CRKD's New Wireless Switch Controller Comes In A Stunning Famicom Design

Gonna pass on that they look great but that is going to hurt my hand. That seems like the same size and shape as the Retroid P2s and that constantly jabs at my palm.

I'm sure smaller/larger hands should have that problem, it's seems like it's a "sweet spot" issue.

I quite like some of the graphics on them, but they look about as ergonomic as a breadbin. Can't see them being very comfortable to hold for 5 minutes, let alone a lengthy session.

A Switch controller as ergonomically designed as the original Famicom controller.

And they thought that was a good idea?

I like the green one. Fits well when playing as Luigi, which I do when given the choice.

The clear ones are fun, the rest are… less appealing to me. Even the retro one. Plus as others have said, I question the ergonomics of that shape.

Honestly the whole app to see how rare your edition is feels more a red flag to me. Like the main focus here is less a quality product and more another ‘collectable’ to shill to gamers. I hope I’m wrong but that’s just how that reads to me.

I do want clear plastic controllers to make a comeback though!

The dpad on the Nitro Deck is the best I've used on the Switch. I have way too many controllers though.

@abe_hikura

Everyone has that problem with the joycon.

@sanderev exactly, that is a design from the 8-bit era. Once Sega ushered in the 16 bit era, ergonomics defined new controller designs. Even the original Nintendo controller saw the bone redesign.

I'll most likely pass on this. I'm not sure I'm investing in another Switch controller. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope my third pair of joycons last me until the next Nintendo system; and I have my pro controller and 8bitdo 6 button.

If I were buying one, I think the junkyard one is cool. Second choices would be the clear.

@LikelySatan In their review of the Nitro Deck, this site marked the right stick as a major flaw. What's your experience?

@Qwiff I only ever use a different controller when I am docked. It's nearly perfect for me. I am a giant though.

I've gotta say, those are some very nice looking controllers, the analog triggers and back buttons, plus interchangeable colored thumbsticks make these very appealing as emulation devices.

@PersianZSR I'm sure it's a relative hand size thing but I have never had an issue with the Joycons

@LikelySatan , @XiaoShao Thanks for the feedback! While I'm not a giant, for my hands, the Joy-Cons are too small and uncomfortable for longer play sessions, so the Nitro Deck might be a good replacement candidate. I'll give it some thought.

@Qwiff the Nitro Deck feels a little flimsy until you snap the Switch into it, just fyi. I hope to hear about your experience if you pick one up.

I wonder how comfortable they are... I love my sn30 pro too much but there's room for improvement

@abe_hikura dang I've been wanting one of those haha

@sanderev, @abe_hikura the back of the controller isn’t just flat; it curves to fit into the palm of your hand (similar to the hori split pad compact or AYN Odin 2 if you are familiar with either of those)

To everyone commenting on ergonomics, I’d encourage you to check out the CRKD website as it shows the backs of these controllers.

Not that it’ll be as comfy as a regular/pro controller, but it’s a big step up from just a rectangle.😂

Perhaps the author of this article might consider adding some of the photos of the back of this controller to the article so readers are more informed?

Why is the dpad way over there and unusable on something shaped and colored like a retro pad? No one is going to play analog stick games with these.

If only they made the Nitro Deck control layout like these.

I hope they aren't expecting too many people to buy these, because these look uncomfortable... If they were going to make a wireless controller, maybe they should have followed the pro controller's ergonomic design more closely, while still retaining the programmable back buttons, turbo mode, and hall effects from the Nitro Deck

@Danondorf Okay, there aren't any real sharp edges. But there is also no real grip for your hands. And it's not like the Switch itself that it would fit in two hands if you look at the video on top.
Except maybe for a child.

This is why most controllers have grips on the side.

No, I don't see any reason to buy these controllers. Except from them looking "cool". Which, for a controller, is not the primary reason to buy them. I'd rather buy a €10 controller from Aliexpress.

@LikelySatan After giving it some thought, I went for the Split Pad Pro. Getting them delivered today. Hope to play some Quake 2 this weekend.

@Qwiff Nice. I enjoyed those for a while. The left pad's connecting rail began to crack so I couldn't get a decent connection. They also do not have gyro. But I liked em well enough. And Quake 2 will feel good with anything.

@abe_hikura
Then it is most likely you have small hands like me. Though holding one joycon is a pain.

@sanderev to each their own- I do own the split pad compacts & have played on AYN Odin devices and find them almostas comfy as a pro controller.

I think you’re right that there’s really no reason to buy these over something like an 8bitdo pro if ergonomics are the sole consideration someone has when buying a controller. But as someone who owns similar products, I can speculate based on what I’ve seen from the ergonomic back of the NEO S that comfort isn’t going to be nearly as much of a sacrifice as some other commenters have been making it out to be. So for someone who thinks style is important in a controller, they’ll be sacrificing ~some~ ergonomics but it could still be quite comfy; it’s not like they’re going to be playing with a brick.

Obviously we won’t know for sure how comfy these are until people/reviewers have them in their hands so I’m not going to die on this hill. As someone who loves retro games and products that pay homage to them, I feel frustrated that the author misrepresented this product by not including pictures of the controller from all angles, and that this product is being written off very quickly by other commenters who missing critical info about the product’s design.

It seems like it should have a screen, maybe because it reminds me of Retroid's handhelds.

8bitdo's offerings still beat these, hands down.