The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is set to hit the market soon, but its hefty price tag of $449.99 and games costing $79.99 have left me hesitant to invest. My experience with the original Nintendo Switch has been limited since I acquired an Asus ROG Ally, and the issues I faced with the first console seem to be magnified in its sequel, particularly in today's era of handheld gaming PCs.
Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need
As someone who has been a dedicated handheld gamer since childhood, moving from the Game Boy to the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable, I find handheld gaming to be the ultimate comfort. There's something uniquely cozy about playing games from the warmth of my bed. I was even a staunch supporter of the PlayStation Vita, using it daily during my college train commutes.
The launch of the Nintendo Switch in 2017 was a revelation, and I was an early adopter. However, I found myself using it primarily for exclusives. For games that seemed better suited for handheld due to their mechanics or graphics, I reserved them mentally for the Switch. Yet, if those games were available for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I felt reluctant to repurchase them on the Switch. The issue was compounded by the fact that Switch games rarely go on sale, and when they do, the discounts are not as significant as those on other platforms. This led to a frustrating cycle of wanting to play games on a handheld but not wanting to spend extra money, resulting in me not playing those games at all.
The Asus ROG Ally, launched in 2023, changed everything for me. This handheld gaming PC runs on Windows 11, granting access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. It allowed me to enjoy games comfortably in bed that I previously wouldn't play on a PC due to discomfort. Now, I immerse myself in a variety of indie games on my Ally and am steadily working through my backlog. Without the Ally, I would have missed out on gems like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, and the Resident Evil Remake, which have become some of my all-time favorites. The Ally has not only become my preferred handheld device but has also saved me a considerable amount of money.
Despite my enthusiasm for Nintendo's games, which hold a special place in my heart, the Switch 2 Direct has left me questioning its role in my gaming life.
The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore
With a starting price of $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a highly competitive market. This price point positions it close to the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with the PS5's digital edition initially launching at a lower $399. Over the last eight years, the original Switch's design has inspired a wave of competitors. The Steam Deck kicked off this trend in 2022, followed by other handheld gaming PCs such as the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors suggest that Xbox might be developing its own handheld. The Switch 2 no longer stands alone, making it a less compelling investment for those of us who already own another handheld device.
Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware capable of running indie and third-party games with ease. They offer access to a vast library of games, including those you might already own, making them an all-encompassing gaming solution. The advancement in chipsets, like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, suggests that the Switch 2 will soon be outpaced by these competitors.
For owners of handheld gaming PCs looking to play Nintendo exclusives, the Switch 2 presents a high entry cost for limited use. If devices like the Asus ROG Ally can handle everything from third-party to indie games, then the Switch 2 would primarily be used for first-party titles. The high cost of exclusives, such as Mario Kart World at $79.99 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99, further diminishes the appeal, especially given the rarity of discounts on Nintendo games.
While there's no denying the value of Nintendo's exclusive titles, which include some of the most beloved games in history, the Switch 2's high price might not be justified for everyone, particularly for those who already own a handheld gaming PC. Devices like the Legion Go provide superior performance and access to a broad range of indie and third-party games. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills all the roles I once needed a Switch for, and with multiple storefronts at my fingertips, it's simply a better place to play games.
