The Cracked Nitro Deck for the Nintendo Switch is one of the best handheld gaming accessories ever made. In this review, I’ll dive into everything you need to know about this innovative device—from its different configurations and colors to its standout features and performance. Whether you’re considering the standalone Nitro Deck or the limited edition with a case, this article will help you decide if it’s the right accessory for your Nintendo Switch.https://youtu.be/Gy5EG70nleY
Nitro Deck Configurations and Pricing
You can buy the Cracked Nitro Deck in a variety of colors and in two different configurations: a standalone Nitro Deck and a limited edition Nitro Deck with a case. The standalone version costs $59.99, while the limited edition with the case is priced at $89.99. I purchased both a black standard Nitro Deck and a limited edition mint color.
Unboxing the Limited Edition Nitro Deck
If you choose one of the limited edition Nitro Decks, you’ll find it packaged in the case. The case has a textured fabric hard shell with a fabric handle covered in rubber. The interior is lined with a soft cloth, and there’s a flap that protects the screen and contains eight slots for cartridges. The limited edition also comes with a shoulder strap made of sturdy-feeling nylon with plastic hardware.
Back to the Nitro Deck itself. When you open the case, you’ll find a welcome card from Cracked, an instruction booklet, and the Nitro Deck. On the front, there’s a sticker directing you to turn on Switch Pro Controller wired communication before attaching the Switch. We’ll get back to that. Also included in the case is a USB-C to USB-A cable and a couple of extra thumbsticks. Cracked also provides a microfiber cleaning cloth, which will come in handy later.
Setting Up the Nitro Deck
To change into Pro Controller wired communication, go to the Switch’s system settings, then to Controllers and Sensors, and turn on Pro Controller wired communication. Once that’s done, the Switch is ready to be connected to the Nitro Deck. Remove your Joy-Cons and slide the Switch into the Nitro Deck.
Remember that cleaning cloth? Keep it handy. To remove the Switch, you’ll need to press a button on the back, which might require using the screen, resulting in fingerprints.
Initial Impressions and Build Quality
When I first picked up the Nitro Deck, I thought it felt really light, almost too light. However, installing the Switch compensated for the Nitro Deck’s lightweight feel, giving them both an overall balanced feel. The front of the Nitro Deck is smooth plastic, while the back has a slight texture that helps with grip.
You’re going to lose some portability with the Nitro Deck. A standard Switch can mostly fit in your pocket, but the Nitro Deck doesn’t make the Switch as big as the Steam Deck, though it’s still not pocket-friendly.
Control Layout and Ergonomics
All of the Nitro Deck’s controls are laid out in the same position as the Switch’s Joy-Cons. If you like the positioning of the Joy-Con controls, you’ll like the Nitro Deck as well. The real difference is in the back of the Nitro Deck. Cracked not only installed mappable rear buttons but also gave the Nitro Deck an ergonomic feel similar to the Steam Deck, which I absolutely love.
Joysticks and Performance
The Nitro Deck uses Hall Effect joysticks, a type of joystick that uses magnets and electrical conductors to measure their position, distance, and movement. Unlike Nintendo’s analog sticks, Hall Effect joysticks have no physical contact between moving parts, so they should last a long time and won’t suffer from the stick drift that plagues analog joysticks. The Nitro Deck joysticks are removable, and you’ll get a couple of different sets in the box: one set is taller and more concave than the other.
Additional Features
The Nitro Deck can stand on its own and comes with a kickstand. The positioning of the release latch limits the size of the kickstand and the angle the Nitro Deck can be positioned at. Here is the Nitro Deck with the kickstand slightly extended, at mid-extension, and at full extension. My kickstand would not consistently fold securely into the Nitro Deck. I had to press it a few times in different areas to get it to secure.
The Nitro Deck has four remappable buttons on the back. To program them, press and hold the program button on the bottom left side. Once the Cracked logo turns purple, you can change the back buttons to whatever you want. For instance, I have two of the rear buttons set to move any character I’m playing left or right.
Connectivity and Charging
The Nitro Deck has two USB-C ports on the back. One is for charging, allowing you to charge your Switch while playing your favorite game thanks to pass-through charging. The second USB-C port is an output. Plug in the supplied USB-C to USB-A cable into the Nitro Deck and the other end into the Switch’s dock, and you can use the Nitro Deck as a wired controller. While I don’t see myself using this feature much, as I have plenty of wireless controllers already, it’s still a nice option to have.
Final Thoughts
I’ve heard a lot of rumors about a Nintendo Switch 2, but in the meantime, I’ll enjoy playing my Switch OLED with the Nitro Deck attached. It’s a brilliant device with minor limitations. If you’re looking for a great handheld gaming accessory, the Cracked Nitro Deck is definitely worth considering.