NEO S Frost Edition controller review - "It's ice cold"

• Stylish frosted design
• Surprisingly comfortable to hold during long game sessions
• Customize sensitivity and buttons via the companion app

Exclusive to the Apple Store, the NEO S Frost Edition is a rectangular controller with a frosty feel. The Frost is compatible with iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and PC and allows you to customize buttons and sensitivity. Featuring a beautiful winter-weather-inspired aesthetic, the NEO S Frost Edition is certainly tempting to the eye.

Unboxing the NEO S Frost Edition

The NEO S Frost comes in a slender white cardboard box with a sleek slipcover that shows the device resting on the included charging dock. Upon opening the box, you'll see the Frost controller nestled snuggly by cardboard. There is also a small white charging station and a USB charging cord.

The device's rectangular shape evokes memories of old game controllers. Visually speaking, it truly embodies its chilly moniker. The body is clear until about halfway down the device, where it becomes white, giving the controller a frosted-over look. Made of sturdy plastic, it features the traditional LT, LB/ RT, and RB trigger buttons on either side of the type-C charge port atop the device. The front triggers curve around the rounded corners, while the back ones jut out slightly, adding a bit of flair.

Looking at the front of the NEO S Frost controller, you'll see a black home button towards the centre with three small white buttons beneath it. It also features two white Hall Effect joysticks, a D-pad, and X, Y, A, and B buttons. On the back of the device are two more trigger buttons labelled S1 and S2. You’ll find your middle fingers naturally resting on these trigger buttons when gripping the device.

Using the NEO S Frost Edition is Surprisingly Comfortable

It’s super easy to pair the Frost, which retails at $59.95, with your mobile device or PC. Simply hold down the up button on the d-pad and the home button for three seconds. It also comes with a cheat sheet reminding you how to pair to different devices, so no worries if you forget the process.

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While I was sceptical about using a rectangular controller for long periods of time, I was able to enjoy Evoland 2 and Roblox for hours on end without any discomfort. This is in part due to the ergonomic design of the back of the device, which lets your fingers rest naturally. Further, the back edge of the RT/LT triggers a curve upward, making a nice resting surface for your index fingers.

A Deliciously Compact Device

This Apple Store exclusive is compact, about the length and width of a Samsung Galaxy S22. This lightweight controller easily fits in a typical pants pocket, making it ideal for on-the-go mobile gaming. Despite its small size, CRKD manages to provide enough space between buttons so you aren’t constantly pressing multiple buttons accidentally.

While the two Hall Effect joysticks feel a bit flimsy, they hold up well during long sessions of play. Additionally, the anti-slip surface means you won’t have to worry about losing your grip on the joysticks. Not once while racing against adorable characters in Disney Speedstorm, battling evil mannequins in Forgotten Memories Remastered Edition, or exploring dangerous places in Vendir: Plague of Lies did I experience any drift. 

NEO S Frost Edition: The Companion App Blues

You can customize the device’s sensitivity and the functionality of the rear trigger buttons; however, you’ll need to download the official app to your phone to do so. After downloading the CRKD app you must register your controller by tapping the company logo on the backside of the controller with your phone screen. 

Unfortunately, my Samsung Galaxy S22 was unable to scan the logo despite multiple attempts, and I had turned on NFC in the settings, so I wasn’t able to play around with the customizations. You can also swap out the tops of the joysticks to change their look - however, you’ll need to purchase joystick tops from CRKD to do so.

There are two ways to charge your NEO S Frost Edition controller, either via the charging dock or by directly plugging the charging cord into the Type-C port on the top of the device. Whichever way you choose to charge up, you'll be satisfied with the results. The NEO S Frost Edition’s capable battery allows you to play for hours without needing to recharge.

The CRKD NEO S Frost Edition is a stylish controller that will please any Apple gamer. The included charging dock also acts as a perfect place to display your controller while keeping it charged up and ready to go. On the downside, the Android version of the CRKD app needs some work, as registering your new Frost can be tricky. Still, between the sleek aesthetic, comfortable design, and anti-slip joysticks, the NEO S Frost Edition proves itself worthy. Finally, here are some Android games with controller support that you can try out!