8BITDO ZERO

8BITDO ZERO: DESIGN AND BUILD

8Bitdo's boast isn't a hollow one - this is easily the tiniest joypad I've ever used. It's 73mm wide, 35mm tall and 13.7mm at its thickest point, and slips so effortlessly into your trouser pocket that you'll forget it's even there. It even comes with a lanyard that allows you to tie it to your keys, making it a portable control option that's always with you.

The pad is plastic, yet the build quality is decent enough. The D-pad is responsive and comfortable to use, despite its diminutive nature. The buttons are also high quality, and click reassuringly when pressed – no annoying sponginess to be felt here.

Related: Overwatch

The small size of the 8Bitdo Zero might lead you to assume that it's awkward to use for prolonged periods, but I didn't find that myself. I've got quite small, Hobbit-like hands which probably helps, but the controller is comfortable to use and never feels too tiny. If you're used to pads which fill your palms like the Xbox One and PS4 pads then it might take a while to become accustomed to the Zero's miniscule stature, and the lack of grip can cause problems - you're essentially gripping the device with your fingers rather than your hands - but these are acceptable trade-offs for such incredible portability.

8BITDO ZERO: CONNECTIVITY AND BATTERY

Pairing the Zero with a compatible device is straightforward. In the case of Android, I had the controller connected in seconds and was able to use it to navigate through my phone's user interface and control various games and emulators. Once paired, the pad connected automatically with my phone whenever I turned it on. A light on the bottom edge of the Zero shows you if it's on, visible to other devices or charging.