I already preordered the Nitro Deck but if this review existed before I made that decision I would've tried the other devices. I just love this form factor. A fair and honest review.
This was exactly what I was looking for! I bought the all black version of that generic “Gripcon” from Amazon by BinBok because it had back buttons and I had a pair of their joycon versions. I was caught up in the marketing hype of the Nitro Deck, but I kept thinking about how much I hated the layout of the joycons being right on top of each other, and this is literally the same thing! I’m extremely happy with the BinBok or generic Amazon gripcons and will be sticking to those. This review is by far the most authentic I’ve seen. Much respect to you Sir!
You've had the best in-depth review I've seen thus far and helped answer some questions. I was contemplating getting a Nitro Deck, but went ahead and bought the RetroFlag controller a few weeks ago. I also modded mine to have a normal joystick on the right side😃. The RetroFlag is quickly moving up the list to be one of my favorite joycon alternatives, and I own plenty of options (split pad pro, split pad compact, Binbok joypads, Nyxi Wizard).
Glad you enjoyed the review and found it helpful. I own most of those controllers too, and the RetroFlag is my number one. I look forward to a grip case that can some how be docked so the Switch doesn’t have to be removed.
@@faridkani I used the thumbstick from another controller that I had replaced. Short answer, the joystick I used is comparable to a Xbox thumbstick. Long answer, the thumbstick came from a BladeGC controller. I had switched the right stick in that controller to be yellow so that it matched the gamecube theme better.
Thank you for this video! I was curious about the Nitro Deck but now I know, I rather just save my money and stick with my Satisfye grip. I'm low key want to try that RetroFlag controller though!
This is exactly the sort of review I've been looking for! Thanks for comparing these products, I've really been wondering if the nintrodeck was worth it when these other grip controllers exist.
Great review! I was interested in something like this that would basically make my Switch feel like a Steam Deck but once I saw the design I knew it wasn't going to be comfortable to use. The sides don't flare out at the bottom which makes using the D-Pad and Right analog stick uncomfortable and the right stick placement is positioned too far down from the buttons. If they were going for making the Switch feel like using a Steam Deck as the name implies then they would have made the top a little wider and put the D-Pad and analog sticks up near the top as well - like it is on the Steam Deck. I think this would have made it more comfortable to use, otherwise they should have flared out the sides on the bottom and positioned the right stick up higher.
I just received my white version of the Nitro Deck yesterday. Loving it so far. The only con I have is the right joystick position is a tad lower than I'd like. Otherwise it's amazing. I did regret not getting the premium SNES version with a case as the Nitro Deck wouldn't fit in my smaller switch case. Ordered the CRKD case yesterday. Overall impressions are great. One pro of the Nitro Deck I'd like to discuss is the triggers are analog for when you have it connected to a PC or any game that could utilize them. A small plus but one none the less. The build quality of the Nitro Deck is also pretty good. Doesn't have any flex and feels solid yet not heavy. I'm not knocking the other options, I just haven't tried them.
I’m grabbing one also. Looks great. A bit curious about the back though now. I saw another vid that looked like it has something to prevent it from getting scratched on the back.
Just saved me a fair bit of money man. Really all i wanted was a comparison of the grips because everybody talks about how comfortable the nitro deck is but that taper at the bottom always looked the opposite of what you want in a game controller. Going the retroflag. Cheers dude!
Glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. I have break down video for the RetroFlag that goes over swapping out the right yellow nubstick for a proper joystick top.
I ordered the nitro deck and had a feeling it was not going to be super amazing because they were pushing the marketing so hard and lots of reviewers looked like they didn’t love it but still tried to sound positive. Now the real reviews are dropping and my suspicions were true lol Either way, I look forwards to playing tears of the kingdom on my SNES edition nitrodeck lol
I had high hopes for it, and if the generic controller from amazon didn’t perform so well I might not have been so disappointed. That being said, I find it way better then using the joycons, and I do like the way it looks with the Switch in it (all black).
I'm seriously considering getting these over something like this or the Retroflag because not only do they provide a more comfortable experience while playing the Switch on the go but also can be used as a controller when the Switch is docked. It's a bummer they only offer it in green but I still think the green color they used looks pretty cool. I also thought about the Nyxi Wizard for a GameCube style controller.
I’ve watched nearly ever review on the nitro deck and I feel that this is the only honest review I had my mind set on the nitro deck and was waiting for them to come into my local store but after watching this video it made me realise how annoying it is having the sticks and buttons right above and below eachother
Just the review I was looking for before buying the nitro deck, thank you very much sir. Now i just gotta find out how to change the c stick from the retroflag!!
@crkdgg marketing team might have been more focused on the fact that it makes the switch look more like a Steam deck. A little more adult or subdued design vs the bright colors and RGB lights of the other two models. It does look pretty slick though.
You gave the best review that confirmed my feelings of the nitro deck. I love it for the look and the left stick, that right stick and d pad absolutely kill it for me. I'm so glad you talked about the amazon one, I had been eyeing it and i think you just sealed the deal with it.
NexiGo Gripcon (Gen 2) a.co/d/j5CvcK4 It was pointed out to me in the comments that this version might not be Hall effect but that the galaxy print one is. Either way the sticks have no dead zones and best some of the best responsiveness of the controllers I own. And with Amazon if isn’t what you want just return it. Thanks for watching the review and I’m glad you found it helpful.
I grabbed the black one from Rreaka, arrives today. Shipping the Nitro Deck to a friend to try out I think. I want to love it but it just hurts (actually hurts)@@BackNTheBox
Would you be able to make a tutorial on how you disassembled the retroflag handheld and replaced the thumbstick? I have the same handheld and would like to do this mod as well
I have had a few request and it might be something I put together soon. Not to much to it, but I know it can be reassuring to see it before attempting. Thanks for watching.
I appreciate the review. I primarily play in handheld and was looking at this as a quality of life handheld upgrade. This definitely shed the light on the device and answered a lot of questions I had and was very much how I was feeling about the case.
I didn’t hear you mention the rumble support, gyroscope motion, pass-through charging, or customizable turbo button that the Nitrodeck has. Do the others have any of these features? Maybe I missed it. If you’re going to review what sets it apart, please go over all of the features and not just a few.
NexiGo Gripcon (Gen 2), No... www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJYXZ8M8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share. Yes you can turn them off. But like nitro deck it resets your preference when connecting the switch.
This review is spot on. I use the Hori Split Pad Pro’s, which I found far more comfortable. Also the dead zones on the Nitro Deck sticks are huge, this coupled with the cramped right thumb stick means it’s going back. Really disappointing as visually the Nitro Deck in purple is fantastic.
@hasserecht3678 if you already play handheld the grip won't feel cramped at all. Only people who complain about that never used the joycons. I know from experience, I own a nitro deck and before I had it I played handheld for the majority
I use one that I bought for the hori split pads. It’s bigger then the controller so it leaves a gap that I fill with padding. Also it is not the most sturdy case as it can flex with pressure. Here is the link KAXIMEII Carrying Case Compatible... www.amazon.com/dp/B09QQNDG1S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share I’m not I would fully recommend this case but it does the job and fits other cases and grips if I decide to use them.
I swapped it with a SteelSeries mfi controller. Pro Controller stick tops work too, but I felt they were to tall given how close the stick is to the b button on the RetroFlag.
I’m surprised they haven’t released a version with normal sticks and a different color palette, because I believe that is holding a lot of people back.
I bought one of those cheap Gripcons about a month ago, and ended up returning it the other day. I wish companies would stop wasting money on RGB lights and put it towards parts that matter (like the other 2 controllers in your review did). The worst offense of the Gripcon was that the USB-C that slotted into the system was slightly off and required some flexing to mount. There's no way that's healthy for the USB-C port on the console. The other issues I had were how cheap it felt overall, how mushy the ABXY buttons were, and the D-pad was pretty bad. Just felt crappy. Some other reviews on the RetroFlag said the metal latch scratches the Switch and that there are some quality control issues. Also the RetroFlag doesn't have a way of standing the system up. Those things plus that "c-stick" style joystick were deal breakers for me. I ordered a Nitro Deck today, and we'll see how it stacks up.
I did mention that the retro flag left marks on my oled switch from the metal clips (never did on my original switch). I do believe that the Gripcon might have reliable issues in quality control. I might have gotten a good one. I would suggest adding thin padding, that I go over in another one of my videos before placing for switch into the nitro deck. It did cause slight marks on the back of my switch. I hope the nitro deck fits your needs and you enjoy it. Thanks for watching.
@@BackNTheBox it was a great video. Loved the detail and comparison. According to Amazon it says the crystal one is no dead zone and the galaxy one is Hall effect and dead zone free, so they are both good except one can never drift.
I’ve had good experiences with Hall effect. I have seen cheaper controller that have the Hall effect sticks get stuck in the extreme positions. Thanks for the heads up.
Thank you, I was getting really disturbed by the fact that every other review had the exact same phrasing and talking points, so I've been waiting for a more honest review. It felt like way too much marketing spiel, frankly, so it's nice to get a real person's opinion. Glad I waited, won't be picking up the nitro deck.
He’s right. I just received my Nitro deck today and it hurts my hands. The grips are too thin and short, and just like his thumb my thumb, in its natural position on the joystick, rests over it. I need to make a conscious decision to move my hand back to adjust my thumb properly. Doesn’t feel natural for big hands.
I'd say that it definitely depends on your hand size. i have medium sized hands and it feels nice and have had no discomfort at all. I feel like it would be very awkward for those on the extreme side of small or big hands.
There are indentations on the back that will “direct the flow” downward. The felt isn’t in that area either, but would be nice to have direct pass through.
I like it okay. It’s very well made, but the grips just aren’t wide enough for my hands to play comfortably. So far the Hori Split Pads are the only ones that fit my hands well.
Just ordered the nexigo galaxy version with hall effect sticks on sale for $49.I hope i made the right choise since the other competitor was nitro deck also on sale for $49..🤞😑
when using the Retroflag with wifi disabled, do you get a constant popup when waking the switch from standby that states: "attach the joy-con controllers to the console. The joycon controllers cannot be used wirelessly when flight mode is enabled." Is it possible to fix?
I had and old mfi controller but pro controller joysticks fit. You just pull the top and swap. I found the pro controller stick tops to be a little to high. The stick being close to the b button means if it’s to high you will bump it constantly. Opening the retroflag is a bit tricky. Be careful with the usbc port on the bottom. It has small screws and a cable that attaches it.
I am yet to receive my Nitro Deck and haven’t tried the other ones in your review. However, it needs to be mentioned that the ND is the only one that looks like an official controller. To me that’s a huge selling point. Can’t stand ugly tech design so I would never buy or use any other on the market except maybe Hori, but they don’t have a deck like controller.
I do see thin long marks on the back of my switch. I’m choosing not to put my Switch with the design print back into this controller. The marks on the rails from RetroFlag are annoying but at least is not effecting the print design.
Main thing with the nitro deck is the form factor, the added buttons, and its features Additionally there is a bit of a collectible aspect to them with limited run versions. Also in the US it’s $60 (65 with tax and stuff) The back buttons are programmable, there is also turbo function and it can act as a standalone controller. Better sticks and buttons over your standard joycon affair and with stand you can still charge your switch which is also pretty nice for tabletop or just displaying it. It’s not new in what it does that’s for sure but I think it makes a compelling argument as a package. That’s my opinion anyways
I have given the nitro deck a few more extended periods of play and still get hand cramps playing on it. Sucks as I find the face buttons to some of the best. You should enjoy the other cheaper option and have some extra money for a game during these great Black Friday sales going on.
blaming the other controllers over sensitivity made this review feel bad... you also said you can change it in the options... so do it then test again...
The test for the joysticks is hardware based. The sensitivity settings are in game and have to be setup for each game separately. So the point I’m making is that by default the sticks don’t respond as well as others. If you change controllers, like going from handheld to dock you would have to go back the settings and adjust them again. I hope that clears up the complaint. Thanks for watching and commenting, I’m always happy to discuss and answer questions.
My opinion this was just over hyped. Not really worth the $70. It looks like it doesn't have that pro controller feel. Like placement of that Amazon controller is what I prefer. Sort like the doyoky hall effect joy cons. Which I have been using. Feel like Retro flag should have been what nitro deck. Should have been but maybe retro flag needs updated version with back buttons. Yea the nitro deck is a pass for me
i ordered one because it looks like a smaller steam deck for all my 2D gaming...also i wanted all black i dont like the retroflag color or the see thru xmas tree colors of the gripcon
