Now that fans have seen what the Nintendo Switch 2 can do, there is a section of gamers worried about the Steam Deck. Fans often credit the Deck for bringing in the current age of PC handhelds, leading to similar systems like the ROG Ally, so there’s some worry that Valve will need to upgrade its hardware so it won’t be left behind.
What some fans need to realize is the Steam Deck was never going to outsell the original Nintendo Switch, and it probably won’t dethrone the Switch 2 either. However, that doesn’t mean the Deck is going anywhere, as it is aimed at a particular niche of gamers and they’re still very happy with Valve’s system.
Even with the Switch 2 having backwards compatibility for most Switch games, it’s fair to say that Valve will have a bigger library of games to play through. Although some games are starting to become too strong for the Steam machine, there is still a plethora of things to try out. PC fans will have games like Diablo 4, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Hi-Fi Rush, and so much more to play with before Valve ever has to announce a second Deck.
Both machines seem to be on par with each other in terms of power, with the Switch 2 having the advantage of native games being made exclusively for the console. While the Deck has to share its library with PCs that can run more powerful games, fans can at least tinker with games and try making them playable. It won’t work for every title, looking at you Monster Hunter Wilds, but PC fans will arguably still have that stronger library.
Another advantage the Steam Deck has over Nintendo’s Switch 2 is that nasty e-word: emulation. No matter how outdated this system gets, it should still be able to play plenty of classic games that Nintendo’s system can’t (and can). Gamers feeling nostalgic for PS2 games like Dragon Quest 8 or Xbox 360 gems like Captain America can easily scratch that itch with their Deck.
Switch 2 is introducing GameCube games to NSO, and it can’t be understated how good of a move this is. Having a legal way to play some of these retro games is phenomenal, and we’re glad Nintendo is finally taking that plunge. It will be even better when they eventually introduce Wii games, which should work well with those new Joy-Cons.
click to enlargeHowever, NSO emulation is pretty limited in terms of quantity. Nintendo will only be able to add games from their library or have to make deals with other publishers. On Steam Deck, the possibilities are limitless, even if its controls don’t always match what’s on Nintendo’s systems.
If all that isn’t enough to convince fans, it’s also worth noting that the Steam Deck is a PC. You don’t always have to use it for gaming. Gamers can actually do normal things on it like check their social media. Some fans even use it as a makeshift laptop thanks to the SD Dock and various Bluetooth keyboards.
Whether it’s gaming, emulation, or doing actual adult things, the Steam Deck has fans covered. Nintendo’s Switch 2 is going to be a phenomenal system, but the Deck will always have its place.