Valve's Steam Client Beta Adds Support For Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controllers

I was streaming a game last night when this steam update hit and it actually made me laugh out loud. This update definitely isn't for me, but hopefully it makes someone happy!

When your joycons pull to the left so bad that it drifts off the Switch entirely and over to the Steam Client.

I play Steam on Steam Deck and PC using xbox series S controller.

This xbox controller is the best controller ever...so...i won´t use switch controller.....only if i play 4-players on pc, cause i just have 2 xbox series S controllers....

But...4 player games? We play on Switch =)

Paradox! LOL

I've been waiting for this! Great for PC emulators. Could have came in handy back when Gang Beasts was PC exclusive.

Why on earth would you use Joy-cons as your main controller.
They're the most uncomfortable badly designed controller I've ever used.
Like others have said, someone must want this, I'm definitely not one of them.

@Freek Why on Earth would anyone waste money on a steam deck (which will die off like Valve's Steam Machines), when you can just use a Gaming Laptop!??! And you say the Joycons are uncomfortable, did you look at how bulky the steam deck is?!

@NintendoEternity
Haha, you make a valid point.

Gotta give those pir..emulators more options I guess.

Why would you use an external controller on a handheld and in the rare event you do, why would you use a joy con. I love the switch but Nintendo should not reuse the joycons after the switch.

@steventonysmith me!
I will definitely use this to get my friends on my pc games, since i only have one pc compatible controller, can't wait!

@NintendoEternity See originally I wanted a Steam Deck or Windows based equivalent like to AyaNeo Air coming this Fall. But I got smart and bought a Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha instead and it works like a dream and has a gorgeous QLED screen. I use it strictly for 18+ visual novels or eroge as they're called and it doesn't take much to run them so no issues, lol

@veesonic Yeah, this is a great update!

Never thought about it, but actually kind of surprising that it took so long.
Steam does support all modern controllers after all. The Switch Pro Controller, for example, has been supported for ages.

Also potentiatially useful. Think what you want about the Joy Cons, but having more controllers in your house that you can use for multipayer on one system is not a bad thing.

@NintendoEternity
Not only does the Steam Deck seem to sell very well.
It ultimately wouldn't even be a waste of money if it were to "die off", since, unlike a console, it would still get tons of new games every month, even if Valve does not support it anymore.

Also funny that you argue about comfortability. Generally I would much rather hold something bulkier in my hands than the thin Switch. Not that the Switch doesn't do a fine job, but still, just based on looks, the Steam Deck seems more comfortable to me.

@solarwolf07
Which couch co op PC Game are you going to use this on with your friends?

@NintendoEternity The Sony PlayStation team working on the pc port of Spiderman made a point of announcing that it's fully compatible with the Steam Deck. Steam Deck is still selling strongly, is backed by a vast library of games and clearly isn't going to "die off". I love Nintendo games, and currently have over 80 boxed Switch titles in my collection, but trust me Steam Deck is comfortable. Just last night I was playing Doom 64 on it, and it runs extremely well. It's a fantastic piece of hardware.

@RubyCarbuncle - how are you finding using the Steam Deck with arthritis?
The Switch in handheld mode often left me with frozen claw fingers, but the Deck seems a lot more comfortable.

@NintendoEternity - The Deck is a lot cheaper than a laptop, and a lot more convenient. It's actually comfortable to use, more so than the Switch for me and I can use it in positions and places I couldn't with a laptop.

Same as the Switch, its form isn't for everyone but I think it's a brilliant thing, perfect for my needs.

I think the controllers are fine to play with, but yesterday proved to me again why I don't like using them. At least, when not playing in handheld mode.

Was playing the new Turtles game with 3 other people, but I didn't have my pro controller with me so I just went with the joy con instead. The connection with these things was incredibly unstable, my character would just not respond a lot of the time. Meanwhile all the other people who had pro controllers all played without a hitch.

So yeah. Certainly never going to use those for Steam purposes.

@Freek Agreed, they are pretty awful. I only use them attached to the switch. The pro controller on the other hand, is one of the best and sturdiest controllers I've ever used.

@Freek Obviously you missed out some truly horrendous controllers: the Atari 5200 controller, the Vectrex Controller, OG Xbox Controller (black and white buttons), and the N64 Controller (designed for three hands), PlayStation 4 Controller (battery life!).
The Joy-Cons are portable and have a different focus. I don't know if may people do this but you can detach the Joy-Cons and place them in one pocket and Switch screen in another pocket. It's actually more portable than the Switch Lite.

@steventonysmith I've been exited to play Castle Crashers, Battleblock theater, and Ultimate chicken horse with more players!

@NintendoEternity The Steam Deck is far more comfortable than the Switch. Going back to the Switch cramps my hands and the analog sticks are so imprecise. I have to use my Hori pads for the Switch when in handheld mode now. The Steam Deck is here to stay. It's already outsold its Steam Machines and the demand is incredibly high. Don't talk about something you have no experience in. You've never held a Steam Deck or used one.

I own 120+ physical Switch games, so I'm not a hater, but the Steam Deck is just better built physically. Let's be honest. The Switch is just a tablet with uncomfortable controllers slapped on the side.

@thinkhector If you have to put something in two different pockets it makes it LESS portable than something that doesn't need to be disassembled. The Switch Lite is more "pocket friendly" than the OG Switch. Not sure how that logic works.

@NinjaWaddleDee Agreed. Nintendo nailed it with the Pro Controller. I only use the JoyCons when I need to use motion.

@BinaryMessiah You can't fit the Switch Lite into normal pockets it's too long. A Switch without the JoyCons is SMALLER than a Switch Lite. Allowing you to place the JoyCons in a separate pocket. (You could put them in the SAME pocket it's just less comfortable.)

@BinaryMessiah
If only the Steamdeck didn't have a 2 hr battery life and a ***** screen I would agree. The other problem is the Switch is far more portable

@steventonysmith 2 hours and up, just like the original Switch. Screen is fine, though obviously not as good as an OLED.

@NintendoEternity There's no logic to the Steam Deck dying, because even if it wasn't produced anymore, I could still play more games than all the consoles combined, and future releases too.

As I don't like single player games with a story, I pretty much only play multiplayer games i can play online or train offline.....all the games I play are compatible with the Steam Deck, and its future sequels will be the same.

I don't understand this: "when Steam deck dies". When you buy a game on steam, you can play it on the steam deck. And the steam platform is eternal. Steam deck is just another way to play games that you can already play on TV or PC, only on the go.

Steam Deck is timeless. It's not like other video games, with a release lifecycle.

Steam Deck is just a receptacle for good games you buy on Steam, only on the go.

@steventonysmith When I bought the Switch, I bought it to play games on planes. I have airplane panic, so the Switch helped me a lot. I put the phone on, the sound loud and I'm playing on the flight.

My main gaming platform has always been the PC.

Of course, then the Switch grew in importance in my house as a secondary gaming platform, Just Dance, etc.

But even on the plane I always needed a power bank to play the switch for 8-9 hours.

I have 6 power banks!

Today I do the same with the Steam Deck.... I use it on the plane, and I use the power banks.

So I don't feel any difference regarding "battery time".

I recommend using a powerbank for both the switch and the Steam Deck on long trips!
This solves this problem for both. Well, it's a tip.

@felix330
The switch no longer has a 2 hr battery life and for cheaper has an oled screen and tv dock

I guess I'm not surprised by all the commenters disliking joycons, but man, being able to play with my hands wherever I darn well want them is an absolute luxury to me. I can play with my arm around my partner's shoulder, or while comforting my cats. It's like the ultimate snuggle-friendly controller. Even just having my hands wherever they're comfortable while gaming gives a sense of freedom. That said, I probably won't have a significant use case for connecting them to a desktop computer. But I hope there are folks out there who do.

@steventonysmith
Not sure a battery life comparison like that makes a lot of sense, as it heavily depends on how graphically intensive the games are.
Considering the Steam Deck can run games with much better graphics, it can also probably keep up with the Switch battery life if used with a game with similar graphics settings.
(some people talk about it running over 9 hours in small games, which would be similar to an OLED Switch on the same games. as far as I know).

Furthermore, you can heavily influence the battery life of the Steam Deck yourself by lowering the graphics and/or limiting the framerate. Giving you the option to play for short amount of times with greatness or for longer times with graphical limits (which usually still aren't worse than what the Switch is doing all the time).

Also, about the dock: Steam Deck doesn't even necessarily need one. A cheap USB - HDMI cable is enough.

@steventonysmith Steam Deck does not need a dock. You plug a USB - HDMI on TV and play.

@Rykdrew
Does the USB to HDMI keep it charged?

@Kirgo
There has been no tests to the Steam Deck's battery that shows it getting anywhere near 9 hours. The newer switch units and the oled are rated for 5-9 hours, meaning a graphically intense game will still net you near 5 hours. Also it doesn't matter if the Steam Deck can play games at settings when the screen is a cheap 720p screen.

@steventonysmith Yes, you play on TV while charging. You can use a usb c hub ($19 on amazon)

On Battery, my switch is about 3 hours playing Mario Kart 8, and the Steam Deck is about 3 hours playing Street Fighter V....on fly i use power bank for both.

Mario Kart 8 and Street Fighter V are my most played games (Switch and Steam) 2022.

@steventonysmith
There are people saying that the Steam Deck can hit over 9 hours through experience. We are talking Indie games for that of course, but that is what you need to hit that mark on Switch as well.
I also don't find this hard to believe, since any computer (including consoles) can have a several times higher power consumption if the hardware is stressed a lot.

"The newer switch units and the oled are rated for 5-9 hours, meaning a graphically intense game will still net you near 5 hours"
My point is that a graphically intense game on the Switch, is not intense by Steam Deck standards, since the Deck is a much more powerful system. If you run a game that looks like, and has the framerate of, a Switch game, that will not make the Deck go full power, meaning it will not have its maximum power consumption.

"Also it doesn't matter if the Steam Deck can play games at settings when the screen is a cheap 720p screen."
First of all, the Switch OLED also has a 720p screen, so I am not sure why you are bringing the resolution up.
Not to mention that the Switch struggles to even deliver that resolution on some games.
But more importantly, higher graphic settings change the looks of a game in a much different way than a better screen does.
Extreme example: Does an N64 game on an OLED TV look better than a PS5 game on a cheap LCD? Answer: Hell no.

The OLED makes games look better in one way, but through better hardware you get a much better picture in a completely different way. And the differences in capabilities between Switch and Deck are not so small that a different screen can easily make up for it.
If you love OLED so much that you would rather have way worse graphics than miss it, great, but that would be 100% subjective.
In no way is it enough to just generally state that the difference in graphics doesn't matter.
Also, I don't know why we are suddenly talking about this, considering that originally wasn't my argument. I only said that you can improve battery life by lowering the settings if you need. If you say it doesn't matter to you, than great, take the better battery life option at all times for the Deck. It defeats your own argument.

I am saying this as a proud owner of a great OLED TV, who regularly plays Switch games on it and would never want to buy another kind of TV ever again.
I know how great OLED can be, I love OLED.

@Kirgo
The amazing super crazy Steam Deck has 1.6 teraflops of compute power, which is a larger number than 1.0 of the Switch. However you make it sound like its a portable PS5 which it is not. The Steam Deck can pull off a more impressive game but the PS4 to N64 comparison is a bit off. It's more like a PS4 to PS4 Pro difference.

Anyone knows if it have motion sensor support? I think I probably the only human being that prefer motion sensor over mouse for shooters

@RCGamer
No it doesn't

@steventonysmith
Never said that.
I very specifically wrote that the N64 example is a extreme example to make a point about how a better screen can't just make up for everything else.
It is funny though how you again want to make it into a discussion about how powerful the systems are, even though the main topic was a comparison of battery life.

But let me entertain that topic again.
Yes, the difference is significant, even if we just go by those numbers you used this would be a 60% more powerful machine.
Not that a comparison between two machines with very different hardware should ever be made by just looking at the teraflops (even a gpu with less teraflops can literally produce a better result than the "stronger" one, as can be seen looking at benchmarks. It is not even rare.).
What would work better is to actually look at the games. If you do that and don't have problems with your eyeside, you will see that there is quite a big difference between the two systems. At least not one you can just deny by pointing at the OLED screen.
There are comparisons of Witcher 3 between both systems out there for example.

@RCGamer
Well, the Switch Pro Controller is already supported on Steam with motion controls, so I would be surprised if it didn't work with the Joy Cons.

@Kirgo
I'm sure if Nintendo had another 7 years and almost three times the size to play with they could at least make something 60% stronger than the current Switch. The problem Valve did is they pulled a PS4 Pro out their pocket in a rush to the market, when Nintendo is poised to release a successor that will be stronger than the Steam Deck.

@NintendoEternity as someone who has and love both the Steam Deck and Switch, I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree.

The deck is fantastic. Not only very comfortable, but very versatile. It set a new standard for handheld PCs.

@steventonysmith
Ok?
When did I ever argue that Nintendo wouldn't be able to release a better Switch now?

@ovasie
New standard? Do you own a bunch of handheld PCs to compare them? Also what's the new standard to make a comically large system, price it super low so that they are incredibly hard to even get a hold of?

@Kirgo
You didn't I'm simply saying by Valve making a slightly better wheel 7 years into the Switch seems foolish since Nintendo is rounding the bend to make a successor.

Also the reason the Valve Steam Deck will also never see Switch console sells numbers is because ultimately a majority of gamers don't want to dink with PC settings, or PCs in general and like to either buy games on the eShop (the percentage that do this far outweighs physical purchases) or buy a cart and stick it in their system.

@steventonysmith Set a standard from a customer satisfaction point of view I guess. Supply chain is a challenge when it’s not your area of expertise, but they are learning and improving.

Not sure if you’ve used it for any length of time, or maybe you just don’t like the concept. From people I’ve spoken with and conversations I’ve followed, they done a pretty fantastic job and think it’s pretty great piece of tech.

A fully functional PC in this form factor and dedicated console are totally different categories and target markets. The market has some pretty cool new stuff.

@steventonysmith
You do realize that there are far more PC gamers in total than console gamers, right? Plenty of people also like the OPTION of tinkering with settings. Not that anyone ever needs to do that if he doesn't want to. Not sure why anyone would have a problem with tinking with settings for a minute before sinking hours into a game though.
Also not sure why you care so much?

Nobody cares whether the Steam Deck ends up being more or less successful than the Switch. It is successful enough for Valve, that much is already pretty clear.
It also doesn't matter whether the next Nintendo console has better or worse hardware.
Steam Deck has its own strengths and even if Nintendo releases the Super Switch tomorrow that is just better hardware in every possible way, Steam still has a massive library of games, that is more than enough for a lot of people.
I mean heck, if I cared more about portable gaming, you bet I would buy a Steam Deck. I already have many many games on Steam, and with the Deck I could just access all of that on the go. This alone is a pretty big deal.

@Kirgo
There is no way near as many PC gamers as console. That is the funniest thing you've said so far.

@steventonysmith PCs are a necessity for most tasks and far more accessible than consoles all around the world, especially in lower-income countries. Consoles are a luxury good in comparison. You, everyone else in this forum and I easily earn enough money to afford it and a library of games, but that's a big chunk for others.

Maybe mobile gamers might be higher in count at this point.

I hope someone actually bothers to use the Joy-Cons for the Steam Deck of all systems.

@farrgazer
So then why does every game that is available on both consoles and PC sell more on console by a lot? Just because PCs are in most homes doesn't mean they can or are used for gaming

@steventonysmith Are you aware there are games that are PC-exclusive, just like how Nintendo games are exclusive to Nintendo hardware? PC ports selling lesser than console ports is not even the whole picture.

Also, it's much easier to sell at a cheaper price on the PC than it is for consoles. And speaking of cheap, it's also much easier to pirate games on the PC than it is to pirate games for consoles. If prices are higher on a console to begin with, then obviously the $$$ will be higher at the end.

The gaming world isn't limited to the likes of North America, Western Europe and Japan. Sure, that's where most of the money may be coming from, because that's where you have the largest pool of people who can actually AFFORD to buy a console in the first place. Again, consoles are a LUXURY.

@farrgazer
Electronics in general are a luxury. But just for fun look up how many copies GTA V has sold on consoles compared to PC

@RCGamer @steventonysmith - Steam Deck has built in Gyro, if that's what you mean.
There's a free game, Aperture Desk Job that works as a demo for the Deck and there is a shooting section where you use Gyro rather than the joysticks.

@steventonysmith
Yes, certain games sell more on console than on pc, that hardly proves anything.
Generally speaking console gamers seem to prefer the typical big name titles. Also some console gamers had to double dip because the game was on multiple generations of hardware. Without having checked I could believe that GTA sold more on console. So?
Though it would interest me how you even checked that for sure, considering actual worldwide sales numbers, especially on the PC platform, are kinda hard to get, usually.

Steam alone has around 120 million active monthly users, which already blows the Switch completely out of the water (that should be enough to counter your argument that people don't want a pc platform, because of whatever).
And many big games are not on Steam, like Minecraft and Fortnite, Blizzard games, just to name a few with a high player count.
There are also a lot of people who only have an old machine but just casually like to play, let's say the Sims or something.
But even if you do not count this sort of people, PC will still savely outpace any one console.

And no, a PC is not a luxury for everyone. If you need it for work, it is not a luxury.
And a pc that can be used for work, can also be used for games.

@Kirgo
Steam has 134 million active members according to Steam. That being said their top player count game is Counter Strike Go with 918k active players.
https://store.steampowered.com/stats/Steam-Game-and-Player-Statistics

So that means nothing when the most played Steam game came out in 2012. I've always said when games that start on PC want to make real money they get ported to consoles. However games now are coming out on consoles first and eventually they may come to PC.

@steventonysmith
So even if we take that at face value.
How is any of this relevent to the topic?
You said that people don't want to tinker with settings, I presented the fact that there are a lot of pc gamers as a counter. For my argument, it is completely irrelevant what games exactly these people play.

You changed topics several times during this discussion now.
You are saying something, then I am countering it and instead of adressing that, you change topics and completely move the goalposts with it.

Your argument now also is, again, not saying anything. Just because the most played Steam game is old, doesn't mean that newer PC games are not being sold a lot, which wasn't even the topic anyway. My arguments still stand.
You are literally just using logical fallacies at this point.

"I've always said when games that start on PC want to make real money they get ported to consoles."
Again completely besides the topic.
Also, games are generally released multiplattform, unless there are specific reasons not to do so. A Total War game, for example, would not normally be released on a console, because these games wouldn't work very well on consoles.
If you want to sell as much as possible, you need to release on as many platforms as possible and that is what companies usually do.
And just saying that the money always lies mostly on consoles is not so simply true either as it heavily depends on the game.
Some games sell better on console, others sell better on PC. Terraria, a game where sales are kinda known for a change, for example sold much more on PC.

"However games now are coming out on consoles first and eventually they may come to PC."
On the contrary, in the past consoles had a lot of exclusives, now most exclusives are being released on PC.
Those are mostly the games that release later on PC now. Only Nintendo games seem to remain exclusive at this point.
Meaning the PC platform has been getting stronger.

@Kirgo
You probably had to dig deep to find a game that sold better on PC, Terraria is a deep dig. But guess which game, far more popular than Terraria has sold better on consoles, Minecraft. It even had a headstart on PC being PC only for several years before coming to console.

@steventonysmith
I used Terraria as an example because it happens to be one of my most played games. But ok, just assume I digged deep.

I am not going to entertain your argumentation anymore though, since you still aren't saying anything relevant to any of the topics at hand.
Let's say every single game sells more if you count all consoles together and pitch it against PC. So what? It would still not mean anything to all the topics we had before.

It doesn't mean that the comparison of battery capacity between Steam Deck and Switch OLED is necessarily fair.

It doesn't mean that there isn't a noteable difference of graphics between Deck and Switch that the screen can hardly make up for.

It doesn't mean that people have a problem with the option of changing some settings. There are, even if you only look at active Steam gamers, many more players than on Switch for example, showing that people do not have a problem with that. You also didn't refute that, instead you just confirmed that.

etc.

The discussion about how much games sell on consoles is irrelevant to any of those topics you already burned through, no matter what the truth is.
You are the one digging here. You are digging through several layers of completely different topics to hopefully find one that you can win. Which doesn't even matter to me, since I never said that PC gaming is better or more successful in every way possible.

@Kirgo
I just love putting PC players in their place when they think silly notions like the Steam Deck is better than sliced bread. Valve will abandon the Steam Deck just like they've abandoned every other piece of tech they've ever made

@steventonysmith
Which would again be completely irrelevant.
Let them abandon it, so? Does not seem like they have a lot of reason to do so but fine, who cares?
But again, I don't care if they abandon it and it doesn't even matter much to those who already own one.

As I have just shown, I have countered all of your arguments and you were unable to say anything back without completely changing the topic.
If that is "putting PC players in their place" to you, than I don't even know what to say.
I also never said that the Steam Deck is better than sliced bread. I don't even own one because I am not interested.
I said it has more powerful hardware and can therefore make games look much better than the Switch and that battery consumption should vary a lot depending on the situation. That is all. Putting words in my mouth seems to be the only way you can argue at all though.

Sorry, but you are just making a fool out of yourself at this point.

@Kirgo
I looked at the Witcher 3 comparison footage and though the Steam Deck looks better I was shocked by how little it looked better. So you keep insisting it looks leaps and bounds better than the Switch but it simply doesn't.

Ah, comparison footage. Hard conclusive evidence for a well reasoned argument.

Please list every single graphic setting used on the Steam Deck and the update version on Switch in this comparison you watched on a compressed stream.

Actually don't.

So far you've said the Deck is comically large - I and others (who actually have one) have stated it's more comfortable than the Switch.

You said the Deck screen was only 720p, so couldn't look as good as the... 720p Switch. The OLED/graphics difference was explained to you.

You said the Switch now has a longer lasting battery. Yes, now, after years of development the Deck hasn't had yet, it's just been released. And has been stated, battery life is settings dependent.

You said the Deck doesn't have motion control. It does have motion control.

The only person you are "putting on place" is you, showing ignorance, blatant untruths and opinion as fact.

I'm out of this thread, it's tiresome and I'm bored of your squirming goal post shifting.

@Mii_duck
Alright have fun with your Steam Deck hope it works out as well as your Vive Pro, Steam Box, Steam Controller. I'll continue to play an actually proven successful system with a fantastic library of games that will never come to PC

@steventonysmith
If the difference between Witcher 3 on both systems is not significant to you then fine.
To me it definitly is, the Switch version is way too blurry and lacking details for my taste, but how important that is to you is subjective.
If you don't care then that is great, you could turn down the graphics further and achieve a better framerate, or better battery life. You may subjetively not care about the differences, from a technical standpoint they are there and cost ressource you can use otherwise. With which we are back at square one of my argument.

"Alright have fun with your Steam Deck hope it works out as well as your Vive Pro, Steam Box, Steam Controller. I'll continue to play an actually proven successful system with a fantastic library of games that will never come to PC"
I am not @Mii_duck , but let me tell you my take on that.

First of all, you don't need to be a fan of the Steam Deck, Valve or even just PC gaming to point out faults in your arguments.

Secondly, the Vive Pro isn't made by Valve, though they did help.
Valve has the Valve Index VR headset instead, which seems to be going strong.

Thirdly, the Vive Pro 2 is still available. Vive Pro 1 was only discontinued because of a successor.

Fourthly, even if he has a Vive Pro, a Steam Machine AND a Steam Controller, why would it matter if they are discontinued? All of these devices still work perfectly well, whether they are discontinued or not.

Fifthly, whether the Switch is proven sucessfull is irrelevant again, in comparison. Sure, for consoles it matters since they don't get many games anymore when they are discontinued. A Steam Deck will not have this problem, making success far less important from a consumer perspective.

Sixtly, the Steam Deck also has a fantastic library of games, that will never come to Switch, a far far bigger one even.
Enough money provided, you can even own both, believe it or not. I have a Switch and a PC and therefore both libraries at my fingertips, you can do the same with the Steam Deck instead of a PC. You are saying this as if there necessarily is an either or...
Which games you prefer is subjective of course.
(And yes, I am not going into emulation. I don't need that discussion to make my argument.)
Someone who prefers Nintendo games and only wants to buy one system, then of course that person will buy a Switch. I don't think anyone argues that.

@Kirgo
I have a PC too, but I don't like to give my money to one of the laziest companies on Earth, Valve.

@steventonysmith
Whatever you mean by that.

I also have yet again no idea why the "lazyness" of Valve matters or why it matters that you don't want to give them money.

@Kirgo
It means I don't give them my money on their awful store front, I mean valve use to be a great revolutionary developer and now they sit around and collect money.

@steventonysmith
You mean because they (almost) don't make games anymore? It's a shame, but they easily made the best store in existence.
Great service, great deals all the time, tons of features... I have nothing to complain.

@Kirgo
The Epic Store has them beat and is constantly giving away great games for free.

@steventonysmith
Interesting.
I honestly think you may be the only person on the planet who thinks the Epic store, of all possibilities, beats Steam.
Yes they give out free games and that is about the only positive there is in comparison.
It's almost a meme at this point that no one likes the Epic Store.

@Kirgo
Some people like to go against the grain and check out the other guys. I think Steam is a dumpster fire, I've never liked the UI and the company behind it. Epic not only still makes and publishes games but like I said earlier they just their massive wealth to give back to gamers

@steventonysmith
I am using Epic Games Store on the side myself.
I even usually defend them, because many people basically hate them to an unreasonable degree imo.
Generally, I like the fact that there are more big options when it comes to stores on PC, Steam was getting a bit to big by itself, for my taste.

But even I wouldn't argue that Epic is better. Not even by a long shot.
All the missing features alone...
And I also don't agree about the UI. I have way more games on Steam, yet I have a better overview of my games than on Epic. The store itself as well. Really don't like the Epic version.

I don't know why I should care about whether the Studio behind it still produces games. Not like there is this much coming from Epic anyway. (Did they even release anything in the last few years? Valve actually did with Half Life Alyx.)

Considering Epic outright refuses to give users some of the major things they want, like proper user reviews, also doesn't scream pro consumer to me. Buying exclusivety rights doesn't either.
Valve on the other hand is regarded as very consumer friendly for good reasons.
For example, you can get your money back on games if you don't like them and tons over tons of useful features that they really didn't have to implement. I mean they even support Joy Cons now, which is what this news is about.
I for example am using my Switch Pro Controller via Steam and I can even use the Gyro and everything without any further software.
Epic doesn't ever seem to give us any nice features like that.

Giving out free games is great, but anyone can see that they are just doing it to win you over, it is not a moral win in my books. Not to mention that Steam sales give you games to such low prices, that they are almost free too.
Nice for us that they do that, but I don't believe for a second that they would do this, if roles were reversed. It also doesn't make up for all the other shortcomings to me.

@steventonysmith It has a longer battery life on less graphically intense games and the screen is just fine. It's a nice IPS panel. I'm not sure if you have a Deck, but the Switch battery isn't much better.

@thinkhector So that makes it LESS portable. I don't know how you don't see that. It's more mass=less portable. It's the same mass whether the mass is in 3 pieces or not.

@BinaryMessiah
Ok I don't have enough money for gaming, somehow my Switch has 324 games but sure. I have a gaming PC but honestly it's not my preferred way to play. Nobody is buying a Steam Deck to play less intensive games. So enjoy playing to beta test some janky tech that Valve will abandon

@steventonysmith Ok you just confirmed it. It's okay to be poor. I was poor growing up and couldn't afford much. No one is judging you dude. It's a jealousy thing clearly. Valve also doesn't abandon their hardware as long as there's interest. The Index is still on generation one and it's going strong.

Again, judging something you've never touched. The Deck isn't in beta and it's actually better built physically than the Switch. It feels better to use to. But you wouldn't know that. In fact, head to r/SteamDeck and there's tons of threads of people surprised at how good it feels in the hand. My 6-year-old was able to play the Deck with no complaints. Tons of R&D went into the Deck to make it feel as good as it does. It's the exact opposite of janky. You really think THIS many people would be buying it if it was janky and awful? Pre-orders would have been cancelled in a heartbeat. Use some common sense.

The fact that you stated you have a gaming PC and it's not your preferred way to play just dismissed all of your previous ramblings. You don't like playing PC games. Leave it at that. There's NOTHING wrong with preferring the Switch. I also love my Switch by the way. I have 120+ physical games for it. However, you're unfound disdain towards a handheld you've never touched makes no sense.

It's a fantastic device and there are PLENTY of people who play less intensive games. In fact, that's the majority of what people play. They usually have one or two intensive games, but tons of smaller games. The Deck is actually getting people to dive back into indie gaming and discover stuff they previously ignored because they don't want to be strapped to their desk playing it. The hate is just completely unjustified.

Instead of raging about something that you're jealous of or don't understand. Educate yourself or ignore it and move on. I'm not responding to you anymore after this. Not a single person here agrees with you. Think about that.

@Kirgo Valve also released Aperture Desk Job this year which is a small tech demo game for the Deck set in the universe of Portal. Epic's last game they released in house was Robo Recall, but the last major release was Gears of War 3. That was over a decade ago. Epic Games doesn't really develop games anymore. Any more recent releases are collaborations with other studios like Fortnite.

@BinaryMessiah
You assume I've never touched the Steam Deck. My best friend owns the 512 gb model and I have had time with it. I think they should have done away with the two giant touch pads and moved the joysticks down, made the buttons bigger. For something that large to have such a small dpad and buttons is weird. I bought all my games digitally through the Nintendo eShop because I don't need the prospect of being able to trade them in because I can afford my favorite hobby. Also though I have a gaming PC and play some PC games there hasn't been a solid PC exclusive I care about since maybe Half Life Alyx. The Steam Decks premium glass screen on the 512 gb model looks like hot trash compared to the OLED screen of the newest Switch

Yeah it’s obviously for people that use yuzu or riyujinx. Of course nobody is going to use joycons for pc games. Haha.