipate with the Atom; two joysticks, one d-pad, 4 face buttons, two shoulder buttons and two analog triggers. There’s even an Xbox button that by itself works as a house button however opens up Xbox options when utilizing Recreation Cross.
In relation to the precise really feel of this controller, the analogue sticks are buttery easy whereas providing an amazing click-in when pressed down. Face and shoulder buttons supply that very same console controller-like really feel. The analog triggers and d-pad had been wonderful to make use of as effectively. The controller is comfy throughout brief periods, however you will have some points when taking part in for longer than an hour; not less than for people with bigger sized arms.
It’s phenomenal for native and streaming video games
Efficiency sensible, the Turtle Seashore Atom can play nearly any of the preferred cellular video games obtainable alongside prime titles you’ll discover on streaming companies. In relation to cellular video games, latency wasn’t a difficulty and connection remained constant throughout gameplay. It doesn’t damage that the controller itself is pretty simple to arrange. Simply maintain the Bluetooth button on the controller’s left facet backside and ensure your cell phone is able to join and that’s it.
Providers like GeForce Now, Xbox Recreation Cross and Steam Hyperlink are the place the Atom controller actually shines. Contemplating this Atom variant was created with Recreation Cross in thoughts, we tried that first with nice outcomes. Taking part in Gears 5, Forza Horizon 5 or PowerWash Simulator works effectively sufficient, although your latency will likely be on the mercy of your Wi-Fi or mobile sign. That’s why it’s finest to play video games that don’t require vital enter timing like PowerWash Simulator or Firewatch.
When taking part in Forza Horizon 5, there was a slight enter delay that made racing troublesome now and again. Once more, this isn’t the controller’s fault, however the nature of recent sport streaming. Urgent the Xbox button will carry up the usual Xbox overlay that provides particulars into associates record, achievements and the likes. If you press it whereas utilizing Steam Hyperlink, it’ll carry up Steam’s overlay.
There’s additionally a Turtle Seashore Atom companion app that means that you can additional personalize your gaming expertise, together with the power to customise lifeless zones (which impacts how delicate the sticks and triggers are) and response occasions. It additionally serves as a central hub for locating each native and streaming-based video games. This most likely gained’t get a lot utilization exterior of a spot to get firmware updates, nevertheless it’s good to have.
The Turtle Seashore Atom guarantees 20-plus hours of battery life between expenses and the controller principally makes good on that. Throughout our time with it, we may go a few full week between expenses. If somebody is taking part in between half-hour to an hour a day in every week, that’s a very long time earlier than the Atom has be juiced up once more. Even then, it’ll cost to full in about three and a half hours.
To cost, simply join every half of the controllers collectively and plug in a USB-C cable. This ensures that each halves of the Atom cost evenly, and likewise makes the controller much more transportable than related cellular gamepad choices.
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For added measure, there’s a small LED gentle between the USB-C port and Bluetooth connection button that permits you to know your battery standing. You’ll solely get two colours — inexperienced for full and pink for near-death — however you will get a extra detailed view by means of your cellphone’s Bluetooth settings or the Atom companion app.
Doesn’t match all Android telephones or circumstances effectively
Most iPhones and Android telephones ought to match the Turtle Seashore Atom controller nice — should you’re not utilizing a case. There’s an upward sliding mechanism on either side that locks the horizontally fastened cellphone in place, and it will probably attain between 2.6 to three.6 inches. Nonetheless, n an age the place flagship telephones have gotten extra advanced and costly to restore, circumstances are a will need to have. With that mentioned, the Atom controller doesn’t match effectively with bigger circumstances. That doesn’t even depend the rise of foldable telephones on the Android facet of issues. Be aware that that is additionally a difficulty for different cell phone controller choices just like the Spine.
As talked about beforehand, the Android version was examined on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. With out the case, the sliding lock was in a position to match between the crease — however that may probably result in harm of the interior display. Utilizing the case led to moments the place the controller generally slipped off the cellphone. The controllers can theoretically be used with out being connected to a cellphone. Nonetheless, the edges that maintain the cellphone collectively protrude far sufficient to stop a full grip. This implies many customers of the Atom controller are going to need to take the chance and use it and not using a case. It’s a disgrace contemplating the controller may be related to Android tablets as effectively.
Haptic suggestions has change into a normal function that helps make video games extra immersive, and plenty of native cellular video games make the most of some sort of vibration through your cellphone’s inner motors. Nonetheless, the Turtle Seashore Atom shows its limitations when trying to make use of varied console-quality video games by means of streaming companies. For instance, it’s extremely troublesome to play video games like Hello-Fi Rush wherein controller vibration helps with the rhythm-based fight, or ensuring your wheels aren’t getting locked on excessive velocity turns in Forza Horizon 5.
The shortage of haptic suggestions is comprehensible, given the excessive battery life and a pair of.5Hz transmitter that connects either side of the controller. Nonetheless, having a real console high quality expertise means having vibration — particularly for titles that function it as a key gameplay mechanic.
For brief periods, the Turtle Seashore Atom controller is pretty comfy. Bigger hand sizes might have bother with cramping after round an hour. It doesn’t assist that the controller doesn’t have any textured grips, which might make it slippery. Once more, the controllers can be utilized with out being connected to the cellphone nevertheless it’s an overwhelmingly uncomfortable course of to take action. The Atom controller is certainly meant to be held in a extra conventional approach even when trendy Android telephones are evolving by way of kind issue.
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Worth-wise, the Turtle Seashore Atom is cheaper than the $100 Spine One and $150 Razer Kishi V2 Professional. For cellular avid gamers on a funds, this controller is certainly splendid in comparison with its costlier rivals. Nonetheless, you probably have money to spend, it’s price contemplating the competitors.
Top-of-the-line issues in regards to the Spine One is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Atom blocks the USB-C (or Lighting) ports, which signifies that Bluetooth headphones are going to be a necessity. In the meantime, the Razer Kishi has built-in haptic suggestions — one of many Atom’s larger omissions — alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack. If gaming is all that issues, the Atom is okay. Anybody in search of a extra sturdy function set ought to think about the Spine One and Kishi.
The $80 Turtle Seashore Atom controller is effectively definitely worth the cash for cellular avid gamers who additionally play video games by means of streaming companies like Xbox Recreation Cross and Steam Hyperlink. Setup is comparatively simple, the controls really feel good and the battery life is spectacular. Simply perceive that you will have to make use of it with out your cellphone case, which may very well be dangerous for some. Nonetheless, cellular avid gamers who’re in search of a good controller that’s underneath $100 have their champion.
