Such a weird article from Nintendo Life trying to defend the Switch 2 over the Steam Deck. And it’s so cringe.
First let’s talk about the contention that the Switch 2 has better value because it’s comes with a dock.
Look, I can hook my Steam Deck up to my TV using a USB-C to HDMI adapter and use the Steam Deck itself as a controller. As for a dock itself, sure the official Steam Deck Docking Station costs C$109. However, I can buy a 3rd party docking station off Amazon for C$40. So that’s not much of an argument.
The Switch 2 has a bigger screen that runs at 1080P. That great. But the Steam Deck has an OLED panel which the Switch 2 does not.
In terms of performance, the Switch 2 probably has a better GPU. However, it lacks the Steam Deck’s CPU power. And it only has 12GB of RAM compared to the Steam Deck’s 16GB of RAM. Will games look better on Switch 2? Only if CPU and RAM don’t serve as bottlenecks.
The next thing: Switch 2 is supposedly better because a joy-con can act as a mouse. But they’re really grasping at straws here because I can use an actual Bluetooth mouse with the Steam Deck—one which is more ergonomic too. Oh, and unlike the Switch 2, I can also use a Bluetooth keyboard too with a Steam Deck.
Apparently, the Steam Deck’s touchpad so “too awkward” compared to the Switch 2’s mouse. But you don’t use a mouse in handheld mode—no one does. Touchpads, on the other hand, do work in handheld mode. And I find them much more suitable for FPS and RTS games than an analog joystick.
Now for the article’s final point: the Steam Deck can’t play Switch 2 games. This is actually the most legitimate point. However, it cuts both ways too. Switch 2 can’t play decades of PC games, all which are accessible on Steam Deck. And I should know because I’m able to run literally thousands of games on my Steam Deck—many which don’t even run on Windows anymore without lots of modding.
Can Switch 2 play F.E.A.R. without needing to jailbreak and emulate it? Nope—so in terms of game library, Steam Deck has the win.
But ultimately, this is a silly comparison because the Steam Deck is already three years old at the moment. Of course the Switch 2 will be able to do some things better than Steam Deck. It should—it’s the newer piece of hardware.
However, when the Steam Deck 2 comes out—probably next year—how will the Switch 2 compare? I don’t know, but it will likely have all the advantages that the Steam Deck still has but with giant generational leap in terms of performance.
Right now, if I wanted to, I could get a Lenovo Legion Go S. And it would be leagues better than a Switch 2. It has a AMD Ryzen Z2 Go APU, 32GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage—which absolutely wrecks the Switch 2 in terms of raw performance.
But the reason I’m holding off is because I think the Steam Deck 2 will be even better.
This doesn’t even touch about many points that makes the Steam Deck just plain better. The games are cheaper. You don’t have to pay for online multiplayer. You have access to multiple storefronts like GOG or itch.io. You can use it as a PC in desktop mode. I can go on.
Now do I think the Switch 2 is totally lacking in value? No. If I had a young child, I’d probably get them a Switch 2 simply because it’s more kid friendly.
However, I’m a full grown man. As for my kid? She’s turning 12-years-old in a few weeks so I think she’ll do just fine with a Steam Deck.
i’m blown away that the switch 2 is so beefy. nintendo has been the “lower spec consoles but AMAZING first party games” company for as long as i can remember.
I feel like all these “Switch 2 is bad” articles are missing the point. I’m not gonna buy Switch 2 for its superior hardware. If I buy it, I’ll buy it for the next generation of Mario Kart, Zelda and Pokémon. You won’t get that on a Steam deck. I probably won’t, dough.
You certainly will get all that on a Steam Deck, if you give it a little time.
Even if/when Switch 2 emulation is possible, there’s not a chance in hell it could run on Deck hardware.
I’m not sure that’s true, if I understand correctly, Steam Deck has more RAM and a better CPU. It’d only be true for graphics card constrained games.
I don’t think you understand how emulation works
Maybe in the Deck 2 pal.
If You mean emulation, you’re probably right. But giving it time is also a point. What if I don’t want to wait?
Okay, so I gotta admit, that article about the Switch 2 being not-so-bad actually convinced me. They’re right, it’s awesome for parties and two-player gaming on the go. I didn’t realize the hardware could do 3.2 teraflops docked (1.6 undocked)—the Deck only does 1.6!
Yeah, games are pricey, but I think Nintendo delivers good entertainment value.
You could achieve the exact same with a steam Deck with emulation and buying a few more controllers
The article makes a point out of mentioning that you wont be able to emulate switch 2 games on the deck due to hardware performance and emulation overhead.
Maybe 5 years into the future, but not now.
Also interested in any link suggestions for controllers that are as compact as switch joycons. Would be awesome for social gaming on the go.
It’s an odd comparison, if the Steam Deck had Pokémon, Zelda and Mario etc., then there’d be a reason to compare them like for like.
It does… With emulation… That you can scale up to look better than any of Nintendo’s consoles can do… Plus mods, save states all the benefits of emulation…
But the Steam Deck can have Pokémon, Zelda, etc. thanks to piracy.
I feel like it’s morally correct to pirate Nintendo games at this point.
I feel like it’s morally correct to pirate Nintendo games at this point.
How come?
Because intellectual property is a ridiculous capitalist notion. You can’t own intellect.
Not unless you support slavery, which I am sure you don’t.
You can’t own intellect
That not what IP rights are.
But also, piracy is a copyright issue, not an IP issue.
Ahh but see. Nintendo has taken down many fan made games for just using their IP. No copyright violations
Which isn’t relevant in a discussion about piracy.
I believe it is. Because it started by saying it’s morally correct to pirate Nintendo products. I think shutting down fan projects is very anti-consumer and an abuse of their power. Which makes it morally correct to pirate their shit
Piracy isn’t an issue at all, because I don’t recognize or consider either of those concepts.
Lol
Reasonable IP laws are fine if they actually serve the stated purposes but we haven’t had that in generations
Nintendo is extremely aggresive when it comes to intelectual property.
There is an argument to be made, that IP laws are too powerful giving exlusive rights for shit ton of time (170 years or sth like that)
The law basically is there for corporations to force small companies out of business and keep their monopolies.
So just excersing a law written by the rich for the rich, for them to stay rich is evil. And by extension the company is evil. And by extension, not supporting the company is inherently good.
So just excersing a law written by the rich for the rich, for them to stay rich is evil. And by extension the company is evil.
Ah okay, was just wonder if there was more nuance than “capitalism bad”
I feel like it’s morally correct to pirate Nintendo games at this point.
Nintendo is not getting another red cent from me until the day I die.
Imagine if people were this principled about things that actually mattered…
You can be principled on multiple fronts at the same time, food for thought…
However, when the Steam Deck 2 comes out—probably next year
Really?
I would be surprised of that was the case. Valve said they wouldn’t release another one until there was a generational improvement and I don’t think we’re there.
We maybe are not there yet, but we are at the “a bunch of games are not optimized and needs a lot of computing requirements that the current deck just lacks” stage, and if the “Deck Verified” list starts to stall then I would say we should all wish for a revision at least.
Something people may not realize is that the deck serves as a target system for developers of pc games. Obviously at some point a new target makes sense, but there is a careful balance in release frequency if that target status is to be maintained.
For instance you mention steam deck verified - when steam deck 2 comes out, does steam deck verified get bifurcated where a game can get certified for either system separately? Does it just reference steam deck 2 at that point? Not easy questions
when steam deck 2 comes out, does steam deck verified get bifurcated where a game can get certified for either system separately?
I’d say yes, at least I would do it that way.
Still wish Steam Deck would improve docked mode support, it’s pretty janky.
Buddy, I have tried docked mode on windows (Ally + Windows + Bluetooth controller). It’s hell! I can’t wait to get back to SteamOS/Bazzite.
What problems have you faced in docked mode?
I use Steam OS. Here are some problems I’ve faced in docked mode:
- resolution unable to match output, now always 1280 x 800 (used to work)
- no audio in docked mode, even when selecting ‘external device’. (I had to write my own script to fix this!)
- sometimes video won’t display externally at all until I reboot
- sometimes dialogue boxes glitch and aren’t closable without touch screen
Also, not Valve’s fault, but BGIII removes its local multiplayer feature on steam deck by default, because I guess they forgot it can run docked.
FWIW, I use it all the time on a dock and have no problems. I used to have HDMI issues, but it turned out it was an old cable (issue=TV connection didn’t work at all). I also had to change controllers as apparently cable controllers drivers can’t work with read-only filesystem. 8bit controllers work without issues. Me and my wife are super happy with it over all.
That said, maybe my standard is pretty low, but I just turn on the thing, open a game and play.
The bigger trend is that enshitification of consoles have made steam a juggernaut.
$80 a game is a non starter for most people. Switch was a golden goose that revolutionized mobile handheld gaming. It was like a gameboy reboot. I doubt Switch 2 gets even close to half of the success
The switch and switch 2 are better than all handheld PCs at present for one simple reason: it’s much simpler to obtain and use for the average consumer. That’s it. Average consumers don’t give a shit about teraflops and fps as long as it’s easy to use and still looks good.
Except I couldn’t give a fuck about Nintendo games. Never played ‘em and probably won’t ever want to either.
You should give some of them a try. Nintendo is a shitty company sometimes, but some of their games speak for themselves - stuff like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Mario Kart 8 DX, Ring Fit Adventure, Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, Earthbound, etc. are all legendary for a reason.
I’ve gotten thousands of hours of play out of every Nintendo system I’ve ever owned (including the WiiU), because the games are just that damn good.
That said I love the Steam Deck as well, but it scratches a different itch. It has a much bigger library of awesome games, and it’s less restrictive than Nintendo’s walled garden approach to gaming.
TLDR; Steam Deck is great, but Switch 2 will be great as well. Gamers win with both choices.
Idk if id include ring fit adventure in that list but yeah
Said the not average consumer. Proving my point for me
Also don’t need fuckin anchor arms to carry it around
If only other handheld games consoles (that aren’t “retro” ones) tꝏk lightweightedness into consideration !
ꝏꝏꝏꝏꝏꝏk
Nintendo life is just being a bit insecure due to constantly hearing about it being a deck measuring contest.
They want a review unit / codes from Nintendo
Not need to argue, they have entirety difference audiences and that’s ok.
The Steam Deck is a much better product from a value standpoint, a console will never be able to compare to a PC. So it’s kind of pointless to compare them in this regard.
The only reason, personally, to buy a Switch is for the joy-con games, like games to play with friends and family. Like you would with the Wii ( checks notes, almost 19 years ago…). For an actual handheld gaming device, obviously the Deck is the better choice.
Exactly. I personally do all my gaming on a desktop and have no desire for “mobile” gaming, but I’m super excited to get a Switch 2 just for introducing my very young kids to Split-screen Mario kart with that joycon wheel
That’s a point I didn’t even think of my sticks were not as smooth bought new ones opened up the back of the unit and about 30 mins of work had them swapped out and calibrated. Try doing that on joycon drift.
I’m holding off is because I think the Switch 2 will be even better.
You meant steam deck I think?
Thanks for catching that. Edited.
Switch 2 can’t play decades of PC games, all which are accessible on Switch.
I think you meant “which are accessible on Steam Deck”
I would assume a publication like “Nintendo Life” will promote Nintendo irrespective of what the issue is.
And to my limited understanding, the people who buy/use Nintendo are either children (you are not going to tell them they have shit taste) or hardcore fanboys who on some level will defend any action by Nintendo no matter what.
Yea it’s mostly children, and Nintendo’s trying to save face by you could by their crappy accesories
I’m neither and have a Switch. There’s just some games i want to play on it.
Won’t be getting a switch 2 though. That ship sailed considering how easy it is to emulate the first console.
And I bet one of the reason Nintendo went after the Switch Emus when they did is cause the Switch 2 is just an upgraded Switch 1. So Emulation base is already done.
I mean, if that is true, then playing switch 1 games on the 2 wouldn’t be emulated as has been reported. Hopefully it’s the way you think, but I’m not too sure.
Interesting I hadnt heard that till now. And I was just looking into this. Sounds like they might be doing some kind of translation layer like Proton. Switch 1 is ARMv8. And Im guessing that the Switch 2 is atleast ARMv9. So some instructions might have to be emulated. And I imagine they just ship the compiled shaders. Some kind of recompile will probably have to happen for the Switch2. Or possibly could be doing a translation there too. But I would think recompiling the shaders would be the better method but shrugs
I mean, my phone can emulate switch games at a better quality than a switch can play them in docked mode. Considering that when it launched the switch wasn’t it wasn’t top of the line specs, and I don’t expect 2 to be.
Edit: pressed post before I was finished 🤦
Above the line was typed before I got curious about what the actual specs are.
Nintendo states that the CPU/GPU are “Nvidia custom chips”.However, this article from 16th of January (updated 24th of March,) references a leak that says the CPU is an Arm Cortex-A78C, a chip from 2020, it’s an ARMv8.2, and the GPU is an Nvidia T239 Ampere.
The T239 is apparently a variant of the T234, and Nintendo are receiving a further modified version. T239 likely does run a modified A78C. The T234 is used almost exclusively in automotive infotainment systems. It (T239) supposedly is based off RTX-30 tech, the article(last link in above paragraph) rightly notes that that’s a bit suspect.
Below is a screenshot of the spec table(again from the final article linked) comparing the T234, T239, and RTX-2050. Link to said screenshot for people on instances where embedded media is broken.
This article I keep referencing notes that the hardware in the switch 2, if everything is actually accurate and not a bait-and-switch² (eh? eh? 🤓), would be considered behind the curve…for when the Steam Deck released!
I know we were talking about emulated NS1 games on the NS2…but I fell down a fucking rabbit hole and wanted to drag everyone down with me.So, compatibility layer minimum for playing NS1 games…might actually be a fiction?
This is the A57(NS1 CPU) spec write-up on wiki.
And the A78 again.Below is the spec tables from both wiki pages.
There’s differences, obviously, but…not insanely so?
They can play by play all the they want but at the end of the day. I can play games I brought back in 1997 on my steam deck they can barely handle going back one generation to the switch and have to use emulation and a subscription service for a handful of their older systems.
I went from CD of star fleet academy i had in a storage box to a SD card to the steam deck. Installed and running the longest part was setting the key binds in steam input.
They can play by play all the they want but at the end of the day. I can play games I brought back in 1997 on my steam deck they can barely handle going back one generation to the switch and have to use emulation and a subscription service for a handful of their older systems.
I get your point, but to be honest Nintendo couldn’t care less about making it easy or cheap for us to play 1997 games, it doesn’t happen now, and I don’t think it will ever happen, the only reason why they gave some efforts to make Switch 1 games retrocompatible I think is because it would be riots if they didn’t lol.
It is a good argument, but companies don’t care about this, which is sad.
I mean they don’t make it very hard to play their first party Games. Just pay the online free. The main issue is that not all of those games from 1997 are their games. They are just made for their system.
Yeah that is what I said “cheap” too, it doesn’t matter how cheap the NSO is, the games won’t keep in your account if you stop paying, thus they are never really yours.
The best approach was the Virtual Console, but it was dumb that they never respected your previous purchases.
Well one does and it’s valve and they make a lot of money by selling those games at good prices.
