The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is on the horizon, but its steep $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games give me pause. My experience with the original Switch has been limited since I acquired an Asus ROG Ally, and the issues I faced with the first console seem only to intensify with its successor, particularly in the era of handheld gaming PCs.
Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need
As a lifelong handheld gamer, I've transitioned through the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable, cherishing the cozy comfort of gaming from my bed. I was even among the few staunch PlayStation Vita enthusiasts, enjoying it daily during my college commutes.
The original Nintendo Switch was a revelation in 2017, and though I purchased one near launch, my usage was largely confined to its exclusives. I mentally categorized certain games as "Reserved for handheld," and my brain seemed wired to enjoy them only on the Switch. Yet, the guilt of repurchasing games available for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, coupled with the Switch's notorious reluctance to offer significant discounts, often led me to forgo playing these titles altogether.
The 2023 launch of the Asus ROG Ally shattered this pattern. This handheld gaming PC, powered by Windows 11, grants access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. It allowed me to comfortably play games I'd previously shunned on PC, right from the comfort of my bed.
Today, I immerse myself in a plethora of indie games on my Ally and continue tackling my backlog. Without the Ally, gems like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, and Resident Evil Remake might have remained unplayed. These have become some of my favorite games, and I didn't have to spend extra money to enjoy them on the Switch. The Ally has not only become my preferred handheld but has also saved me a significant amount of money.
Despite my enthusiasm for the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, given my affection for Nintendo games, the Switch 2 Direct left me questioning its place in my gaming life.
The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore
At a starting price of $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a crowded market, closely aligning with the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Notably, the PS5's $399 digital edition initially offered a more affordable entry point. Over the past eight years, the Switch's innovative design has spurred competition. The Steam Deck set the stage in 2022, followed by other handheld gaming PCs such as the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors even suggest Xbox is developing its own handheld. The Switch 2 no longer stands alone, making it a less compelling investment for those of us already equipped with another handheld.
Handheld gaming PCs boast robust hardware capable of running indie and third-party titles with ease. They provide access to a vast library of games you already own across multiple storefronts. The technology, such as the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, continues to evolve, promising to outstrip the Switch 2's capabilities in the near future.
For owners of handheld gaming PCs, the Switch 2's value proposition narrows to its first-party exclusives. Yet, the high cost of these exclusives, with titles like Mario Kart World at $79.99 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99, only adds to the reluctance. Nintendo games are seldom discounted, making the investment even more daunting.
While Nintendo's exclusives hold undeniable value and have contributed some of the most iconic games in history, the Switch 2 may not be the best investment for everyone, particularly those with handheld gaming PCs. Devices like the Legion Go offer superior performance and a vast selection of indie and third-party games. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills all my handheld gaming needs and provides access to a wide array of gaming platforms, making it the superior choice for my gaming experience.
