As the Nintendo Switch steadily ages, it seems unavoidable that the included Joy-Cons will at some point develop stick drift. Thanks to a bad manufacturing choice by Nintendo, their otherwise revolutionary controller system feels like a ticking time bomb. And sadly for me, that bomb has gone off. My original left Joy-Con has started malfunctioning. The control stick is moving on its own. And the indicator lights don’t light up anymore. I could pay to get those issues fixed, or try to fix them myself. Maybe I could just buy a new Joy-Con. Or instead I could buy the CRKD Nitro Deck.
Professional yet affordable
Billed as the professional Handheld Deck, the CRKD (pronounced “cracked”) Nitro Deck replaces the need for either Joy-Con. The Switch screen slides snuggly into the plastic housing, using the embedded rails to lock in place. And once that screen clicks into place, oh boy, that is when the magic happens. Thanks to the comfortable grips and combined weight, this nifty little accessory makes my ageing Nintendo Switch feel like a brand new console.
As much as I enjoy playing my vanilla Switch in handheld mode, it isn’t exactly the most comfortable to play that way. I’ve always found the awkward and flat profile of the device really annoying to hold. And the Joy-Cons have started to feel loose when attached to the screen. The Nitro Deck solves most of these issues. The chunky design is something substantial that my hands can hold on to. I don’t have the biggest hands in the world, but they can start to feel cramped and achy after a short gaming session with the Switch, because it is so small and weirdly flat.
Plenty of positives
Unlike the Flip Grip, the Nitro Deck has all the expected functionality of a regular Nintendo Switch controller. Except the ability to read Amiibo. Dang. Think the Switch Pro controller, but with a space to mount the console itself. However, much like the Steam Deck, it also has four programmable buttons on the backside of the device. Also included on the back are input and output USB type-C ports, for charging and other functions.
On the subject of charging, the one thing that it does lack is any type of battery storage. It connects directly via the USB-C slot on the bottom of the Switch. I’m not 100% sure about this but it feels like it reduces the amount of time the Switch can run. Maybe it’s just because I’m so used to the long battery life of the Stream Deck. Which I think is a massive shame. An included battery would have been a great extra. Although it does shift the available charging port from the bottom to the top, which makes it way easier to play whilst charging.
To somewhat counter that small power problem, that direct interaction enables a low latancy connection. It results in a more responsive and lag-free gaming experience. Is that a worthwhile trade-off? I can’t speak for everyone, but I think it is. Other than this small compliant I don’t have much else negative to say. I guess the fact that a carry case for the device isn’t automatically included in the base price is a little annoying.
Stick drift issue? Not any more!
Most importantly, yes, it does fix my stick drift issue. Aside from having swapable thumbstick toppers, the sticks themselves are of the Hall Effect variety. Named after the physicist, Edwin Herbert Hall, this design doesn’t rely on physical connections. Rather, it uses magnets and electrical conductors to keep track of inputs when in use. This reduces the wear and tear on the internal components, and prolongs the life of the controller. Which is a pretty big win in my book. It is a more expensive way to produce controllers, so not every manufacturer uses this method.
A new life for the Nintendo Switch
With the release of the Stream Deck and other handheld gaming computers, the appeal of having a Nintendo Switch has lessened somewhat. Aside from having a strong but ageing lineup of Nintendo exclusive titles and a slightly kooky yet useful gimmick, I’ve had little incentive to play my Switch in recent times. The CRKD Nitro Deck has ignited that interest once more. In particular, playing through the original Pikmin 1 and 2 collection has been very enjoyable. And I’m sure that it will at least hold my interest for up until the Switch followup is released. And depending on how the next iteration of Nintendo handheld is designed, it may even be usable beyond its originally intended use. Although I’m not entirely sure how likely that will be.
I have shown the Nitro Deck to several people now, and each of them have expressed positive feelings towards it. There are few devices I can wholeheartedly recommend, but the CRKD Nitro Deck is one of them. My Joy-Cons have been cast aside to collect dust, and I have a robust and enjoyable alternative that feels way better to play with. I chose the classic black design, but with a multitude of colours & designs, as well as the revised Nitro Deck+, the one I chose might not be for you. The immenent (at time of writing) hardware release from Nintendo may put some people off, but for those who won’t be upgrading straight away, this seems like a valid way to extend the life of the Nintendo Switch. If you want to buy one, then check them out on the Amazon store (Affiliate link).
