HardwareHandheldsI’m not worried about Nintendo Switch 2, but I’m certainly not as excited as last timeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareHandheldsI’m not worried about Nintendo Switch 2, but I’m certainly not as excited as last timeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
I couldn’t believe my eyes when the Nintendo Switch launched. Here was a handheld device with real console games like Skyrim and Doom attached to it. I’ve never been particularly fond of platformers, so a lot of Nintendo’s handheld library had eluded me over the course of the 3DS generation (though my sky blue launch device still sits proudly on my shelf). This time I could get in on the action, while playing the games I wanted to play on the go. That was revolutionary - and it was these console-like experiences that had me finally pull the trigger on the original Nintendo Switch with one of my very first ‘real’ paychecks after university.
Of course,everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2is based on rumors so far. I can’t possibly start making up my mind about a handheld based on a series of podcast episodes, analyst predictions, and two-year-old patents. I’m not as excited about Nintendo Switch 2 becauseValve(andAsus,Lenovo, MSI etc.) has already solved my problem.
A Steam-roller
Handheld gaming PCshave been around much longer than the Nintendo Switch. Early iterations date back to the mid-00s according toTechspot, but theSteam Deckwas the first to truly thrust PC gaming into the restless palms of the mainstream with serious commercial success back in 2022. Had the Nintendo Switch swapped its release date with Valve’s all-in-one, I probably would have fainted.
Before the Nintendo Switch launched, the most technically competent handheld in the mainstream (and certainly affordable) arena was the PlayStation Vita - and that gorgeous device had about four games I wanted to play, one of which was essentially ‘Uncharted: Lite’. Nowadays we’ve got theSteam Deck OLEDpowering through Triple-A games like it’s nothing and plenty of other options doing exactly the same in its wake. Since I picked up theAsus ROG Allyand grabbed myself a sneaky Game Pass subscription, I’ve barely looked at that Nintendo Switch I was so excited for all those years ago.
(Image credit: Future)
That went swimmingly for them, the Switch suddenly had a mass market appeal well beyond that of the 3DS before it - but it’s just not a weapon in their arsenal this time around. Hogwarts Legacy was, obviously, playable from day one on a handheld PC - and it took nine months to get to Switch. Third party games are also considerably more expensive on Nintendo’s handheld, especially when you factor in subscription options. I don’t think Nintendo’s own studios are in any real trouble, but more powerful hardware begets more powerful games, which take longer to develop. If cracks do start to show in that production line, the third party fallback just won’t be enough to compete.
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(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
I’m notworriedabout the Nintendo Switch 2. The system is rumored to provide a solid performance boost (up to around PS4 / Xbox One quality) with plenty of updates that will seemingly serve fans well. Nintendo has always done things its own way, prioritizing the magic of its actual games over keeping in step with PlayStation andMicrosoft’s visual advancements. I just wonder how many players like me have to remember to charge their Switch every now and then to keep the battery healthy, while constantly mainlining a handheld PC. I wonder how many of those players are going to be absent from the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch day sales, instead putting their cash towards a more powerful PC option. And I wonder if Nintendo’s first party silver bullet will be enough that we never see the difference those seven years have made.
Today’s best handheld dealsNintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all pricesASUS ROG Ally$550$490ViewSee all pricesAsus ROG Ally X$559ViewSee all pricesValve Steam Deck OLED 512GB$716.75ViewSee all pricesValve Steam Deck OLED 1TB$739.99ViewSee all pricesAnbernic RG35XX Plus$79.99$58.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockHyperMegaTech! Super Pocket$31.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best handheld dealsNintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all pricesASUS ROG Ally$550$490ViewSee all pricesAsus ROG Ally X$559ViewSee all pricesValve Steam Deck OLED 512GB$716.75ViewSee all pricesValve Steam Deck OLED 1TB$739.99ViewSee all pricesAnbernic RG35XX Plus$79.99$58.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockHyperMegaTech! Super Pocket$31.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best handheld dealsNintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all pricesASUS ROG Ally$550$490ViewSee all pricesAsus ROG Ally X$559ViewSee all pricesValve Steam Deck OLED 512GB$716.75ViewSee all pricesValve Steam Deck OLED 1TB$739.99ViewSee all pricesAnbernic RG35XX Plus$79.99$58.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockHyperMegaTech! Super Pocket$31.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best handheld deals
Nintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all pricesASUS ROG Ally$550$490ViewSee all pricesAsus ROG Ally X$559ViewSee all pricesValve Steam Deck OLED 512GB$716.75ViewSee all pricesValve Steam Deck OLED 1TB$739.99ViewSee all pricesAnbernic RG35XX Plus$79.99$58.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockHyperMegaTech! Super Pocket$31.99ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch OLED$329.99ViewSee all prices
Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo Switch OLED
$329.99View
$329.99
$329.99
See all prices
ASUS ROG Ally$550$490ViewSee all prices
ASUS ROG Ally$550$490ViewSee all prices
ASUS ROG Ally
ASUS ROG Ally
$550$490View
$550$490
$490
See all prices
Asus ROG Ally X$559ViewSee all prices
Asus ROG Ally X$559ViewSee all prices
Asus ROG Ally X
Asus ROG Ally X
$559View
$559
$559
See all prices
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB$716.75ViewSee all prices
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB$716.75ViewSee all prices
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB
$716.75View
$716.75
$716.75
See all prices
Valve Steam Deck OLED 1TB$739.99ViewSee all prices
Valve Steam Deck OLED 1TB$739.99ViewSee all prices
Valve Steam Deck OLED 1TB
Valve Steam Deck OLED 1TB
$739.99View
$739.99
$739.99
See all prices
Anbernic RG35XX Plus$79.99$58.99ViewSee all prices
Anbernic RG35XX Plus$79.99$58.99ViewSee all prices
Anbernic RG35XX Plus
Anbernic RG35XX Plus
$79.99$58.99View
$79.99$58.99
$58.99
See all prices
Low StockHyperMegaTech! Super Pocket$31.99ViewSee all prices
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket$31.99ViewSee all prices
HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket
HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket
$31.99View
$31.99
$31.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We’re also rounding up all thebest Nintendo Switch accessoriesas well as thebest Steam Deck accessoriesfor some extra competition. Or, take a look at thebest retro game consolesto put all this high-performance nonsense to bed.
CATEGORIESNintendo SwitchPC GamingPlatformsNintendo
CATEGORIES
More about handheldsThis handheld is the same size as an NES controller, but I use it to play 30 years worth of retro classicsWill the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
More about handhelds
This handheld is the same size as an NES controller, but I use it to play 30 years worth of retro classicsWill the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
This handheld is the same size as an NES controller, but I use it to play 30 years worth of retro classics
This handheld is the same size as an NES controller, but I use it to play 30 years worth of retro classics
Will the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
Will the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”