New video game hardware company CRKD has released a stunning-looking new accessory for your Switch which is a step above replacement Joy-Cons or other third-party Joy-Con alternatives.
Showcased by IGN as part of its Summer of Gaming 2023, the Nitro Deck acts as a Joy-Con replacement and a grip for your Switch, fitting perfectly around the sides, back, and bottom of the hybrid console. With an ergonomically designed shell, replaceable joysticks, and the promise of "zero stick drift", it's all sounding extremely tasty.
It looks the part, too. There are seven different designs for the Nitro Deck, with two crystal-coloured shells (in collaboration with Limited Run Games), one that looks like a SNES, and — our favourite — one that uses the GameCube controller's colour scheme. The latter two are part of the company's 'Nostalgic Collection', and while you can go more classic with black or grey, of course, but come on — GameCube-style.
In a chat with IGN host Akeem Lawanson, co-creator of the Nitro Deck Jack Guinchard said the team wanted to create a "premium" product that hones in on comfort and the "gaming experience" but also emphasises the "collectability", that feeling we have when we see controllers in other colours.
Remappable buttons and low latency really just sweeten the deal. Pre-orders for the Deck are open now over on CRKD's official website. Prices starting from $59.99 for the Deck, and $89.99 for the Deck with a carry case. The expected shipping date is 18th September, but it looks like the controller is only available in the US and Canada for now (unless you order the crystal ones from Limited Run Games).
Check out more details on this rather fetching accessory on CRKD's website or via IGN's Summer of Gaming 2023.
What are your thoughts on the Nitro Deck? Looking for a new controller alternative for your Switch controllers? Let us know in the comments.
[source ign.com]
Comments 79
Yes gyro and rumble, btw. Looks awesome!
I can see the appeal for some and it does look nice, plus it seems it will be more securely attached than the default Joy-cons. But for myself at least, playing on the go is a matter of convenience first, so controller augmentations like this seem unnecessary.
I like it. It looks not bad. It looks good. What I have understand it is a Nintendo Switch Controller.
So this turns your Switch into a Steam Deck? Will it also add four times the powers?
I still really like my hori split pad fit. Been using em for 8 months. Perfect halfway between joycons and a bigger sleeve like this IMO
This looks nice, and I may pick one up down the line, but what I REALLY want from some controller manufacturer is a controller or JoyCon alternative with a digital stick like the NEOGEO Pocket had.
There are so many controllers out there, for systems new and old, and no one ever makes one with a wonderful little clicky digital stick instead of a d-pad (or better still in the position where the analogue stick is).
My dream is a digital stick JoyCon that works wirelessly so that I can play TATE shmups with it in the FlipGrip.
I think this is pretty neat! I love how you can make controllers like this because of how the switch works!
This U shape concept seems great with adding a lot of solid feeling for intensive titles. I wonder why we haven't seen anything like that already.
It looks like a teaser of Switch 2.
@LikelySatan
Not convinced it does have gyro built in.
The website says "gyro compatible" which says to me it works when the Switch system uses its gyro rather than joy-con gyro but that isn't the case for all games.
If the backside is like steam deck than yeah this will be a very comfortable controller grip, I just wish the dpad is in the upper portion of the grip, or at least like in the left side of the left joystick, like in steam deck.
The images look like someones created it using paint!! Lack of professional images raises concerns for me.
Im sticking with my XL Hori pads and pro controller
What's new about this?
China is selling the same thing for years now, and cheaper.
The Chinese one is also from a more experienced and reputable brand, so why this is newsworthy?
(...or maybe it is a sponsored post and NL forgot to tell us, like they usually do...)
Looks great, but why now?
"US/Canada" only. What a bummer. Hope they eventually ship it worldwide in the near future...
Ordered one, it's inexpensive enough to take a chance on it. Hopefully it delivers as promised!
I'm very tempted to get this. The white looks so nice.
@abdias If something like this exists, please tell me where I can find it. I've been looking for years with no luck. I've tried multiple "ergonomic" Switch shells that are nowhere near the quality/comfort that this looks to be.
Looks generally good - but why shiny face buttons. Always hated that on controllers. Matte buttons are soooo much nicer in the hand.
The comment above about the images looking like they were made with Paint is silly.
I'll hold off on judgment until these have been fully reviewed. The promises are intriguing but in my experience, the third party controllers rarely live up to the promises they make. I'm hoping they turn out great.
Like that Gundam inspired modular case/ controller if this had been out early in the switch's lifetime i'd have been all over it. But I've already put hall sensor stick into regular joycon so I'm good.
@dkxcalibur there's something weird going on with the pictures. On the page they look fine but if you click on them you can see where they've been crudely cut out from their background (giving a MS paint vibe). Not sure what's going on there
Turns your Switch into a giant Lite. I like this idea.
Looks very nice. But I'll wait and see about its promise of no drift.
Been waiting, had gba in translucent purple and could not resist! If rumble then great, anyone figure if it has analog triggers too?
@KingdomTears Okay, I definitely see what you're talking about now. I was just looking at the pictures in this article and they looked fine.....until I clicked on them! I'm not sure if that's a Nintendolife issue or a Nitro Deck issue?
I was all over this after the presentation on IGN yesterday. Had the GameCube variant in my cart. And then it hit me.... No one is saying anything about gyro and rumble. These are the reasons I use my Binbok pads over the Hori variant, or more regularly, just my Satisfye ProGrip. Scoured the internet and could not find any confirmation. Gonna have to wait and see.
Looks very heavy and uncomfortable. Nah, I'll skip. Also US only and no Amiibo support.
@WhiteTrashGuy It has been confirmed that this has both gyro and rumble.
@sketchturner
I scoured their website, watched the videos. Can you provide a link to somewhere that discusses this?
@Patendo @KingdomTears @dkxcalibur The pictures look good on the product website. I think there is just some strange artifacting going on when Nintendolife posted the pics.
@WhiteTrashGuy In the comments of the trailer, there are multiple people asking about presence of gyro and rumble, with the manufacturer responding to confirm.
In addition, every product page on their website lists the features, including:
•Gyro Compatible
•Rumble Support
https://crkd.gg/products/nitro-deck-white-edition
Great idea, I'll consider getting it if it ever becomes available in Italy (or similar products from other companies that ship it here)!
I prefer this concept to those split pads that make the switch massive.
@abdias
A link would be helpful. I never heard of one like this before.
I'm interested in seeing what you are talking about.
Thanks in advance.
@sketchturner If you don't mind using the Switch in handheld mode, this makes it more comfortable.
https://www.satisfye.com
This would be perfect... 2 or 3 years ago. Seeing as how the next system is just around the corner, I won't be picking this up.
@B_Lindz the next system has also been just around the corner for the last three years.
@SBandy1 that's unfortunate. I am getting it either way, cause I'm a weirdo.
@Res462 Yeah I bought one of those and returned it. It's so awkward since you're still using the joycons mixed with this attachment, plus it is ugly and not all that ergonomic. The Nitro Deck is a fully integrated controller.
@LikelySatan
Oh apart from that it looks great! If it comes to UK I'll get one myself.
I think this item looks pretty cool, but I don't think I want to spend any extra money on my Nintendo Switch since I am happy using the default Joy-Cons and a nice grip.
Tempting for the color schemes at that price point given that it's basically another set of joycons for those of us who play undocked. I also find my Switch more comfortable to hold than my Steam Deck so I hope this doesn't bulk the device up too much (although I usually get used to playing on my Deck pretty quickly, just takes a few minutes to get used to it each time).
This thing looks great but I still feel like it's being released about one year too late. I wonder if this was like a delayed Kickstarter or something because when everyone was complaining about and drift issues years back this should have been released.
@sketchturner
I did not see that. I will check again! Thanks for the link!
IDK if anyone mentioned this already, but it's absent from the article: this controller also acts as a dock (it would appear), as there are TWO USB-C ports on the back, and one is marked, 'Output'.
@Res462
I use this with one of the Hori D-Pad joy-cons and it's perfect. Still have rumble from the other Right con as well as gyro. It's my preferred way to play handheld since 2018.
this looks very slick... I might actually get one of these...
Just wished this had a built in battery for extended play time as well since its a big grip it looks like they had the room.
Cool idea, if I actually had a Switch, it'd be pretty nice.
@Batmyke - I don't think it works as a dock; the product page says:
So I think it is just for charging, not actually a functional dock. (Although it would be really nice if it was ... I think the cost would be higher though.)
@abdias this isn't Chinese garbage for starters....
@UsualNoise To me, that doesn't jive with the presence of two separate usb-c ports, one marked 'INPUT' and the other 'OUTPUT'. I think I'll check with the manufacturer to be sure...
What I find funny is that this Nitro Deck actually looks like that Gamevice thing that Nintendo had a lawsuit over.
Damn that's sexy. I doubt I'll get it, but ya never know.
I'm satisfied with what I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CDKDYXY
It's actually for adult hands.
Pre-ordered. Just standard grey. If it works out I will check out the other ones. I love the Hori split pad, but hey...could always use an alternate. I really want the limited run transparent blue, but I know how long LRG can take to ship. Hope it's as cool as it looks!
@Coalescence That's true but what's the next big system seller from Nintendo? They're either keeping a tight lid on things, or it's Pikmin 4 and then tumbleweeds and crickets. Maybe if you have a big backlog for Switch. this makes perfect sense, but it does feel more like the current Switch is almost EOL. Guess we'll see, it certainly would have seemed more useful even a year ago, at least to me.
THIS THING IS CHONKIER THAN MY FRENCH BULLDOG
I’m interested if it supports gyro and amiibo. Although I rarely play portably anyways so it would probably be a waste.
-something original about Nintendon't-
@bonjong23 has gyro but does not support amiibo.
Was interested in it, but saw this on their website:
"BUY. TAP. COLLECT. Each of our core products connects to our 'True Collection System'. A Mobile app where Digital Proof of Physical Ownership is established. Here you find out the product number recieved & the rarity rank associated with the product to register it to your own secure CRKD collection."
It is seriously putting me off. I just want a good controller for using the switch handheld, not this nonsense.
People still get drift? I haven’t had it since I replaced my launch OG greys.
@GX_64 the app is lame, yes, but it’s not required to use. Just ignore it and enjoy the controller.
It seems that Embracer Group are ultimately the money men supporting this venture, so not a complete unknown....
@Serpenterror
Yes, it also adds 1 hour battery life instead of 4.
@Coalescence Well, this isn't the rat race where people run in square circles believing freedom will be around the next corner their entire lives, if only they work harder, earn more, buy more, need more, and work harder again, as perfect slaves. Next Nintendo system has to be around a nearby corner. But I'm not claiming to KNOW anything about it, I'll enjoy my Switch until it has no more fun to offer first.
@Falien I have never experieced or heard of anyone experiencing problems with the joycons coming lose if properly attached.
@FallenAngelII Me neither - and I have played in portable mode a fair share. However, I can certainly feel them wiggling a bit, which shouldn’t happen with this solution.
Definitely want one. Hori split pads are brilliant, but still have a little bit of flex due to the connection. This looks perfect.
Does it work with the bigger Switch XL?
I mean OLED Switch.
OR just for regular sized Switch?
It looks interesting but with my big hands and long fingers, i would still like something even bigger to grab on to.
But for 60 dollars i guess i might consider buying it. If it was 30 or 40 dollars i would not think so much, then i would just buy it i guess. If it works for OLED Switch / Switch XL.
@Batmyke The "output" port is for using the deck as a wired controller and not as a dock.
Ah. Well, one can dream...
No shipping outside of NA? Go f*** yourselves.
Looking good so far, though unlike the Hori Split Pad it doesn't let you dock while attached.
@Spanky84 nope, they don't. Did I say they did? I'm unsure of your point?
@Kulhy look up dobe switch controller, they have one similar to this
Looks like an upgrade from this controller http://www.dobe-game.com/en/productshow-61-600.html
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