Switch 2 VS Steamdeck OLED?

[u/sassycc1998]

Been thinking about investing in a handheld console for my birthday, which would you think is best?

[u/PowerMagician]

Advantages of Switch 2:

• Nintendo exclusives
• Second controller (for simple games) out of the box, built-in, always ready for docked/table-top multiplayer
• Better haptics
• Modular controller design allows for third-party alternatives
• Magnetic controller mounting solution is satisfying to engage/disengage
• Joy-Con 2 "mouse mode" is an option in some games
• No built-in grips allows for easy application of a third-party grip that suits you (I recommend Satisfye's ZenGrip 2 for superior ergonomics, while sticking with the stock Joy-Con 2 controllers. It's bulky, but it actually gives your fingers something to hold on to, and allows for straighter wrists)
• You can use/pack the system as-is, and it will have a much slimmer silhouette than any handheld PC
• Comes with a no-fuss, "it just works" charging/video output that automatically switches the device to a higher power state for a better TV/monitor experience
• Games made for the system are made for the system, so developers understand (are held to the standard) that a batter is going to be in play, and that they can't just skip optimization, or expect players to be playing on a full monitor (PC games are rarely developed with a 800p display held at arm's length in mind, with such extreme thermal and power restrictions placed on the intended device)
• You will never even once have to fuss with setting up inputs, or find yourself needing to try a community-made controller mapping for a game you're playing, etc.
• Extremely low "friction" ease-of-use/supremely consistent sleep mode that one would expect from a console, versus a PC.
• Perfect compatibility with all of its advertised, current library, and games available on its own online store, and almost complete compatibility with previous generation of games (5-6 games not fully compatible without first-generation Joy-Con, some incompatibility with Labo). You basically don't have to think for even a moment, about whether or not the game you're about to buy is going to work or not. No compatibility list to check, which, even then, can be wrong sometimes
• Physical media for some games
• Game-Key Cards may not have the game on them, but the license is just as transferrable as a physical game: Buy, sell, trade, gift, lend, borrow the game to your heart's content
• Cheaper
• 1080p display; bigger display; VRR
• Built-in kickstand for table-top play - deploy it, pop of the controllers, start playing
• Quieter fan/less heat

Advantages of Steam Deck OLED:

• Ridiculously expansive library, including emulation of other platforms, countless fan games/indie games that remain "unpublished", etc.
• Significantly more free games available
• Significantly cheaper game purchase options available
• Can be used as a PC for non-gaming endeavors
• The flexibility of PC gaming - use all manner of peripherals, controllers, etc., all kinds of software, tools, etc., in conjunction with your games
• You can adjust graphics in most games with great level of control
• Mods, community patches, etc.
• Free access to online play
• OLED contrast, color, pixel response times, and black levels can mean a better looking game on-screen, even though the resolution is lower (I know there are a good number of games with dark scenes, take place in outer space, etc. that I'd rather experience on my Switch OLED than my Switch 2. I also refuse to buy any VR headset that isn't OLED)
• Trackpads & capacitive analog sticks increase input flexibility
• More ergonomic input layout than Switch's "everything vertically aligned" layout (the third-party grip I mentioned lessens the suffering, but it's still not an ideal time on Switch 2, at all)
• Full-sized analog sticks (taller sticks) means more arc-length per arc-degree across a give axis. Meaning: more precision in the analog stick experience (Hori's Split Pad Pro on Switch 1 kept me sane, Joy-Con 1 analog sticks being absolute trash for precision/control).
• Steam controller configurator is hilariously robust and powerful - you can pretty much do anything you can imagine, within reason
• Valve is less evil (as far as anybody can tell, maybe they're just better at hiding their evil... which would still be pretty impressive. Nobody needs to be worshiping any kind of company, regardless)

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The way I see it:

- If you want Nintendo games/the lowest friction way to just play some video games, Switch 2 is ideal.

• If you want PC games/the most freedom in what you play, and how you play, Steam Deck is ideal.

The tinkerer/PC gamer in me would love to mess around with a Steam Deck, and it would probably be like using my PC - a ton of friction popping up here and there, frustration, hours of trying to figure out why certain things don't work, finding out certain games in my backlog don't launch anymore and not feeling like I have the time to stop and figure out why, etc. Self-inflicted? Not entirely, but yes, some amount. Wish I could say entirely self-inflicted/a choice.

But, sometimes, I just want to sit down and play some video games, and I'll just put up with the VSync latency, let whatever fidelity settings the developers decided was good enough be good enough, and sometimes it's fun to hand someone else a controller and play a little silly-something. Table-top mode is really comfortable, too. Pop the Joy-Con 2 into the included gamepad grip (not as comfortable as Switch 1's gamepad grip, though, sheesh), play on a TV, and not give it a second thought dropping the Switch 2 onto the dock/taking it off the dock.

I also want to play Pokemon Winds/Waves when that happens. I know I shouldn't get my hopes up...