It looks like they just wanted to recreate the Joy Cons in a bigger shell with the buttons and sticks being all in line; but with them being bigger, it causes issues like that. I lean more towards the Satisfye grip more because the handle on the right side is offset and makes them more comfortable.

I just got mines yesterday and the right stick placement had me worried. But by the end of the day I got used to it. Definitely worth the buy.

I had my doubts about the right stick placement as well but i was pleasantly surprised to find that i do not find it uncomfortable. I actually am quite happy with how comfy it is. As a matter of fact it is one of my favorite grips now up there with the satisfye grips. Everybody has different hand sizes and proportions so i knew this was gonna be mixed in recepetion.

I received this today and….boy do I wish there was a refund policy. Sadly, I saw this video AFTER mine shipped. The right stick is ridiculously placed. And one thing that was not mentioned was the vibration (the rumbles). So I love animal crossing. I can legitimately not play animal crossing with this thing. Whenever I fish, I feel like I’m being electrocuted each time a fish nibbles on my line. So I thought “maybe I’ll lower the intensity”. You can’t. It’s either on or off. And I certainly can’t fish with it off. So…maybe nobody else has an issue with it…but its intensity is OVER-THE-TOP. I still feel tingling in my fingers from it. 😂 It was not a good purchase for me unfortunately.

There’s actually not a screw behind the kickstand hinge as Alex stated, just a very VERY stubborn clip. It’s pretty difficult to pry apart without risk of breaking your deck.

I received my Nitro Deck a few days ago and everything about the controller experience has been tremendously smooth and enjoyable. Now, because I only play a handful of FPS games, I decided to test out a few (including Quake) after Alex stated his case and, sure enough I had no issues or uncomfortableness at ALL. In fact, they sort of feel (dare I say) intuitively placed?? 😱 I guess everyone’s different and I already know I’m an oddball anyway too.. So sorry Alex! You’re still the best and your charm and wit are easily the reasons I’m subscribed to the channel! Cheers.

I preordered a Limited Run glacier version of the deck, and while I’m generally happy with it, I do have a big issue with the placement of the dpad and right stick like you said. I feel like this thing should have had offset controls or at least have the side of the Nitro Deck have an angle like the Satisfye grip to help make it more comfortable.

I got mine on Tuesday and I have to say I really like it. I do not find the right stick uncomfortable at all, and I have been playing a lot of Smash on it with no problems playing with that placement. I will say if they make a second generation of this for the current Switch or "new" Switch, then I wouldn't mind them changing the stick placement.

I still think Steam Deck has the best layout. Having everything at the top just works, and is the most comfortable handheld layout I've ever used.

The right stick placement wasn't a problem for me. Its better than the joy cons. I adepted very quickly to it and I actually changed my play style to mainly use the back buttons since you can program them to any button.

Great review, the Nitro Deck seems to have some niche use cases compared to what we already have available. I think I'll stick to my Hori Splits for a while longer.

Honestly love it, most comfortable grip I’ve had so far. The right stick is a little awkward to use but after playing for a few hours you kind of adjust to it

I'm actually really glad that you talked about the right stick placement. I'd been thinking about picking up some sort of alternative controller for handheld, and I had been between this and the Fixture, which would just let me use my existing pro controller. Definitely going to go with that now because an uncomfortable right stick is a dealbreaker

As someone who uses the thumb tip for ABXY and the thumb joint on the stick on this setup, the placement doesn't cause any issues for me. If anything, it can be a neat means of accomplishing plenty of input w/o significantly repositioning the thumb. If that sounds like you, then absolutely get this.

I'm really enjoying mine so far took a little getting used to but borderlands plays soo much better now. Definitely recommend using the program able button for your right thumb click. Makes running is games so much more smooth an experience

I've personally not had any issues with the placement of the right pad, but as he mentioned in the video, it most likely becomes noticable with games that use it a lot. I have big hands, so that might also be a reason, but he also seems to have big hands. I hope CRKD sees this video and makes adjustments, like maybe 2 different models that have their current button placements, and one that has the original

I got one and I don't have the same issue with the right stick. Maybe I just got used to the joycons but when I've tried using other alternatives with offset sticks, I felt it made the unit feel too wide and thus felt weird. For me at least, I'm fine with the ND's form factor, but I can totally see how it could be an issue for others.

As I’m based in Europe my only option was to pre-order the Limited Run Games limited edition because the Nitrodeck initially only was for the US. Except for the 2 limited editions which you could pre-order at LRG. So I did and it arrived this week. The right stick didn’t bother me that much to be honest. For me it was the thickniss of the thing when holding it when playing. Also the hard plastic does give it kind of a slippery grip. It also bothered me a bit that the light of the CRKD-button went on when powered off, that it’s a bit hard to get the device out of the included hardshell case. And the way you turn the Switch on. I am so used to using the home-button to do this. But you can only power it on with the powerbutton on top. Which is slightly uncomfortabel. So I’m gonna sell mine.

Yeah that stick is a pretty big problem. I find if I naturally move my thumb down to it it ends up with the stick being under the middle of my thumb which isn’t ideal. I also find for a game like Mario Kart if you quickly release the right shoulder buttons then press them again (to change drift direction) sometimes it doesn’t register because you don’t lift your finger all the way off it, which causes you to crash into walls.

Been using mine for a few days, I’m really enjoying it. The vibration is my main gripe with it so far

I only have two questions which are not addressed in many reviews: 1)Does it scratch the switch when putting it on and off often? 2) How does it affect battery life?

I feel like an excellent fix for this problem would be a Wii U esque control stick layout, I still stand by the fact that it is the most comfortable controller I've held

Just picked it up and im cramping my hand to fit a good grip to play metroid prime. A bit bummed but i only spent $50 on it

I am really digging mine! I don't have a problem with the right stick - I've been playing the Persona games, constantly using both sticks, and have no issues. I wonder if it's just that different hands have different problems with control placement...?

Why can’t we just call the OG switch the…NOLED 🥸

Overall enjoying my nitro deck, right stick does take some adjustments, but useable after like 5 hours

Can they not make a version like the Wii U gamepad? (Both sticks at the top.)

i got mine the other day and it genuinely made me want to play the switch more away from the TV, my switch has been stuck in the dock for the last 5 years almost entirely because of how fragile and wobbly the joycon felt playing in hand held mode, theyre not awful but they just never felt sturdy, whilst the right stick did tick me off a bit, i found that in 75% of games i dont notice and the ones i do, i end up repositioning my hand without thinking and end up holding it comfortably enough. also playing with it as a standalone controller is pretty cool, i loved the wii u gamepad, one of the comfiest controllers ever in my opinion, and its awsome to have something that feels like that

The right stick is a bit odd but the pros outweigh the cons, making the Nitro Deck a great extension of my switch.

I swear after I started using this controller I just couldn’t it made me realize how bad I treated my joycons my joycons feel bad but at least the control placements are complete poop

I have the same “issue” with the positioning of the right thumb stick. I get serious hand cramps within half an hour while playing with the Nitro Deck. Never had this issue with the Hori Split Pads, those have a more “traditional” layout. I somewhat remedied the issue with the Nitro Deck by remapping the face buttons to the back paddles, so i don’t need to take my thumb of the stick anymore during play sessions. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I can now play for more than half an hour, and it doesn’t get uncomfortable any more. I still like my Nitro Deck, its feels robust, responsive, the buttons are nice and “clicky” and I like how it looks. I just needed to tweak it a little to make it playable for me, which is a shame.

Buddy what size hands do you have in your country because I can easily get any button easily and you also have back paddles to get those buttons to far away from your tiny hands lol 😅

hi! may i ask how long did the switch last using the nitrodeck? this gets power directly to the swotch right so i’d like to know how much it consumes

Well, it's not an issue for me. I generally don't play fast-paced games or games that feature heavy/near-constant use of the right joystick in handheld mode for fear of Joy-Con controller drift. I generally reserve such games for TV mode. Of course, I am aware that the Nitro Deck is supposed to eliminate controller drift. But even with that, I still prefer playing the more fast-paced games in TV mode. The way I see it, this is perfect for games like Pokémon or other games with simple controls like the various dating sims available on the Switch.

Sucks the output port can’t trick the switch into running in docked mode while in handheld.

If they make a revision for the Switch 2, either keep the right stick where it is but make the grips wider OR as said in the video make the slightly to the left. As it is now it's fine for games like 3d adventure games like Zelda, Odyssey, or Pokemon where the right stick is meant as a camera readjustment for like half a second but when I tried this with a game like Metroid Prime Remastered which the stick is in use non stop, it's a hassle. I will say though between this, AKNES joycon hall stick, and the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller, these sticks are the smoothest to move them. It's like the sticks have WD40 and don't even have a 1% feeling that there is a dry spot when moving the stick.

I think the CRKD light coming on while the device is off is normal for Switch. I have two joycons with LEDs on the sides and every once in a while they will start to glow for a few moments and turn off on their own.

Since I bought my Hori split pad compact, I never looked back. It's such a perfect product with the perfect size for my hands. And I can dock with it or see the art on the back of the Switch.

Thank you for this. As sleek and cool as the Nitro Deck looks, my main concern was its comfort. I've been using the Satisfye Grip and it has transformed my experience with my Switch. It is an excellent accessory that addresses the ergonomic issues of the Switch. I can't see myself reverting back to an uncomfortable grip position when playing handheld. I'll have to pass on the Nitro Deck.

I love how you point the problem clearly out and tell us how important it is. Compared to IGN who give a 9 and complain more about getting the switch out of the controller then the right Stick itself :) Good job. But its a shame, cause it looks incredibly good and gives me the urge to play my switch xD

Ahhh that right stick is so dissapointing. This was looking amazing before that. It hurts my thumbs to click down on the analog sticks, so having a portalable way to play with back-buttons and regular-sized sticks would have been a godsend otherwise!

it's irritating to me that no third party has perfected the switch controller - Every single one compromises something. NFC is missing from pretty much all of them, none of them have as good rumble as the pro or joycon. What's truly baffling to me is that Nintendo haven't released other versions of the joycon with other layouts... A smash layout joycon or an N64 layout joycon would make much more sense than their classic Snes Nes and N64 controllers.

Sounds like this just locks in the design of the Satisfye grip. I know there's ALL kinds of options for adding comfort to the Switch in Handheld mode, but after starting with the Kickstarter Satisfye grip, and subsequent newer models, I've never had to consider any others

1. You seriously docked the NitroDeck because you can't figure out how to open it? 2. Preferring joycon for FPSes is odd as the stick is almost in the exact same place as the NitroDeck. 3. The LED "issue" is because the Switch keeps pooling/checking if the USB-C controller is still connected.

Having an issue where the joysticks don't respond, all other buttons work. Crkd button blinks purple 6 times

I wish the Wii u gamepad layout stuck around. Sticks up top with dpad/buttons below was prime.

I find the placement of the D-pad more problematic. I put an extra tall thumb stick cover on the right stick, which allows me to hold the right stick under my thumb knuckle comfortably, but the D-pad is practically unusable. There is no good handheld solution for D-pad games that I know of. I hope the next switch is more focused on allowing us to switch control variations. The switch’s OLED screen and game library are fantastic, the switch’s controls are a headache.

I learned that after a while as well. I don't like how close the buttons and sticks are on the Switch. I have big hands and that makes it a little awkward. When you try a few joycon alternatives you find out quickly why Nintendo put the sticks and buttons where they did. It is where they need to be.

Needs some sorta battery or battery bank, for long extended play sessions, especially since that enhances the Nintendo Switch's "short" battery life. I miss the GBA, GBA SP, and DS Lite era battery life... just chilling listening to game soundtracks.

Major issue... ergonomics? Haha, I called it. Some great handhelds with superior ergonomics are Steam Deck, Loki, and G Cloud

I think the right thumb stick is placed like that for the sensor, last I knew (been 10 years since opening a controller) but they were significantly larger then the contact one. I'm waiting on the plus to come out

I have this and didn't like it. It was too heavy, it takes 3 times longer to charge, you have to unsheathed it to get access to your game cart. The sticks are nice actually, and the mould is OK for comfort, but I just picked up the nyxi Hyperion pro and it is superior in every single aspect to this

You can turn off the home button light by tapping the program button at the back.

We’ve been playing with this alignment on the Joy Cons and Switch Lite for years! This is a more comfortable way of gaming with ergonomic comfort included for lengthy gaming sessions. Best option for handheld gaming!

If only Nintendo made a full-featured split-pad based of the pro controller. The only 'split-pad' option I still continue to use now is the mobapad m6.

Output for external controller isn't that weird, it's a pretty great idea for those who might want to travel with their decked switch without having to bring additional controllers, perhaps an unplanned smash tournament on the TV at your friends house would require an additional controller not otherwise available? It's a great and appropriate idea.

This was the first thing I noticed but it's really not an issue and I love it, will not be using my joycons anymore

i'd love to have something similar to this, but as someone who experiences genuine discomfort with right stick heavy games on joycons, i'm pretty worried about it. i'd love to hear about alternatives! (or even if others find the right stick here better than on joycons)

My Nitro Deck feels amazing and I've used it for hours. Saying the stick placement is "unusable" is at best hyperbolic and at worst a flat out lie.

Honestly I have the same problem with the normal Switch tho. A poorly placed thumbstick and my hands are just too wide to use it comfortably. So I'd rather have a solution that improves at least everything else I have a complaint about with the Switch and have the right stick issue. That being said, I haven't received mine yet and I'm honestly looking forward to it. A bummer that everyone is saying the stick is uncomfy. Hope it works out.

The output can be use as a controller for pc games so thats great

I don’t play a lot of games that require right stick input, but I am a d-pad centric gamer. Unfortunately the d-pad placement, just flat out stopped me from wanting to purchase this one.

I hate they went with that stick placement. It’s the worse. I actually wish they made something with the steam Deck layout

Most honest opinion I’ve found. I hated it. It was uncomfortable, bulky and ugly. Mine went on eBay because CRKD decided not to offer returns and UK retailer decided to take it on after the pre orders. Pretty good way to keep all the profits but will probably end up causing them to have many unhappy customers

Not sure what's wrong with mine....it's barely worked since I bought it, mainly the switch won't detect it even after all the troubleshooting

I wonder if you have something on your Switch that is activating the home button light (Yes, Nintendo's controllers have a light around the home button), and you're only noticing it now because of this dock?

I don’t see the point or the hype around this. It looks no more comfortable than joycons. Hall effect sticks are definitely the future and I hope Nintendo uses them in their next system, but besides that and back buttons, it’s just a less versatile set of joycons fused together. The hori split pads already have back buttons and are cheaper, more ergonomic and have been around forever. As far as Hall effect thumbsticks, you can easily install them into your ioycon for like 20 dollars. The retroflag also has basically the same exact set of features as crkd for less money, has Hall effect thumbsticks and the build quality is basically identical from everything I’ve read.

I really like my purple Nitro Deck. Placement of the right stick prevents me from playing Splatoon 3 with it unfortunately. So no Side order on the train for me next year. Any game without heavy use of the right stick is great with it though.

I feel like the back paddles would be extremely useful for Xenoblade Chronicles - Definitive Edition, which I just finished yesterday, so I don't need them right now lol But one of my complaints with that game was that anytime I wanted to lock onto an enemy and choose to engage before sneaking up behind it and doing a Back Slash, I had to walk forward with the left stick and select my Arts with the D-pad... So yeah, those paddles could make it easier to select arts while moving. It's just a shame that Xenoblade is also a game where you want to constantly move the camera, so if I hadn't already beaten Xenoblade, I would probably wait for a redesign on this deck.

As an owner of the Nitro Deck, I just want to warn all those interested that the stick/d-pad position makes this thing incredibly uncomfortable to use causing hand cramping. I have between average and large sized hands and I've had to reluctantly replace this for the Hori Split Pad Pro which is far more comfortable to use and because it doesn't have things like RGB lighting, rumble, motion sensors etc it's light... Which when it comes to portable gaming lighting = more gaming. I'm so disappointed in the the Nitro Deck and never again will I pre-order anything again...

Word of Warning: The rumble on this grip is amped up considerably. If that's a dealbreaker for you, I understand, but if that sounds appealing, this is the grip for you. You'll want to get a sense of what games you want rumble on or off for when playing w/ the Nitro Deck.

Note that every review is individual perspective, not law. I've been playing Dragons Dogma on it and I love it (back buttons). Ejecting the switch is troublesome because it doesnt pop out. The NOLED DOES fit.... I can and have used for both. Its not perfect, needs work and if a v2 came out i may indulge.

Thank you for pointing out the right stick issue, that's definitely a dealbreaker for me. Saved myself a disappointment and some money!

as someone who loves the haptic feedback of the joycons & dualsense, The biggest problem with this controller is the awful vibration. I think you can adjust it after a firmware update, but the stock setting is terrible. it's honestly not better than a pair of joycons

I agree with the right stick location but I would expect the d pad to suffer from the same issue?

Yup. That one stick position issue is the one thing that kept me from purchasing this product and I havent heard many reviewers mention this problem at all. I heard one brief mention of it and judging by looks, i knew it would be uncomfortable to use that stick. Thanks for reaffirming!

FYI there’s an ongoing issue with the Nitrodeck having connection issues with OLED model Switches. CRKD will blame your Switch’s USB C port. Tested with 2 decks and 2 Switches, an OG (old and beat up) and an OLED (brand new Tears of the Kingdom version) and go connectivity issues in the OLED with both decks.

I've been looking forward to grabbing this for my Switch since my current protective grip makes it really awkward to access the game slot & those mappable buttons would be great for adding the joystick buttons to. That stick placement is a bad design choice, why couldn't they just keep them were they are on the Joycons in relation to the buttons?

Love the look of the Nitro Deck, but all the criticism about the right stick stopped me from purchasing. It definitely could've been moved up and to the left.

I had this preordered, but this review convinced me to hold off - that awkward right stick placement is a deal-breaker, especially for the price!

I don't get why the right-stick is below the buttons on Switch. Having it above the buttons--Wii U style--would be far more comfortable, IMO.

I haven't dabbled into third party alternatives for Switch controllers much, as they all lack the features found in the official ones, even if the real deal alternatives have their problems too. I mean, there is so many options out there that I don't even know what are supposed to be the good ones or even the best ones. Though it is a shame there is none that can make up for the lack of analogue triggers outside the Gamecube controller, which you can't play in handheld mode, and that's a problem for me as I often play in handheld mode!

Great review. Almost bought this, great that you mentioned about the stick location, because no one else had. Will skip this product.

Now thay you pointed out the right thumb stick.... Now it's uncomfortable.. 😭 thanks buddy 🤟 love your work.

I just love how the purple one makes it look like a giant GBA from the front

I have no issues playing on Joycons and even play on the switch lite without any issues. So the nitro deck feels pretty comfy to me. Basically the same as the Joycons but more secure and with full sized sticks

Agree with you about the right stick placement and also the D-pad is uncomfortable to use as well. Playing Mario Wonder with this is a nightmare.

I have to RMA mine for an L button issue but overall don’t hate the placements. I have somewhat large hands but nothing crazy. Order atomic purple which looks pretty, hopefully they can fix my issue

Your bang on, The right stick position is a nightmare, other than that I can live with it's other shortfalls. I've already gone back to my £14.99 grip for right thump comfort, like you I can't recommend it either.

I can see the right stick thing a little bit.. but I do not like offset sticks anyway. I actually use the back buttons tho and find that it helps not having to reach for the buttons on the face.

I can’t get the back buttons to deactivate… and it makes me hate it because of that… I’ve thrown my sword a bunch of times in TOTK due to this. I’m about to just throw it away. That’s how fed up I am with the back buttons

How do i turn off mapping buttons? I always accidentally press it and makes me do random moves

One solution that I think would work is making the kickstand extendable or something, that way we can get more suitable viewing angles... The problem with the home button lighting up after putting the switch in sleep mode is kind of annoying, but I found that hitting the program button once after putting the switch in sleep mode stops it from turning on. You've gotta do it every time though...

There will never be a perfect Nintendo Switch.

Does it come with a cord to plug it in as a wired controller? If not, how much would that run? Im assuming like $10?

Using the GameCube colors for the buttons without using the GameCube button layout just seems blasphemous.

Absolutley love mine. So comfortable and just feels like the ultimate way to Play switch. Prefer it to all My others. 5 months in

Just use it for emulations on your favorite past games for on the go or at home with your wireless headphones on your bed and that’s it nuthing else it’s your deck just make sure you have a long power cord to connect to your deck and you have both wired and wireless headphones ready to go.

I have the blue limited run nitro deck. The right sick placement did suck. They should have placed it where the face buttons are.

I wonder how the output would do for tournaments. Instead of carrying around a dock with you.