Empower Handheld PC Wars: Crush the Nintendo Switch 2 Challenge
The Nintendo Switch 2: A Game-Changer in Handheld Gaming?
When I bought a Steam Deck, I started to use my Nintendo Switch less and less. My Switch had become a Mario and Zelda machine, used mostly for playing my favorite games on-the-go. But the Steam Deck took the best part of the Switch – its portability – and improved upon it. I can now easily resume games on my desktop, or enjoy improved graphics on my TV.
But the Nintendo Switch 2 Is Coming
However, the Nintendo Switch 2, launching later this year, may change everything. With its detachable Joy-Con controllers and improved graphics, it’s poised to attract families and kids who love innovative, must-try Nintendo games. Additionally, its versatility and ease of use could persuade enthusiasts who might otherwise opt for handheld gaming PCs or wait for them to become more affordable.
A New Era in Handheld Gaming?
The Switch 2 may meet or exceed the Steam Deck’s performance, and its games library is set to launch with one of the largest and most welcoming collections of all time, rivaled only by smartphones and computers. This could make the Switch the new standard for game developers to target, and a reliable spot to find new handheld-friendly titles.
But What About the Cost?
To win over gamers, the PC industry may need to cut prices. The Nintendo Switch debuted at $299 in 2017, while the Steam Deck started at $399. Today, the most affordable Windows handheld gaming PC I can recommend costs $799, almost twice the price of an entry-level Steam Deck, and most Windows handhelds start at $600 and up. Even high-end options may struggle to make a dent without lower-end options.
A Potential Solution
The least expensive model of Lenovo’s SteamOS variant, the Legion Go S, will lower the bar to $499 in May. And all these prices are still more than Sony or Microsoft charges for a TV console with far more performance, and likely more than Nintendo will charge for the Switch 2.
The Road Ahead
To compete with Nintendo, PC makers like Microsoft, Valve, or Sony need to lead the charge, securing the right components and offering the perfect operating system for dozens of true Switch competitors. Imagine portable Xboxes, PlayStations, or Steam Machines instead of each PC maker going it alone.
The Future of Gaming
I believe it’s time for an industry-wide push on handheld gaming. It might be the future of gaming, period. There’s too much at stake to tackle it one half-baked Windows handheld at a time.
