Sometimes we all need a little help in life. However, when it comes to the Steam Deck, Valve gave Nintendo an almighty slap in the face, the kind we typically see during a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game. While the Steam Deck is unlikely to send the Switch into the abyss like a well-aimed Donkey Kong hit, a real contender for Nintendo's hybrid console crown was bound to come sooner or later. And frankly, I think Nintendo can consider itself lucky to have taken so long. The Kyoto-based company has been resting on its laurels in recent years with the Switch, and it's this lack of proactivity that has perhaps given its competitors a huge advantage. It might seem ridiculous to say this in the midst of Nintendo Switch reaching 80 million units sold. But aside from the usual weekly digital download title releases, many of which are questionable versions, the Switch game's release has slowed at a breakneck pace. The biggest Switch games consisted mostly of ports from the Wii U, Wii, and even Nintendo 3DS, while other "new" titles were pretty safe remakes of games from generations ago. The feeling of an overwhelming number of ports hasn't been helped by mid-sized releases like Ring Fit Adventure, Game Builder Garage, and Nintendo Labo. Although these titles are innovative in themselves, aside from Ring Fit Adventure, they have not found any appeal to the general public. Nintendo even had the nerve to release Super Mario 3D All-Stars and then take it off sale, meaning this unambitious compilation is no longer available for purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop and is no longer available in stores only while supplies last stock.
Adrift
(Image credit: Nintendo) Hardware issues have also become more prominent throughout the Switch's life, which we don't usually associate with Nintendo. Switch Joy-Con controllers are still prone to stick drift, even though it's been almost five years since the console went on sale (although the problem can apparently be fixed with the help of a piece of paper). This lack of care and attention extended to the poorly run Nintendo Switch eShop as well, and is evident in Nintendo's paid online service, which remains light-years away from what most gamers do. We look forward to 2021 in terms of connectivity and reliable multiplayer communication. The lack of significant system updates for Switch only adds to the frustrating sense that the console has stalled: we still can't create folders to organize games or access anything more than two basic themes. It also doesn't have Netflix yet. That's not to say that Nintendo has been entirely complacent in keeping interest in the Switch high. The company released the Nintendo Switch Lite in 2019, a portable-only system aimed at a younger demographic with a cheaper price tag. And it even stealthily upgraded the original Switch without fanfare (like the Monster Hunter Rise console bundle), drastically improving battery life.
Time waits for no one
(Image credit: Nintendo) But what was becoming clear, however, was that the Switch needed a kick in the arm; a bit of TLC if you will. While it's a bit unfair to make direct comparisons, the mere presence of the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S has only served to show how Nintendo's hardware has slowly become obsolete, especially for those playing the console in docked mode. . Yes, the Switch can run seemingly impossible ports like The Witcher 3 and Doom, but porting aside, these are significantly inferior versions of two excellent games available elsewhere, and often at a much cheaper price. Therefore, the widely speculated Nintendo Switch Pro would have solved this conundrum. The rumors were about upgraded specs that promised to improve the performance of existing Switch games, just as the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X successfully reinvigorated next-gen consoles for Sony and Microsoft. Those who enjoy gaming docked would also have benefited from the Switch Pro, as it was designed to offer 4K output, matching the resolution that has long become standard on TVs. But alas, Nintendo announced the Switch OLED, an upgrade that for many has completely missed the mark, and is probably just a smart buy for those who don't already own Nintendo's hybrid console. It makes some nice improvements over the original, like a better kickstand, improved speakers, and of course, that OLED screen. But it's still the same Switch on the inside. Stick it in the dock and those new additions will be gone instantly. The OLED screen is gone, just like the other updates, and you'll still see Switch games at a maximum resolution of 1080p.
Model error
(Image credit: Valve) With the OLED Switch, therefore, Nintendo suddenly created a huge demand for something it could and should have responded to. Now the door has been thrown wide open for other companies to step in, and it looks like Valve is more than happy to step in with the Steam Deck. The Steam Deck beats the Switch in almost every department from a technical standpoint, and it's just $50 more for the 64GB model, plus it comes with a free carrying case. Its appeal is immediately evident, thanks to the fact that Nintendo has already prepared all the necessary bases. However, Valve offers more than just a Switch-like alternative. The power of Steam is what really excites me about the Steam Deck. The fact that it lets you play your entire Steam library right away is a huge plus, and having access to the Steam Store, which is still king when it comes to discounts and deals, cannot be underestimated. PC games are also historically cheaper than on any other platform, especially now with Sony owners exclusives going for $70/$70. And speaking of games, the Steam Deck will house both Xbox and PlayStation titles. The likes of Sea of Thieves, Halo Infinite, Death Stranding, and Horizon: Zero Dawn are all present on Steam, and will now be natively playable on a portable system. While Nintendo has battled equally strong competition in the past in the form of the PSP and PS Vita, which have always been crippled by stupidly expensive proprietary memory card solutions, Valve's Steam Deck will have thousands of games to play. attractive, and most importantly, the demand for such a device is at its peak thanks to Nintendo's stubbornness in giving more to gamers.
Time to make a change
(Image credit: Avenir) The Steam Deck also does countless things that the Switch can't. You can make it a full PC (if you want); connect a pair of bluetooth headphones; It has features like a proper buddy system where you can message people; and it also has the kind of grip and playability the Switch is famous for, but the Steam Deck arguably takes it one step further. Cloud saves let you pick up right where you left off whether you want to game on your powerful home PC or take your Steam Deck on the go, and the ability to output to an external monitor or TV using any USB Type-C docking station at a resolution higher is also a godsend. Thus, the Steam Deck is more flexible and open as a platform than the Switch, which at times felt like it was holding players to the ransom as the only handheld device on the market. But soon there will be a viable and tempting alternative, offering superior performance, more gaming options, more flexibility, and a similar price. And as someone who has found their Switch increasingly outdated year after year, I can't wait to own a portable device with the kind of modern features I dream of and the performance I expect. All those indie games like Hades that have been successful on Switch will work better on Steam Deck, cost less, and are usually available first on Valve's digital store. All those triple-A games completely ignoring Switch or offering massive compromises? Steam Deck will be able to perform them without sacrificing experience. Want console-worthy features like achievements, cloud saves, and chat with friends? To use an old Sega marketing catchphrase: Steam Deck does what Nintendo doesn't.
Ace in the hole
(Image credit: Nintendo) Of course, there's one area where Valve's Steam Deck will never be able to compete with the Switch, and that's the lure of Nintendo's proprietary games. Breath of the Wild 2 is sure to earn countless cheers when it releases in 2022, and Nintendo's timeless IP continues to make its console a must-buy for many. However, the Steam Deck is a different beast. Valve's Pocket PC doesn't just look out of the room, it has plenty of advantages over the Switch, as well as a comparable price. This is probably the biggest surprise: the price of the 64GB model makes the Nintendo Switch OLED even less appealing than some consumers have already found, myself included, and does enough to make people ask questions and make comparisons. . But even if the company behind Half-Life's Pocket PC doesn't get off the ground, Nintendo has to at least look over its shoulder now that the real competition has arrived. And ultimately, that's a good thing, because it means Nintendo will have to do a lot more than just maintain its position as the number one handheld gaming device on the market. The best Nintendo Switch OLED deals right now