The Nitro Deck 2, touted as the savior for both the original Nintendo Switch and the larger Switch 2, brings the promise of Hall effect sticks to a world still plagued by drift. Yet, just a few millimeters shy of perfection, the ABXY face buttons on the Nitro Deck 2 clash with the right stick, making button presses a near-near-impossible task. Is it too much to ask for a bit more spacing between the joystick and the face buttons, or does Nintendo think we gamers are too busy mastering our aim to notice a millimeter or two? Perhaps the designers were so focused on replicating the feel of a classic console that they forgot to consider the ergonomic nuances of modern gaming.

While the Nitro Deck 2 does indeed offer an upgrade over Nintendo’s own Joy-Cons, the absence of Hall effect technology in these new sticks is a curious oversight. If Hall effect sticks are the gold standard for eliminating drift, why settle for a mere improvement that still leaves us reaching for the right stick when we need to tap ABXY? It’s as if Nintendo said, “Sure, your Joy-Cons drift, but at least they’re cheap!” The Nitro Deck 2 feels like a step forward, but it’s a step taken while looking back.

Moreover, the Nitro Deck 2’s price point—$59.99—places it squarely in the realm of essential accessories, yet it struggles to justify this premium with its minor ergonomic quirks. For a few extra millimeters, could we have had a design that truly separated the joystick from the face buttons, allowing for seamless button presses without the stick’s interference? It’s akin to buying a gourmet meal only to discover the main course is served on a plate with a chip right in the middle—delicious, but slightly inconvenient.

In the grand scheme of gaming peripherals, the Nitro Deck 2 is a commendable attempt, but it falls short of being the essential upgrade many hoped for. The face buttons, nestled too closely to the right stick, create a constant battle for control during intense gaming sessions. Nintendo’s focus on Hall effect technology in the Nitro Deck 2 is a step in the right direction, yet the ergonomic design leaves something to be desired. Perhaps the next iteration will finally nail that perfect millimeter, making the Nitro Deck 2 a must-have rather than a near-miss. After all, in the world of gaming, even the smallest details can make the biggest difference.