CRKD Neo S Review: Hitting the Mark

Following the success of the Nitro Deck, CRKD has returned with a new line of controllers. With its distinctive style in the contemporary area and a range of art designs to appeal to different gamers, the Neo S POPeArt series, which was released in April 2024, aims to stand out from the crowd.

I have a personal weakness when it comes to controllers. I could not make the call when I noticed these were on sale for $50 a few weeks ago and coincidentally had some credit card rewards points in my Amazon account. I was given a controller, which I have since adored and use whenever I want to play video games.

Overview

When the Nitro Deck, a Joy-Con substitute for the Nintendo Switch, was released, most people became aware of CRKD, a relatively young accessory company. Although I was never particularly inclined to try that one, based on most of the reviews I read, people generally thought highly of the device's quality. I was confident enough to give the business a chance based on that hazy reputation.

Although the Neo S is listed on the CRKD website for $69, it is available on Amazon for $50 when a $5 discount is used at the point of sale. This price range allows it to rival the conventional Xbox Series lineup. Known as a workhorse, that Microsoft standard-issue controller frequently sells for under $50.

By utilizing its distinctive designs, CRKD is able to provide a distinctive product without sacrificing quality. Perhaps even adding a few functions typically found in luxury accessories is undoubtedly a difficult task.

The CRKD official website lists the following as features:

  • For Switch, PC, Mobile & Smart TV's
  • Zero Stick Drift (Hall Effect Thumbsticks)
  • Ergonomic
  • Wireless Bluetooth
  • Wired Connection (Optional)
  • No Deadzone Mode
  • Swappable Stick Tops
  • Adjustable Trigger Actuation Points
  • Adjustable Vibration
  • Re-mappable back buttons
  • Motion Controls
  • Rumble Support
  • Turbo Function
  • Connects to the CRKD Companion app

Design

CRKD's objective with the Neo S was to design a controller that "looked unique but also felt familiar and comfortable." Since my initial thought upon seeing the Neo S design was, "Dear god, they've made a modern NES Brick," familiar is undoubtedly the term that most immediately stayed with me in this description. The team aimed for that, in my opinion, and I believe the audacious decision has paid off.

A more straightforward and unique design has replaced the typical handled design of the current period. Although the rectangular design is less comfortable than more conventional options for extended gaming sessions, there is enough improvement to make consumers reconsider. Compared to its NES predecessor, the controller has a considerable advantage in terms of size. It weighs slightly under a pound at 15.84 ounces and has dimensions of 8.7 x 5.63 x 2.05 inches.

Though there are many possibilities for everyone to find something they like, I chose the Cherry Blossom design from the POPeArt selections. Other graphic splash designs, like the ones seen above, or a variety of translucent hues reminiscent of the iMac from the 1990s, well-known in the world of vintage handhelds, are among the available alternatives. The official website features a Hell boy variation that is likely to draw attention.

Feel and Play

I can't express how much I enjoy using this controller for gaming. The Neo S has a pleasant curvature around the rear, making it enjoyable to hold for extended periods despite its deceptively straightforward rectangular front view. Although I usually have no trouble using controllers of any size, this one feels exceptionally comfortable because I am a larger-handed guy. A textured etched area is applied to the backside curves on the plastic shell. The ridges offered more than enough grip for my purposes during my testing.

The dual Hall analog sticks on the Neo S's product page are positioned much farther apart than we might be accustomed to seeing on comparable products from the big three. This arrangement makes a lot of sense when paired with the rectangular shape. The first time you hold it, you understand this, and everything falls into place. I've used controllers with comparable shapes in the past, and I always felt like I was reaching toward the center to manipulate the sticks.

I haven't had a chance to test any of the caps yet, but CRKD has several packs available for sale, and I might like to try a few later. Speaking of the sticks, they're fantastic. The Hall Sticks installed here give users a vast range of available motion, and for those like me who like a no-dead zone option, it's here, and it works. You can adjust the sensitivity as you want, but these sticks can be as precise as needed.

It might not be the best d-pad out there, but it's definitely holding its own. You wouldn't have trouble playing even the touchiest NES games here. My initial concerns about the D-Pad were quickly allayed after I hooked it up to my Steam deck and put it through its paces. There were no false inputs during gameplay testing, and fireballs were flowing just fine in Marvel vs. Capcom.

Although several variables, such as rumbling strength, will impact battery life, I believe estimating that the Neo S will last 6–8 hours in real-world use between charges is reasonable. While standard USB charging is acceptable, CRKD provides a desk cradle if you're generous.

Accurate Collection System and Companion App

A feature that certainly took me a bit by surprise was when I registered my controller with the accompanying CRKD app; I was met with an extravagant celebration of my "true collection number." In essence, this digital registration links you to the controller and verifies that it was generated as number X out of Y. Despite its silliness and lack of practical application, I thought it was endearing. Assuming these controllers won't become highly sought-after collectibles, they do not need to exist, but it's entertaining. That's ultimately why we're here. CRKD's guarantee that "The True Collection System (TCS) is in no way affiliated with NFTs or Cryptocurrency" should hopefully allay whatever side-eyeing you may be doing at this idea via your screen.

The rest of the CRKD companion app gives you live access to your controller and a litany of available options. You may adjust the hall sticks' preferences, remap buttons and turbo assignments, establish precise trigger sensitives, and adjust the rumbling strength. All in a beautifully packaged and wrapped container. There is nothing that I can think of that they did not include here. Typically, more costly solutions like the Microsoft Xbox Elite series are the only ones with this amount of capability and user control. That kind of value for money is hard to argue with.

Conclusions

It will connect to almost anything with Bluetooth or a USB port, and it's comfortable, unique, customizable, and just plain fun to use in various gaming applications. If you need a controller and think this form factor might be correct for you, I'd say with a resounding and enthusiastic yes from me. I haven't picked up another controller since the Neo S arrived, and we have plenty of controller options in this house.

I was going into this experience blind, but I'm glad I did. What began as a fun curiosity to add to the collection swiftly evolved into a contender for a daily driver. I'll be watching CRKD's offerings in the future because if they can continue to release options like this, 8BitDo better keep an eye out.