CRKD Nitro Deck review: a hefty, feature-filled Switch accessory

At $79.99 per set, Nintendo’s Joy-Cons for the Switch aren’t cheap to replace. You may have been forced to buy more Joy-Cons because the analog sticks aren’t working properly. The Nitro Deck is a device by CRKD. It’s a hardware division of Embracer Group.

Consider the Nitro Deck, which costs $59.99, as a kind of exoskeleton, adding some nice features to the Switch. Nitro Deck’s Hall-effect analog sticks are the most notable feature. They have a long-lasting design and they’re also larger than the Joy-Cons. This is because the analog sticks come in a hard plastic casing that allows for a more comfortable grip and usage. It also has a strong kickstand.

Cameron Faulkner/Polygon

For some, those traits alone may make the Nitro Deck worth it, but it has even more features and few compromises (sorry to amiibo fans, though — it lacks an NFC touchpoint). It offers every button found on the Joy-Cons, plus some extras, including four configurable back paddles à la Valve’s Steam Deck (these can be disabled, if you’d prefer a simpler experience). The Nitro Deck has a Turbo button for each of its buttons, which lets you press a button quickly to speed up games. If you enjoy using motion control in games that use gyro aim, the Nitro Deck supports both rumble and Motion Control. Tears of the Kingdom: The Legend of ZeldaThe following are some examples of how to use Fortnite.

The Nitro Deck doesn’t contain a battery, so it can’t extend the life of your Switch. That said, I didn’t notice this accessory draining my Switch’s battery any faster than usual. Despite snugly fastening into the Switch’s USB-C port, the Nitro Deck doesn’t get in the way of charging, either, since it has a USB-C input on its back — two, actually. This gadget can be used as a wireless controller if you dock your Switch console to the TV. I don’t see myself ever picking the Nitro Deck over the wireless Switch Pro controller for this particular use case, but it’s nice that it serves some purpose when it’s not cradling a Switch.

Cameron Faulkner/Polygon

Something you give up with the Nitro Deck is the Switch’s portability. For most people who own a Switch and some other handheld, like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, the Switch’s smaller size and comparably large game library makes it the one most likely to be brought along on vacations. Nitro Deck makes the Switch as thick and heavy as its more expensive competitors.

The model pictured throughout this post is a limited-edition version of the Nitro Deck that, beyond its GameCube-esque color scheme, includes a hard zip-up case, two pop-on thumbstick replacements, and a USB-C to USB-A cable to plug it into your Switch’s dock. Those extras add up to $89.99, but if those additions don’t mean much to you, I suggest opting for the simpler (yet still pretty fetching) color schemes that cost $59.99.

Cameron Faulkner/Polygon

Hori’s Split Pad Compact, for example, is an excellent option to make your Switch more ergonomic. But if you want more comfort, plus rumble, motion controls, and vastly better analog sticks, there actually aren’t many options for you outside of the Nitro Deck. It’s both a great, relatively affordable alternative to replacing your Joy-Cons, and a fun-looking, if chunky, Switch accessory that doesn’t skimp on must-have features.

Nitro Decks are now in stock. Crkd provided the accessory. Vox Media partners with affiliates. Vox Media earns commissions from affiliate products, although this doesn’t influence the editorial content. This is where you can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.