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.
EDIT: Ok, so uh... tariffs just happened.
Switch 2 may now be $600.
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/104409/nintendo-switch-2-price-may-jump-from-449-to-600-following-trumps-tariffs/index.html
Preorders have been delayed.
Steam Decks are manufactured in Taiwan... so they'll likely jump in price too... but that could possibly be delayed for at least a bit...
I think Valve has warehouses in the US full of them, and they are also a private company with absurdly deep pockets, and thus don't have the 'maximize shareholder profit in current/next quarter' mandate... so they may be able to keep their costs to consumers from raising, by just internally subsidizing them...
But I really have no idea.
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
Problem is, the steam deck plays both of those things. Steam deck just needs windows for fartnight
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.