The Switch 2 may be on the way, but there’s still plenty of quality time ahead for Nintendo Switch owners and their favorite home-handheld hybrid console. At this point, the number of accessories for the Nintendo Switch is impossible to count, but few stand out as stellar, fan-favorite options for boosting your gaming experience. CRKD’s popular line of Nitro Deck controllers are among the most popular options, and the new Rocket League Silver Edition is one of the best options on the market. Here’s our review of the new Nintendo Switch peripheral.

The new special Rocket League line of CRKD controllers includes three models ranging from the minimalist NEO S to the Nitro Deck+, CRKD’s top-line Switch deck accessory. For this review, we’ll look at the option in the middle, the Nitro Deck Rocket League Silver Edition. The controller retails for $59.99 USD, but if you keep an eye on the CRKD website, you can often find it discounted by $10 or more. So, why pick this up when the Joy-Cons and even the Nintendo Pro Controller are options? Well, it honestly solves a lot of problems those two options have.

Firstly, Joy-Con drift has been a huge headache for Switch owners. To combat this, one feature that caught my eye immediately was the Nitro Deck’s Zero Stick Drift Hall-Effect Sensors. This drift-averse manufacturing method of Nitro Deck’s analog sticks makes them buttery smooth and drift-free. Because the Nitro Deck is a handheld-first peripheral, it’s reassuring knowing that drift won’t cause this entire controller to become pointless down the road. But beyond solving the drift issues, the Nitro Deck Rocket League Silver Edition also provides much more.

I’ve mostly played my Switch in handheld mode using a mount that attaches to my Pro Controller simply because the Pro Controller is one of my favorite peripherals in gaming. That said, the feeling of the Nitro Deck, from its adjustable vibration feedback and programmable back buttons, has made this my favorite way to play the Switch in handheld mode. Adjustable trigger sensitivity and Gyro compatibility ensure there’s no reason to pull the Switch tablet out of this peripheral in favor of the Pro Controller.

As an Amiibo collector, I will say that the lack of Amiibo compatibility is a bit of a bummer. You won’t be able to tap your favorite Nintendo collectible figures to the Nitro Deck’s swappable analog stick tops and scan into your games, but honestly, it’s my only gripe. To be honest, I’m not doing much of that currently with what I’ve been playing on the Switch, so for now, it’s not causing much of a headache. However, it’d be great to see future iterations include this.

You won’t be able to get USB-C HDMI Compatibility for Docked Mode with the Silver Edition of the CRKD Rocket League Nitro Deck, which is reserved for the $89.99 USD Gold Edition. For me, that’s not something I was interested in, so it doesn’t cause any issues. The Silver Edition I have does allow for Pass-Through charging and features a nice little kickstand, two things I was more interested in. Comfort while playing the Switch in handheld mode matters most, and this is the most comfortable way I’ve ever played.

We haven’t touched too much on why this edition is special compared to the regular baseline Nitro Deck, but the design speaks for itself. CRKD notes that this design aims to “showcase stunning silver Rocket League-themed artwork, reflecting the high-speed thrill of the game, designed to make you stand out on and off the field.” I think it looks gorgeous in person, and if you love this specific design, you might want to pick one up quickly. This line of Silver Edition models is only numbered 10,000 and is available worldwide.

So, is this worth your hard-earned money? That’s for you to decide, but I’ll put it this way. If you’re playing predominately in handheld mode, you won’t find a more comfortable way to play the Nintendo Switch. I love the feeling of the analog sticks, the buttons, and the way this entire peripheral fits in my hands. For some added features, you can jump up to the Gold Edition, but unless you’re itching for TV pass-through capabilities, I’d say the Silver Edition Nitro Deck is a great way to elevate your play with the Nintendo Switch.

Let us know in the comments if you have spent time playing with the Nitro Deck and what your thoughts are!

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