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.
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.