(although it’s also been the Steam Deck a lot lately)
Switch is dead to me: Steam Deck is love, Steam Deck is life.
It astounds me that only two companies seem to have really accepted and done a good job with the concept.
I wish the steam deck did a little better while docked, but it’s perfectly fine for what I use it for.
Just wait, Microsoft will release their own version with an Xbox launcher to have a user friendly UI with Windows in the background allowing you to run any Windows compatible games.
any Windows compatible games
Ubisoft launcher: what was your username, again? Microsoft can either use a locked down ecosystem and limit game compatibility or face numerous problems due to problematic 3rd parties, giving up the console experience.
These things are just ultra compact computers, it would be Windows running in the background with a simplified UI when launching it, just like the Deck is plain old Linux in the background with a simplified launcher up front.
The steam deck rode the balance point between cost, heat, and power extremely well, in my opinion. It was cheap enough to justify the cost. Its battery lasts a respectable amount of time, and it’s computing power was enough.
I can see how it could have been improved much, given the tech and use limitations.
Plus I am sure someone will bring up how with x86 you can play some game no one has heard of/extremely old, but realistically switch is the only actual multiplayer console left. I gave away my xbox s because literally the only game that I could multiplayer was an old xbox 360 racing game. Meanwhile I havent met anyone is 30s-40s who does not absolutely love Mario Party and/or Mario Kart
And Smash; can’t forget Smash.
At least for me, I have a gaming PC. If I need to dock it, I’ll just switch computers. Though if it’s your only gaming PC then it could probably be more powerful.
Yeah, I’m in the same boat personally but there have been occasions where something is being played on the deck and then the TV becomes available, leaving a moment of “is it worth it to quickly switch over and eat the performance hit?”
It’s far from a deal breaker, but something has to be the worst aspect.
Is the Switch doing a good job? Drift issues run rampant and Nintendo never fixed it. For all we know, they might use it on the Switch 2 as well. Between pricey games, drift, and their shitty approach with ROMs and enthusiasts I’ve soured on Nintendo.
Thank god I managed to get an older version of the switch that could be jailbroken by shorting the right joycon slot. Best thing I did to mine. Too bad the drift happens to every fucking left joycon i have.
The actual stick is pretty easy and cheap to replace, you can get a kit on amazon for 2 sticks under $20.
cries in USD-BRL conversion
What really annoys me is that the screws are 3 pronged instead of 4 and they also feel stuck as fuck.
The real irony is that I bought some chinese knockoff that actually lasted longer than the fucking originals. Oh, both originals also stopped registering the tiny L-R buttons. Way to go, Nintendo.
I sometimes play Switch at a friend’s. After a few hours my hands hurt. It seems the controllers were designed for toddler hands. Is a steam deck better?
Much better.
The deciding factor for me on the steam deck is I can plug it into the tv, and now I can kind of do couch co-op for games that don’t do split screen
Like I can be on my desktop and they can be on the docked deck, and we can play path of exile together.
Same. I was all about the Switch until I got my Steam Deck. Haven’t touched my Switch since
SHOTS FIRED!
I hadn’t bought many switch games before the Yuzu stuff, and never will again. I’ll forever be playing them at 1440p/60+FPS on my computer for free.
Tbf, not a lot of game companies priorities optimization. That’s why you’ll have 50 GB + games look good on devices with better specs.
Edit: I want to specify this isn’t really defending Nintendo, but more defending the idea of lighter games, with more artistic direction, better optimization and not just a focus on “realism”
It is quite impressive how many games can run at all in the Switch let alone be optimized for it.
I imagine either Nintendo did a good job supporting third parties for the hardware, or the money was so damn profitable that third parties were willing to shell out the money to find outsourcing that could make it run.
The switch is the only console we currently have, but it does some games very well! Balatro seems the same on desktop as on switch, but that is a card game. Dave the Diver also does well on the switch!
Has anyone tried the ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming control? I’m thinking of getting that instead of the Steam Deck but not sure if it’s worth it.
