CRKD Nitro Deck - Professional Handheld Controller Deck with Zero Stick Drift for Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED (White)

i ordered the PAL grey version of the nitro deck for standard switch. i’ve only had it for about 5 days, so i will update this review if my opinion changes. size/feel/stand: i have small hands so i expected this to be too big and uncomfortable for me, but it surprisingly isn’t. i have used a satisfye grip - too big and my wrists hurt after about 20 minutes. the plastic build has the same feel as the hori split compact. i expected it to be heavier than it is because it almost completely covers the switch, but it has a lightweight feel and nice quality. the stand on the back is great. i’m constantly picking up and setting my switch down when i play so i’m very happy with the quality of the stand. it’s not loose and feels strong. you can have it at different angles and it holds nicely. joycons/sticks/thumbcaps: nintendo switch joycons are bad. the sticks are extremely loose and they feel cheap because of it… and stick drift. the sticks on the nitro deck are smooth like butter! and this thing is half the price of nintendo joycons. i did not order any of the thumbcaps that crkd sells because the price was a little high for me. i have a couple of pairs that i got cheap elsewhere and they fit/work fine. OLED/returns: i did read that some people have issues with the OLED and the nitro deck. i didn’t look into that because i have a regular switch. make sure to do your research before purchasing because i also saw that people have issues with returning (maybe they don’t accept returns??) vibration: a bit strong for me even on the lowest setting, which is a bummer because i do like playing with it on. you can turn it completely off though. i’m not sure if there is an update to change vibration further - see “updating” below. programming/home button brightness: programming is easy enough. the only issue i had was with changing the brightness on the “home” button. the instructions were slightly unclear when you have to hold most buttons to program them. for the home button brightness you only have to PUSH the program button once and it dims. once more and it is off. this wasn’t a problem, i just had to use my brain for a second. updating: huge drawback for me is you have to update the firmware via PC/windows. i don’t use windows so this is unfortunate and we’ll just enjoy the ride and see how long it lasts. i will say i did not look at past updates for the nitro deck or how often they get them but for me right now that’s not an issue. overall: i love this thing. i’m also saying this as someone that has a sour taste in their mouth with nintendo’s choices recently. i’m usually on playstation, but i don’t have a portal and i don’t want one. the nitro deck has made playing my switch fun again. thanks!

I used this for several months, my child has used this for a couple months also. I have had no problems from this control in about 150 hours of play. This is a high quality controller and will transform your switch into a rigid handheld. I don't get bothered by things not being in the perfect place as far as buttons etc... this is a high quality unit that gave the switch a solid feel and gameboy aesthetics. The buttons feel really good to.

The Nitro Deck truly elevates handheld gaming on the Switch. Once you slide your console in, the difference is instantly noticeable. It feels more like a premium gaming device, and the grip is comfortable enough for extended sessions without hand fatigue. The build quality is solid and gives off a high-end feel. One of the best features is the Hall effect thumbsticks. They’re a huge improvement over Joy-Cons, especially if you’ve dealt with stick drift in the past. The back buttons are programmable and offer extra control options that are great for shooters or competitive play. The direct USB-C connection helps minimize input delay, making fast-paced games feel more responsive.

It's not bad, but for the price? I feel it should cost $30 or $35 bucks, not $50 bucks. It does nothing to improve the switch(1)?🤷‍♂️ only thing it does is the way it handles, it feels right when you grip to play, it's not heavy won't make your hands or wrist tired...Ahh like my SteamDeck.😑 All the functions work, Analog controller feel good. (Sorry no mouse pads like the SteamDeck)🙄 Buttons don't feel clunky & noisy when you hit it.👍 There is two usb C ports on the back side, one is for charging and the other is a out port maybe for controller(s)? no more upside down laying down the switch when charging.😎👍 Switch fit snuggly and tight👍 Back Paddle is a plus👍 Kickstand is real sturdy, better than the Switch Kickstand.👍 4⭐Star...for everything except the price💰👎☹

Definitely purchase this controller.feels good in hand .no stick drift whatsoever.make the switch or switch oled looks like a other console.Best Buy for me as a og switch user cause I like the switches but don’t think I am going to upgrade until I am stable with money to do so .but trust if you want a controller that don’t fake you buy this one .

I always felt like my Switch was very fragile in my hands, but the Nitro deck takes care of that issue and adds excellent sticks to equation. It does add some heft and weight but I actually like that about it. It’s so much more comfortable to use the switch for me now in handheld mode. If you have large hands, or want a nice upgrade on your joysticks in portable mode I recommend the Nitro Deck.

I'll start with a review of the hardware itself: mid. 3/5 stars, at most. The build quality and materials of the device are quite poor. The LED light, even at the lowest brightness, bleeds heavily through the plastic. The vibration is weak. It is VERY difficult and frustrating to remove the Switch from this device (at least the OLED one). The case has a tight fit, a positive while in use, but has an iron grip on the console. There is a release button, but that only unlocks two bumps on the side which hold the switch in place. When docked, the switch is flush (maybe slightly depressed) with the case. This gives NO leverage to pull the switch out. Pushing the release button doesn't help. Effectively, you have to use your thumb on the screen(!!!) to push the console up a couple inches so that you can then pull it out from the sides. This will mess your screen at minimum, and since you have to put downward pressure to give enough friction to push the console upward, you're putting unnecessary strain on the screen as well. I have strong thumbs what if I hurt my poor switch. I would be sad. It has some nice programability once you figure it out. Last thing on the hardware: the control sticks do feel good and offer good control. The buttons are, again, mid at best and honestly closer to bad. The "A" and "B" on the buttons are poorly painted and have poor visibility due to poor contrast. (The lables don't matter a ton per se, but add to the poor quality impression). OKAY, here's why you shouldn't buy this at all even if all that sounded awesome to you (you do you): the app, which they highly motivate you to install, records your phone's screen and audio and saves it; it requests permission to do this without explanation! If granted, it has full access to effectively everything you do with your phone from that point forward. Especially note that if using the built in keyboard, the visual effects when typing would allow the app to know *everything you typed, including passwords*. This is what one of the permissions requested allows. I did not see anything in the privacy policy which limits what they can do with this data (or, again, why they would ask for it to begin with). This isn't a pedantic security argument, or permissions weirdly worded but which are actually necessary (for example, the permissions to pair bluetooth devices in an app didn't explain very well it's necessary to talk to new hardware, or whatever). Did you know the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia owns a significant minority portion of CRKD's parent company (Embracer Group)? Idk found that fact interesting. It also asks for several bluetooth permissions which allow building a location profile. This is not necessary for operation of the app either; the device communication is done through NFC. Pairing with the app isn't necessary (again, the box and manual highly recommend it provides no functional value. To you. It does to their company. There is a Windows-only firmware update available, if you trust it. This allows adjustable rumble, trigger actuation point, improved motion controls and some other unspecific bug fixes.

UPDATE! Two units bought, two units returned. I purchased a second Nitro Deck, to compare and use the NexiGo Hall Effect Gripcon side by side. Sorry Nitro fans this is going back, Why? It’s far too small for my hands, and I am a lady. The second big issue with unit two, I received a USED unit, I paid for new. The back buttons on this were already programmed to someone else’s preferences. Papers were torn or missing, no instructions. The buttons could NOT under any circumstances be un-programmed, deleted, or reset after 10 to 15 resets, the lights lit up saying they were un-programmed, but they just kept opening things randomly. They are bumped continuously, and of zero use to me. Compared to the NexiGo Hall Effect Gripcon, unit, the ergonomics on the Nitro Deck are pretty much non existent, they tried, but wow, after using the Nexigo, and switching back to this Nitro my hands were very cramped on this, it’s just too small! I immediately put my Switch back in the Nexigo! Total relief! SO much more comfortable than this Nitro Deck, see my pictures, and you will see exactly what I’m talking about! If you have large hands, don’t go here! Go look at the Nexigo! They are the same price. As of this writing. One thing I found extremely irritating with this Nitro Deck is having to connect to a computer for up dates. It would not connect to the computer we own. I do not want a device that needs to be updated by a computer. Everything I do has been switch to tablets, years ago. I have a feeling Nitro Deck is trying to please the.masses, as this is designed a bit larger than the Switch unit out of the box, but not by much, it will accommodate a kid, or someone with small hands, clearly they were aiming for adults, but it won’t do both. What did Nitro Deck get right over the Nexigo? The locking mechanism. And the charging port location. What did they get wrong? Size. Ergonomics and comfort with hand holding for hours. Zero soft protection for your Switch. Nexigo has a soft material for the switch unit to touch the back. Nitro Deck is just hard plastic with a different texture of hard plastic mixed in. This is noisy! It can’t be used in a library, or in bed, next to your spouse who is trying to sleep. It just loud and clicky. I’m leaving three stars, down from the four I originally posted, due to two faulty units. This second unit was much more tame on the haptics than the first unit. This lis a nicely built, beautiful little unit. I reached my “deal breaker” point. The haptic issues, and the “A” button not working, mostly because of the “play” a lot of travel is there, that seems to only affect that button. Since I am a one game user, this will not work with ACNH. I have hunted, and have decided upon a unit that will work with my existing Joy Cons. I may purchase new Joy cons as well. Again I have inadvertently joined the hunt and return cycle again. Sad, this is such a pretty unit. My daughter sent me her near new Nintendo Switch, after a week, my hands cramped so bad, I couldn’t play. My main issue with this thing are the haptics. The vibration on the lowest is really crass, interrupt your thoughts, loud! Ok. I’m not a gamer, I started playing back in the 80s with the original Gameboy, I had never laid eyes on the Switch until it arrived on my porch three weeks ago. The only game I have is Animal Crossing, it will probably be the only game I will be playing, simply because this fixed income grandma can’t dump money on games. That being said, one week in, and my hands were cramped to the max, painful. After searching for weeks, I landed on this Nitro Deck, two things sold me, the retro look, color, and the Hall Joy sticks. Now, since Animal Crossing is only game I will be playing, the biggest issue is fishing, since I just fired the game up today, my only source of income in the game is fishing. Enter the problem. The stock Joy Cons that came with the deck are extremely good at letting you know if a fish is hitting the bait, a short Bzt, or biting the bait, a longer, firmer BZZZT! With this unit, there is no difference in those two vibrations, causing me to miss 85% of the fish! I’m working with it, but it may go back for that reason alone. I do not want start the cycle of trying something & returning, until I get lucky enough to get something better than this. I don’t see that happening yet. But I was really irritated the first time I tried the game to see, feel & hear these ghastly haptics. Connecting was touchy, simply because when you switch the Switch’s settings to allow it to connect up to this, the setting did not stay on, you don’t know this until you get zero response, making you take in back out, (it doesn’t come out easy) making sure that setting is correct, after several attempts, I then learned the old Joy Cons were not turned off. So if you are a newby to this whole thing, there was nothing in the directions about turning these off. So back I went to Google it. Finally I was able to play. This weighs over a pound, and then some. I turned off all the back switches, my fingers constantly hit them. The charge port is in a nice location for play while plugged. I could not, under any circumstances, get it to connect to my computer, I hope I won’t be needing that down the road. The Joy sticks are pretty high for me to use without extra shake. Almost double the height of the standard Joy Cons. I think one could adapt easy enough. The buttons are HUGE, and real clicky noisy, it makes the unit feel cheap. I say FEEL, this is NOT a cheap feeling device, it is very well made, with some extra heft to it. The “A” button doesn’t always work, another reason it could go back. I have a light touch, so this is probably me. You are selling in the in game market, only to find out half your resources did not sell because the “A” button did not function. That’s going to be a deal breaker if it keeps up. I have large hands, this is more comfortable than the regular Joy Cons, but it is rather slippery. The cramps in my hands are being aliviated, It’s biggest redeeming quality, but the hype over this device is completely over blown. I have updated… PROS: Beautiful color. The back charge port location is awesome, for play while plugged in. Solid unit. Makes your unit look awesome. Great retro look CONS: HAPTICS ARE GHASTLY! Heavy, over a pound. “A” button takes a harder push than what I’m used to giving. Uses more battery than I like. Joy Stick is twice as high as standard Joy Cons causing issues in play. Swinging too easily the wrong way. No soft material coming in contact with your Switch, just a hard plastic. Ergonomics are a joke. This is for kids. See comparison photos on the ergonomics. I was astounded after receiving the Nexigo unit the difference is phenomenal! This Nitro Deck is clearly aimed at children!