| Price | Amazon |
| Release | September 11, 2024 |
| Compatibility | NS2 / PC |
| Dimensions | 10.2″ x 7.1″ x 1.0″ |
| Weight | 1.54 lbs |
| Cable | ~2 m |
Introduction
Won’t the real Slim Shady please stand up?
The DRMFTG DRM Slim is not only slim and light but smaller than average too. It has 15 buttons—with the two extra thumb buttons being for L3 and R3. As for the uppermost extra button, it serves as select/back.
Regarding the DRM Slim’s jump button at the bottom, it’s bigger than the rest of the buttons—allowing you to press it more easily with either thumb’s side.
The DRM Slim’s main selling point, however, is that you can use its button covers to hide any buttons you don’t need. For example, this a dual layout controller, meaning you can use it like a WASD controller as well (by using the upper left jump button). If you’re not interested in the WASD layout, just use a button cover to hide the upper left jump button!
Unboxing
The DRM Slim arrives in a black DRMFTG branded box. The controller itself would be in a felt case, and under it, you should be able to find the following items for free:
- Keycap covers (3)
- Keycap remover
- Extra switch
- Switch puller
- Tied USB-C cable
- Thank you card
- Japanese manual
(DRMFTG is a Taiwanese company targeting a primarily Japanese audience.)
Performance
The DRM Slim’s button are really flat, and the button performance is boosted by a wrist slope for your comfort. In fact, the entire controller is sloped, but the slope gets more intense near the wrists, which makes sense.
In addition, there are two grip pads at the DRM Slim’s bottom—one for each leg—but the controller is probably too small to comfortably fit on your lap. The controller works on a desk too, though the grip pads may stain light surfaces a bit.
On the bright side, the silent Cherry MX Speed Silver switches mean you have lots of other options if you’d like to hot swap the DRM Slim’s stock switches with other switches.
Although the DRM Slim’s switches are full profile, the buttons themselves don’t have a lot of travel distance. This may or may not be your preference.
That said, the DRM Slim’s four function buttons are conveniently bigger than average, and they serve as:
- Home
- Touch
- Fn
- Start
(Touch means touchpad, and Fn stands for function.)
Hardware
Consisting of plastic, the DRM Slim’s most interesting hardware element is its recessed USB-C port, which can be found in the back left.
DRMFTG provides you a cable that’s thin enough to fit into that recessed port. Admittedly, the DRM Slim’s cable is a bit shorter than desired. Also, the recessed port doesn’t allow you to use a right angle cable.
Anyhow, the DRM Slim uses a Raspberry Pi Pico chip to run on the open source and critically acclaimed GP2040-CE firmware, which has really low latency—less than a millisecond—and supports SOCD cleaning for tournament legality. This firmware also allows you web configuration for button remapping.
Structurally, six screws can be seen at the DRM Slim’s bottom. Unscrew the controller, and you will find the USB-A port inside. Why? It’s because you can insert a dongle into that port to make the controller compatible with more consoles. Just make sure the dongle fits!
Appearance
The DRM Slim’s black shades are sleek—including the black cable—and the matte finish doesn’t attract fingerprints. The DRMFTG musical logo on the top panel’s bottom left is pretty cute too.
If you’re concerned about your DRM Slim’s buttons getting scratched, see if you can request matte buttons from DRMFTG instead of glossy buttons.
On a closing note, the felt case where you can store the DRM Slim may feel a bit stiff, but it’s still stylish. It’s basically a gray case with a light brown patch that has the DRMFTG logo, and it conveniently opens & closes with Velcro.
Conclusion
The DRM Slim provides you enough features without being too big, thick, or heavy—and its button covers allow you to customize its layout to your taste. This controller is most recommended for players with smaller hands who usually play on a darker desk. Any of the controller’s downsides are minor and can be overlooked.
- 15 buttonholes
- 3 button covers
- Silent switches
- Hot swappable
- Dual layout
- Comfy slopes
- Grip pads
- Matte finish
- Stylish case
- Recessed port
- Slim, small, light
- Free accessories
- Web configuration
- Awesome firmware
- Extendable compatibility
- Not for large hands
- Cable a bit short
- Grips may stain
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐