This Latest Switch 'Rival' From Razer Launches At The End Of The Month

When I see more Switch like devices on market, I felt I want to go back to traditional style consoles like PlayStation.
Simple and I can get the physical games.

Better to upgrade to a Switch OLED, enjoy the beautiful screen quality/design, and await the Switch 2.0 in 2024. That's my plan

Not sure how it’s a Switch rival when it’s a streaming based device. Form factor is similar but that’s it and it’s rather expensive when it’s mostly for steaming games imo

Have I missed something or is it just a generic android device with a Kishi attached?

I have both Switch and Deck and love both, however what Nintendo has going for it is its software library and simplicity of use.
With Deck, I had Jedi Fallen Order which worked fine one day than EA pushed a new client to replace origin which caused the game to black screen on launch. I got it working through messing around in desktop mode with Firefox but the majority of the time I don’t have the time or patience to get a once working game working again

@Hughesy It’s Android so it’ll support games from the Play store and emulators on top of streaming. Still not what I’d consider a “rival” to Switch though

@ozwally Same here. I absolutely love both but there’s a beauty in everything just working out of the box on Switch.

Since when is $400 affordable?

@beazlen1 Came to say that too.

Quality device, I've been looking for somewhere to play Candy crush.

I’m happy to wait for the Switch’s successor. I’m not calling it switch 2 just in case Ninty go rogue and release some left field device that leaves behind the hybrid design. I hope not but this company is as mad as they are genius.

Only 8gb of ram and plays Google play games? Seems rather pointless and highly overpriced (as are most thinks Razer).

Only use I could see is an at home handheld for gamepass exclusively.

@jrt87 I’d say actually the Switch’s huge library of quality games is very appealing and The average consumer won’t care about the specs when they see Splatoon, Animal Crossing etc in HD glory. we’d all like the switch to have some more grunt under the hood but right now that’s not stopping the juggernaut. I wouldn’t say the appeal is lessening but rather it’s transcended to mainstream appeal. Also its USP IMO is not as simple as being a portable device / hybrid. It’s USP is being able to play quality family friendly titles on a portable / hybrid device. The perfect marriage for mainstream success.

How about you update me when it can play Vroom In The Night Sky, m'kay?

@jrt87 Goodluck streaming games away from home in the U.K. mobile networks are nowhere near reliable enough. Steam Deck is a competitor even though it costs more, as it’s designed to play PC games natively.
This device is no different than a phone or tablet which can do the same thing and I wouldn’t call them competitors.

"In terms of what you can actually play, however, you are limited to the Google Play store in terms of native gaming"

Yeah, that's not a Switch competitor. It's not even a handheld PC competitor.

What possible reason is there to grab a device like this when you could just buy a controller for your current smartphone for hundreds of dollars less? A Razer Kishi will allow you to do the things with your phone that this thing does for under $100 (under $50 on sale).

Glad they’re making switch rivals that are more affordable

As a Xbox/PC/Switch gamer, I would like this system... however, I feel my Galaxy S22 Ultra plus a controller is basically the same as this device... so why do I need it?

A lot of those windows, linux, and android powered devices are more powerful than the switch yet none will have the sales of the thing they are copying. Especially with so many hitting the market at the same time. They are fighting for a niche audience that will probably be grow smaller when a more powerful successor to the switch is announced this year or next.

@ozwally I have both and I agree Switch is so much more pleasant for ease of use. I get a lot of hate on Reddit for saying this but Steam Deck is way better with Windows.

I really don't see anyone paying 400 USD for a Android tablet for streamed gaming, when you can get a Switch for 299 or a Steam Deck at 399.

No micro PC can "rival" a portable console by definition (and, in all fairness, vice versa), but this one's price sounds comparatively manageable indeed and is likely the consequence of Valve's effort - there are obvious caveats to pricing your own micro PC above Steam Deck when all it has to offer is Google Play versus the latter's, uh, Steam (and other stores that installing Windows would allow). But at least the out-the-box physical controls mean the most affordable shot at bringing mobile gaming up to snuff in the action sphere... unless you have to import this thing which is guaranteed to bloat its cost into next Saturday just like Deck's.

@jrt87 most people who have used micro PCs before know the difference in the "portabilities" compared. Valve's somewhat console-flavoured take on Linux may bridge the gap to an extent (as your own positive experience is our witness), but it's lost if you opt for Windows instead - which a good few enthusiasts (the market even Valve itself admittedly targets first and foremost which is why they don't call Deck a Switch competitor either) will likely do in pursuit of portable Gen 7 emulation because the likes of Xillia, Twisted Metal '12 and Metal Gear Solid 4 are still not getting ported anywhere anytime soon. Or even in plain pursuit of more compatibility since there are countless PC titles practically forgotten about by their publishers, let alone submitted for the Deck-oriented polish.

But then again, neither of the aforesaid categories sounds likely to end up on Switch in the visible future either (for the likewise aforesaid reasons), which is what leaves even Switch cultists like myself in the market for Steam Deck as a secondary platform. At least tentatively.😄

Wow, this might be the worst "competitor" yet. A high price tag for a very limited store front and hardware that amounts to a phone and kishi.

Specs mean next to nothing anyway. The only thing that will ever rival Nintendo is an IP juggernaut that can play on their level in terms of brand power. Disney would have to make their own Switch-like with their properties having exclusive games.

Okay, I quit watching when I saw "the ultimate Android gaming handheld". 400 is steep. I'd rather invest money in a Steam Deck, then

Na, I'm happy with my Switch and Razer Kishi with xCloud for handheld gaming thanks. Don't need another device.

@jrt87 "Anything that replaces the Switch in my bag when travelling"

By that logic, a 'Switch competitor' could be literally anything capable of distracting you when you're away from home. Your local bookstore is full of thousands of Switch competitors, in that case.

"Nintendo have been able to rely on the Switch's unique portability and exclusives to massive success this gen, but have largely lost the former USP and the outdated hardware is beginning to lessen the appeal of the latter."

If we're talking about the USP of the Switch, it's not just that it's portable. Portable gaming devices have existed and been popular for a long time. Rather, it's a hybrid device capable of playing games on and off the TV with ease. That's not really something anyone else has come close to matching Nintendo on.

Also, aside from some indies, Nintendo isn't going to be sharing a substantial portion of its library with the Play Store, so I don't you can really say it's stealing software sales from Nintendo, either. Any more than any device capable of gaming can steal sales from any other device capable of gaming, theoretically.

Running Android is the first mistake they made for this device. The software lineup on Google Play is average at best, and streaming games is still a rather steady experience.

@elpardo1984 yes. It's a tablet with a separate controller. So "comparable" to the Switch only on base of formfactor. Also not really a rival, since it relies on game streaming.

The controller can be detached, which would make it nothing more than an Android tablet.

From an emulation standpoint. You could pay $100 less and get an Ayn Odin pro. Which is capable of going up to GameCube. And fairly easy to set up too. Excellent streaming device as well.

I would like Switch 2 to be at least 2x more powerful

What a great time to be a gamer!

I want switch OLED mini

Wait it’s stream only? What the heck, why not just buy a steam deck, you get more for you menu anyway,

with other competitors' games, switch won't ever have a rival

It's priced at 400 and it's an android device that uses cloud gaming as a highlight, this thing isn't coming close to the Switch XD.

I just...... don't understand the point of an ultra powerful handheld. What's the point of amazing graphics on such a small screen? I thought the point of handhelds was that they are simpler, the games are "lighter" if you will, not as graphically impressive but a nice alternative that's cheap and fun for those who may not care all that much about power. I think systems like the Steam Deck and others completely missed the point.

Nintendo is done, someone made a gaming phone.

" you are limited to the Google Play store in terms of native gaming" BAZINGA!!

This is neither a Switch rival, nor a Steam Deck rival. It is a rival to your phone.

"In terms of what you can actually play, however, you are limited to the Google Play store in terms of native gaming"

Useless

over priced tablet when there are other options out there that are better.

@nhSnork Let's be real, when you're buying a portable PC like the GPD Win 4, AYA Neo 2, and Steam Deck, you buy it so you could tinker with it, not just play it. When you buy a Switch, you're buying it to play the sheer amount of titles from Nintendo and other exclusives games Nintendo had a hold on. With these other Android handhelds you're not really buying it to play exclusives, you're buying it to play phones games or use it for streaming or emulations.

I really hope the next Nintendo console is a straight ahead console with no gimmick. No handheld functionality, no swapping out controllers to it. Just a powerful Nintendo console that plays new games and can carry over your digital Switch games. If it's anything besides that I am moving to another console next cycle. I love Nintendo, but I am tired of the lack of backwards compatibility. I am not buying the same god damn games again. They've milked me since the Wii and I am dry baby, aint no milk left in these udders. I'm spent Nintendo! (shrivels and dies)

EDIT: My initial intention for this rant was to say that Nintendo should try copying everyone else for a change to flip the script and leave all these companies holding the gimmick bag.

So you're basically tethered to WiFi and the Google Play Store? For that price, I'd rather invest in a Steam Deck...or a Switch OLED with some quality games.

@Zuljaras actually, Valve has told me any modifications will void the warranty. Hank and Drew in support said those were rumors, you change your hard drive and it damages the Deck, they will not honor the warranty. Any and all hardware modifications too.

@Serpenterror yeah. You’re pretty much right. They’re full blown PC devices too, so Deck users are running around claiming it’s a console with their heads cut off. They freak out when you call it a PC. Don’t know why, but they think calling it a console will help it sell more. Reddit is covered with sell your PC, Switch or Xbox for a Deck… but not your PS5. Also, the people who installed Windows (or a different Linux OS), get beat up too.

Valve just picked, and customized, a Ryzen 4600G APU for Aerith. It isn’t anything special, they just sold you a tinker device to play your Windows games wrapped in an emulation layer called Proton. Developers aren’t doing anything to optimize games on the Deck either, it’s all Valve.

I was going to post "what are you going to play on an android portable besides android google store games" and that is what it is...boring. Just get a steam deck.

@sanderev A tablet the same size as my phone at that. A Kishi would do the same thing paired with a phone and that potentially has data too.

@Zuljaras that’s what Valve told me directly. So, Valve’s support team are liars? I wanted to upgrade my hard drive, but I’m going to wait until my one year warranty is expired after the response.

The Steam Deck is a Switch Rival. (I'm not saying better - but it is a genuine rival) This is just an Android phone.

The number of good premium Android native games is woefully limited (and surprisingly so, after all these years) compared to the Switch library, The Steam library and in fairness, the iOS library.

This device will emulate like a champ, be a wonderful streamer and you'll find maybe three dozen Android games worth your effort - maybe!

That's hardly a Switch Rival is it.

Don't buy that thing, you can do the same with your smartphone and a gamesir x2 or a razer kishi and you'll save 350$

I won't even buy a Steam deck let alone this. Switch is still king when it comes to hybrid devices. Affordable, tons of games, and smaller than the competition.

@Goofonzo Nintendo is unlikely to produce a straight console again, especially one focus on tech stats

They have thrived on doing the unique, and are, at their heart, a creative toy company. Very, very different to Sony and Microsoft.

If they do I'd imagine it'll be because they want to split the home and portable market into two again.

I totally agree about backwards compatibility. I consider Nintendo to be basically criminals in the way they keep forcing us to pay for our classic titles again and again with Virtual Consoles and subscriptions. Our purchases should ALWAYS carry forward. Thats why I'm likely going to transport over to the Steam Deck/2 down the line. Steam titles come with you.

I may even put all my Digital Switch titles on the Steam Deck when it's powerful enough - finally get docked visuals and better in handheld mode. After all I legit paid for them titles. I've paid Nintendo for over 180 Digital titles now, and I'll be damn well finding a way to continue playing them on better hardware in the future - whether the Big N helps me or hinders me to do so.

Why should I lose those titles when my hardware fails or Nintendo decides to move on. That business model is soon not going to be acceptable to anyone going forward.

@Serpenterror 'Developers aren’t doing anything to optimise games on the Deck either, it’s all Valve.'

They most certainly will if the SD significantly increases the user-base for those titles. The massive user-base of the Switch is the ONLY reason we ever got so many quality ports over the years.

And I can't see how the SD wont increase the 'PC gamer' user-base – I should imagine it already has – and dramatically. There are many Steam game owners who just don't like the keyboard, mouse and desk setups. And it's hard for the public to ignore the prices in Steam sales.

Yeah...... Who exactly the market for this???

@braincandy101 *tons of downgraded games for full retail.

FTFY

@Joe-b
As far as $400 being affordable, when it comes to game systems in this category... it's at least comparable. Switch has never lowered its price over almost 6 years (only offered pack-ins) and it's at $299 ($350 for OLED). Compared to Steam Deck? Price is the same. PS5? Xbox?

On how the US is doing: The US has done decently in handling inflation compared to the rest of the world from 2020 until 2022, landing near the middle near the 4x area where some are in double digit multipliers over the two years. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/06/15/in-the-u-s-and-around-the-world-inflation-is-high-and-getting-higher/ft_22-06-08_globalinflation_2/

Most economists were blindsided by just how bad the supply chain disruptions were and how much the draconian lockdowns in China during the Omicron variant wave would hurt it even more.

The population was taken care of, ready to spend, with the ability to buy — yes, capitalism will save us! — but then, no supply! High demand, low supply means prices go up. Learned that in my high school economics class.

And no one really expected the level of Ukraine war insanity, which inflated oil prices worldwide, almost immediately.

It's a good time to not buy game consoles and just cruise along with games, or even just whittle away at the backlog. As an enthusiast, though, I do keep spending more than I should.

@aaronsullivan I live here in the US. Work in manufacturing and see families struggle because of the inept administration. Be careful of what you read. Alot of "news" if to the left. But enough about that. It's pretty amazing how the Switch never saw a price reduction. I'm real happy regarding Nintendo's success. It just means more cash for R&D, and "emergency money." Funny how others are copying the Switch. It's dangerous to go against N, but it makes N do better. I'm not in a rush for a Switch succesor....I'm still holding out for Ys 1 to come out on Switch!

@brunojenso That's the one thing why I don't fully utilize the Steam Deck yet cause not every game are optimized and had to required Protons or other way of tinkering. Some of the games I purchased on Steam such as Metal Slug XX and Dragon Ball FighterZ just won't work on my Steam Deck no matter how many Protons, tinkering, or hacking tools I use for them. Also not all Steam Deck are created equal either, those who bought the Steam Deck early got a more up to date version with more powerful specs whereas if you got yours SD late like around late September 2022 and forward you'll likely get the weaker spec Steam Deck versions.

This may explain why games like Dragon Ball FighterZ don't work cause the Protons that make them work doesn't fully functions on the weaker versions whereas on the more up to date versions it runs just fine. I had tested the game on both an early Steam Deck which a friend of mine had and the one I got in October and although Dragon Ball FighterZ works through Proton GE-42 on his, the game just would not work on mine even if I use Proton GE-42 for it. I just don't get why Valve would screw over their customers like this, if they're making hardware why not just make em all the same, instead they had to be cheap and use outdated specs for the later models despite still charging em full price. The only way I could play Dragon Ball FighterZ on my Steam Deck is if I installed Windows on it through a microSD card and run the game through directx support but my point is we shouldn't had to do that if we pay the same price for ours just like the early customers does.

There's no reason why some games would only work on one version and not the other. People say the Steam Deck had 3 models, I say the Steam Deck had 6 models, the 3 updated versions of 64gb, 256gb and 512gb, and the later 3 outdated versions of 64gb, 256gb and 512gb. Buyers beware if you are buying the Steam Deck from Valve right now, chances are you're getting the outdated versions.

@Rainbowfire I think youve missed the point of what the steamdeck is. Its not ultra powerful to have amazing graphics, like you said, what's the point on a small screen? It's powerful so you can play the latest games in a portable form. You can play the same games your gaming PC can but on the go.
Games like elden ring, GOW, forza H5, Spiderman remastered, devil may cry 5, deathloop, resident evil 2 remake, resident evil village(60fps), HZD, Red Dead Redemption 2, cyberpunk 2077! And the list goes on. Basically nearly any new AAA game.
Yes the Switch is a powerhouse because of its incredible 1st party output, some of the best IP in gaming. But I'd argue the SD has had probably the best 1st year lineup of any gaming system ever.

Can someone just make that my phone? I'm sure there's hurdles, butnit doesn't seem that crazy to ask, and I've been asking for years.

@Serpenterror

I can find no evidence online of those early adopters getting a better machine. In fact I'd only heard the opposite, that due to some small hardware tweaks and especially software developments the Deck has only improved since release and new users are getting a far better experience now than over a year ago. Certainly I've never heard anything about actual different hardware specs.

Happy to be wrong but your literally the first person I've heard say this - and I've done a lot of reading up on it. Do you have sources please?

If you want to play Android games, why wouldn't you just buy a controller for the Android device you already own?

Not really a switch competitor. If you are looking for a google play device then you likely aren't in the Nintendo ecosystem to start with and if you are this would complement the switch not replace it. (much like the steam deck.)

So £400 for something that plays mobile games... OR you could buy a split controller that attaches to your mobile phone for a fraction of the cost.

Am I missing something here? Or is streaming from your Xbox while you sit on the toilet a £400 problem for people?!

@Zuljaras That's actually not legal if you live in Europe. A company can't void your warranty. Also Valve already uploaded a video themselves how to open up the Steam Deck and replace the SSD.

I agree that these android devices are pointless when everybody already has a phone. What we need is a solid suite of Steam Deck rivals to really get competition going.

It's an ugly tablet with a controller on the side. Steam Deck is way better and cheaper. It's like they aren't even trying.

It's already a hard sell when it's considered by Razer to be a handheld cloud gaming device. For $400, I'd buy either Switch + a game or Steam Deck and enjoy a plethora of quality games from both consoles.

Yet another rival console that's no really a rival at all, this site and it's clickbait articles.

Switch "rival" my ass. This is a Razor Phone 2 with a bundled in Kishi controller. Look, I love Razor, and I easily have $2000 of kit from them just including my peripherals and gaming chair, before you add on my COREv2 and primary laptop ... which is the 3rd I've bought from them in the last 10 years. Hell, I even already have a Razor Phone 2!

I actually think this is a great product, but call a spade a spade! Razor isn't marketing it as a console or a "Switch alternative", so why are you reporting on it as one? It's severally underpowered and the base model isn't even cellular enabled. They are calling it an "Android Gaming Device". The real selling point is that it's built from the ground up to support cloud gaming ... but a "portable" you can't play without stable Wi-Fi isn't a portable.

It sucks not just because the completely disingenuous click-bait is doing a disservice to the vendor, who trusted the media to report honestly on their product, but people are going to end up being disappointed and upset with Razor because it doesn't deliver on promises ... THEY NEVER MADE.

People are going to be let down by what could be a fantastic product that Razor is very down to earth about because it's being sensationalized so sites can have "Switch killer" SEO.

Boo on all of you.

@brunojenso very doubtful. Valve said they’re handling everything in getting games to function on the Deck. Once you’ve given away candy, who’s going to pay for it?

If popularity increases, they’ll just say “thanks for the free work Valve.” If they charge for it, I doubt they’d pay for it. Plus, Proton is going to be powering the Deck (and Linux) for quite a while. If Valve wants to give developers a reason to port titles natively to SteamOS, it needs to be released for desktops and laptops. Linux users fell last month on Steam according to the survey; strangely the SteamOS and Deck profiles disappeared too.

@Serialsid the Steam Deck is the perfect device for those who like those experiences… and enjoy tinkering for optimal performance. You have to manually tune each of your games. Console and mobile gamers, who probably haven’t bought a PC since the 2010s, will likely careless about the Deck. It takes a lot of work, even just with the PC games and those setting profiles for some of those games will carry over to your PC too.

@HeadPirate,

Same reason as always, for the clicks...

@jrt87 Not really. If a "Switch alternative" is something that just fills the same hole the Switch used to in your life (in this case, entertaining you on business trips), then it could be a book as well as it could be an android handheld or a Steam Deck.

I brought up the Play Store because this handheld only natively runs games off the Google Play Store, lol. You're not going to be playing Steam games on it. So, no, I disagree with your assessment that "[a]ny handheld gaming device within about £300 of the Switch's RRP is a rival despite what Nintendo fanatics keep claiming."

I'm a little more sympathetic to the idea that the SD might start peeling off sales that otherwise would have gone to games on Switch, but I don't think that overlap is big enough that it would make sense to class Valve and Nintendo as rivals in the same space. Especially considering, contrary to your initial post, neither invalidates the USP of the other: the Steam Deck isn't really viable as a convenient hybrid gaming platform, and the Switch isn't a handheld computer that you can freely mod to suit your needs. Both can be successful in the same market space without considerable friction, which is why Nintendo and Valve don't seem to regard one-another as direct competitors.

You can fuss and call people stans and fanatics all you like, but it's not going to change the fact that Steam Deck isn't, and was never intended to be, a Switch killer.

@jrt87 93 of my 401 games are verified, while they all have different grades on the ProtonDB (which is better than Valve’s misleading checkmark). For you, it might take five seconds, but to someone who has never played a PC game, they behave differently than a console game. There are few of my gaming friends who would handle it, most of them wouldn’t waste their time (even if it’s one minute). You’re a minority of people (along with me) who enjoy it, the masses not so much. Again, for you to take those five seconds is in you, not the rest of them.

The majority of the Switch audience will likely put up with the slog or slow down since it bears the name of it. People like it simple, the Switch audience is going to run for a product like the Deck, nor majority of console gamers. They’ll happily stream the PS5 or Xbox Cloud.

This is more closer to Steam Deck competition then Switch lol and it looks to be crap regardless.

@jrt87 Cool story Valve fanatic. I didn’t buy a Steam Deck at all because I have a gaming laptop so no dust gathered [or money wasted] for me over neglected devices

@SonOfDracula “What is Eshop/retail sales?”

FTFY

@aaronsullivan You….do realize Switch has a $200 Lite model right? None of the “competition” comes close to the Switch family in low price barrier entry objectively speaking.

My apologies to the author but I am little tired of seeing articles about Switch competitors.

@jorel262 it’s all they seem to talk about anymore

@Arawn93 Sometimes cheaper, always downgraded.

@progx That logic falls flat as soon as you look at the main page.

@SonOfDracula well, since you just joined in the fall, you haven’t been around when it was sickening pro-Nintendo during the 3DS and Wii U days. I’ve been watching this page run articles every other week claiming Nintendo has a new competitor from this manufacturer… but it couldn’t be further away from it. I mean, one writer on this site interrogated Alex on his review of Switch Sports back in April. This site isn’t what it used to be, IGN is a better source.

I'm keen to grab a portable PC/Switch knock-off, but this looks uncomfortable as hell, and my hands occasionally cramp up playing Switch games as it is.

@progx I've been reading the site for 6 years. NL gets a little click-baity, and IGN feels like it's on the rise towards being a good site again. Their review of the Final Fantasy origin remake thing was actually a very good read.

Doesn't the Steam Deck start at 399.99, and that can play PC games without the internet or cloud.😑

@Arawn93 You know, I do forget about the Lite sometimes. As far as price goes this device has a bigger, better screen, is faster, etc. But, don't get me wrong, I was only defending the standpoint of the article (and it was specific about comparing to other devices), this thing is really, really unappealing to me, and I can't think of anyone to recommend it to.

If you love gaming on the go, get a Switch. If you like the latest stuff and/or PC gaming, and want convenience, go for the Steam Deck. If someone just really loves the selection of games on their smartphone, just augment that - but also look into Switch, haha.