this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2025
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So... its $50 more than an LCD, 256 GB Steam Deck (the Switch 2 is also LCD).
A Deck has two touchpads that work as mice.
And you can buy a real mouse with those $50 bucks you saved.
Oh right and it has a bigger screen, can run almost every modern to ancient PC game, and basically every retro game if you can handle an EmuDeck or RetroDeck guided installer, oh and it also just is a computer that does everything a mid tier linux laptop can do.
It can even run Switch games, and probably will be able to run Switch 2 games in... what, 2 years? 3 years?
I'm really not trying to rain on the parade here, but uh... yeah I do not understand the cost benefit analysis on a Switch 2 vs a Deck unless:
You really, really want to play Switch 2 games soon
OR
The Switch 2 somehow has vastly superior performance to a Steam Deck
... I kinda doubt that last one being the case, but the specs aren't out yet (afaik) so I guess it is possible.
From my 12y old kids perspective:
The switch 2 plays fortnite and Mario kart. The steamdeck doesn't.
There is no difficult choice for him.
He doesn't give a fuck about anything else. Neither do his friends.
It’s not just 12 year old kids either; this is how most people in the console market make their decisions. They prioritize the availability of games on the console over the hardware’s specifications and operating system.
Yup. I want to play Prime 4 and DK Bananza at some point. I don't need to play them day 1, but I'll want to play them eventually. And I'll want to play the inevitable Pikmin 5 and Smash Bros 6.
Yeah I think Lemmy often forgets that kids exist and are the target audience for Nintendo games. I say good for them, it might be hella expensive but at least Nintendo appears to be providing a "safe" place for kids to use the internet. There's really nothing for kids anymore these days other than getting an eating disorder on tiktok.
We got the nieces and nephews 3DSes, my brother sideloaded some emulators on them and it has been the best
Yep, I already said the Switch 2 makes sense if all you care about is playing Switch 2 games.
I am not trying to aruge that the Deck is just hands down, inherently superior in all cases, for everyone.
I hope there's a way for you to put parental controls on your 12 yo's Fortnite account's ability to buy microtransactions, and that you have enough time to teach them how to identify and disregard all the dark patterns in the game that encourage irresponsible spending habits, as well as resist all the social peer pressure that comes with an MTX heavy game.
Problem is, the steam deck plays both of those things. Steam deck just needs windows for fartnight
I am a huge proponent of the steam deck but there are a few things you’re kind of leaving out here
You would be surprised how many people actually don’t have a mouse on hand. But if they do, you do have to calculate that into the cost.
you need a dock or at least a cheap USB-C dongle unless the only thing you plan on hooking up to the steam deck is your mouse, which would be feasible but unusual.
The deck is getting a little longer in the tooth. I love it, I use it a ton, but it is definitely starting to show its age.
It can’t play Nintendo switch/switch 2 games natively, which many people who shit on Nintendo (I am one of those people don’t get me wrong) tend to forget is a pretty huge part of the appeal of Nintendo platforms.
if you plan on doing Couch multiplayer, the steam deck is really not a viable option compared to the switch unless you invest in a bunch of other stuff
I agree with everything except #5. If you want to play couch multiplayer for the switch with two people you’re set with the tiny joycons. If you want any comfort playing those games you’re investing in at LEAST as many controllers as you have couch players and the same can be said about the deck. But the Deck has options and years of hardware options that are far more inexpensive than the $90 joycons or $80 pro controllers at launch. Given time I’m sure there may be options for the S2 but I think the Deck has far more inexpensive options for multiplayer.
That said, the deck dock is expensive so maybe my argument is entirely moot.
A 10usd Chinese knockoff Bluetooth controller works well enough for multi-player. The true little brother experience is to play with the shitty controller.
For the steam deck, you'd have to buy 2 controllers (potentially both shitty), so the benefit for the switch is still there.
So buy 2 $10 controllers for the steam deck and still save money since the switch costs $50 more to begin with.
Comfort or not you can just do it. I’ve done it plenty. It’s a viable option
The offical dock is $80, but you can get the Baseus Dock for between $30 and $40.
Mice are cheap. Even Bluetooth ones, which wouldn't need a dock or dongle to be used with the deck.
The steam deck can get fucky with 2 Bluetooth devices (forget 3) so unless you plan on a M or K you need a dock or dongle. I guess unless you plan on not charging either.
Point by point:
1: I mean, I guess? I do not even have a mouse myself right now... but if I needed just a cheapo one for basic use... you can get something functional for $20 or under, a basic mouse you'd get for a work laptop type thing.
2: People have all kinds of 'unusual' Deck set ups.
The mouse dongle you just mentioned wouldn't... really make that much sense, as ... you can just hold it... and use the touch pads... or the touch sensitive screen itself...
But its actually not uncommon for people to dock their deck, sync it to a controller or M+K, and then stream it to a smart tv, or a dumb one via a dongle or direct connection to the dock. No, you're not gonna get true 4k on any non retro game, but a good number of people do something like this.
3: ... As compared to...? Your minimum 3x more expensive PC you can upgrade with even more money? Another console/handheld you... can't upgrade?
Unless the Switch 2 can play Cyberpunk 2077 at better than 45 fps, with graphics basically medium/high, I don't see how the Deck is 'showing its age' compared to other similarly priced handhelds.
Decky FrameGen is pretty neat. I think I managed to tweak mine up to an avg of almost 55 on the benchmark, and thats without mucking around in CET to squeeze out even more.
4: I absolutely understand buying a Switch 2 is your best option if you want a very straightforward, doubleplus legal, and expensive way to play Switch 2 games.
Like, if you're super dedicated to current era Nintendo games, sure, fine, yep, get a Switch 2.
But if you just like games in general...
5: Pretty much yeah, I agree. Its possible to get it working with a Deck, but its gonna be a lot more hassle, and you'll need peripherals, yep.
In my local pricing, my 512GB LCD deck was almost 300$ cheaper than the switch 2 lol.
$90 per game. That's an instant deal breaker.
Yeah... I was thinking about getting my first Nintendo console, but these prices are ridiculous even if it's "only" $80 for a digital game.
Bro, Mario 64 is the same game as Mario Sunshine is the same game as Mario galaxy is the same game as Mario Odyssey. Just get a cheaper console. Done.
wait wait wait.
Fucking... what?
... Are they trying to preempt the expected 'GTA 6 MSRPs for $120, base edition and breaks all video game pricing' thing?
I'm seeing $80 for Mario Kart World.
puts on eyepatch and peg leg
$80 digital. $90 physical. With the added spite that the "physical" copy is just a cartridge that loads a code for the game download. It's just a $10 plastic box with an SD card with a download code inside.
It‘s interesting they abandoned physical media completely and nobody is talking about it. This makes them a direct competitor to Steam and well… let‘s just say I don‘t see 90% discounts in the Nintendo shop any time soon.
Not 1st party sure, but there is a weekly deal cycle where 3rd party publishers compete to stand out.
https://www.dekudeals.com/games?filter%5Bcritic_score%5D=70&filter%5Bplatform%5D=switch&filter%5Bformat%5D=digital&filter%5Bdiscount%5D=discounted
That's something at least. Now Nintendo needs to actually advertise their shop and those deals instead of yet another wave of retro ports.
Though it's probably worth mentioning I'm not going to buy a Switch 2 anyway. I'm more of an observer from the PC gaming sidelines.
Nintendo shop regularly runs deals similar to Steam. Usually at around the same times of year. Same with PlayStation. I run games on all three platforms. You have to be kind of a sucker these days to buy a game at full price when it's first released. But none of what I said makes $80 games reasonably priced.
With the added bonus of Nintendo's notoriously infrequent and shitty sales
Plus the Switch barely had any exclusive games. For a Nintendo console anyway. Perhaps that‘s something Nintendo is working on now, but I doubt it can compete with PC games in terms of bang you get for your buck. There‘s just no way.
Or without having to learn to emulate. Or play coop/multiplayer with the joycons.
To be fair, there is no guarantee you‘ll be able to emulate Switch 2 games as soon and easily as Switch games. You just might, but we really don‘t know for sure.
The Switch 2 footage of Elden Ring did look better than what I can get out of my Steam Deck. I wouldn't be surprised if it has a performance advantage (perhaps thanks to native DLSS and frame generation) for the next year or two.
I suggest you check out Decky FrameGen.
The technicals are ... very complex, but the upshot is: It basically injects FrameScaling/FrameGen modes into games that don't officially support them on AMD hardware.
So... I've done this with CP2077, and if I understand this right, basically it injects FSR3, but under the DLSS settings under the game's options menu... and it works better than the game's current officially supported FSR 2 for the Deck.
Elden Ring may also be able to benefit from it.
I mean with those price tags you expect games to look better. Anything else would be ridiculous.
The biggest feature of a game console is always the games. So ya, buy it if you think the games are worth it.
And they suck trying to use them for an FPS.
How well is yuzu on the steam deck to run Zelda games?
Not... Great. You don't reach 30fps often. At least, last time i tried a few months ago.
that is what my guess would be. 2-25 average. comparing a steamdeck to a switch and touting emulation for the switch is wild because the steam deck isn't that powerful