Switch 2 Confronts New Rival: Handheld Gaming PCs

The anticipation for the Nintendo Switch 2 is palpable, yet its lofty $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games give me pause. My interest has waned, especially after my experience with the Asus ROG Ally. The issues I had with the original Switch seem magnified in its sequel, particularly in today's vibrant handheld gaming PC landscape.

Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need

As a lifelong handheld gamer, I've cherished devices from the Game Boy to the Nintendo DS, and even the PlayStation Portable. There's an unmatched comfort in gaming under the covers from my bed. I was among the dedicated few who championed the PlayStation Vita, using it daily during my college commute.

When the Nintendo Switch launched in 2017, it captivated me. I bought one near launch, but I only used it for exclusives. For games that felt perfect for handheld play, my mind reserved them strictly for the Switch. Yet, if those games were available for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I hesitated to repurchase them on the Switch. The lack of significant discounts on Switch games further compounded my dilemma, often leading me to not play the game at all.

The arrival of the Asus ROG Ally in 2023 transformed my gaming habits. Running Windows 11, it grants access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and beyond. Now, I can enjoy those games I previously avoided on PC due to discomfort, right from my bed.

Thanks to the Ally, I've delved into a rich array of indie games and am steadily tackling my backlog. Without it, I might never have experienced gems like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, or the Resident Evil Remake. These have become some of my all-time favorites, and I didn't have to spend extra money, unlike if I had repurchased them on the Switch. The Ally has become my preferred handheld, saving me both money and enhancing my gaming experience.

Despite my excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, my enthusiasm has waned post the Switch 2 Direct. The original Switch was more than just about exclusives; its versatility and affordability set it apart. It was the go-to handheld when it launched, offering great value and unique experiences.

The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore

At $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a fiercely competitive market, aligning closely with the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The PS5's $399 digital edition even undercut it at launch. Over the past eight years, the handheld market has evolved, with the Steam Deck leading the charge in 2022, followed by devices like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors suggest Xbox might enter the fray with its own handheld. The Switch 2 no longer stands alone, and its value diminishes if you already own another handheld like I do.

Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware capable of running indie and third-party games smoothly. With access to a vast library and all your existing games, these devices offer a comprehensive gaming solution. The advancing chipsets, like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, will soon outpace the Switch 2 in performance.

For those with a handheld gaming PC, the Switch 2's high entry cost and limited use for Nintendo exclusives make it less appealing. If a device like the Asus ROG Ally can handle everything from third-party to indie games, the Switch 2 might only be used for first-party titles.

The steep price of exclusives like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, at $79.99 and $69.99 respectively, adds to the Switch 2's challenges. Nintendo's games rarely see significant discounts, which dampens the excitement of investing in them.

While Nintendo's exclusive titles offer undeniable value and some of the best games ever created, the Switch 2's appeal is niche for those already equipped with a handheld gaming PC. Devices like the Legion Go provide stellar performance and a vast game library. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills all the roles I once needed a Switch for, offering a broader range of gaming options across multiple storefronts.