CRKD Nitro Deck Review
Transform a Nintendo Switch Into A Steam Deck
It’s not very common that a gaming product receives nearly universal praise from a community. I can definitely see why the media and gamers raved over the CRKD Nitro Deck when it first came out. I was a little late to the game, but after beating a few games by using this handheld deck controller with my Nintendo Switch, I too am a fan now of this product. Here’s why the Nitro Deck has been firmly entrenched on my Switch for the last few months.
Purchase Price: $79.99
Comfort Over Mobility
While I wasn’t as down on the Joy-Con designs as some other people, I 100% would rather play with the Nitro Deck hooked up than a Joy-Con if I’m playing for longer than 20 minutes.
So what makes the Nitro Deck stand out from a sea of Switch accessories that can do about the same things? Well first off, CRKD built the Nitro Deck to feel like a premium product for the Switch. The Switch may have a lot of accessory makers capitalizing on its popularity, but not every product has that certain level of quality to it. The Nitro Deck feels like it's worth every penny I paid for it whenever I hold it in my hands. The entire thing is still made out of plastic, but it’s the finer details that add to the overall positive experience using it.
Build Quality
Take the textured grip area where your fingers rest on behind the unit. One of the biggest complaining points about the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons have been that they’re way too flat. Now with the Nitro Deck, there’s plenty of real estate for not only the fingers to wrap around, but the palms to push firmly into. The shape of the grips are more like a traditional X-box controller rather than a Joy-Con. This absolutely makes it a lot more comfortable to prop up with my hands. It feels more natural to hold than the vanilla Switch experience. While I wasn’t as down on the Joy-Con designs as some other people, I 100% would rather play with the Nitro Deck hooked up than a Joy-Con if I’m playing for longer than 20 minutes.
It doesn’t end there as the thumbsticks and triggers on the Nitro Deck are superior to the native Switch experience in every way. With a Hall Effect Sensor, there shouldn’t be any stick drifting issues that have plagued some Switch users for years now. I love the texture on the stick tops, but they’re also customizable by swapping them out for replacements. So if your tastes don’t match mine, they can be adjusted to fit your needs.
It’s a whole new way to play the Switch
With the exception of four re-mappable buttons on the back of the device, the layout of the Nitro Deck stays true to a Switch with Joy-Cons flanking it. There’s also a large kickstand that dwarfs the Switch’s built-in kickstand. Snapping out from the top instead of the lower body, the Nitro Deck can easily prop up the Switch and still allow gamers to press the buttons for control.
While you do lose the versatility of disconnecting the controllers to play without holding the display that makes the Switch so unique, the Nitro Deck does move in a totally different direction in terms of play style. The easiest comparison of what the Nitro Deck actually does is when you think of the Steam Deck. The Nitro Deck essentially transforms a Nintendo Switch into a Steam Deck. You then play it like a Steam Deck. Obviously there are benefits to this play style and why gamers may want to look into it.
Retro And Functional
Retro gaming is a big seller nowadays. CRKD knows this and they made the Nitro Deck in an assortment of color combinations. I have the Emerald Green color that is translucent like that of the Nintendo Game Boy Color colors. I’m a sucker for Game Boy nostalgia and Nintendo Switch accessories seem to always snipe that segment of the market. Still, I think this product does it in good taste with minimal branding throughout the entire casing.
The coolest thing about the Nitro Deck is that while it acts as a grip extension as the main functionality, the thing is called a Deck for a reason. By sliding the Switch into the USB-C slot, it’s like docking the Switch into its native dock. I’m able to use the Nitro Deck as an extension of the Switch and push output through a USB-C port on the rear side. Next to the output is an input USB-C port to concurrently charge the gaming device while gaming. These ports are located on a slight hump on the top rear that doesn’t make the Switch difficult to plug in while holding as there is a gap. Most accessories want you to charge on the top or bottom frame, so this is a rather unique solution.
The Nitro Deck being used meticulously
As the Nitro Deck is compatible with both the OLED and the original Switch, it’s essentially compatible with everything that Nintendo can offer in the eighth generation of video game consoles. You’re also not losing rumble or motion gyro controls by using the Nitro Deck either. These are standard things that are built into the Switch experience that is fortunately also addressed with this controller.
final thoughts
I get the hype that was rightfully generated by the Nitro Deck. It completely changes the form factor and the way one uses the Nintendo Switch. That may not be for everyone as you do lose some flexibility in the portability aspect as the Nitro Deck adds a lot more bulk to the otherwise small form factor of a Switch. If you’re curious about this and are researching it, then you’re most likely already looking for a product that does add size to the Switch anyway. The polycarbonate body is well constructed and feels great to hold for long periods of time.
I’m glad there are accessory products out there that enhance and morph the overall experience of a gaming console. I originally loved the Switch for how easy it was to take around and play, but as time has passed, I found that comfortability has overtaken my desires for portability. So for now, the CRKD Nitro Deck is constantly attached to my Nintendo Switch.
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