- Stylish, matte design
- Surprisingly comfortable to hold during long gaming sessions
- Customize sensitivity and buttons with the companion app
Available exclusively at the Apple Store, the NEO S Frost Edition is a rectangular controller with a frosty look. Frost is compatible with iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Mac and PC and allows you to customize buttons and sensitivity. Featuring stunning aesthetics inspired by winter weather, the NEO S Frost Edition is sure to tempt the eye.
Unboxing NEO S Frost Edition
The NEO S Frost comes in a slim white cardboard box with an elegant slipcover that shows off the device resting on the included charging station. Once you open the box, you’ll see the Frost controller packed tightly into the box. There is also a compact white charging station and a USB charging cable.
The rectangular shape of the device brings back memories of elderly game controllers. Visually, it truly embodies its frigid moniker. The body is clear until about halfway down the device, where it turns white, giving the controller a matte appearance. Made of hard-wearing plastic, it features established LT, LB/RT and RB trigger buttons on either side of the Type-C charging port on the top of the device. The front triggers curve around the rounded corners, while the rear triggers protrude slightly, adding a touch of elegance.
Looking at the front of the NEO S Frost controller, you’ll see a black home button towards the center, with three compact white buttons below it. It also includes two white hall-effect joysticks, a directional pad, and X, Y, A, and B buttons. On the back of the device, there are two more trigger buttons marked S1 and S2. When gripping the device, your middle fingers naturally rest on the trigger buttons.
Using NEO S Frost Edition is surprisingly comfortable
It’s very basic to pair the Frost, which retails for $59.95, with your mobile device or computer. Simply hold the Up button on the D-pad and the Home button for three seconds. It also comes with a cheat sheet to remind you how to pair with different devices, so don’t worry if you forget the process.
Although I was skeptical about using the rectangular controller for long periods of time, I was able to enjoy Evoland 2 and Roblox for hours without any discomfort. This is partly due to the ergonomic design of the back of the device, which allows for natural finger positioning. What’s more, the back edge of the RT/LT curves upwards, creating a nice resting surface for your index fingers.
A wonderfully compact device
This Exclusively at the Apple Store it’s compact, about the length and width of a Samsung Galaxy S22. This lightweight controller fits easily into a typical pants pocket, making it perfect for mobile gaming on the go. Despite its compact size, CRKD provides enough space between buttons so you don’t accidentally press multiple buttons.
Although the two hall-effect joysticks seem a bit flimsy, they hold up well to long gaming sessions. Additionally, the non-slip surface means you don’t have to worry about losing your grip on the joysticks. Not once, while racing against cute characters in Disney Speedstorm, fighting evil mannequins in Forgotten Memories Remastered Edition, or exploring hazardous places in Vendir: Plague of Lies, did I experience any drift.
NEO S Frost Edition: Blues companion app
You can adjust the device’s sensitivity and the functionality of the rear trigger buttons; However, to do this, you need to download the official app on your phone. After downloading the CRKD application, register your controller by touching your phone screen to the company logo located on the back of the controller.
Unfortunately, my Samsung Galaxy S22 was unable to scan the logo despite repeated attempts, and I had NFC enabled in the settings, so I couldn’t play around with the customizations. You can also swap joystick tops to change their appearance – but to do this you’ll need to purchase joystick tops from CRKD.
There are two ways to charge the NEO S Frost Edition Controller: via the charging station or by directly connecting the charging cable to the Type-C port on the top of the device. Whichever charging method you choose, you will be pleased with the results. The capable NEO S Frost Edition battery allows you to play for many hours without having to recharge.
CRKD NEO S Frost Edition is a stylish controller that will please every Apple gamer. The included charging station also works great as a place to display the controller while keeping it charged and ready to go. On the other hand, the Android version of the CRKD app needs some work, as registering the modern Frost software can be complex. Still, between its elegant aesthetics, comfortable design, and non-slip joysticks, the NEO S Frost Edition proves worthy. Finally, here are some controller-enabled Android games for you to try out!
