Pleasure-Cons are the Swap’s weakest characteristic. The 2 itty-bitty controllers have prompted a plethora of points for gamers — and Nintendo itself — because the Swap first got here out in 2017, tarnishing the sheen of an in any other case implausible hybrid console. Stick drift was the primary drawback and it turned such a widespread phenomenon that Nintendo confronted a class-action lawsuit over it, and the corporate remains to be providing free repairs for all busted Pleasure-Cons, even outdoors of guarantee phrases.
The left Pleasure-Con on my Swap went wonky a few 12 months in the past, however I additionally had a Swap Lite and some Bluetooth controllers, so I by no means bothered to get it fastened. And now, I by no means should. The Nitro Deck is a handheld body for the Swap display screen, full with Corridor impact thumbsticks and extremely clicky buttons. It’s so, so a lot better than the usual Pleasure-Con setup.
The Nitro Deck comes from CRKD, a brand new firm based at Embracer Group’s Freemode incubator lab. The Nitro Deck is a straightforward concept executed effectively: Slide your Swap display screen into the body and it acts as a self-contained, beefed-up gamepad. It feels just like the offspring of a Swap Lite and a Steam Deck, and it comes in black, grey and white as default colorways. Restricted version kinds embody mint, GameCube purple and SNES-y grey. (The most well liked variations come from a collaboration with Limited Run, however these clear lovelies are bought out).
CRKD
The Nitro Deck features a stand for Bluetooth play, however it actually shines as a handheld. The D-pad is responsive and face buttons are crisp. They’ve a satisfying weight and pop again up shortly after every press. The shoulder buttons are clicky, the triggers are buttery-smooth, and although I haven’t truly discovered a use for the 4 back-panel buttons, I’m proud of their positioning and the best way they really feel.
The analog sticks are the star, although, just because they’re such an improve from the usual Pleasure-Con expertise. Corridor impact joysticks imply there’s no likelihood of drift they usually supply a large, precisely tracked vary of movement. The Nitro Deck carry case equipment contains two spare sticks with totally different textures, and it’s extremely easy to pop one out and exchange it with a brand new one.
As evidenced in my Steam Deck evaluation, my arms are on the smaller facet, and the Nitro Deck suits simply wonderful in my palms. I’ve a contact of hysteria over the space between the correct thumbstick and the face buttons immediately above it, however it hasn’t truly affected my potential to play any video games. Tiny Arms Gang, I believe this one’s OK.
CRKD
Probably the most jarring side of the Nitro Deck is its rumble perform. The rumble on this factor isn’t significantly highly effective by way of bodily suggestions, however it’s actually loud. This was particularly noticeable whereas enjoying Mario Kart 8, which prompts rumble with each drift, crash and off-track tire contact, generally for seconds at a time. The noise generated is obscene. It feels like a ghost with a chilly groan-screaming into your arms, and it doesn’t supply any subtlety. That mentioned, it’s simple sufficient to show off the rumble utterly. That’s what I did, and I didn’t miss it.
Hades is the sport I’ve spent probably the most time with on Swap and Swap Lite, and enjoying it on Nitro Deck was a refreshing expertise. The Nitro Deck helps a bigger display screen than the Swap Lite and its inputs are a lot better than the basic Swap, making the sport feel and look like one thing new. I’ve been enjoying with a conventional Swap display screen, however the Nitro Deck additionally helps the OLED mannequin.
Whereas I’ve been laying aside getting my bizarre Pleasure-Con fastened totally free, this machine is likely to be the ultimate push I want to truly drop some money on an OLED Swap. With clearer visuals, a barely greater display screen and up to date controls through Nitro Deck, the entire bundle would really feel like a brand-new, end-of-cycle refresh.
CRKD
The Nitro Deck prices $60 on its lonesome, or $90 with the carry case. The case itself is price the additional $30, for my part: It’s sturdy and thick, and it comes with two swappable thumbsticks, a display screen wipe and an eight-foot USB-C charging cable. Nitro Deck pre-orders positioned earlier than September 18 are at present transport, and any items bought any further needs to be despatched out this week or subsequent (extra detailed data will be discovered here).
The Nitro Deck improves the Swap in methods I didn’t know I wished. In truth, I’ll by no means join the Pleasure-Cons to my Swap once more. That is merely my Swap’s ultimate kind: bulbous, purple, loud and, greater than something, satisfying to play.