I really do like the idea of switch and might be a potential buyer, but… as a long time PC user woth zero console experience I’ll pass. I don’t want to (re)buy games that seems to be quite overpriced on Nintendo. So if anything, I’d be buying Steam Deck.
i was in your exact situation and only have a Switch because I got it before the Steam Deck was announced.
I will say though: a Switch is way better than a PC for couch co-op games. Setting up multiple controllers on PC games remains a tremendous PITA.
Ha, I have no friends so couch co-op is out of the question… /s
Setting up multiple controllers on the Steam Deck is mostly plug and play. At worst you need to run the mapper, which takes all of 2 minutes
when i have my non-tech savvy friends over, i don’t want to make them sit there for 5 minutes while i try to connect all the controllers, and then make sure the game in question recognizes them all and isn’t trying to map all controllers to one input or something. Maybe it’s gotten better in the time since I last tried, but my experience has not been “2 minutes to run the mapper”. On the Switch, you just press a button on each controller and you’re rolling.
On Steamdeck, I haven’t tried multiple controllers, but with one, it has been rather seamless for both the PS5 and the Stadia controller. They are both Bluetooth, and when I turn them on they just work. That said, the original SteamDeck(which is what I have) doesn’t support CEC or Bluetooth waking, so the Switch wins out on automatically turning on and switching my TV’s input. The OLED SteamDeck is supposed to fix that, but I’m not paying for a replacement until this one dies or a SteamDeck 2 comes along.
For what it’s worth, this actually isn’t too bad on the Steam Deck. Controllers are all seen as individual, so you can set players 1-4, rearrange them, pretty much whatever.
It used to be much worse on PC. On Steam Deck now at least, it’s pretty manageable. I imagine this is the same situation for PC now if you’re using Steam
I agree mostly and did the same. At some point when the Steam Deck was new, I really thought about getting a Switch instead alongside my PC. Because the Steam Deck is more like an extension to the eco system I already have with my PC (especially as a Linux user). On the other side, the Switch would widen the the number of games to play. You can’t buy specific games on PC, such as some of the most beloved franchises and games in history.
I went with the Steam Deck, as a fan of Steam, Linux and PC in general. The Switch system is what, 7 years old? 8? Even games from its launch time are still sold very expensive. Plus Nintendo does really bad things to the fan games and such, that I won’t support this company any longer.
Exactly. Not only the games are still (even after many years) very expensive with not that much “steam sale” level of discounts or various humble/fanatical bundles, it’s Nintendo’s behavior that is the most off putting part in the equation.
I’ve always been a PC+Nintendo person. I get mostly just Nintendo’s games (Mario Kart, Smash, Zelda, Metroid, Splatoon, etc.) and some party games on console, and everything else on PC.
There’s not been a time in my life when I haven’t had the first-party Nintendo lineup since the NES came out when I was like 8. Since most non-Nintendo games seem to eventually make their way to PC these days, they complement each other nicely.
for a while there, it was actually better to play Switch games on PC with an emulator than it was to play it on the actual Switch. BOTW and TOTK were gorgeous in 1440p 60fps, wish all gamers got to experience that.
It’s not just “it was”, but “it is”. I am right now playing TOTK on Yuzu (yes the one that is no longer available) at 1440p 60 fps, with around 60 hours and near the end. I played this year BOTW the same, but 130 hours! And I enjoy them with my favorite controller at the moment, the Xbox Series S controller. The experience is not perfect, but I think much better than on original hardware.
I got a Switch. It’s been mostly untouched for years. Most games that aren’t created by Nintendo themselves are available on Steam. I even played Totk on PC using Yuzu.
Until the Steam Deck I was also a PC+Nintendo person.
The great thing about Nintendo consoles was that their library of games covers 80% of games available on other consoles if you want them. Otherwise, you could easily never surpass more than 25 games, all of which could easily only be Nintendo games.
For a fairly long time there was just no need for anything else, as something about the Nintendo exclusives felt more reasonable than the PSN/MS exclusives. Probably something to do with them generally being cheaper and more unique games, or maybe just that the price of the console isn’t as high so it doesn’t feel as “exclusive”, even though they are.
For example, looking at how PSN uses their games to really sell buying into their console; Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn are examples of games that did so well Sony was almost forced to let them come to PC, somewhat thanks to Microsoft. Or how these companies are trying to sell games for versions of their consoles - Sorry, you bought the PS3 and 4 version, you’ll have to upgrade for the PS5 one! No no, this company is good because they gave the game you paid for already to you again for free!
I haven’t bought a Switch game since I got my Steam Deck and hacked my Switch so I could dump the games I own.
Now I have a PC console that has my entire gaming library consolidated. Bonus: a majority of the games play better emulated. Cons: missing internet on games (and including it would only be hacked servers). And before this point, the only games I ever repurchased were ones I wanted to support the devs of, Doom 2016, Monster Hunter: Rise, Crypt of the Necrodancer.
It was similar for me, except that Nintendo made the decision for me by prevening me from purchasing (or downloading) any game from the eShop. Of course, it wasn’t entirely unexpected to get banned since I also hacked mine in order to dump my games and transfer saves for games I owned on PC and Switch.
Still, since Nintendo apparently didn’t want to have a customer and the SteamDeck was announced shortly after I jumped ship day one and only turned the Switch on once again to transfer my saves back.
How did you get banned? Or why do you think, I mean. I was worried about that too but I took all the precautions and I’m still able to use it today if I want to. I do have a 1.0 switch though so it’s just the rcm jig.
The only issue I had in the whole process was animal crossing. Every other save seemed to transfer over fine which was cool.
Also to be more honest - only like 85% of my switch emulated games were perfect, but over time these games are just getting better and better. My go to example was at launch of all of this, Marvels Ultimate Alliance 3 was pretty broken, it worked but the textures were all wonky. Just a few months later it was way better, and by now it’s basically perfect. I’ve almost completed my playthrough of that game (how many years later…)
It was the early days of homebrew when there wasn’t much information out there and the tools were much less advanced. I didn’t really care about the risk either, so it could’ve been anything. I wasn’t immediately banned either. Took about half a year or so.
But yeah, emulation can pretty run all the relevant titles, meaning the exclusives, much better than the Switch itself.
Ah yeah I see, I only finally hacked my Switch once I got my Steam Deck, long after it had all been pretty refined. It was fun reliving the days of hacking my Wii when I did it, even felt basically the same lol.
Oof. Guess you hacked yours before they had sorted out the DNS settings and the module that blocks connections to Nintendo servers? That sucks.
Yeah, I pretty much hopped on it as soon as it was hacked so there wasn’t much knowledge of what could lead to bans. Granted, at that point I was already a bit dissatisfied with the Switch, so I went in fully aware of the risks and not really being afraid of the risk. I even had a preorder running that I got locked out of, though luckily enough, that got a PC port not soon after.
I’m a PC gamer but my wife got me a Switch for Christmas because she knew I wanted to play some Mario Kart. The 1st party stuff is pretty expensive and doesn’t go on offer much (as long as you only use digital stores like me). Other stuff can be pretty cheap though, I’ve got Limbo, Inside, Civilization VI, Torchlight II, and more that I can’t remember, for like £2 each on offer. There’s lots more that regularly comes up as less than £10.
Well, technically yes, but why pay even a couple quids when I already have purchased the game on PC? Of course there’s this “To support the dev!” but honestly… How much he’s going to make from such a purchase after all?
This is why I find Steam Deck the most tempting handheld console, because it can play (almost) all the games I’ve purchased over last decade on both Steam and GOG. I’m no Nintendo fanboy so I can happily live without Mario or Zelda.
I sold my switch as soon as the original SD was announced. Just got my OLED in the mail and couldn’t be happier; easily the best console experience I’ve ever had.
As soon as I got a Steam Deck I completely stopped buying Switch games (or playing on Switch in general). Most games are playable on both systems and the prices seem more or less the same (at lest for the ones I’m interested in), but the main advantage for me is being able to move save files between the deck and my PCs.
I had a Switch for a few years before the Steamdeck came out. If all the games you want to play are available to play on Steamdeck, stick with Steamdeck. It’s more powerful, has way more games, you probably already have plenty of games to play on it, the games are way cheaper, and the degree which you can modify the software and hardware is pretty unique for a “console.”
The Switch has an edge in form factor and is more convenient for me to use. Although Switch emulation on the Steamdeck is pretty decent, I still prefer the original hardware to play Animal Crossing or Zelda.
The form factor advantage of the Switch comes from its trash controller. When I replaced with the the Hori split pad, the form factor was almost similar.
Asshole lawsuits and “day one patches” finally killed my love for the Switch.
I don’t feel good about sending money to Nintendo anymore. And I don’t feel confident that my physical media Switch cartridges will stand the test of time after Nintendo shuts the patch servers down.
But I’ll always appreciate the innovation. I’m not buying games for it anymore, but it’s a fun part of my home game setup.
My love for the Switch was killed by 60€ ports and half-assed remakes.
My love for the switch was killed by Nintendo lawsuit bullshit and Mario kart dlc.
That and joycons
It’s no mistake that the NES/SNES were held onto for a long time. Literally some of the most popular consoles ever…much like the switch.
Switch lite and OLED version to extend it’s life and people ate that up. New buyers buying for the first time, old buyers re-buying the same console basically. Big Brain stuff.
my dad bought a switch for his wife recently. neither one of them are “gamers.” i think they only play mario kart!
what percentage of active Switches are “Mario Kart machines”, do you think? I’d bet money on like…10% at least.
id bet its more pokemon machines for whatever system the current pokemon game is on
at least the switch is that for me. animal crossing machine for my gf
I wonder whether they’ll only release an OLED Switch, or if they’ll sell the LED Switch first again.
As an enthusiast I’d be pretty pissed knowing to either wait a few years for the OLED or having to buy a second switch at some point. Reason being I can’t imagine going back to an LED after gaming on an OLED for years. My phone constantly shows me what my Steam Deck is missing.
Well the NES and SNES were a different bag. In those gens, Nintendo had a good, affordable console with a solid library of games. Back then, that alone was revolutionary, so they essentially created the market out of thin air and then reaped those benefits. I guess the Switch is the same in the sense that Nintendo struck when the iron was hottest - 2017 was the perfect time to make and release a handheld/TV hybrid console. The tech was just strong enough and just affordable enough to make the concept work, but there weren’t really any competitors yet. Fast forward to 2024 and now we have the Steam Deck and all of its copycats eating that lunch a little, but when the Switch came out, there was nothing else quite like it.
I’m not sure the NES was affordable per se. On release, it cost about $500 in today’s money. And then you had to buy games at extra cost. In a world where you could go to an arcade with your pocket money and have a decent amount of fun, I don’t think it was a great value proposition in the eyes of many.
this is a good point. funny how we got the prices down and then they ended up right back where they started! Well…for everyone except Nintendo, but who knows? Maybe this successor will come with an “inflation” induced price increase?
Have they launched a replacement for the Virtual Boy yet, eh?
Actually yes:
I stand corrected!
Looks like he’s getting sucked in and will disappear
Isn’t that Jared from Silicon Valley?
the switch was one of my absolute favorites until the steam deck came along. i loved being able to play on my tv normally but then easily pick it up, toss it in my suitcase, and take it on a trip with me.
I’m in the same boat. Steam Deck has been a game changer for me and I’m finally working through my library. It’s great to be able to play on the couch with my SO instead of setting aside dedicated game time on the PC.
As much as I dislike Nintendo, the Switch is an excellent console despite its hardware. It’s no surprise that it’s been as popular as it has been for so long. These days though, there are a lot of competitors in the handheld space that have much better hardware, so it really maintains its position due to a combination of branding and the game exclusivity.
I’m curious what their next console will be. I probably won’t buy it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was also a huge success.
The Switch really isn’t that good. It’s just the competition is so bad right now. Nintendo sells so good because they keep making good games and knows how to appeal to the mass market, not just to a specific core audience. I don’t like many things about the Switch and that includes its hardware, software and the shop. But I’m not the core audience of this system either, so fair enough I guess.
I love my switch, but speaking of replacements I’ve gone through too many replacement joycons.
The hardware was crap from launch.
Switch should have been replaced with Tears of the Kingdom as a dual launch title for the successor and switch
