
When Valve revealed the Steam Deck last month, the system was compared a lot to the Switch. It's got to the point where Valve has responded - stating how it's "going after" a completely different audience.
What do the critics think about Valve's new system though? A number of media outlets have now gone hands-on with the system (as you might have already seen), so we've rounded up some early "hands-on" impressions - many of which are filled with comparisons to Nintendo's hybrid hardware.
Sean Hollister from The Verge noted how the Steam Deck was much more comfortable to hold and mentioned how his fingers "just melted" into its grips and grooves:

What I didn’t necessarily envision when I walked into Valve’s lobby: just how gigantic the Steam Deck looks next to a Nintendo Switch — and yet, how much more comfortable it is to hold. While it just barely fits into a deep cargo pants pocket (if you can call “bulges out in every direction” a fit), I now believe Valve when it says the Deck was sculpted for long play sessions.
The first time I picked it up, it felt like my fingers just melted into its grips and grooves, placing every control at my fingertips — including far meatier joysticks and a deeper, softer throw to its triggers than the stiff, clicky controls I’ve come to expect from the Switch and Switch-like PC competitors.
The weight of the system was immediately noticeable but wasn't a problem:
While I immediately noticed the extra half-pound of weight compared to the Switch, it didn’t bug me during my brief session. The Deck may be heavier, but these prototypes seem light for their size, with a slightly hollow feeling that — come to think of it — might be polarizing. I wonder if Valve will keep it that way and if the screen finish and the plastics might improve.
Wes Fenlon from PC Gamer said the Steam Deck was "way bigger" than he expected - especially next to a Nintendo Switch, and highlighted how he preferred the system's analog sticks over the Switch ones:
It took me maybe 10 seconds with the analog sticks to be certain I vastly prefer them to the Nintendo Switch's joycons. It helps that they're much bigger, with a fluid rotation and design I'd compare to an Xbox analog stick. They're not exactly the same, but the Steam Deck's sticks have a slightly ridged edge and a flat, concave top to nestle your thumb into. Unless they end up having any surprise issues after heavy use, I think they'll please pretty much everyone.
While PC Gamer's playtester wouldn't consider the Steam Deck a "one-to-one replacement" of Nintendo's device, the system apparently has the potential to become the best portable device to play games that Switch may not have the muscle for:
After spending a far too brief couple hours with the Steam Deck, I'm not sure if I would consider it a one-to-one replacement for the Nintendo Switch. Its bigger size isn't as ideal for throwing in a backpack and playing on the go. But as a portable PC gaming machine, it really is impressive: it's comfortable, feels great to hold, and seems to have the power to play games like Death Stranding with decent settings. If SteamOS really can deliver the compatibility Valve's aiming for, the Steam Deck is going to become my go-to system for playing games that I wish I could play on the Switch, lounging on my couch, that it just doesn't have the muscle for. And I'm convinced it's going to be the best emulation device ever made.
Andrew E. Freedman from Tom's Hardware said "the dream" of playing PC games on the go is on track thanks to Valve's efforts:
my first impressions suggest that yes, this can work, and I'm looking forward to PC gaming in bed and on planes. Games won’t look as pretty as they do on my desktop. But for those who dream of Switch-like portability and playability with PC games, it feels like Valve is on track.
Like many other impressions, Freedman was also a bit surprised by the overall size of the system - noting how Switch users would definitely feel the difference:
the Steam Deck is far larger than I expected. It is tall and it is wide. It feels surprisingly natural in the hands, though. Don't get me wrong. You can feel that 1.47-pound weight, but it's pretty evenly distributed across both sides of the system. If you've done most of your handheld gaming lately on a Nintendo Switch, you're going to feel a difference. The Steam Deck is far heavier, but that's the tradeoff for its capabilities.
The 7-inch standard screen on certain models of the Steam Deck (which is the same size as the screen on the Switch OLED model) also had some reflection, but no more than other devices.
While I spent most of my time with the etched-glass, anti-glare screen, Valve did have a glossy model around. There's no getting around it: the anti-glare screen is nicer. Of course, I happened to have them both next to each other. I'm not sure if it makes me regret reserving the 256GB model with the standard screen, but there was a pang of jealousy. Either way, both are 7-inch screens with a 1280 x 800 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio...I could see my reflection more in the standard screen, but no worse than in my Nintendo Switch or even my smartphone.
GamesRadar+ managing editor, Rachel Weber, summed the Steam Deck up as a "more serious" gaming device compared to Nintendo's system:
Compared to my Nintendo Switch, it definitely feels like a more serious gaming machine with the extra controls and bigger screen, and it'll be interesting to compare the new OLED screen Switch and the Steam Deck later this year.
If you would like to see how the Switch OLED has been received so far, you can read hands-on impressions about it in the following post:
So there you go, some early impressions of Valve's Steam Deck — of course, you can read them in full over on the respective websites. What are your own thoughts about the Steam Deck so far? Would you consider it over say a Switch OLED upgrade? As always, leave your thoughts down below.
Comments 196
I find it funny that the game they seem to always show in this side by side videos comparing these two devices is Stardew Valley, a game that pushes neither device very much at all.
The Steam deck is welcome competition, but it's much higher price point, bulkier size and ugly button layout are all turn offs to me.
It also lacks many of my favorite series, outside of emulation and almost certainly pirated roms.
It really does look great. Extra weight doesn’t really matter to me as long as it’s balanced better than the Switch, which can feel slightly precarious/bendy due to the way joy-cons attach to the system.
Removed - unconstructive feedback
@DrDaisy I joined a gang because of Nintendolife.
I'm pretty sure the controllers aren't CONning people into buying more 😄
Any idea whether there is a sleep mode similar to Switch?
Looks great. If the joysticks have some longevity, I’ll definitely get one.
@roy130390 I lost my left leg to Nintendo Life.
I think that unless something like Mario or Zelda gets ported to it, it won't really be a problem.
This was never meant to be a replacement for the Switch, Valve clearly know they're targeting a completely different demographic, I don't understand why people here can't see that.
"Serious gaming machine." Never forget gaming is a serious business.
I agree Nintendolife has an unhealthy obsession with the Steam Deck. That said the people who are hating on this console just because they are Nintendo fans are equally sick!
@Nclind Really balanced comment. I am personally keeping a tab on the Deck, although I'm past that age that I become an early adopter. However if this is good, I'll eventually buy one. In fact, that would mean cheaper games for me as Steam and Epic both acknowledge that places other than US, UK and Japan exist and hence the buying capacity at those places may not be the same.
Very, very tempting, but Valve isn't taking reservations from Australians at present.
@Varkster : I wouldn't say so. "Completely different" is a stretch particularly as a lot of gamers who typically wouldn't look twice at a Nintendo console have bought a Switch for the novelty of playing blockbuster games on the go. The Steam Deck takes things a step further with vastly superior specs and an enormous library which could potentially eat in to Nintendo's market share, at least among that portion of the audience (but I doubt that this will have enough appeal, at least price-wise, to occupy shelf-space among existing consoles).
I would describe myself as more of a handheld gamer even though I also own a gaming PC (which I don't often use for gaming), and I find this very appealing. A portable PC that can be used as a handheld gaming console is something that is very much up my alley.
Perhaps ironically though, I am far more interested in playing (and emulating) older games on this thing than playing the latest AAA blockbusters.
Wait real people work at tomsadware and gamesrader I assumed both where staffed by a bunch of chimpanzees chained to typewriters.
This site is really gonna milk SteamDeck for all it's worth lol.
Why is this on Nintendolife? Are we going to see PC gamereviews next?
The Steam Deck is a portable PC. Just like a laptop or a Surface tablet. Or a GPD Win. Or one of the other handheld PCs.
This should be on https://www.eurogamer.net/ or https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ but not on here.
Okay DAY ONE!
gonna pre order it today.
As a Linux user I certainly welcome the Steam Deck in hopes it helps out with desktop Linux gaming going forward. As for the Steam Deck itself tho? 95% of all the games I own on Steam I prefer with Kb&M so I don't see any benefit to it (well my gaming rig did die on me, so Steam Deck would be cheaper than a new PC).
I also do agree it seems weird to keep showcasing Stardew when I see anything Steam Deck vs Switch. Both my old laptops from 2013 & 14 can't run any game I own EXCEPT Stardew lol.
Looks as big as the Wii U Gamepad, which also had much better quality, grip, buttons, range, and touchscreen than Switch. Wii U gamers all knew that Switch's controls were a huge step down. This generation it's easy for other companies to be better in that regard. I mostly use the Switch Pro Controller or the Gamecube Controller anyway, so Switch is still pretty good control-wise. No problems with any other aspect of it.
Although I prefer hanheld mode gaming at handheld mode the Switch is very uncomfortable for me. Another problem is the drifting. I thought I will avoid it but no….
@DrDaisy care to explain why?
@Nclind #1 is really concerning. Its possible to get it eventually but I doubt I can get it here with the $399 base model srp. Not to mention its gonna be troublesome finding it, plus warranty/service will be an issue as well. I am considering it sometime, but not really necessary for me right now. Got a boatload of Switch games to play still.
Oh and I doubt the ergonomics of this will beat my split pad pro + v2 combo. It is hands down the most comfortable way to play handheld.
It's not hard to do anything better than the Switch's Joy cons, they're useless.
Too small for my man hands, at least I won't cramp up like I do with the Joy Cons.
@Pokester99 Then read about the Steamdeck on PCGamer.com, this is about as relevant to this site as the PSVITA.
@Pokester99 This site has been made to post Nintendo related news. And since the Steam deck isn't related at all to Nintendo it shouldn't be on here.
Just as there is no PS5 news or XBOX Series X news or news about Windows 11 or news about other new PCs.
I am not terrified the Switch will be obsolete, since the Steam deck won't get any Nintendo games. Which is why I bought my Switch. Also the Switch is more portable (lighter, smaller (especially the Switch lite)). For it's also strange that no comparison between the Steam Deck and Switch lite has been made yet. And I think that's is because for 1 Steam Deck you can buy 2 to 4 Switch lites.
I will be buying a Steam Deck (already pre-ordered for Q1 2022) and it will sit nicely next to my Switch OLED
Personally I see this as a positive thing.
Competition forces companies to be more innovative, to try to beat the competition.
It could force Nintendo to actually make a Switch Pro, to fund better quality games
After seeing the size comparisons of this thing on the article adjacent to this one, it occurs to me that the man in this article's image must have hands about the size of dinner plates.
As to the insipid meta-argument going on here, there's absolutely nothing wrong with this site presenting general gaming news from a Nintendo perspective. I'd even go so far as to say that it's this kind of coverage that elevates NLife from being a slavering fanboy mouthpiece into an actual, respectable news site.
This site exists to give Nintendo fans news that's interesting to them as well-rounded human beings, not to relentlessly blare weaponized and blinkered propaganda to fight a neverending console war.
@ReWane Valve have mentioned that it was a top priority that you'd be able to suspend games and instantly jump back from where you left from sleep mode.
@Fath
Well said, Nintendo Life should be covering the Deck (lawl) as much as possible because its an exciting device that compliments the Switch very very well. I've been Nintendo/PC only since 2008 and this thing only makes that current experience that much better even though I'm passing on the deck for now and just sticking with my PC and Switch.
As a former Sega and Nintendo only rabid fanboy, people that still foster that childish mentality shouldn't be catered to. Hopefully NL just ignores those types and let them toddle off elsewhere.
LOL at the fanboys getting in a twist about a Nintendo site covering a rival platform.
You’re all probably too young to remember Nintendo magazines in the early 1990’s detailing what Sega’s plans were and vice-versa.
Nintendo needs to reveal virtual console soon for GB, GBA, N64, GC, or Steam deck will eat its share on the market by actually enabling players to emulate all those games, that players have been demanding for ages, and that might really doom Nintendo.
@DrDaisy You make a good point about NintendoLife's tendency to write articles that have nothing (or sometimes next to nothing) to do with Nintendo games (and games/series on Nintendo systems), even when it involves topics that I, myself, enjoy (eg, talking about non-Nintendo retro systems, characters, etc). That should be pointed out more often than it is, and thank you for doing that! If the writers on this website won't maintain quality-control nor the purpose for this website (ie, covering Nintendo products and reviewing games on Nintendo systems), then they implicitly leave it to their audience to do that for them (and to hold them accountable to this purpose via criticism). Nothing wrong with them having Soapbox articles on their personal experiences with Nintendo products, but as NintendoLife bringing up Netflix shows and other "random" topics all the time turns this website away from it's original purpose towards as many clicks as possible and causes us, the audience that helped them gain interest and grow to the extent that they are now, to be angered by their rejection of their original purpose in pursuit instead of new audiences that weren't attracted to information and entertainment to games on Nintendo systems.
However (whether or not it's a veiled attempt by the writer in order to write an off-topic article about a popular non-Nintendo device to gain as many clicks as possible), the headline for this article does say "How does [the Steam Deck] compare to the Switch?" which is relevant to at least some of us who are interested in the Switch and how it's competing in the industry, so it's not off-topic (at least, not technically or completely) in regards to discussing Nintendo systems and games.
Seems folk only care about the specs and not too fussed about it's design heheh. Looks like an Atari Lynx to me. So dumb.
@Silly_G I own a gaming laptop which is portable enough for me to carry somewhere (although gaming laptops are pretty chunky). I'd have considered the deck if only for the fact that my Steam library is already full and I'd be able to at least play half of them on the go portably, but because I have the laptop I really don't see any point in it unless I just have way too much money on me to spend.
I think this mostly caters to people who already have a Steam account with a library of games like myself but the novelty alone isn't enough for me to invest into one, especially since it wouldn't be even half as powerful as my computer at home. That, and a lot of games I play on the laptop actually are 200% better with a keyboard and mouse which obviously is another downside to the deck.
I'm sure there are a lot of people that would invest into one but given the already huge popularity of Steam itself, I doubt a lot of people would go out of their way to buy one like myself. The appeal of the Switch isn't just that it's portable, it's also the exclusives and I'd imagine the sole fact that it's a "hot item" when it comes to technology.
A lot of my friends want to get the Switch having never even played a Mario game, the probability of the deck stealing that same demographic is in my opinion very low. Keep in mind a lot of people also find it very "cool" having the ability to simply take off your controllers and plug the thing into a TV without any extra stress.
This is all just my speculation, obviously, but in my eyes this thing is for a very niche audience in comparison.
@Clyde_Radcliffe
Cry moar
@Heavyarms55 I had the exact same thought on Stardew. Ah well, it wouldn't matter which game they show, Steam is for PC, mouse and keyboard.
The switch is unfortunately one of those handhelds were i get cramp in my hands if i play portable longer than an hour. Thank god you can take the joy con off, otherwise it would be a dismal handheld. I much prefer using the Wii U gamepad (with the better battery) in a previous gen comparison. The Steam deck looks right up my ally.
Removed - unconstructive; user is banned
@DrDaisy Why shouldn't the Steam Deck be covered? It's news, after all. If you want to talk embarassment, to me I don't know what's more embarassing, your cringy raging fanboy comment, or that the comment got so many likes here in such a short space of time.
@Mips Have you even considered that this might be for a different demographic. This looks to be a great machine. So fed up with short sighted people who can’t see this. Basically idiot fanboys terrified of any threat to their precious switch.
@Mips Steam Deck can use keyboard and mouse. You don't see the irony in criticising the Steam Deck for a lack of power, and then saying these are reasons you'll stick with a Switch, a far less powerful system that doesn't support keyboard and mouse?
@Mips Why so rude? Get out of bed the wrong side this morning? Can you imaging the battery life on this thing playing AAA PC games? This is basically an indie game & emulation machine and nothing else - I pity the poor fools who buy this.
@Mips Wait wtf, you criticize this thing and then you reply to your own comment disagreeing with yourself? 😄😄😄 It's three replies now, so this isn't you forgetting to switch accounts, hahaha. I like your humor
Personally incredibly excited for the Steam Deck. Gimme the Sims, Anno, Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, Battleblock Theater and full-fledged Cities Skylines that i've been sorely missing on my Switch!
@Mips Typical short sighted gamer - this machine hasn’t even come out yet - how can you come out with these obtuse conclusions when we haven’t even seen how it performs? Basically you need to get out of your tiny fanboy world and realise that the switch isn’t some holy machine that can’t be equalled. There are other options out there and they’re equally valid.
@Mips OK I see what you mean - sorry to get so het up. I guess there’s room for both to coexist. They’re for different demographics - the Steam deck is more powerful and will have a different software lineup. Also it’ll run multi platform games better with more display options. But Nintendo’s main strength is in its IP and they’ll always have that. That’s what draws their fans in and that’ll never change.
@Mips No worries, I can see what you’re saying actually. There’s definitely room for both on the market & Valve have even said as such. Well I guess that means we simply have more options for great games & that benefits everyone. No hard feelings!
I reserved a Steam Deck, looking forward to getting my hands on it. No plans or expectations of abandoning my Switch, I'll just be using it for games that are a better fit from Steam (power and price considerations) or simply unavailable for Switch. I already think the Steam Deck be more fun and useful than a PS5, at any rate.
can't wait to retire my Switch as my portable game system. I've already stopped buying any games for it. This system has so much potential for me. A game library that, no exaggeration, is probably several thousand times larger than the Switch. So many great AAA and indie games now to play with that I couldn't get on the Switch. Reserved mine on day 1, hopefully will get it this December.
I'm confused as to why any Nintendo fan would be rustled by this, it's a portable PC that's built for playing PC/Steam games on the go. The same market that are notoriously passionate about playing their games at the highest possible fidelity, that have historically suffered under the weight of rapidly obsolete components and are currently suffering from a shortage in said parts due to the knock-on effects of the pandemic and crypto-digging or whatever....... It'll be interesting to see the real-world response to this system, although I'm sure it will find it's audience like any other mini PC.
This is absolutely no threat to the Switch, nor for arguably the largest portion of its market. There are some amazing games on the way, Nvidia are hard at work on the next SoC for the new system (and if certain very reliable sources are to be believed, it's finished and near ready for tape-out), and life is good if you just pull your head back from the turrets for a second and give over with all this console war b****cks. It's not 1994 any more.
Then again, I'm sure Nintendo Life know full well that this topic will hook you in and drive the clicks.
@Pokester99
Spot on. I thought it was an interesting article.
@Heavyarms55 not that much higher if you compare the cheapest Steam Deck to the Switch Oled
I want this to succeed so much!!!
@SKTTR couldn't disagree more. The Wii U gamepad feels chunky and relatively toy-like in comparison to the sleeker Switch IMO.
That said, as a portable system I'm expecting the Deck to have a better build. I can get past the size (I never understood how people could carry portables in their pockets anyway?) - it's a fair price to pay for PC gaming on the go.
… so it’s a portable Wii U gamepad with internet connectivity. Got it.
@Varkster That's been my thought process as well. This thing really is not a "Switch Killer" and is really only available or even desired by a niche market. I just don't see this thing having mainstream appeal. I can be wrong, but I just don't see it.
1st quote made me laugh. The Switch is uncomfortable to hold because it is so small and not ergonomic. Obviously a device that put ergonomics first, making it larger, will feel much better to hold. It is the Verge of course so no surprise.
Steam Deck looks good, but I will pass on this first iteration. If it is successful enough to warrant a second gen and games get preset settings for it, I will definitely consider it though. There is a lot of PC games I have I would rather play on a Switch style device in bed than on my PC.
@GrailUK
It kind of reminds me of the wiiu gamepad.
The specs aspect is important since it affects how games play.
Switch itself will still be fine but for the sake of third party games im definitely hoping for some form of successor in the future (hopefully when the whole chip shortage issue isnt as bad)
I'm already waiting for the Steam Deck Pro. 😛
The system has promise, and it would really attractive if it can be cast to a TV somehow. It's look like the bottom level one is for suckers and you really are better off with the medium, preferably the top. Then price becomes a big issue compared to the Switch. I'll wait and see, same with the Switch OLED.
PS: This site covers the Steam Deck so you click the article and see some advertisements. It's also an interesting device with comparisons to the Switch, so why not? It's only the occasional article and you're not forced to read it.
I'll wait for SteamDeck 2 (if that's a thing). This imo is going to be very good for emulation. I really don't much care about 'pc games on the go' or whatever.
To everybody scared of, or upset about the reporting of, the Steam Deck, remember this;
If Devs take the Steam Deck seriously, and make sure they have settings that allow their games to run on a sufficiently low but enjoyable level, on mobile hardware, these versions would be much easier to port to the Switch or the Switch 2. Potentially boosting Switch support.
The Deck looks awesome and I'd love all four platforms to have serious hybrid options.
If anything, the Steam Deck would be bought ALONGSIDE a Switch. With two different libraries of games available, this would be like the DS vs PSP era all over again; they're two different consoles, with two very different libraries of games, and can co-exist rather than compete.
Competition is a great thing. Nintendo has none and they responded by having full priced ports and lack of great first party games. They charge premium price for old tech.
I don’t find the the Switch comfortable to play. The pro controller is great but the joycons etc are meh.
I want what @Mips is smoking.
I have heard that this thing only does 30fps. Is that true? If it could run Dark Souls 3 at 60fps I'd probably get one.
I’m 100% on board with Steam Deck. There’s a ton of older games I wish would make it over to Switch that I’ll be able to play in handheld on day one with this- and they’ll likely run much better and cost much less than bespoke Switch ports would. Even if it struggles to keep up with newer games there’s still a lot of value in it just with the current library Steam has.
Plus, it’ll be an emulator powerhouse. If Nintendo won’t sell GameCube games on Switch then I’ll go where I can play them portably. Hopefully this thing’ll give Nintendo a kick up the backside and they’ll get more competitive and start looking at the things they’ve been ignoring lately like legacy content etc.
@sketchturner I’m guessing you’re thinking of newer game performance which is expected to be best at 30FPS/720p. Since it’s a PC you have the options to change frame rate and resolutions at will to suit the hardware so you’re not locked into specific settings, it’s just a case of matching the right settings to the performance your system is capable of. Something like Dark Souls 3 will probably run at 60 on this, I’d have thought anyway!
The weight will definitely be a problem for many. When playing longer sessions with my Switch I feel weary unless I have a pillow or something for support. Any more than that would get uncomfortable very quickly. As for the size I guess the comfort depends on how large your hands are. I have small hands, so the Switch Joy-Cons are perfect for me. Modern Xbox controllers are a tad to big though and feel uncomfortable to me, while I have a friend with very large hands who prefers them.
If they're targeting a different demographic as so many assume why do I think my switch will be gathering a lot of dust once this beast lands? Delusional.
Nothing real to the button layout but one thing is missing which makes the Switch the better mobile device.
Can custom fit the grips?
I think the comments the people make about the system all sound like they were written for them.
Anyway shouldn’t have this article have been about how much this thing copies the switch!
@Pokester99 I don't get it either. I enjoy reading about other gaming-related things sometimes, not 100% Nintendo. And there's no denying that this is relevant to the Switch community. Look how many people here are saying they've preordered this already.
@Nclind
Not going to lie, I'm not seeing a lot of what you're talkin about. Honestly just sounds like a lot of hyperbole and you perhaps making a big mountain out of a molehill. I no quite a people personally who absolutely loved their Switch & have put that money down for a theme deck or at least curious about it. You doing a little bit too much or overplaying it's a bit in my opinion quite honestly. Perhaps your experience is indeed different. And I'm sure there's some overly fanatical fans/fool's out there who are doing a bit much, but what I was saying in the real world and hang around a lot of gamers out there oh, it's not nearly been even close enough of an issue to make a deal about.
Looking forward to getting mine next year.
@Iggy-Koopa Well said!
Get a switch for Nintendo first party games. Get a steam deck for everything else.
@quinnyboy58 I disagree that they are obsessed. I think they just don’t have much else to write about, because Nintendo has been coasting all year.
I get this is a Nintendo site, but damn the amount of NintenSIMPs is crazy - we all know the switch is an underpowered console - Nintendo doesn't need defenders
@ModdedInkling The libraries would be way too similar to justify owning both. Having a few Nintendo exclusives just isn’t worth it, anymore, since their current games are so far behind and so very generic. Even if you buy a Switch just for Breath of the Wild, well, the emulated Wii U version can be easily patched and updated to run better than the Switch version. The only people who would really need to own both would be people with a lot of Nintendo exclusives and a good sized Steam library.
Even still, owning a lot of games is a bad idea to begin with, since you can only put your focus on one game at a time. All that excess that floats around in a “back log,” is wasteful.
@Snaplocket Where can you emulate Xbox 360, Xbox X, PS4, or PS5, then? I would be interested in knowing, seeing as you think the logic can be applied anywhere. I know you have this strange sense of playing “gotcha,” but we are on a Nintendo website and the comment I was addressing was specifically about owning both a Nintendo Switch and a Steam Deck.
QUESTION(S):
1) Can this thing run Windows 11? Does it meet the Win11 requirement for TPM 2.0?
2) Can you boot Win11 from a USB stick plugged into a USB-C dock?
Win11 is coming. Win10 is said to only have 4 more years of support. And most of my computers don't meet the TPM 2.0 requirement of Win11. So in 4 years time, I may have a lot less computers around the house.
If this thing can run Win11 from a USB Stick plugged into a USB-C dock, maybe I'll get one of these as one of my "computers" instead of buying a new computer. I can run our Steam games undocked, and use it like a computer while docked?
I don't need a lot of power for the stuff I do on Win10 on a daily basis.
I've got a Win10 computer with only 4GB and it does me fine for most things.
I have put in a reserve for the Steam deck last week but for me it really isn't a rival to the switch but more as a companion or extension of my PC which is my main use of gaming and even then my PC is more powerful then it but I see myself installing windows onto it so that I can play my gog and origin games too.
@thiz PC and switch gamer here, i'm interested to check out the differences
@Pokester99 Aren’t you kind of part of the problem too though? You’re only ever here to troll.
I like when they compare other machines to Nintendo. Especially handhelds. Some you all need less time to complain. I will most like but one of these wipe it run windows and them emulate till I die.
@Hck I think that unless something like Mario or Zelda gets ported to it, it won't really be a problem.
Yeah because Steam has been a complete failure without Mario or Zelda. /s
This thread is hilarious, reading the comments section is like half the reason I come here
The handheld market needs this. The only thing that generates new innovative ideas is competition. It's why Intel's CPUs stagnated for so long until AMD came out with Ryzen. I hope the Steam Deck is successful enough for Nintendo to peek over their shoulder and steal a few ideas. This is GOOD for the gaming industry whether you want one or not. Now, I can totally see why some people wouldn't want one. I get it. But maybe this might make Sony come back out of the shadows and hit the world with a PSP2 or something. We need this to keep the handheld market alive. I pre-ordered the $650 one just to support this and do exactly that. I have a $5,000 gaming PC and a Switch and I love both of them. I spend lots of time with each system for different reasons. I also own pretty much every handheld that ever existed because their libraries are so amazing for various reasons.
Anyone shaming the Steam Deck doesn't get any of this. Sure, don't like it or say it's not for you or your gaming needs, but let this happen for the good of the industry.
@Imerion do you even lift, bro?
I may get one of these down the road. I prefer to play my switch in my hands and I hate the joycons, so this might be the alternative I've been looking for.
I can't wait to get mine!
@WhiteUmbrella Haha, no, I'm not really the athletic type. I know very few people who are. But the problem is mainly that static positions gets tough after a while either way. Usually it's enough to have my elbows resting against the sofa, but that doesn't work in several other situations, such as on chairs or train seats. Again, the Switch works ok in these situations, but I really wouldn't want to add more weight to it.
Funny how no media "expert" mentions the games' file sizes, which obviously are waaaay bigger for PC games than the optimized Switch releases.That's a major problem and no one is mentioning it. For that reason alone, Switch wins, also on price. And the screen is 800p, it's not a big improvement over the OG Switch, and the OLED has a far better screen.
This is going to hurt Nintendo's third-party sales. Most, if not all, third-party games are OLD and can be found on Steam. Meaning if you already own a steam deck but not a Switch, the only incentive to buy a Switch is for their first-party games. I hope this motivates Nintendo to step up their first-party games and stop relying heavily on third-party software ports.
This may be more expensive than the switch but you'll be able to buy games cheaper which will save alot of money
@thiz lol i'm telling you i'm both audiences and they absolutely 100% both appeal to me. People aren't dumb for comparing them. Nintendo was the only big mainstream company still doing handhelds, then now Valve another big company comes in and while it's not exactly something that would appeal to the younger crowd, the crowd of like 20+ using a switch will absolutely be interested in both of them.
@NintendoDad you can get around the tpm & secure boot requirements my pc doesn't have either but I've installed the windows 11 Dev build on it
To all those who are bitching about NL writing about the steam deck. Why did you click on the article and comment if you don't care about it.
If you don't care about the Steam Deck then no one is forcing you to click the link, just read something else on the site... God damn man children.
@Nclind It seems to you that a lot of Nintendo fans are scared by this machine??? What are you basing that opinion on? I doubt this machine is on 2% of any gamer's radar let alone troubling any Switch owners.
It seems to me that you're highlighting a problem that doesn't actually exist to seem insightful and wise.
I think you're the one that needs to calm down.
@The-Chosen-one If yo waited this long to preorder it, it won't actually be day one.
@NintendoDad It's going to run SteamOS which is based off of Arch Linux, so no need to worry about Windows 10/11
Sticking to the Switch Oled this fall. Ive got third-party joy-cons with full-size sticks, and I can see why Nintendo went for the low-profile sticks on the original joy-cons. It doesn't feel good to have the thumbs so far off the system.
@zombi3wolf
Yes. But I haven't gotten familiar with Linux yet. LOL.
I was planning to convert one of my old computers over to Linux to start learning it, but haven't gotten around to that yet.
But in the video (above), they say it can boot other OSs.
If it can do Win11 (even with the TPM 2.0 requirement), then when that gets phased in 4 years down the road, as my old computers become obsolete because they can't run Win11, then maybe a device like this can serve 2 purposes?
@Would_you_kindly . . . Yes. I heard about that. But . . . Win10 does everything I need for now. I don't want to spend the time installing Win11 until I'm forced to. LOL. I'm just thinking down the road, if Win11 does enforce TPM 2.0, then my computers can't move to Win11.
@Nclind K, bye!
@NintendoDad It does seem like you might be able to install Windows on it, however it's uncertain how it will preform.
Most people won't notice they are using Linux with the SteamDeck tbh, similar in a way to how they are running Linux when using an Android device. Proton has made about (I think) 70% of games compatible now. The issue is with games with certain DRM and anti-cheat. So we'll have to wait and see how Valve handles that.
Definitely check out some Linux distros for your PC's in the future. My main computer is a 2014 Macbook Pro running Linux (KDE Neon) breathed new life into it. Recent MacOS releases slowed it down considerably with too much bloat.
I also have a 2013 Lenovo laptop and a 2009 HP desktop that both run linux, and they honestly preform better than many newer PC's with Windows on it.
@zombi3wolf,
+1
RE: Linux . . . it has been my intention to learn it. Someone gave us back an old laptop that we had given them because they weren't using it. I tried to install Linux on it, but 1 version wouldn't install. Another, I installed but it crashed as soon as I tried to run 1 program. So I tried to install Win10 on it and it worked perfect the 1st time. Only has 4GB on it. Old Intel Core 2 Duo or something like that. I think the laptop is from 2007? It does everything I need. I have all the programs I regularly use loaded up on it.
As long as the SteamDeck is more powerful than that, then I would be good to go (depending on how much resources Win11 take.) LOL.
But I've got an old computer that I am thinking would be a good candidate for Linux.
@nessisonett You should have joined a gang, they let me keep mine that way.
@Nclind Wait you're actually scared of the Steam Deck, why? It's not like it's gonna overshadow the Switch. You're still gonna get your first party games on the Switch no matter what.
@Specter_of-the_OLED You might have replied to the wrong person, since he's saying the opposite.
@Nclind That's just a part of the fanbase and you'll find people like that on many sites. Your comments have been spot on and you seem like a nice guy so it's a shame if you go.
Man, how tiring.
I think Steam Deck is such a niche thing that everybody is talking about and I bet more and less 10% a will buy it. I’ve bought the cheapest model.
Exactly the same as the Playdate. Probably will sell more and less equally (with their expectations).
Are they switch competition? Is there a competition in the first place? In some peoples head, I suppose.
They both will be a paragraph or a line in videogame history.
Perspective, please.
@dew12333 How does it copy the Switch? Doesn’t have detachable controllers and even the docking ability isn’t being touted as a key feature (and if we’re going to go there, companies have been doing the whole handheld/TV swapping way before Nintendo did- Sega Nomad, PSP 2000 etc.).
Perhaps it wouldn’t exist if Nintendo didn’t demonstrate that demand is still there for portables but copying? No.
Yikes!!! Where are all the people that said it was uncomfortable? Lol!
@galaxidion I actually don't think this is niche at all unless you think portable gaming is niche.
Alot of people bought Switch for portability and were totally let down by really under performing third party ports. Come on is The Witcher, Outer Worlds,Borderlands or even the Trine games not really sub par ports? or even playable. Mask of the Ninja is a joke on Switch, a basic 2D game, they can't get right.This is the most exciting hardware that has come out in years. PC gaming is also so much cheaper than the overpriced Switch Store which totally put me off buying games for my Switch.
Nintendo release so few first party titles I just can't see myself purchasing more than a handful of Switch titles for it's remaining life span.
I really enjoy Nintendo games but they are the only game I have any interest in playing on the Switch now, so Nintendo won't be getting my 30% Nintendo tax anymore.
Sorry guys but Nintendo store is way overpriced, so forget the slight increase in price for Steam Deck, PC gaming is probably half the price on average than the Nintendo store. The Steam Deck is much more affordable as a portable gaming machine, so hardly a niche machine.
This hands-on gives me more confidence in my reservation. Valve is taking the best of the Steam Box and Steam Controlling and rolling into something nice. Really looking forward to getting this in 2022.
@Varkster agreed. if it can play "more serious games, the thing just looks awkward as all heck. I fear it will be all but forgotten by valve in 2 years
@Wexter EXACTLY! This is not something that will devour Nintendo.
Nobody should be shocked that these ppl didn't say anything bad as they were hand picked to come look at this thing. Anyone who is really interested in buying should wait for the public to get it and tell the rest of us what the real story is. To me, its underpowered to run any good PC games at a good rate and detail. For the price you are way better off with a laptop and then a Switch with a decent third party game pad.
I'm sold! Sold my switch after seeing the lackluster first party game drought. And the fact some games just run poorly on switch. Glad I didn't buy into the switch pro hype and so glad I can use that 350$ towards something like steam deck than a new oled screen.
On the plus side now third part devs can save time and resources without severely crippling a AAA title just so the switch can handle it.
Bonus now because emulation is improving quite rapidly which means there is potential for the steam deck. The future is looking good.
@hammers1man
I agree with a lot that you say. I play a lot of games in Apple Arcade because sometimes they are an absurd 15€ Per game in the Nintendo store.
BUT how many steam decks will be sold ? 3 millions ? 10 being VERY OPTIMISTIC? Niche to me. No Exclusives and nothing you can’t do with a fancy portable pc or mid table pc.
Probably some people that play big games on the go will change platform but I think they are not a big number.
10 million devices is hardly niche in my eyes. Steam Deck is going to change up PC gaming a bit and being in line with a console experience. Profile graphic settings etc will be automatically made for SD. Unless you are looking at much higher priced PC handhelds the Steam Deck is chokka bloc full of AAA exclusives. It is a new handheld with thousands of great games at great prices. Switch has nothing like humble choice monthly which is just insane value. Epic Store give 1 to 2 games away every week. Switch is the most expensive console for me as the game prices are so expensive, just not worth the prices they are charging
I bought a Switch for handheld gaming and tbh it is crap at 3rd parting ports, no it is just awful.
The thing is everything that is great about PC gaming is on this handheld, mods customablility etc . Exciting times for fans of portable gaming.
@galaxidion your opinion is niche.
@hammers1man So the Wii U was mainstream then and not a failure? Niche just means a minority in the market space or an audience that has a specific taste not satisfied by mainstream goods. The TurboGraphix-16 was considered a niche product despite selling an estimated 10 million units, but when compared to the SNES and Genesis/Megadrive it was niche. Even the Gamecube and original Xbox would have been considered niche compared to the PS2. A niche market is not a bad thing, it just means it has a very select market. I remind you something being niche is not a bad thing depending on what the goal of the product is.
The Wii U is a failure because it is Nintendo's worst-selling console following up the wild success of the Wii and the predecessor to the Switch. That is despite it having one the best catalogues of Nintendo first-party games, strong 3rd party titles and a very robust virtual console catalogue. The Steam Deck selling a lifetime of 10 million units or even 20 million units won't be a failure if Valve is just targeting a niche audience which is the hardcore PC enthusiast. I think even Valve believes this to be a niche product or else you could pre-order one on Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart... which you can't and as such is out of mainstream view.
EDIT: Also to access Humble Bundle and the Epic Store it is required for you to install Windows 10 on your device and we do not know how hard to easy that is to do and most mainstream tech normies will have no idea how to do that.
@Nclind no ones scared, the steam deck is just extremely expensive for what you get and have fun trying to play games on the go. Most games need a n internet connection to play and or for you to log k to steam which requires internet. This will flip just like their controller and streaming box.
@hammers1man have fun with the lack of storage and at the price to have even a decent amount to load 3-4 games on the system you could buy a laptop that can do everything and more this thing. A laptop is better priced and more effective.
@Wexter So was the Wii U niche then, just because a device is not mass market doesn't make it niche. There are quite a few PC portable on the market that you would call niche. The Steam Deck is going to be far from that. It will sell as many as they can produce, unfortunately they won't keep up with the demand.
Does a device have to be mass market for it to be a really good piece of hardware, innovation and competition is great for the market, which really benefits us all. Switch domination Is terrible for handheld marketing because of the extortion of prices for mediocre ports. Why are games so expensive on Switch just because they are on a portable platform. Why do people just accept that but moan that the Steam deck is more expensive than the Switch OLED. The Switch OLED is way too expensive for what you are getting.
I will also point out why get so excited about how great the Switch has sold and there is no competition. Surely competition is good, why this crazy fanboyism for a company that wants your money and can see that Nintendo fans will buy tweaked 11 year old games at full retail price without question. That is ripping off it's loyal customers, do you guys really thinks that Nintendo cares about you. All they care about is money and to me they are a big rip off company probably the greediest of all the console platforms.
@Wexter Humble Choice monthly bundle is Steam games so not sure why you think you need Windows to play Steam games on the Steam Deck. Humble Choice monthly is the best deal in any gaming. You could build up over a hundred game for Steam deck for under a hundred pounds before you get your hands on your Steam Deck pre order.
Unlike other services like Game Pass you own the game's.
Epic Store might actually be come to Steam OS so no need to install Windows.
Not for me, I play Nintendo cuz it has the games I remember from childhood, ghost of Tsushima or death stranding does nothing for me and I think a lot of people are just like that. Nintendo is for everybody the others are for "serious" gamers.
@hammers1man Yes if something is not mass-market it is by definition niche. And I point to the Wii U because your point is 10 million in sales equals not niche, and the Wii U was considered a failure because it turned out to be a niche product only a select few gave a chance and enjoyed. And as I already pointed out the Wii U was a great console, with excellent games, good online service and awesome features like the VC. But, at the end of the day it was niche... it's not a bad thing if you own one and enjoy it. You just need to understand that not everyone will love the same thing you love.
If you've read any of my comments you will notice I've not called the Steam Deck bad or a failure. I'm skeptical of it and debunking nonsense like PC games are cheap when no they are just affordable and the truly cheap AAA games are either meh or not built for controllers and rely on mouse and keyboard controls which the Steam Deck simply lacks.
The Switch has been an excellent console with a plethora of fantastic 3rd party and 1st party games. The hardware is getting old so if the Steam Deck did not outperform it I'd be majorly concerned. But, we know a Switch successor is being made and how much more powerful or weaker it will be against the Steam Deck is meant to be seen. Until we know more about it and how well it performs with hands-on experience from the consumers (not tech enthusiasts in a controlled environment) we won't know how nice of a machine it really is and how much of this is PR smoke. And if you truly think Nintendo games are "mediocre" I'd ask why you are on a Nintendo fansite, to begin with? That is like going to a New England Patriots forum even if you were a Packers fan.
As for Nintendo and the handheld market considering they have dominated it since the mid-1980s and Sony and Sega have both failed at capturing that market over Nintendo I'd say people are perfectly fine with Nintendo domination there and their "weaker hardware" as when you're dealing with small screens and varying lighting conditions nice graphics are a luxury and portability and comfort are far more important. Just take a chill pill and wait because based on your replies I have to assume you will develop a heart-condition by the age of 30 with the amount of salt you are consuming on a daily basis.
@Wexter No niche is a minority, so if a system doesn't sell at a mass level does not make it niche. 10 million units does not MAKE it niche.
Yes the Switch sold well and it is great in your eyes . But to me it is locked in a bog standard eco system. You are basically stuck with 2015 mobile phone tech and it just feels so limited.
Not here to knock Switch but I am not paying crazy prices for absolute mediocrity. Outer Worlds, are we serious the game is an embarrassment on Switch. The Switch can't even run Serious Sam for Christ sake.
@Wexter Also I don't think Nintendo games are mediocre. I love BOTW one of the best game I have played. I just think that 3rd party games just feel really poor on the Switch. I have totally given up on Trials Rising because it is just crap on Switch, Trine games also. I was told the metro games were great on Switch, I can't see it at all. Not in my experience.I am done with 3rd party port on Switch as every game is such a downgrade.
@hammers1man Dude... like chill man. So if the Switch sells 100 million lifetime, the PS4 sold 120million lifetime and the Xbone sells 60 million lifetime and the Steam Deck sells... let's say 10 million lifetime.. that's not the minority? **RIIIIIGGGHHHHTTTTT**... as for "serious games" the Switch has a ton of those from Bioshock, to Witcher 3 it has a fair share of great games on it. Outer Worlds has been fixed after patches, but it was a bad port that happens. Those happen on PC all the time as REVillage has been borderline unplayable due to DRM and requires you to have knowledge on how to crack it to play the game as intended. The Steam version of Nier Automata was capped at 30fps compared to the Windows Store version (yes even storefronts can change how a game plays on PC).
Also, welcome to console gaming each new console is always running 2-year-old tech at launch because making a console takes years and they cannot just change parts on a whim. The Zen 2 chip in the Steam Deck is not even cutting edge it came out in 2019 so **wamp wamp** and Valve is targeting 30fps and 720p on AAA games so... ummm... that's not great performance on a PC. Dude, you have your expectations way too high in the sky for this thing.
Here we go again 10 million is not niche and you don't need to install Windows to play Humble Bundle games.
Comparing a portable device to desktops and consoles is not realistic. We are talking about portable gaming and flexibility. It might not be for you but the Steam Deck is very exciting for many handheld gaming fans and maybe those that thought a Switch with an upgraded screen was alluring.
@Longondo That's not what they said... They preferred the etched/glare-free screen over the standard screen and regretted not preordering the more expensive model.
@hammers1man I've been very clear I'd buy one if the price was right because I am a PC gamer. So I guess by your point comparing Switch ports to PS5 and XSX versions is not realistic either. So if the Switch gets called mediocre because the ports on it do not run as well as it has compromised hardware to run these games portability the Steam Deck has to be compared to a gaming PC and gaming laptop because you can literally compare it to the exact same version of the game running on different and competing hardware (ESPECIALLY against a gaming laptop).
Dude, you clearly are digging a bigger hole for yourself because you are fanboying over something that you are hyped about and ignoring what I and many others are saying. If the device is being sold through Valve directly through their own closed service for an audience they have stated they are targeting which is the niche within their own consumer eco-system then the product is niche even if it sold 10 million units. YOU ARE IGNORING THE DEFINITION OF WHAT A NICHE PRODUCT IS! It may attract those who may have thought to get a Switch but instead, the Steam Deck suits their needs and that is AWESOME for them. For I'd say 95% of other people just don't care because the Switch has the games their friends are talking about like Zelda, Pokemon and Mario + 3rd parties they care about. By the time the Switch successor comes out in 2022 or 2023 the Steam Deck's hardware advantage will be moot and considering you cannot get a Steam Deck till at BEST Q42022 and Q12023 it may mean NOTHING by the time the Switch 2 comes out or even announced outside of playing their Steam games on the go and for that to be appealing they have to be a PC gamer to begin with!
It's better value than OLED Switch, you can run CEMU and Yuzu on this thing to play all the Switch and Wii U games for free.
Not for me* but I hope it does well. The more competition the better.
*maybe one day as an emulation box if the price comes down
Not too sure about the motivations of this article, although the clicks as usual will be an important factor. I have no issues with the Steam Deck itself or it being covered on this site, and to be honest as a bit of a gadget freak I may even get one.
My issue is why even compare it to the Switch at all, it's coming out four years later so obviously will have more power etc, and it's aimed at a totally different market to Nintendo's machine, my best guess is to cause a little friction on here perhaps.
Although of course Nintendolife will just be reporting news and facts
@Wexter,
You will never convince some people, no matter how many facts you throw at them they will still feel this will be insanely popular, as they like it themselves.
Then again some of these people thought the Switch would be D.O.A.
@Nclind,
I am not scared in the slightest, the product looks awesome, but is never going to affect Switch sales.
Can it run DOS 6.2?
Genuine question - to use the steam deck will you have to have PC running Steam already or will you be able to use this as a standalone system?
@jarvismp it's a PC by itself, you don't need another PC to make it work
I'm excited for this and whilst it has some similarities to the Switch, it's very much it's own thing and will be running games that the Switch simply cannot. What will be interesting is many of the older games on Steam which often need some coaxing to get running in the first place and if any of that has been addressed here as a fixed hardware platform
I didn't know about the different screens. Feels a little like the low price is a bit deceptive, you really need to get at least the middle price model to get the good screen. And then you're going way above the Switch's price.
@jarvismp Stand alone system. It's all built into the device itself. You can create and manage your Steam account and library on the Deck only. How do I know this? It was the same with SteamOS systems a few years back.
Once I get my Steam Deck, every game that's available on Switch and SD I'll get on the SD; far superior versions for half the price AND I'll be able to play them on any PC in the future.
Anyone arguing that the Deck is not competition is deluded. This is a properly disruptive device and if Steam manages to handle the launch well, it could have a big hit on it's hands.
It's the first hardware I've been excited about for years and as a Nintendo fan, I really hope it ends their complacency and forces them to take some risks again.
@Wexter I have to say, you don't know what niche means. 10 million is not niche. The Wii U was not niche. It was a failure, there's a difference. The console the sells the least isn't suddenly "niche" because it sold less. So, the Xbox 360 was niche in the last generation cycle because it sold less than PS3 and Wii? Huh? Then the PS5 must be niche because they just sold 10 million units. The Xbox One must be niche because it's sold less than PS4 and Switch. That's not what that means dude. Niche would be something like the Playdate which is basically a Kickstarter handheld console. Valve and Steam are already as big as the Big 3, so no this is NOT niche. The Deck is getting international coverage even on national news stations. It sounds like you just want this thing to fail.
It's only getting compared to PC hardware because Steam is a PC platform. Just like the PSP and Vita were compared to the big brother consoles and the same with the GameBoy and DS. However, that doesn't mean it needs to replicate it exactly. It's a portable version of PC gaming, not a mini gaming laptop. It's common sense to know that the Deck will eventually not be able to run games at max frames, and that's not the point of the system. While Valve has extensively tested CURRENT games that run at 30-60 FPS, everyone knows that will change as tech advances.
The Deck is only being sold through their service mainly to combat scalping. You had to have had a Steam account older than 30 days, your account had to be in good standing, so no VAC-bans or game bans, and you had to have made a purchase within a certain time frame (I forgot the time frame), and of course, the $5 deposit. They also know that people who already have Steam are going to be the most likely to buy one because they don't need to do a hard sales pitch. Nintendo mostly caters their handhelds to already Nintendo fans through things like Nintendo Power and ads in-game manuals etc., so you could argue that's their own ecosystem. You can't just single out the Steam Deck because you're completely unfamiliar with its ecosystem.
@hammers1man is being completely reasonable and you're very histerical in your comments. RE Village is completely playable on PC, the DRM isn't as bad as people make it out to be. I ran it just fine on a powerful gaming laptop and my desktop rig with no issues. Nier Automata also just got a patch for Steam that the Windows store got about a month ago, so check your facts first before stating them. You're really not getting or understanding the point of Steam Deck. It's not a PC powerhouse on the go and no one is expecting that.
Also, before you pull the strawman fanboy card on ME, I love my Switch. I have over 120 physical games for it and play it a lot. We have FIVE Switches in our house and I have a Lite and regular one and want to get a hold of the OLED version. So I am FAR from a Switch hater. Yes, the Switch has serious issues when it comes to newer ports with massive slow down and serious graphical degradation, but thankfully the developers are porting these with care and love and WANT the games to play and run well on the system. Thankfully, I can play those ports on PC, and I prefer to, but it's great for those who just own a Switch and can enjoy these games that are on newer systems.
@Dirty0814 You can play pretty most games in offline mode you know. You also aren't seeing the bigger picture here. The Steam Deck is a portable way to play your Steam library. A laptop is not. I mean...how do those two even compare? That's like getting mad at the PSP and saying, "You can just drag a portable generator around with you and play your PS2 with a TV on your lap! Who needs a portable SONY console." Like seriously...what the actual hell.
@ivory_soul You're missing the point of my statements entirely. I've been very clear about what a niche product is and how a product that is meant for mainstream consumption can be niche by simply attracting specific audiences. A product selling the least does not make it niche by default it depends on multiple factors such as audience awareness, audience interest, what the product is offering and what audience the product is catering to. The Wii U became a niche console because it only serviced a hardcore demographic of buyers and was not able to capture the mainstream appeal. The Xbox 360 is not niche because it sold about as well as its direct competitors and serviced a mainstream audience. It's the same reason I have compared 10 million lifetime sales to other consoles that were considered niche such as the Turbographix-16.
I understand that has been patched out of Nier Automata, I was stating a point that sometimes the best version of a PC game is not necessarily on Steam either and how the PC environment is very complicated and sometimes very frustrating. And bad ports happen on PC fairly frequently and can take literal years to patch out. Yes, I understand games are mod-able, BUT most mainstream tech-normies have either no idea how to do it or too reprehensive to do it. The combating scalpers and also equally be a reason of wanting to know how much of an audience there is for the product because of the failures of the Steam Machine. My main skeptical nature on this product has to do with Valve's previous non-commitment to their hardware. I'm just stating that even if the product turns out to be a niche product (which it seems like it can easily go that direction because I'm seeing the same hype patterns I saw with the Steam Machine) that is not a bad thing! The Wii U and Turbographix-16 were excellent game systems with great games and even if the consoles were niche people had excellent experiences on them. If you fall within a specific niche and love the product that caters to you that is an awesome thing and cannot be taken away by anyone. I love my Wii U and still do and I'm fully willing to admit it was rather niche.
As for the Steam Deck it has to compare to a gaming laptop as gaming laptops are not and I quote " The Steam Deck is a portable way to play your Steam library. A laptop is not. I mean...how do those two even compare?"... that is a strawman argument as gaming laptops are exceptionally portable and yes you won't be playing it on the bus that does not mean you cannot at a coffee shop, at a university, a lounge, a hotel, or even on a bus if you are doing a cross country trip... I can say I have done all the above with my old gaming laptop. The Steam Deck's direct competition is not the Switch per say it is that it has to convenience people it is a better alternative to a gaming laptop and considering the hidden costs in a Steam Deck it is not that much cheaper than one.
If someone is excited for the thing that is great! I just don't see it as a Switch killer as it really probably isn't for a myriad of reasons I feel people ignore for the sake of "NINTENDOOMED" narrative people love to talk about. This happens every cycle of Nintendo handhelds and every cycle we have seen Nintendo dominate in it because they understand how the market works. Generally expensive and powerful hardware always lose out to cheaper, more portable and simple to have experiences.
The Switch is the modern day tiger electronics.
@Nclind this sucks as a nintendo fan because I already spent €300 on a switch and even more than that on games, and now people get to buy this thing and emulate every nintendo game on this for a fraction of the price. Makes me feel like I got a bad deal.
Wish Switch 2 could be as powerful
@Wexter I'm not missing any point in your statements. You just want everyone to believe every word you say and that it's fact. There's a difference. I completely understand, and some of your points are valid, and some aren't. Ok, that was the most comprehensible post you've made and the least hysterical.
However, I'm going to skip over the niche thing as you still don't quite understand the meaning of the word. The Wii U was not niche, sorry but it just wasn't. It didn't serve a small audience it just plain old failed. It had nearly zero third-party support and was geared towards the millions and millions of Wii owners thus the need for Wii remotes and what not. Same for the TurboGrafix. Poor marketing doesn't mean it's niche. Let's just move on from that. So the math here is failure=poor sales, not poor sales=it's suddenly niche now despite EVERYONE on the planet knowing what the system is.
As for your second statement. I have a gaming laptop and it's FAR from very portable. It's basically a portable desktop. Gaming laptops are big, bulky, and heavy. You're statements clearly give the vibe that you want the Deck to fail just by how HARD you're going in on the negatives of the system that are mostly not even really there or just speculation. Saying, "But I want the Deck to do well!" at the end doesn't save it.
Anyways, I think you're still missing the point of the system and overthinking it. It's a portable HANDHELD gaming device, period. It's not a laptop, and laptops are not handheld gaming devices. You still need a mouse, a charger, and maybe even a controller so it's a portable desktop at best. I also am not seeing anyone saying it's a Switch killer. This is a narrative made up by Nintendo fanboys to create a strawman counterargument to the overall enthusiastic excitement for new competition.
In the end, this is good for the consumer and the industry. Intel stagnated for years until Ryzen came out and blew its CPUs out of the water. No competition equals stagnation and that's kind of what @hammers1man was getting at. Even the all-mighty Nintendo might look over Valve's shoulder if the Deck is even remotely successful.
However, I will agree with you on one thing. The Switch is more appealing and easier to market. The PC landscape is confusing, fragmented, and otherwise a put-off for people who just want to turn on a system and play. I'm also not saying the Deck will release with zero issues. There will be dozens of patches, firmware updates, and possibly game patches just for early adopters. The Switch is more appealing to a wider audience and it has brand history. Steam has 50 millions users. Steam is far from "niche" it's a mainstream platform whether you would like it admit it or not. Graphical powerhouses don't always fail. The PSP was more powerful than the DS and sold very well and was never considered niche. It has a fantastic library, and despite that, the Vita failed due to poor marketing and support from Sony, which still didn't make it niche. Everyone knew the Vita existed it just wasn't as appealing as the PSP was.
Also, you can't get a decent gaming laptop for $500. I don't know what fantasyland you find them in, but the last $500 laptop I had could barely run Windows 10. A decent gaming laptop worth even bothering with will cost you at least $1,200 minimum. Running games at 10FPS isn't ideal and that's all you'd get for $500. So, no, the Deck is STILL half the price of a good gaming laptop. It's an in-between. You can get the Switch with an established console base and history but the hardware that's almost a decade old. Remember, the Switch is basically and Nvidia Shield, or the Steam Deck which is current, then there's the gaming laptop.
Here is the truth about the Steam deck:
1. It's screen is not as good as Switch OLED.
2. It is not as portable.
3. The base model is $399 and will not perform well with high end games. You will have to pay at least $529 for the mid-tier model.
4. You can't dock it without extra hardware, though that hardware is cheap.
5. You can't play multiplayer without purchasing extra controllers, another $60 investment.
6. This thing won't really be useful until you sink $600 into it.
7. People compare the base model price of $399 to the Switch but this is a fallacy, assuming that everyone only plays single player games and no couch co-op. The more apt comparison is to the Switch Lite, which is $200 or 50% of the price of the base model.
Not to say I don't appreciate the Steam Deck and what it's trying to do but I think the comparisons by Nintendo Life and IGN are off the mark. They are really going for different markets. I know plenty of people who will never know what a Steam Deck is but will happily purchase Minecraft on the Switch.
@ivory_soul There are tons of laptops that are good gaming laptops for $700USD. We can agree to disagree on a niche product is, but the Wii U was a very niche product by the end of its lifecycle that is a simple fact. As niche products are not these unknown things that exist in the wild a niche product is based on what types of people consume it and how much mainstream interest there is in it. And gaming laptops are exceptionally portable as yes you won't be walking and playing it at the same time, but I find myself and others hardly doing that with a Switch. Most of the time you are sitting down or leaning against something i.e. stationary. You do not understand how a gaming laptop works at all if you assume it is not in some level competition for the Steam Deck as for $700USD you can get a laptop that does play games far better than 720p at 30fps and has a far greater internal storage and that is a FACT.
And I'm not saying Nintendo won't on some level be looking at what the Steam Deck does or what it does well at. It's a business! I don't even want to see the thing fail I just don't trust Valve to support their hardware very well which is a fact they have in the past released something and barely supported it and the only reason those products even found a market was because of consumers finding a use for them that Valve did not expect. The product has a ton of hidden costs that once you include those into it make a gaming laptop far more appealing purchase if you want to play your Steam library on the go PLUS do your everyday workflow. I'm not saying the product is bad I'm saying something being niche is not a BAD THING! IT IS A GOOD THING! It means those who are interested in it will love it, it just means it won't penetrate the mainstream market and maybe cap at a specific sales point. The Switch was predicted to be a niche product but ended up capturing that mainstream appeal so us predicting if something will be a niche or not means about as much as those calling it a Switch Killer. WE JUST SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW! I'm just re-enforcing that something being a niche product is not a bad thing and there have been multiple consoles that were beloved by their audience despite ending up in a rather niche market. In fact, knowing your product could be a niche and highly investing into trying to get that market on board can be exceptionally beneficial to your long-term outlook as you can build upon that feedback and create something that can become mainstream. This is proven by smart devices, digital cameras, optical disk films, video streaming services and many, many other examples. Maybe if Valve sticks with the Steam Deck and keeps improving the form factor, ease of access, ways to take down the cost to be more in line with the Switch and the key here is to MARKET the device to a mainstream audience they can have something really special with the Steam Deck platform. I'm just skeptical.
Anyone that still thinks the Deck will be serious competition to the Switch and won’t be a niche focused product is delusional. The thing is not even being sold in traditional stores and supply is very limited/pre-orders very backed up already. That is the very definition of a niche hobbyist product. Can’t believe a lot of people here can’t comprehend this, but you can chalk that up as Valve fanboyism I suppose.
Switch this latest quarter alone pushed 4.5 million units and would be surprised if the Deck can even do that lifetime with its circumstances.
Not to mention like past Valve products the Deck has been marketed poorly still. Many people that are not already videogame enthusiasts has not even heard about the Deck yet just like they never heard about the Steam machine years before.
Anyone based on the videos and seeing them play low performance required games likes Stardew and largely focusing on just whatever positives the machine can muster, it seems people will have to wait and see when it’s actually out before a less biased and more accurate in depth take on the machine is out.
@zombi3wolf @Would_you_kindly
So I did some searching and found an article that suggests that Steam is looking at Windows 11 and they have a team. "the red team is there to ensure that, at the fundamental level, the new tech is ready for Windows 11."
https://www.pcgamer.com/steam-deck-windows-11-tpm-compatibility/
I will have to keep my eye on this.
@rosemo,
Can't wait of the OLED Switch to arrive on launch day..getting quite giddy.
@BloodNinja
There's a certain extent that emulation can bring you to before you'd be looking for more powerful hardware to do so. I would expect emulating Wii U games on the Steam Deck to be more or less the exact same as playing a deluxe release on the Switch (because emulation requires more hardware than a straight-up port). People would just get a desktop by then or play the Switch.
@NintendoDad if I get a steamdeck in the future I'll install windows on it for emulation , I've just downloaded coinOPS next 2 on my pc & it's an absolutely brilliant front end for emulating
@ModdedInkling I understand what you are saying, but I’m not sure of the context you are fitting this into. Which reply are you referencing?
@Would_you_kindly Have you tried Playnite? It’s another front-end that covers all platforms, from GOG to Steam to all emulators, including PS3. Been an absolute godsend in consolidating my library. I’ll look into Coin OPS, sounds interesting. There are emulator front ends for Linux, as well, so you may find one you like so that you don’t have to install Windows.
@BloodNinja
You were telling me how the Switch and Steam Deck have almost the same libraries, with the Steam Deck having the advantage of being able to emulate games.
Ninja approved?
@BloodNinja I haven't tried playnite buy I'll have a look at it cheers
@ModdedInkling Yes, absolutely. Sorry, I wasn’t keeping up with the conversation hahah
What I got from the article is this:
Valve tried to copy the Wii U Gamepad. That thing was the best and most comfortable controller for me, hands down.
@larryisanassman
I understand that everything is a copy of something and I do not see this as competition to the switch as valve don’t have the capacity to compete with Nintendo, and I am really happy that people that want it have something to play. But really the whole thing is just jumping on the band wagon and offering something slightly different. When you could say that pc gamers already have lap tops for this anyway, add to that pc gamers are mostly about the best visual experience and then you have the thought that if gamers will take a dip in performance for the switch maybe they will for us too.
I never expected their design could possibly have been that different but their thinking definitely used switch lots.
@dew12333 I wouldn’t really say it’s jumping on a bandwagon, portables and alternatives to Nintendo handhelds have been around for forever. Form factor wise Switch has as much in common with GBA, PSP, Vita etc. as Steam Deck has to Switch- Switch as a handheld isn’t a terribly unique device save for the detachable controllers. This is just giving an option for the PC market that isn’t common- and to be fair, it’s one that’s been tried before now. GPD Win, a handheld PC with built in game controls released before Switch was even revealed.
I do agree though that the market for this thing does seem potentially small all things considered. I’ve spoken to two friends who have powerful PC setups (one of which who owns a Switch and never uses it) and both have no interest in this because they want to play games at their best performance and say if they ever cared about playing in handheld that Steam Link is there but they never even bother with that. On the flip side, Switch is very cheap to buy in compared to Steam Deck (especially if you go for a Lite) and the specs definitely aren’t holding it back from doing well, so do most people wanting a device like this really care about performance? Doesn’t look like it. At the minute it looks like this is appealing to people like myself who have always had multiple handhelds or people who don’t have a Switch but want a similar device with much higher performance…but how big is that pool of people? Will have to see. At any rate, it’s not like this thing will live or die based on its install base since it’s just a PC and will last for as long as it takes for games to stop running at desirable levels- it’s not going to stop seeing games in a short period of time if it doesn’t take off so I don’t feel hesitant about buying one (unless it launches and isn’t as capable as it sounds right now).
@rosemo Depends how you look at some of the things you mentioned.
Here's my truths about the Steam deck:
1. I don't care much about the screen, because I'm not super interested in the handheld gaming aspect. Our Switch is docked 95%+ of its time in the house. We have a base Switch from launch, and we don't plan on upgrading to the Switch OLED. There's no reason for us. I plan on using this in a docked fashion a lot.
2. Personally, I find the Switch to be uncomfortable for handheld gaming sessions. I found the Wii U GamePad to be more comfortable. From what I can see, it appears the Steam Deck is closer to the Wii U GamePad's form factor, than the Switch's, and I'm glad for it.
3. The performance between the $399 model and the $529 model is the same. Directly from the site: "There is no in-game difference in frame rates or graphics quality between the three models." But, will it run games better than the Switch? From what we know, yes.
4. I'm most interested in using this as a docked device though, so I'm on the "notify me" list whenever they have info on the dock available. If it's much more than standard docks already out, I'll skip it and just get one already on the market for less probably.
5. The Switch OLED is $350 at launch, plus another $60 for a game, plus another $80 for an extra Joy-Con set or $70 for a Pro Controller for comfortable local multiplayer. I don't think most Steam Deck owners are getting this for local multiplayer, but I could be wrong. So, $500 minimum for the Switch OLED, game, and controllers for local multiplayer? Plus the online subscription if you're playing online multiplayer?
6. If you own any wireless game controller, you should be good to go without needing to buy extra, as they can be synced with the Steam Deck. The only thing I think most will end up getting extra would be a dock for it, which I'm hoping is less than $50. So, $450?
7. If the Switch Lite could be docked and streamed to the TV, and/or used with a monitor like the Steam Deck, I think it would be the same comparison. The reason I won't buy a Switch Lite, is because it can't be docked. But, even if not, you have to buy the Switch Lite for $200, a game for $60 (assuming 1st party Nintendo title), and then an extra controller or two, $70 or $80, and/or the online multiplayer service for it as well. You're close to $400, without the ability to dock it.
I think Valve might be trying to go for the "low end" PC market, and I'm here for it. If anything, I hope this might help the GPU market see price reductions, and help with some of the crazy prices we have seen the last year+.
I'm glad to see a non-publicly traded company attempt something like this, and I think this is Valve trying to help carve/keep some of their Steam market, as competition is heating up on that side of things with every other game service out there now (GOG, Epic, Xbox Game's Pass, etc.).
I have one reserved, and I rarely play games on my PC. Last time I did and finished one, I think was May 2020. I think this gives me an easier way to play my Steam library, and for less than $500.
@SilentHunter382 This is exactly how portable gaming PCs should be treated. Play the big, epic adventures on your main rig with a big screen and more power, then use the portable for the smaller games in your steam library that you want to play but aren't normally feeling like when you sit down a long, big screen session.
@Heavyarms55 It costs £50 pounds more.
@Hordak Agreed, analogues set horizontally equal is the absolute best way to play.
Of all the games to show in the thumbnail, they went for Stardew Valley?
@Joriss they want to sell indies as its pretty big on switch. We already know it can play games that switch could only dream off, what they instead wants to tell you is that it doesnt just cater to the hardcore scene.
I personally already love it more than Switch. I barely play Switch I only picked it up when there is a nintendo exclusive that I am interested in. With steam deck its pretty much all the games on steam and able to install windows. This is far better deal than playing Mario.
@YANDMAN True, but if you want to hold more than one big game or have more on it than mainly smaller indie titles then you’re gonna need to get an SD card, at least half a terabyte ideally, which’ll add around another £60 to the price.
@larryisanassman It's no different with the Switch though, especially if you're going the digital route (which Steam is) with games (some are only offered that way). I have used either SD cards or external HDDs since the Wii/Wii U days.
I don't think this will be a problem for the target audience here.
@CoffeeWithGames But you can get away with a much cheaper smaller card on Switch considering most games are a lot smaller there than on PC (40GB on PC for Dragon Quest XI versus 13GB on Switch for example). I have a 128GB card and it’s filled to the rafters, have to delete things occasionally to make room but in general there’s a lot of games loaded on it. You’ve also got the option of physical games that don’t always need huge updates on Switch.
@larryisanassman Yeah, we have a 256GB card in our Switch, but still have about 75GBs left on it. We don't download a lot of huge games, but the compression that Nintendo does, and others, on the Switch is pretty awesome.
I just don't think it will be a huge issue, and I think most pre-ordering the Steam Deck know what to expect.
@YANDMAN yeah, for their cheapest model. And that's not a small amount of money.
@Heavyarms55 If the Steam Deck sells well (which I think it will) and cause Nintendo to rethink how it goes about treating its customers asking for more from their hardware (which I think it won’t given that the joycon issues haven’t even been addressed) then this would’ve been a game changer. I’m rather frustrated with games like Hyrule Warriors running like crap on the Switch, and given that Nintendo is releasing the disappointment that is the OLED model in a couple of months I don’t think we’ll getting a more respectable upgrade from Nintendo anytime soon.
@JazzyBeat I don't remotely agree with your assessment of the OLED nor do I have a favorable opinion of the massively expensive Steamdeck. However I do agree that competition is a good thing.
@Nclind And people, it's a good thing. Nintendo needs a competitor. Even if not a direct competitor, we need something that will help push Nintendo to increase the quality of the switch.
@Heavyarms55 Massively expensive Steam Deck? 50 dollars more than a Switch OLED which is massively expensive for 6 year old tech. Nintendo are the scalpers with that machine, pure money grab as is the 10 year old slightly tweaked Wii Zelda game for $60.
On the subject of massively expensive, try some research of the price of Steam Deck games to Switch games.
To moan about the price of SLIGHTLY more expensive hardware and then pay extortionate software prices is not rational.
Put this into perspective the AYA NEO 512 GB version is $925 and the Steam Deck was running Doom at 58 fps compared to the Aya Neo's 38 fps.
Steam Deck is amazing value for the tech, I do think the cheapest model is selling at a loss for Valve.
I am not a Nintendo hater( I don't think much of the company's practices but they do produce some good games) I have about 50 games on Switch and BOTW is one of my favourite games, but I do think that Nintendo store is so expensive for older games with lackluster 3rd party ports.If you like indie games again much much cheaper on PC. I will only buy a few more games for my Switch now as I don't need to double dip anymore just for portability, and pay more than twice the price for a Switch version of the game.
@Danrenfroe2016 You're right competition is great, it benefits the customer most. One of the reason PC gaming is such good value, you have stores competing against each other.
Steam Deck can be a great thing for Nintendo customers as maybe we might even see some realistic sales for Switch games. I have seen Witcher 3 on Steam for £6, has it ever been sold on Switch lower than £30.
To my mind Steam Deck will be Nintendo's competition to some extent:
-It will be very competitive as far as it goes with 3rd party games- there will be much bigger library of such on Steam.
-even 3rd party games that are both on Steam and eShop will be in much better quality on Steam Deck (examples: All Witchers, Crysis, Sniper Elite, Alien Isolation, Dooms, Wolfenstein, Skyrim, Civs anything)
-Steam Deck will have Netflix and other services that had been long awaited on Switch with no response from Nintendo
-you will actually have an option to choose quality or performance mode by simply altering video options, but you will be able to reach 60 fps in many games on Steam Deck
-On Steam Deck you can have video output even on a 4k Tv, so Netflix etc in 4k welcome
-Steam deck will support probably of /if not all bluetooth headsets, mouses, keyboards
-Cross saving won't even have to exist, as Steam Deck will utilize Cloud saving
To my mind there are only few things thanks to which Switch sales may not plummet:
-exclusives (as it has always been)
-possibly more comfy grip, aka more ergonomic
-smaller price even in comparison to the Steam Deck (even though Steam Deck is basically a full portable PC)
Nonetheless, to me there will be competition between the two.
For me, as a Nintendo's customer it will be much more cost effective to buy Steam Deck, instead of buying 3rd party games on Switch, because I already have a big Steam library + 3rd party/indie games are 3x cheaper on Steam in most cases.
@NintendoDad Good to have options like that, however I do hope Valve focuses primarily on it being a Linux powered device. Would love to see more native Linux games, or Proton improved significantly more. Since my gaming PC died, I've been without any version of Windows...and it feels so much nicer lol
@zombi3wolf . . .
Yes. It would be great and perfect if it achieves its goals as a Linux device to play Steam games. Anything else is just extra icing on the cake!
Removed - discussing moderation
This kinda depresses me. I'm bedridden a decent portion of my life, and portable gaming that can move and toss with me has been a godsend. I was really looking forward to this, but sometimes even the Switch is too heavy and can trigger my neuropathy from holding it longer than half an hour. That extra half pound sadly may have to be the deal breaker for me. On one hand it seems inevitable they'll make a smaller or at least lighter model, but depending on what kind of technology is needed to make high end games run so well on the go it may not be possible to do so for quite awhile. Hopefully someone I know will get one and will lemme demo it for a few hours...do not wanna save up money long enough to buy one just to find out I've bought an expensively odd shaped paperweight. :-/
@larryisanassman Yep, exactly like a switch.
@YANDMAN As I said though, you can get away with a lot more on Switch with a much smaller, cheaper SD card than you would on Steam Deck given the general size difference between PC and Switch games. To go the most extreme case, the largest file size for a game on Switch is NBA 2K21 at 40GB versus 103GB on PC. Would cost you £15 for a 128GB SD card to fit 3 games of that size on Switch versus £60 to get a 512GB card to do the same on Steam Deck. Doom 2016 14GB on Switch, 55GB on PC. Overwatch 12GB on Switch versus 30GB on PC etc.
Obviously if you only really care about smaller titles like indie games you’re not going to need such a big card but in that case I wonder why you’d even bother getting a Steam Deck over a Switch in the first place (unless you already have a substantial Steam library).
@yuwarite For sure. That’s exactly why I want one- much more so for older generation games than new stuff. It’s not being marketed as that though and doesn’t appeal as widely as something that can run new games too.
I’m comparing it more in regards to Steam Deck as direct competition to Switch in regards to price and function to the average person who wants a handheld console, in which case the added cost of memory and no option of physical media will be a bigger factor to consider. If you’re already clued up on games and hardware or you’ve already invested in Steam as a platform then these things aren’t going to matter as much.
@larryisanassman I understand what you're saying but take my steam library, I've got 430 games on there, not a single one is a modern styled or triple-A experience, all Indie and vintage aesthetic games. My switch is the same, I own one first-party Nintendo game, and I've got over five hundred games on the system. For me, the steam deck would offer no issue.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...