Nitro Deck Review 

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!

Exactly the review I was looking for, thank you! 😊

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).

Only good review I've seen so far of this thing, thanks 🙏

This is a really good comparison video.

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.

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 man did a amazing and clear unboxing video and yet he still got only 98subs??? this man clearly deserves a lot more than only 98subs

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!!

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.

Thnx for the honest review! I thought I was missing out but I defo skippin this!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Just earned yourself another sub

great video, i’m waiting for the NYXI Hyperion Pro to come out with other colours as i’m not quite partial to green

Thanks for the review! Do you know the name or can provide a link to the generic controller from Amazon? Thanks!

@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.

That Nexigo Gripcon looks like it blocks the air vents on the Switch... does it?

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

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 got mine! I love it!

Hey nice vids, can you put regular joycon thumbgrip on it?

I currently have the RetroFlag grip. Any chance you've found a carrying case for it? I'm in need of one.

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 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.

does anyone knows if it fits in the Skull & Co. carrying case?

New subscriber here! Hey your retroflag controller doesn't have that yellow right analogue stick.. did you swap it? And if so with what kind?

gonna check mine for adhesive from that sticker...can't be good for the finish on the back of the switch! goo gone should take that right off.

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

What thumbsticks work with retroflag controller want to replace c thumbstick as well?

No surprise that Nexigo has the best ergonomics, it's basicaly Binbok joypads/ nyxi hyperion.

Great review. I have been on the fence about the Nitrodeck because I already have the Retroflag. I'll pass on the Nitrodeck.

I think the reason why nitro deck is the best is because 1. Its makes it feel like a steam deck/ ROG ALLY 2. Its makes it look like a cooler console

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.

I noticed the Amazon nexigo doesn’t have cutouts for the original switch to breath. It looks like it’s built more for the for the switch oled.

I’ve had something like that Amazon one for like a year and a half or so

Did you check the nitro deck app to see how rare your model was?

How does the retro flag compare to skull and co or satisfye grips?

Hey could you update with how it scratches scared of putting my Zelda switch in it

I heard the nexigo is only Hall effect if you get the galaxy edition.

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.

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?

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.

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..🤞😑

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.

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.

Hey quick question about the GripCon! Is it possible to turn off the lights entirely for the gripcon?

Btw the nitro deck sells for $60. Not $70 as stated in your vid.

I think i still prefer the nitro deck over all of them since its all enclosed on the bottom

That sticker wouldn’t come off!

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.

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

Why did you not mention if any of them have gyro, the nitro deck has gyro, do the others?

It always sucks to run out of meat...😬

Nah I’m still buying it the Hori splitpad compact is still to big for me and makes the switch oled to big

Thank you so much won’t be buying the nitro deck will be buying the $30 option

Anyone ever tell you, you sound just like Kermit? 🐸

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...

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