165
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by atomicpoet@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world

That’s right, for hardware that’s now eight years old and never got a price discount. It currently sells for C$400 – but they’re about to jack the price.

There are Android tablets that are much cheaper than the Switch, more powerful, more battery efficient. Also, play games better.

Yet, Nintendo is jacking the price.

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] ieatpwns@lemmy.world 48 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

They rip the emulators from your hands then increase the price on the console. That’s anti consumer af

[-] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 22 points 1 week ago

Video game companies are going all-in on seeing just how greedy they can be and get away with it. I'm curious to see just how much consumers will put up with.

[-] Coyote_sly@lemmy.world 17 points 1 week ago

Buy used. Because fuck them.

[-] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Or better yet, consider a SteamDeck instead of supporting Nintendo in any way, shape, or form.

[-] IndustryStandard@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago

Emulators are great these days. Far better experience than using their underpowered console.

[-] avg@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 week ago

I bet, played through tears of the kingdom on the switch and it was rough.

[-] IndustryStandard@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Same. Then played it with emulator and it was buttersmooth. There are even upscaling and FPS unlock mods on the emulator.

[-] innermachine@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Mind if I ask for information on what emulator u use? Been considering getting into a handheld PC one of these days, got a switch little over a year ago for mobile gaming and honestly I love it for what it is but it was a bit dated when new to put it nicely... And price of a switch 2 I might as well spring for a legion go or something if that nature

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] cecilkorik@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 week ago

Fuck Canada in particular, as usual. It's starting to feel a bit personal.

[-] TwinTitans@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago

Probably to offset any tariff costs in the USA.

[-] the_riviera_kid@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago

Because fuck you.

[-] simple@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

There are Android tablets that are much cheaper than the Switch, more powerful, more battery efficient. Also, play games better.

You're not really suggesting that playing mediocre android games on a touchscreen tablet is the same market as a handheld gaming device with controllers

[-] atomicpoet@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

No, I’m suggesting that it’s 2025—not 2017 anymore.

Android gaming is now very good, with many excellent titles available at an affordable price.

What’s more, you can play them very easily with an actual controller.

[-] simple@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago

Android has a couple high-profile indie games like Stardew Valley and some rare ports of older games, that's it. I wouldn't call it very good. and unless you're willing to shell out $150+ for a great telescopic controller there's no way playing on the tablet would be comfortable.

[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 15 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

The OP is really blowing smoke up Android's ass when it comes to the quality of native Android games. Most "top" mobile games are freemium crap riddled with microtransactions.

What it does have, however, is emulators. Including one for the Switch itself. Paying $350 for decade-old hardware and $80 for games is just bad value compared to a $300 used S21 and $0 games.

[-] simple@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

If we're going by piracy logic then you can buy a $200 used Switch and hack it to download games for free. I genuinely don't think a phone or tablet would ever be a good experience. nobody is going to play with touch controls, it doesn't let you play games on the TV, the emulator has compatibility issues and bugs, not to mention how most phones throttle hard when they get warm. I'm not buying this discussion at all.

load more comments (16 replies)
[-] atomicpoet@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Wrong-o. Android has Genshin Impact, GRID Autosport, Pascal’s Wager, Sky: Children of the Light, The Banner Saga Trilogy.

And they outperform the Switch with hardware that’s less expensive.

[-] simple@lemmy.world 19 points 1 week ago

Android has Genshin Impact, GRID Autosport, Pascal’s Wager, Sky: Children of the Light, The Banner Saga Trilogy.

...So basically mediocre Android games and rare ports of older games. Nobody is buying a handheld console to play these.

[-] atomicpoet@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Buddy, you’re completely out of touch with reality.

The Android gaming market is leagues larger than Nintendo’s—and it’s not even close.

Better games, better hardware than the original Switch. Other than first party titles, there’s no reason nowadays to buy an eight-year-old Switch.

[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

You're comparing apples to oranges.

The mobile gaming market is leagues larger than every other market combined. That doesn't mean the games are even remotely comparable to console games.

It's an entirely different target audience. Mobile games are focused on quick sessions and design patterns designed to encourage spending money on microtransactions. Games made for the traditional gaming market are mostly designed for longer play sessions with more mechanically complex gameplay. I as well as many others prefer the latter.

Nintendo's store is full of shovelware, but at least you'll find more traditional games than just ports of indie hits. Or, buy a Steam Deck and enjoy something better than both.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] Revan343@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago

What android games would you suggest?

[-] atomicpoet@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Genshin Impact, GRID Autosport, Pascal’s Wager, Sky: Children of the Light, The Banner Saga Trilogy.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] TwinTitans@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago

Uh…wow. The balls.

[-] Deestan@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Was considering a new switch, but may hold off now.

Which tablets do you have in mind? I could not find any suitable for anything but phone games via touch screen and unimpressive battery, but I don't really know this market

[-] SheeEttin@lemmy.zip 9 points 1 week ago

If you want a similar gaming handheld, Steam Deck.

load more comments (5 replies)
[-] jacksilver@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

You'd probably be better served by a retro handheld. A lot of them run android so you can play android games, but the built in controllers make emulating actually enjoyable.

Major issue is that the ones cheaper than a switch struggle with 3D games.

If you have the money, steamdeck is definitely one of the best bang for buck, but it'll probably be more expensive than a switch (unless you can find a deal on a used/refurbished one).

[-] Deestan@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Thanks! I am starting to think a steamdeck is going to be my solution. SteamOS on my tiny nongaming Linux laptop works perfectly for 2D or light 3D games, so I expext it to be fine.

[-] atomicpoet@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

You can get a Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (with a pen) for C$330. It has better GPU performance than a Switch.

You can play games like Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Sky: Children of the Light pretty damn well.

[-] Deestan@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Thanks. Does it work well with controllers, or do people mostly play with the on-screen joysticks?

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 week ago

It may be that value prop of 1 with OLED is higher than 2.

[-] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 2 points 1 week ago

That’s OLED, this is the original Switch, hardware 8-years-old.

[-] spy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I've been playing some games in a retroid pocket 5.

Mind you, it doesn't run all games, nor all well, but could be worth checking out.

load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2025
165 points (100.0% liked)

Games

40546 readers
1335 users here now

Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.

Rules

1. Submissions have to be related to games

Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.

This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.

2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil

No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.

We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.

3. No excessive self-promotion

Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.

This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.

4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts

This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.

We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.

5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW

Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.

No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.

6. No linking to piracy

Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.

We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.

Authorized Regular Threads

Related communities

PM a mod to add your own

Video games

Generic

Help and suggestions

By platform

By type

By games

Language specific

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS