I went for the black version of Nitro Deck after your hands on review. No regrets, this thing is wicked! Gives a very cool aesthetic to the Switch and the functions and features are stellar. Great recommendation dude !!

I have the Retroflag and love it. But I bought the Nitro Deck after seeing this review. I played with the Nitro Deck for a few hours, then swapped back to the Retroflag, and immediately returned my Nitro Deck. * You must have weird alien hands as the Retroflag is a completely different league of ergonomic comfort than the Nitro Deck. The Nitro Deck felt extremely uncomfortable to use by comparison. * The ZL and ZR buttons press like analog trigger buttons. This is a dubious and downright baffling choice given that the Switch doesn't support analog triggers. The result is all the disadvantages of both analog triggers with zero benefits. Sure you can remap them to the programmable back-buttons, but you shouldn't have to. * The right analog stick, while somewhat uncomfortable on the retroflag, is even more uncomfortable on the Nitro Deck. * The vibration is over the top. I was playing Super Mario Wonder and it felt like the Nitro Deck was vibrating like mad non-stop with no rime or reason, even when I turned the vibration on light using an in-game setting. * The nitro deck is almost double the price of the retroflag (?!?!?!) In conclusion, this thing does have some pros over the retroflag, but they are very minor. For most people, get the Retroflag. :) The biggest pro the Nitro Deck seems to have is that they have a better marketing team.

The Nitro Deck may have more features but I would still get the RetroFlag because it has better ergonomics. Also, the Nitro Deck will also scratch the back of your Switch - so whichever way you go, your Switch is going to get scratched up.

This is the comparison I was looking for! thanks!

Went ahead and ordered my Nitro Deck. I have some tiny hopes that whatever next gen Switch is coming, it has a similar enough form factor that it will fit old accessories. Won't fuss about it if not though! I'll just wait until CRKD makes one for that system and get another in a different design!

I just got both I like the feel of the Retroflag much better the nitro deck does not flare out on the bottom at all and feels cramped because of it.. Update I HATE the triggers on the nitrodeck they are way to sensitive.

The Retroflag is great, my only issues with it were the face buttons. They just didn't feel right, very cheap is the only way to describe it. It definitely has the ND beat with ergonomics and I've gotta be honest the triggers (and dpad of course). I HATE how mushy those triggers are on the ND especially with how incredible the bumpers are. ND overall is better but the Retroflag is definitely solid too.

If the Retroflag one had a normal thumbsticks on the right and grip on the back it would be the best hand down for the switch.

Glad I could resell my Nitro Deck with only a minor loss. For me it was an instant cramp machine.

New Switch owner (just a little late to the party lol) here, thank you for the comprehensive comparison! I'm still not quite sure which one I'll go with. The RetroFlag seems like it'd be more comfortable, but it would really suck to get a defective one, have to send it back, wait for a new one... I have seen some people saying the Nitro Deck scratches up the back of the tablet, have you seen that with yours?

Too late for me, the retro flag changed my switch in to something I wanted to use. No need to buy another… If I was someone who needed gyro controls though, it would be a no-brainer.

Thanks for the review man. I will get the Retroflag 😊 I like the features of ND but it will cost me around 140 USD, Im from the Philippines so the shipping fee is really expensive 😅

For rhe right stick I use the knuckle of my thumb and it isn't an issue

Thanks 4 the video, its exactly what I needed!

Current situation - I play with stock joy cons with a Satisfye grip. Now my left joycon is finally drifting (suprised it lasted to 2024 honestly) so since the price points are close enough: Buy new joy cons and keep using my Satisfye Or Buy a Nitro Deck....but I can already predict the right thumbstick is going to be a potential dealbreaker

I would love to give the retro flag a go if it weren’t for the metal rail clips as the nitro deck is a massive flop for me. It’s so uncomfortable to use, I seriously don’t get the rave reviews and I can’t return it because of their return policy stating all sales a final. Be aware uk buyer, you 14 day cool off period doesn’t apply here! I might just stick with the Skull and Co grip and the original joy cons

My problem with the Nitrodeck is the ergonomics. Leaving aside the good quality, if it doesnt feel right on the hands, then its not a good purchase. Whats the point? Also, the design is too bulky imo, looks like a brick. And the ABXY stamp on the buttons will wear off with time. That will always happen, no matter the brand. The ink will fade. My brother has the Retroflag and I used it for a while. I played Smash, ToTK and Metroid. It feels great really, and the design and built quality feels premium despite what this youtuber said. Giro controls work perfectly. Maybe there will be some bad reviews here and there for both controllers, but imo the Retroflag feels very nice hands on and very solid quality overall. I may buy the Retroflag over the Nitrodeck

I'm definitely also a pinky resting guy even as a child too, I just think it's a lot more comfortable (probably bc I'm used to it now) to have the console resting on my pinky's rather than gripping the back like you said. I think I still have the same uncomfortable feeling even using NYXI joycons as I'm not used to holding my Switch like that

I bought the nitro deck and it’s a great product but the 2 big downsides for me is how heavy it makes the switch, and the placement of the right joystick. My thumb starts to hurt after playing for a bit.

The Nitro deck sucks, I bought one and I regret it so much, it's super uncomfortable to play because of the right stick position. don't buy it

This made me decide on the Retro. Thanks

Iv got the white one for my oled switch and I love it. Just ordered the case which takes it up to £90 bit pricey but well worth every penny. Top review and keep up the good work. 👍👍👍

Really smart review like the crkd nitro deck so far!👍😊

The Nitro Deck is over-hyped and not that good. I ordered the special edition one that looks like an SNES controller as well as the Limited Run blue one. The ergonomics are not much better than just regular joycons and reaching the d-pad and right analog stick is just as uncomfortable as the joycon. Reaching the shoulder buttons are the same way, you have to stretch your fingers in a way that's not good. The d-pad is a bit too small and not the best. Also the analog sticks feel weird and not linear. Then there's the big issue of getting the switch out. This is probably the biggest design flaw. You either have to apply A LOT of pressure on the switch screen at the top to yank it out (IGN mentioned this too) or do what I did and use a thin plastic thing to pry up from the bottom where the speaker cut outs are while holding the unlock switch. If you're using an OLED switch the smashing on the screen to pull it out is an even bigger issue due to small bezels. It also is rather heavy when the Switch is in it. The Hori Split Pad Pro is a TON better. All of the issues I mentioned with the Nitro Deck are GONE with these. Also the Fixture clip that allows you to use the pro controller is also a MUCH better option. I'll be putting both of mine up on ebay. There's no way I'm using my Switch with this thing.

Leaning towards the nitro deck because swap physical games out alot. ❤🎮

Not a fan of the right thumbstick placement on the nitro deck. Way to low in my opinion and actually hurts my thumb after a long play. Everything else on it though is great, very responsive. Just wish they had the right thumbstick higher up.

Thank you for being honest about the placement of the right analog stick. By far the biggest downside of the nitrodeck. I don't know why they didn't make the placement more of a priority.

I also think that if the make a nitro deck 2.0 it should have the ergonomics more akin to a split pad pro. Like the 1.0 is the split pad fit/compact and the 2.0 is the split pad pro. (Also with some other added features/improvements)

I want a Nitro Deck but I saw another reviewer say it rubs the back of the switch too much, even when taking out with care. I want it but I don't want to rub my totk switch 😭

Neither. The Dobe TNS 1188 is my go to over those two, gave away the Retroflag and the bumper pinging on the CRKD and it's perceived poor build quality especially for the price is disappointing

I use the back pads on the CRKD to do flawless dupe glitches in TotK

yep, retroflag for the win based on this review

Dont swap the buttons for the joystick, I dont use the 2nd stick for Switch games much anyways

I just want to know if the CRKD Nitro Deck is worth it over the Hori Split Pad, I love the black Nitro Deck option

Have you tried the nexi go grip ? It's very similar to these but with more controller like grips.

Ergonomics is always number one to me. If it is uncomfortable, it's an instant fail from a design point.

I've had my nitro deck for 2 days and in conclusion it is the best controller I have ever

I’m not getting the new switch tbh I’m sure they will still bring new games to old switch sense it’s their most sold product so I bought the nitro deck retro purple

Me and brother are debating about gettting nitrodeck for the oled we share. We already have a nexigo ergonomi controller and nexigo eggshell ergonimic controller we have that we love. Similar to your retroflag which we still use to this day. People been talking about the nitrodeck but do we really need to get it if we aready have two controllers that we use for our oled. One thing we see about the nitrodeck is how you take it out which isnt something we like.

Which drains quicker, they both depend on the switch to run,

Retroflag is the best one. After watching this video, I’m convinced and ordered mine. 😊

Picking up a black nitro deck tomorrow

Another great and helpful video. My biggest problem with the retroflag besides the metal rails that scratched my switch. Is it has no texture to the grip it’s just smooth and can easily slip. I can’t wait to get the nitro deck I see from your video the nitro deck has texture nonslip grips in the back.

I’d pretty much convinced myself not to get a Nitro Deck…………. Then I saw the Persona edition on Limited run games. They got me!

Your Retroflag is probably defected. You indeed can use it as a wired controller while the switch is docked

Iv ordered the retroflag and beboncool, I want the retroflag to be better, but the beboncool is better, beboncool has a built in battery and easy access to the cart just like the retrodeck.

I want one of these but with symmetrical joysticks I don't like dualshock, I'm just a leftie

Will you ever review the eevee hori split pad compact

This sounds like a very biased commercial. He's really reaching for straws when he complains about no questions asked Amazon returns. They literally come and pick up your package at your door.

My Retroflag wouldn't calibrate the left analog stick. Would drift left slightly. Annoying.

Did you, or anyone else for that matter, run into the software bug with the oled on the retroflag? The oled will intermittently stop recognizing the controller when plugged in. The company released a firmware update that is supposed to fix it, but i have purchased 2 units and both of them had this problem. Even with the update, my oled switch doesn't recognize the controller unless it has the power passthrough plugged in also. If i unplug the power, the switch thinks the controller has been unplugged too. Very annoying.

Retroflag best beeeeest controller ever even better then Xbox 360 controller!!!

15:22 No you don’t. Unless it’s different in the UK? In America you just take it to your nearest return center (usually Whole Foods, sometimes places like Kohl’s) and then they take it no questions asked even if you don’t have the original packaging. These things are all overrated imo anyway. Features like button swap and macros are just useless to me, I’ve never played a game where I couldn’t get used to button placements. Games with bad controls typically have issues with the way movement works or something. And macros, well, I can just do the regular input without any issue usually; I’ve never felt a need for macros on a single game I’ve played. The only one I could see is something like the GuliKit KingKong that allows you to record up to 10 minutes of button presses, which could definitely be useful to automate grinding, Pokémon breeding, etc. But most of these macros aren’t anywhere near as well-designed. As for turbo, just get good at mashing, it’s not hard unless you have tendinitis or carpal tunnel or something. So to me, most of this is just useless fluff to make the features list look nice without meaningfully affecting anything. The gyro on the third party controllers are usually fine, but they’re always awful on these deck type things. Not that it matters too much because you wouldn’t want to use gyro in handheld mode usually, but worth noting. Also, you lose out on things like HD Rumble with these third party controllers; before anyone says anything, no, it’s just not a 1-2-Switch and Super Mario Party thing. Pretty much every noteworthy first party switch game uses it and it does make a difference. The biggest point in these things’ favor by far is drift. It’s a very valid argument for sure; I’m happy with my GuliKit sticks but I can see why someone may not want to open up their Joycons. The ergonomics are easily solved by any random $10-15 grip, but you can go for a Satisfye grip if you want something more premium. So I’d say just get that and then once your Joycons start drifting, get the GuliKit sticks and you’re way better off than any of this bullshit where you have to constantly have caveats of what’s supported vs. what isn’t.

You said you could buy the nitro deck from a store that you can drive too. what store are you talking about?

So, in your honest opinion, which one is better for bigger hands?

NITRO DECK IS THE KING SO FAR

Does anyone know if they make a thumb grip that can fit on the little c stick nub for the retroflag ? I love everything else about it but I felt like it was a pain to use when I was playing doom and other fps

I’ll have nitro this Saturday

I just bought the retroflag but it scratching your switch almost makes me wish I didn't, what a stupid design : /

thanks for the video, ive been searching for this comparison. . since i cant afford the nitro deck, i go for retroflag.. the nitro deck is too expensive.

So next time Nyxi Hyperion Pro vs Nitro Deck?😁😁😁

I don’t know I wish one of these companies would have retro in the name, and then put the d-pad in the right place, to support this retro claim! I am going with the manba one…

Gamecube c stick is an instant nope for me

The nitro deck will leave scratches at back of your switch

Skull and co is the best! Those 2 sucks!

Retroflag #1

The guy ❤❤❤❤ the nitro deck😀😀😀😀

TNS-1188 Dobe Eggshell try this one :D

Retroflag one is obviously better and more comfortable

Dumb question, but for the section about features, what do you mean by "macro" and "turbo"?

Split pad compact is the best for handheld. It's comfy, the right stick is accessible without adjusting your hand, and you can play for hour without achey hands. I bought a nitrodeck to try out and I hated it. The right control stick is in an awful spot. I said what I said.

I love my nitro deck

with all the rumors about the next gen switch, i wont be buying the nitro deck, it came too late, and my retro flag still works.

Retroflag

God the retro flag is hideous. Maybe it feels better but I can’t get passed how goofy it looks

BEANS

Oh the problems of today's world 😅 "I can't place properly my hands on a piece of plastic" 😅

Bias

All that and no switch was used to play with them? Lol come on

This thing is trash the zen grip pro is way better and porb even cheeper

I’m saving my money for the Lenovo legion go and I bought the satisfye grip for the steam deck as my bday gift for me so I’m not interested in either one in this video

id get the retroflag if it was all black i donr like none of those gamecube type colors