Game controllers are a dime, and it’s not easy to know what’s worth spending. Usually the question is whether you really need to upgrade to a new controller when you still have one with a console. But the truth is that we can now play games we like, including phones and tablets, and there are many ways to do it. Plus, it can also be very helpful if you want to play games on the go.
I've been testing a lot of controllers lately, and CRKD (pronounced “cracked”) Neo s offers almost everything you want in a good, easy to portable gaming controller – and at a reasonable price. The company let me check out Frost Edition and I was impressed.
I like CRKD NEO S
Hardware and customization
CRKD mainly nails hardware on NeoS. First, I haven't used a rectangular controller before, but it feels comfortable after a few minutes. The slightly protruding grip on the back helps a lot.
The buttons are indeed clicking, the joystick is stiff without being too stiff, and the trigger feels great. It was an honor to play with the Neo S for a few hours, and I never missed any input due to the mushy controls.
The NEO S size is the same as the display size of the Nintendo Switch.
The NEO S connects wirelessly via Bluetooth, but also has a USB-C port and a cable for wired gaming. Up to three devices can be connected. After setting up, I was able to use the PC, iPad and Nintendo switch In just a few seconds.
Its effects are impressive considering its size. If you really need it, the Neo S is small and can be stuffed into a large pair of pants or jacket pockets and slides easily into my backpack. Although, the lack of a carry case means occasionally grabbing my stick, it's easy to travel.
Another interesting thing about NEO S is all the different special editions. I have the frost version, which is exclusive to the Apple Store (currently sold out), but there are some options like Retro Gold, Classic Clear, Fortnite, etc. You can add them to your “collection” in the CRKD application and the application will tell you the product number of the controller, and even list it as a rare rating based on the number of manufactured.
It would be cool if you could collect points or something by adding more to your collection, then you could redeem discounts for other controllers or accessories, but for now, the points seem to be used only for bragging rights.
Another impressive thing about the NEO S is the built-in custom pro. Given its price and size, you won't necessarily think you can customize almost every possible input. Things like vibration intensity, trigger sensitivity, and even dead areas for joysticks – you usually only have to customize a controller that costs several hundred dollars.
Despite all its features and compact design, the Neo S is still affordable. While writing, you can find most versions About $40 to $50although the newly released version is usually around $60. Also, if you buy some at a time (for example, to upgrade Kiddos' switch controller), you'll get more discounts. This is really not a bad price for such a great controller, especially with so much customization it offers.
I don't like CRKD NEO S
Tactile is surprisingly mediocre for the benefits of inputs on the NEO S. They aren't as bad as others I've used, but I recommend keeping them at a minimum setting or turning them off. They were happy to be in some games, but I'm not a fan.
Plus, while the controller is very customizable, tweaking these settings is very confusing. Manually changing any of them on the controller requires pressing the combination of the large CRKD button at the top and some other random buttons. It's not intuitive at all, so you have to remember different button combinations, or look them up every time.
Thankfully, you can change everything in the CRKD iOS or Android app, but that means pausing the game, connecting to another device, changing settings and switching back to the console. This is a lot of steps and does not save on settings between devices – you have to change them every time.
This confusion also translates into the setup process. First, pairing the devices and switching between devices has done some trial and error, and even then, you have to remember which button combination connects to which device (d-pad up plus iOS's CRKD button, iOS's CRKD button, d-pad right Plus for Switch, etc.). Having a tiny LCD screen that can help you do everything might help, but my advice is to pair the controller with a device and keep it.
Should You Buy CRKD NEO S?
That being said, I would definitely recommend the Neo S in my heartbeat. This is a very sturdy small controller, very portable and very comfortable to use. Plus, the huge level of customization means you can get a fraction of the cost like Xbox Elite Controller for support-level controls.
The collection of the special edition also adds another layer of fun to the Neo S.
Personally, I wish I had discovered the CRKD controller a few years ago.
The CRKD Neo S is a fun, collectible, portable gaming controller that is impressive than its $40 quotation. The touch is mediocre, the setup and remapping process is a bit tedious, but it is definitely worth mentioning.
