CRKD Nitro Deck Plus x Rocket League Review

The CRKD Nitro Deck Plus controller has gotten a fresh lick of paint with the Rocket League crossover editions. I’ve got the gold version in for review and, as it’s my first time using the Plus model, now is a great time to give my thoughts on it and the new colorway.

Gold, gold!

This review focuses on the Rocket League gold edition, so I’ll start by breaking down what it includes. First, there’s the color scheme, which is a not-so-subtle gold. I didn’t know what to think of this from the product photos, as it looked very ostentatious. However, in real life, I think it looks fantastic.

The Rocket League gold edition also comes with a high-quality Rocket League-themed carrying case and microfiber cloth. It’s a neat little bundle that would make an excellent starter kit for anyone picking up a new Switch.

Ergonomic differences

With my Switch locked into place and ready to game, it was time to explore the Nitro Deck Plus’ features. Highlights include the new position of the right analog stick and buttons, which were altered based on consumer feedback. As someone with larger hands that have always cramped up when playing with Joy-Cons and their asymmetrical layout, I’m a big fan of this new design.

Then there’s the remappable buttons. There are six total on the Nitro Deck Plus, allowing players to quickly activate a chosen function without taking their hands off the sticks. This is especially useful for competitive gamers looking to optimise their gameplay in titles like Splatoon 2 or Fortnite.

Hall Effect is here

Hall Effect technology makes its way into the Nitro Deck Plus, improving longevity and accuracy. With “stick drift” being a big concern for Switch players, it’s good to see CRKD looking to alleviate that anxiety.

Other features worthy of highlighting include: adjustable trigger sensitivity, which gives players to decide how much the triggers need to be pushed down to actuate; swappable stick tops, giving players another personalisation option; and tunable vibration feedback.

The Nitro Deck Plus can be paired with the CRKD companion app for easier calibration of the dead zones, button mapping, and other options.

Though this controller is clearly aimed at portable play, it’s nice to know that it can be used a TV dock replacement when paired with a sold-separately USB-C HDMI cable.

Flawless in-game

In-game, the Nitro Deck Plus feels fantastic to use. Even with stock settings, I noticed impressive responsiveness from the triggers, and the back button’s default mapping felt just right for playing games like Rocket League and Fortnite.

I would have been happy with the device’s stock configuration, as it feels as though it was selected by actual gamers, but I played around with the settings for the sake of this review. I’m pleased to say that, even if you don’t install the companion app, it’s easy to customize the Nitro Deck Plus by using the catalogue of official YouTube videos.

Drawbacks

When it comes to downsides, these nitpicks will come down to user preference, as they are highly subjective. First, the color. The gold Rocket League edition won’t be for everyone. Thankfully, there are multiple other designs available.

The next nitpick is the symmetrical stick layout. While this change was implemented based on consumer feedback from the original product, it’s going to feel alien to some users. While I find it much more comfortable, my wife prefers the asymmetrical design. If you can get your hands on it before buying, it’s well worth trying out.

The final downside isn’t necessarily CRKD’s fault, but the Nitro Deck Plus doesn’t support Amiibo. This means that you won’t be able to scan Amiibo while using this product.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by CRKD.