What is the NitroDeck?
The NitroDeck is a controller that the Nintendo Switch slides completely into. It uses the wired connection to interface with the NitroDeck. It boasts Hall Effect analog sticks. The feature about having Hall Effect analog sticks is that it is immune from the stick drift problems that have widely effected the Nintendo Joy-Cons. The other feature that the original had was four programmable buttons on the back, very similar to the Steam Deck.
The NitroDeck Plus has four differences from original. The most noticeable is that they adapted the analog sticks to be symmetrical. This was done because the previous NitroDeck had complaints of being too uncomfortable while using the right analog stick.
There are three other more subtle differences. The first of those is that CRKD added two additional programmable buttons on the front. They also made it so that you can connect the NitroDeck Plus to your phone via bluetooth so that you can update the firmware as well as reprogram the 6 programmable buttons. The final difference is that you can now use the NitroDeck Plus as a dock. All that is required is that you plug in the Nintendo Power Supply ( or other compatible power supply) into the input port, and USB-C to HDMI adapter into the output port.
Comfort
Did they make the NitroDeck Plus so that it is now the most comfortable Joy Con replacement/ grip available on the market? Unfortunately the answer is no. They did make it more comfortable if you are playing mostly shooters. However if you are playing any game the requires the use of the face buttons, then it is still a little uncomfortable to use.
Function
Does that mean the NitroDeck Plus and the original are bad? Not at all. I still use it everyday as it is way more comfortable than using the Joy Cons by themselves. Once you get used to holding it while playing games like Super Mario Wonder or Animal Crossing, then the discomfort goes away.
The ability to program the back four buttons and the front two buttons is really nice, and can be used to relocate some of the face buttons so that they are easier to press. The analog sticks are also much larger than the Joy Con. CRKD sells different tops for the analog sticks to give you options.
The D-pad is the only weak point, and even that is mostly good. Definitely not the best D-pad I have used, but far from the worst. (I am looking at you Xbox 360 Controller)
The Accessories
CRKD does sell a number of accessories. They sell a variety of cases and stick tops.
Carrying Cases
So unless you have a carrying case, you wouldn’t be able to take the Nintendo Switch anywhere. Luckily CRKD has you covered. I bought both the NitroDeck Carry Case and Pro Gaming Gear Carry Bag.
The NitroDeck Carry Case is pretty basic, but does hold the NitroDeck Plus very securely. The XL version has more storage.
The Pro Gaming Gear Carry Bag is much bigger and more luxurious, but isn’t a hard case like the Carry Case. It can hold much more than just the NitroDeck. I was able to fit my Supernote A6X2, my Kindle and my PlayDate handheld gaming console in addition to my Switch games and, of course the NitroDeck Plus. If I could cram my 11 inch tablet into it, it would be perfect.
Stick Tops
The Stick Tops are a way of customize your analog sticks on the NitroDeck. They come with four sets of tops. They come in a variety of colors.
Final Thoughts
I have been using the NitroDeck Plus off and on for 3 months. I occasionally will use my Satisfye Ronin Grip but I do like the feeling of the larger analog sticks. So I keep coming back to the NitroDeck Plus. Is it worth the investment? I suppose it depends whether or not you are comfortable with the size and fit of the Joy Cons in your hands. It also depends if you don’t mind spending over $100 on a NitroDeck and a case. If you are in the market for a solid Joy Con replacement with a bunch of extra features, then the NitroDeck Plus is a great choice. The only thing I wish they would do is to make a variant that keeps the Symmetrical analog sticks, and puts both the D-pad and the face buttons next to both the left and right analog stick. Much like the Steam Deck. You can purchase the NitroDeck Plus from CRKD’s website for $69 or $79 with the HDMI Adapter.
