I am happy with my Switch 1, and Switch 2 is exactly what I wanted, a backward compatible “better” Switch, like PS5 after PS4, so I am going with Switch 2.
On the other hand, if you don’t care about Nintendo first party games, Steam Deck can be a good choice. Or if you can wait a couple of years, there might be Steam Deck 2, which will probably be better than both Steam Deck and Switch 2.
It depends. Do you want to play witch 2 exclusives and don’t have a pc? Then switch 2, you don’t have an option there.
Do you want to play 3rd party games or nintendo preswitch (and actually some switch games too)? Deck, the games will be cheaper, you can buy bundles, you won’t have to pay for online, you can install from steam, gog, epic, etc. It’s a pc.
As you already have a switch, I’d wait on the 2 if you don’t need to play MK World right now. If you wish you could play PC and older console games on the go get a deck (I did and it’s great) but if you don’t care much about the PC backlog you can just wait until the 2 has some more exclusives our and/or you cand find it cheaper. I’m currently revisiting some PS2 games alongside newer indie titles and it’s very cool.
First party titles are basically the only reason to buy ANY Nintendo console. However there are alternatives. For example if you don’t have a Nintendo console but want to (legally) play a 3D Zelda game, just play one of the Batman Arkham games as it’s basically the same core gameplay loop. For a 2D Zelda game play Tunic.
Oh yeah, Zelda has a special place in my heart, but tunic just did such an amazing job revealing just enough to keep you hunting for the next step.
If you haven’t loom up some of the speed runs for Tunic. A lot of the game can be skipped simply by knowing what you already need to do, a bit like Outer Wilds.
It’s down to personal preference, in my opinion. Steam Deck has more flexibility (any game store + Steam, since it is just a Linux PC in a convenient form factor, so you can go through the massive PC back catalogue as well as enjoy massive sales), but the Switch 2 has a wide array of exclusive titles (Mario Kart World is like my dream Mario Kart, and I am not ashamed to admit I’m addicted to Fire Emblem) as well as the third party titles. Deck has more online features (Nintendo for some reason refuse to put achievements into their consoles, plus Steam has the community pages), but Switch 2 has a better local multiplayer experience (being able to detach a Joy Con and play with a friend on a long train ride or something is amazing). I would say buy both, but most people would rather not do both (since it’s a lot of money, two separate devices, and also two separate libraries). It really depends on your priorities. Personally, I lean more Switch 2 due to its good combination of exclusives and third party games, but that is heavily influenced by the fact I have one.
I have a launch LCD Steam Deck and yesterday was planning to upgrade to the OLED version. Unfortunately:
Steam Deck OLED 512GB and 1TB models are temporarily out-of-stock in the US and Canada as we adapt to recent supply chain constraints. We anticipate being back in stock by end of summer, and currently expect prices will remain the same. We’ll update here as soon as we have more clarity on what the timeline ultimately looks like.
What are people thinking, switch 2 vs steam deck, and switch 2 vs switch 1?
I still play my switch often, not sure which way to jump if I were to upgrade.
I am happy with my Switch 1, and Switch 2 is exactly what I wanted, a backward compatible “better” Switch, like PS5 after PS4, so I am going with Switch 2.
On the other hand, if you don’t care about Nintendo first party games, Steam Deck can be a good choice. Or if you can wait a couple of years, there might be Steam Deck 2, which will probably be better than both Steam Deck and Switch 2.
It depends. Do you want to play witch 2 exclusives and don’t have a pc? Then switch 2, you don’t have an option there.
Do you want to play 3rd party games or nintendo preswitch (and actually some switch games too)? Deck, the games will be cheaper, you can buy bundles, you won’t have to pay for online, you can install from steam, gog, epic, etc. It’s a pc.
As you already have a switch, I’d wait on the 2 if you don’t need to play MK World right now. If you wish you could play PC and older console games on the go get a deck (I did and it’s great) but if you don’t care much about the PC backlog you can just wait until the 2 has some more exclusives our and/or you cand find it cheaper. I’m currently revisiting some PS2 games alongside newer indie titles and it’s very cool.
If you play more third party games get a steam deck. If you want to play the new Nintendo games get a switch 2.
First party titles are basically the only reason to buy ANY Nintendo console. However there are alternatives. For example if you don’t have a Nintendo console but want to (legally) play a 3D Zelda game, just play one of the Batman Arkham games as it’s basically the same core gameplay loop. For a 2D Zelda game play Tunic.
I think tunic is better than any 2D or 3D Zelda.
For purely nostalgic reasons I have difficulty agreeing but honestly yeah. Some of the best puzzles I’ve ever had the pleasure of solving.
Oh yeah, Zelda has a special place in my heart, but tunic just did such an amazing job revealing just enough to keep you hunting for the next step.
If you haven’t loom up some of the speed runs for Tunic. A lot of the game can be skipped simply by knowing what you already need to do, a bit like Outer Wilds.
It’s down to personal preference, in my opinion. Steam Deck has more flexibility (any game store + Steam, since it is just a Linux PC in a convenient form factor, so you can go through the massive PC back catalogue as well as enjoy massive sales), but the Switch 2 has a wide array of exclusive titles (Mario Kart World is like my dream Mario Kart, and I am not ashamed to admit I’m addicted to Fire Emblem) as well as the third party titles. Deck has more online features (Nintendo for some reason refuse to put achievements into their consoles, plus Steam has the community pages), but Switch 2 has a better local multiplayer experience (being able to detach a Joy Con and play with a friend on a long train ride or something is amazing). I would say buy both, but most people would rather not do both (since it’s a lot of money, two separate devices, and also two separate libraries). It really depends on your priorities. Personally, I lean more Switch 2 due to its good combination of exclusives and third party games, but that is heavily influenced by the fact I have one.
Imo for people who don’t get the differences it’s just ecosystem usually. They have other Nintendo stuff so they keep buying it
I have a launch LCD Steam Deck and yesterday was planning to upgrade to the OLED version. Unfortunately:
https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck/
Surprising, but glad to see. Wonder how they’re swinging that.