Taylor Bauer
Taylor BauerFortnite serves as the greatest example of what a Metaverse could be in gaming and digital technology. With new game modes like Lego Fortnite or Rocket Racing and the return of OG maps, the game offers more than ever before. One new mode, Fortnite Festival is the successor to hit rhythm music games like Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Of course, playing with a guitar controller makes sense for this mode, but another option allows you to play Fortnite Festival in a fun and inventive way while also serving as a great all-around controller as well. Compatible with PC and Nintendo Switch, here’s our review of the CRKD NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition Controller.
The CRKD NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition Controller comes in a gorgeous purple wave colorway and maintains the same impressive quality as other CRKD controller peripherals. You may remember in my CRKD Nitro Deck Rocket League Silver Edition review, I mentioned CRKD setting the standard for third-party controllers in a way that makes their hardware too enjoyable to pass up for some first-party options. This NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition Controller is no exception. The main takeaway I had while trying out this controller is that the NEO S is already a pristine gamepad, but the added Fortnite Festival peripheral is really well executed.
The controller features a detachable 5-fret attachment specifically designed for Fortnite Festival. The fretboard is easy to take off and return to the NEO S body and feels flexible yet not cheap. When attached, it’s easy to connect the controller to a PC or Nintendo Switch. The controller also works for mobile devices and Smart TV gaming such as the Amazon Fire TV, but I haven’t tried these options yet. Most of my time spent using the controller was in Fortnite Festival, the game which has its logo plastered to the front of the controller. I tested this controller out on a few other games as well, which I’ll mention in a bit.
The NEO S controller comes in a package with the controller, the 5-fret attachment, a microfiber string bag, a charging cable, and a Velcro hand strap. The hand strap didn’t seem super necessary while I played, but it is a nice addition to the overall package. The controller itself (like other CRKD products) feels wonderful in your hands. There’s a minimalistic, grooved texture to the back of the NEO S that I really enjoy, and the Hall-Effect Thumbsticks are some of the best in the controller market today. As a Fortnite Festival controller, it felt very good in my hands in terms of size and comfortability, causing no aches or discomfort in hour-long sessions within the game mode.
During my time reviewing Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, I also used the controller as a Switch peripheral, removing the 5-fret attachment as well as playing with it on to see if it got in the way. Honestly, the frets didn’t make it feel worse to use the NEO S, and in a way, I liked the little added size to the controller. I didn’t notice any input issues if my fingers at the bottom of the controller came in contact with the frets either. Still, it’s a breeze to remove and the beloved NEO S design makes the base controller a wonderful addition to your gaming lineup even if you’re not planning to spend much time in Fortnite Festival.
Overall, this controller builds on an already wonderful design in the NEO S and is a great way to experience the new Fortnite Festival experience. While a guitar controller may be a bit more authentic, the fretboard while held in your hands is easy to use, responsive, and much easier to tuck away between sessions than a larger guitar peripheral. I like having this option for quick sessions when I can’t tell what I want to play next, and I love that CRKD products keep living up to their reputation. Let us know in the comments if you plan to check out the CRKD NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition Controller in the future! You can find the controller and more info here.
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