I, dear readers, have a controller problem. I have but one set of hands and an insatiable desire to fill them with new handheld devices and controllers. The AliExpress marketplace is always pushing out something new or quirky at price points that exploit my total inability to resist their charms. Different designs, colors, lights, etc are all on offer.

Meteor Size Comparison

Enter the LinYuvo Meteor Light Key Chain Sized Mini Wireless Controller, or the LMLKCSMWC if you like to keep things short. A mini BT controller promising functionality with Windows, iOS, Android, and Switch that I picked up for about $10. The draw here is the extremely tiny form factor of the device.

This is not only pocketable, but it’d probably even fit in that smaller pocket within the pocket of some jeans. You know the one. I don’t know what it’s supposed to be for either, but it could fit this tiny controller.

The Build

Up close with the Meteor and some coincidental placement

The controller itself isn’t the most premium device you’ve ever held in your hands, but it’s certainly not bad. The controller is very lightweight, which goes along with its ultraportable intentions. It still feels solid enough to know that it could be banged around a bit without issue. I can’t really imagine demanding more from my $10 microcontroller.

The D-Pad and buttons are smaller, as one might expect with this controller. But, are still reasonably comfortable in my larger hands. The D-Pad does have a “clickiness” to its inputs, and if that’s something that might get on your nerves, you might want to look elsewhere. It wasn’t an issue for me in testing, and given the size, it was actually kind of helpful to have something a little more tactile.

The LED lights on the device are superfluous and not implemented particularly well. While there is a certain charm to their retina-burning strength, it’s perhaps best that the option to turn them off is included out of the gate. It’s always nice to know that if I really need to step up the wow factor at showing off this little beauty or use it as a flashlight to blind a would-be attacker in a back alley, I have the option.

The Experience

The Meteor plays some Mario on Switch

I connected the Meteor to Windows via Bluetooth with no issues. The device mode is changed similarly to a lot of other 3rd party chameleons. You select an input mode with a Home+A, B, X, or Y then press to select how you want the controller to connect.

Amusingly, it showed up in Windows as an Xbox Controller. From there it was off to the emulation races. The Meteor lacks any analog sticks, so it felt most at home in the PSX and earlier world. But, modern Steam games like Pizza Tower controlled great too. Is it my preferred choice? No, but it’s a viable solution.

The Conclusion

Look, this is a $10 mini-controller. It’s not going to set the world on fire. You know that you are buying a novelty when you sign up for something like this. That doesn’t mean that it can’t deliver a decent experience though. And, the LinYuvo Meteor does an admirably fine job in the niche it intends to fill.

8BitDo offers a very similar controller for about $20 that I’m sure does a better job as a daily driver in this form factor. But I don’t think it can claim secondary use as a personal safety device with blinding power like the Meteor. And that’s the thing with this controller and a lot of items like that. Sometimes all you want is a fun little novelty, and given the price of entry, I’m quite happy with my entertainment per dollar spent.

The LinYuvo Meteor Light Key Chain Sized Mini Wireless Controller is available from AliExpress for about $10.

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