It’s hard to believe that my Nintendo Switch is six years old. Well, not my Switch exactly since it’s an OLED model, but you get my point. It’s not new, but the excitement for it is still there, thanks to the onslaught of fantastic games this year. The Switch is big, and accessory makers still make a lot of money from it. CRKD is one example. But isn’t it too late, considering the apparent release of the Switch 2 next year? Hard to say. I know I was interested in trying the Nitro Deck, and when the opportunity presented itself, I was more than happy to take it for a spin.
What is it
There’s a lot of money to be made in the accessory game. We gamers always want more, and it’s easy to make us interested (just make the colors look like our favorite console and we’re sold). The Switch is still a fantastic handheld (the best if you ask me), but the bigger models suffer from some issues, and those issues are called JoyCons. The detachable controllers have tiny analog sticks with a tendency to “drift” after a year, making them one of the most expensive and uncomfortable things you can spend your money on.
This is where the Nitro Deck comes in, promising no drift ever. It’s possible due to the popular Hall Sensor technology that works thanks to a new invention — magnets. Unlike many (and I mean many) other JoyCon replacements that’s been on the market for years, CRKD’s invention doesn’t act like a JoyCon. Instead of making two controllers, the company created a handheld frame that allows you to slide in your console. With a pleasant click, it becomes bigger, heavier, and much more comfortable. The idea is interesting, and the implementation is not bad either, although not without some unpleasant surprises. More on them later…
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The Nitro Deck is very lightweight and feels good in my hands. It basically makes your Switch look more like the Steam Deck (or the Wii U gamepad), although still not as gargantuan. In comparison, the Switch Lite looks positively miniscule. It still might be your best bet for strictly portable gaming, but that OLED screen… it’s really hard to come back from it.
The back of the device is surprisingly interesting: in addition to the back buttons, we also have a stand (quite sturdy) and two USB-C ports for charging (which can come in handy during long flights) and even connecting the Nitro Deck to your Switch to use it as a separate controller. Weird, right?
I have the GameCube purple version — one of the best they offer, in my opinion. It’s a part of the Nostalgia Collection that also includes the Classic Grey and the Mint models. They cost more, but that’s because they also include a carry case, a USB-C Cable, and thumbstick toppers. The case indeed is lovely: it feels hefty and even includes a shoulder strap for… reasons.
There’s also an app because everything must have an app. The app is there to tell you one thing — whether your Deck is rare or not (mine isn’t, damn it!). For that, you can scan your device’s NFC chip and learn about the results. It’s exciting for about two seconds, after which you forget all about it. You can also register your Nitro Deck, as well as download a handy PDF manual. But mostly, it’s not really useful at all.
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Sticky situation
Finally, the box is here. I am very excited for some reason, although this is certainly not my first Switch accessory. I’m jumping, I’m rubbing my hands. I open the box, extract the purple model inspired by the GameCube, peel off the sticker with instructions, and… discover that my Nitro Deck is all sticky. First, I laugh. Then I start cussing. You see, after my research, I know one thing: getting the Switch OUT of the Deck is never easy. Now, add glue to the mix, and you’ll find your console permanently attached to the accessory. Not ideal.
Instead of playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder in bed, I spend the next 30 minutes getting rid of the glue by using olive oil. Not a great start by any means. I don’t know whose idea it was to use cheap stickers on the device.
Anyway, I clean my Nitro Deck and get to work. This is where the fun begins.
Embiggening your Switch
The Switch slides in with that perfect “click,” and the console transforms into something much bigger. Analog sticks feel great, and my first impressions are very pleasant. I like the feel of all the buttons: the YXAB buttons are soft but not mushy, perfect for a platformer. The L/R buttons are clicky, and the ZR and ZL buttons are soft and sensitive. On the back, there are four programmable buttons. Another new addition is the CRKD button that shines brightly every time the accessory is on. I noticed no unexplainable blinking reported by some other reviewers.
Generally, I am happy. It’s a new thing that makes my Switch more exciting and comfortable. But not everything is perfect — wouldn’t be much of a review if I were to gush over the thing without mentioning a few cons. Don’t worry: they aren’t a dealbreaker. At least for me.
The first thing I notice is the power — and the sound — of the rumble feature. The Nitro Deck has its own rumble motors, so don’t expect HD Rumble support. And man is the thing LOUD. Don’t even think about playing in bed with your wife sleeping beside you without switching the rumble off.
Another issue is the gyro support. It’s there, and it’s fine, but for some reason (which might be Nintendo-related and not CRKD’s fault) there’s no Y-axis stabilization support when playing Splatoon 3. It works fine with the JoyCons, but the Nitro Deck doesn’t really support it (it tries but mostly fails). It’s the definition of a tiny issue since the gyro works fine in every other scenario. It just means that playing a game like Splatoon while lying down is not convenient. I played it on a bus, and it was totally fine, though, so really, not a big deal at all.
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I know that some reviewers weren’t happy about the right stick’s placement right under the XAYB buttons, but I had no problems there.
Ideal for road trips
I might have overindulged here since in reality, my Switch rarely leaves the dock. After playing with the Nitro Deck, I started regretting it. My 2-hour bus trip playing Splatoon 3 turned out to be a blast, although the improved controls did not make me a better player. But I like how sturdy the Switch felt — just right. Not counting the weird rumble support and no Amiibo features, it’s a perfect replacement for your JoyCons.
I must also mention that getting your Switch out of the Deck can prove to be an Arthurian challenge. The Switch sits very tight there and doesn’t seem to want to go back out. This sudden shyness is the reason the Nitro Deck feels one with the console, but it also means that getting it out is never easy, even with the help of a dedicated button. Sometimes, I can do it by shaking the device hard. Sometimes, I have to touch the screen, which I never like doing. First of all, OLED can be sensitive, and second, I hate fingerprint smudges on my screen (thankfully, there’s also a CRKD-branded polishing cloth in the box!).
Bear in mind that the Deck will impact the battery life somewhat, although not massively so. During use, I found little to no difference compared to JoyCons.
Verdict
Everything points at the Switch Pro not actually existing, so in our eyes, the Nitro Deck is the closest thing you’ll get to it. It lets you forget about the flimsy JoyCons (and in the dock, we recommend something like this controller) and enjoy comfortable play on the go. It works exactly like intended, looks neat (the new transparent models coming in winter seem to be especially cool), and feels sturdy. Bundled with the carrying case, it’s the upgrade I didn’t know I needed.