this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2025
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It's the same form factor but a lot better hardware.
Note that “a lot better hardware” is still hella mediocre given the price tag.
I don't think it is, it's $500 w/ Mario Kart, $450 without, and if we compare to the Steam Deck at $400, it has:
The Steam Deck has been the handheld to beat. Some are faster, but no PC handheld is anywhere near the Steam Deck in terms of value (price for performance). The Switch 2 beats it in performance, and is a similar price, which is pretty awesome.
The games, however, are really expensive, but we're talking about hardware value here.
Fair points, but I’d argue to the contrary in light of the following:
I am going to briefly mention the subscription requirement for Nintendo online, some switch 2 versions of the games costing extra vs the switch 1 versions, as well the exorbitant prices (and lack of discounts even down the road) for any games sold on their store, and the fact that if you want to tinker with any of that, you can get hardware banned from online services entirely.
These are, as you mentioned, not hardware related, but are still quite hefty anti consumer practices and while not the main topic of the above hardware discussion, should carry a lot of weight in the decision to buy into that ecosystem.
The Steam Deck and the Switch target very different demographics, to the point where comparing them doesn't make much sense. I wouldn't get a Steam Deck for a young child, but I would get a Switch, because the Switch is a much simpler experience.
I bring up the Steam Deck only to talk about value. People complain about Nintendo gouging their customers, and that's absolutely true for their games, but their hardware has almost always been good value. Performance is similar (of not strictly better) to the Steam Deck, which is already incredible value, and they add some extra value with removable controllers, better refresh rate, etc, all with similar battery life.
If you like/want the Switch 1 and are considering whether the Switch 2 js a worthwhile upgrade, there's your answer. It plays Switch 1 games, often with a perf upgrade (e.g. higher-framerate lock), and it can play current gen titles at respectable framerates (e.g. Cyberpunk on Switch 2 is better than the Steam Deck).
But that's where the comparison should end, because they're very different ecosystems with different target markets.
The decision tree is very simple:
There's not a lot of overlap in those two groups, so the comparison is only relevant to get an idea of performance category.
I own a Switch 1 and a Steam Deck and I'll likely get a Switch 2 at some point. Why? I have kids, I like Nintendo first party games, and I like playing casual couch games with friends and my kids. If I didn't have kids, I probably wouldn't value playing couch games with friends (we'd just play online), and I probably wouldn't get a Switch and just emulate the handful of games I want to play (mostly Zelda games). My Steam Deck is for my personal time, the Switch is for time with my kids and friends.