Nintendo has dominated the handheld console market since 1989, with the launch of the Game Boy, to modern times, with the Nintendo Switch.
But, could Valve’s Steam Deck knock the Nintendo Switch and replace it as the new, dominant handheld console? Let’s take a look.
The Steam Deck vs. the Nintendo Switch
Valve’s first dive into the handheld market gives us the Steam Deck, which is essentially a handheld gaming PC. The Steam Deck is an exciting prospect and could open up another avenue for gamers looking to game on the go, and more.
The Steam Deck is going up against the Nintendo Switch, which has cemented itself as the current handheld King. With it, Nintendo successfully created a hybrid device that gamers can play on their TV and in handheld mode, with excellent games that showcase Nintendo’s trademark quality.
The Switch hasn’t seen any serious competition from handheld consoles. Could that all change with the Steam Deck?
Why the Steam Deck Challenges the Nintendo Switch
Though gamers haven’t got their hands on the Steam Deck yet, it offers some serious competition to the Nintendo Switch. At least, on paper.
There’s a lot to love about the Steam Deck, from what we’ve seen. The Steam Deck can play PC games without a catch—you just download and play them without waiting for (or worrying about) a console port. Valve’s handheld device also functions as a mini-PC, capable of running other operating systems and displaying on external TVs in a docked mode.
The Steam Deck has a lot of hype behind it, and a key reason that it can challenge the Nintendo Switch is because it’s the only other fully fledged alternative. It’s more powerful, can double as a games console and a PC, and could open up new possibilities in the world of handheld gaming.
In many ways, the Steam Deck is like the new and improved Switch we were waiting for, instead of the disappointing Switch (OLED model). It builds on the Switch’s successful features and offers something unique from the Switch, giving gamers enough reason to pick Valve’s handheld console.
Why the Steam Deck Doesn’t Challenge the Nintendo Switch
While the Steam Deck has a lot going for it, it does fall short in some key areas.
Though the Steam Deck has (mostly) better hardware than the Switch, that doesn’t mean it’s a better console or can run games better. How that hardware works, and how well-optimized the games are, plays a role in the Steam Deck’s performance. The handheld PC is also bigger, bulkier, and heavier than the Switch (even more so when we compare it to the Switch Lite), which could throw off some gamers.
And, despite its improved hardware, the Steam Deck’s battery life is concerning. It ranges from 2-8 hours, which could mean anything, and might put a damper on any serious handheld gaming you want to do. The Steam Deck’s base model also might not be enough for you.
The Nintendo Switch boasts an outstanding collection of first-party, exclusive games, which the Steam Deck doesn’t offer in anywhere near as much abundance. This leads to a greater point that benefits both consoles: they appeal to different markets. Switch gamers might see little reason to choose the Steam Deck if it doesn’t have any of their favorite games. On the other hand, the Steam Deck could draw in a unique audience of its own, who are looking for the chance to play their PC games on a quality handheld device.
The Steam Deck might be trying to do too much as a first handheld offering; in its attempts to be both a PC and a games console, it could fail to deliver on either front. The Switch, on the other hand, knows what it does best and there’s a reason it dominates the handheld gaming market.
Can Steam Deck Capitalize on Nintendo’s OLED Misstep?
The Steam Deck has a vast amount of potential. If it delivers, the Valve handheld could provide some serious competition to the Switch, which might’ve lost some favor with gamers following the release of the Switch (OLED Model).
Nintendo has set up the Steam Deck by giving it the opportunity to give gamers what they wanted—the next generation of handheld consoles.