The era of handhelds is now well and truly underway. Following the launch of Nintendo Switch in 2017, the Japanese game developer breathed new life into the idea of serious handheld gaming, which was being dominated by mobile games on mobile devices like phones and tablets. Whilst gaming on the go is far from new, the idea that gamers can play top-class games on the move and then be able to take that experience to the couch was a revelation of sorts.
Whilst Sony had already established itself in the handheld gaming market with its PlayStation Portable and later the Play Station Vita, these still remained niche devices that appealed to select groups of buyers and were meant to supplement not replace the console gaming experience. Nintendo on the other hand was king of of handhelds. So the question is: can a device be developed that can bring the worlds together? Nintendo thought so as it introduced the Nintendo Switch in 2017. And then followed device makers who wished to bring PC gaming to the hand: enter the Steam Deck.
Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch – A Hardware Comparison
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Whilst it is not going to be a like-for-like comparison, a good place to start when it comes to gaming platforms is to look at their hardware. In terms of specs, the Nintendo Switch is a device with a 6.2-inch LCD screen that comes in at 1280×720 resolution. Powered by an Nvidia customized Tegra processor that handles its CPU and GPU demands, with 32 GB of dedicated storage with external capacity that can be added in the form of microSDXC cards that can go up to 2TBs. The system features a headphone jack and is wireless LAN capable. Whilst it is not a powerhouse, the Switch gets the job done.
The Steam Deck on the other hand is virtually the opposite of the Nintendo Switch in terms of raw power. Release in February 2022, it boasts a 7nm AMD APU Zen 2 CPU and a GPU with 8 RDNA 2 Cus. With a 40W hour battery that promises 2 – 8 hours of gaming. The main selling point is a 7-inch IPS LCD 1280 x 800 screen with a 60hz refresh rate. The Deck is priced according to storage options, with 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB options that range from $349, $399 and $449 respectively. So the Deck clearly beats the Switch in terms of capabilities. But that is not the whole story.
How the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch Differ
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The Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck are different in more ways than one. The Nintendo Switch is a gaming device that has been built to take full advantage of Nintendo’s gaming ecosystem, which it has built for decades. The Steam Deck on the other hand is about bringing the power of the PC to the hands of gamers who want to game on the go. But there is more to it. The Switch with its docking feature allows gamers to play on the TV, for couch gaming at higher resolutions. It’s a relaxing way to play games.
With the Steam Deck, handheld gaming is the main focus. Whilst technically you can connect the Deck to a TV or monitor, it is a complex process that has a low payoff, as the TV will have a greater drain on the system’s battery and you will not be able to charge it at the same time. The Steam Deck’s main purpose is to bring the library of games that Steam – the video game distribution service owned by Valve to gamers in a portable form. And in this regard, the system succeeds. However, there are trade-offs the player must be aware of. The most notable is the performance hit for AAA games.
Who is it For – The Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck?
As primarily handheld devices the Switch and the Steam Deck appeal to a specific but growing segment of gamers. Whilst mobile games have flourished with the growing power of mobile phones and tablets, the idea of gaming properly with buttons and joysticks is a task Valve and Nintendo have sought to engage critically.
The two devices go about the task in different ways. The Switch is focused on fans of the Nintendo platform, with its vast library of games, with older games set to come to the platform. The Steam Decks promises the power to take on the best of PC games but with a performance hit. This is a payoff gamers must be willing to accept.
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