The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is on the horizon, yet its hefty $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games have dampened my enthusiasm. My experience with the original Nintendo Switch has been lackluster since I got my hands on the Asus ROG Ally. The issues I faced with the original console seem even more pronounced with its successor, particularly in today's market dominated by handheld gaming PCs.
Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need
As a lifelong handheld gaming aficionado, I've journeyed through the eras of Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable. There's something uniquely comforting about gaming under a cozy blanket from the comfort of my bed. I even stood by the PlayStation Vita, playing it religiously during my college train commutes.
When the Nintendo Switch hit the scene in 2017, it was a revelation. I purchased one soon after its launch, but my use was limited to exclusives. For games that felt better suited to handheld play, I mentally reserved them for the Switch. Yet, whenever those same games were available for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I hesitated to repurchase them on the Switch. The notoriously stingy discounts on Switch games didn’t help, leaving me in a frustrating loop of wanting to play handheld yet not wanting to spend extra money on games I already owned. This often resulted in me not playing the games at all.
The arrival of the Asus ROG Ally in 2023 broke this cycle. This handheld gaming PC, running on Windows 11, opened up a world of possibilities with access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. Suddenly, I could play those comfort games from my bed without the need to repurchase them. Thanks to the Ally, I've delved into a wealth of indie games, catching up on my backlog. Games like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, and the Resident Evil Remake, which I might never have played otherwise, have become some of my favorites. The Ally not only fulfills my handheld gaming needs but also saves me money.
Despite my excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, my feelings have shifted after the Switch 2 Direct. The original Switch had a unique allure beyond just exclusives; its versatility and affordable entry price made it a compelling choice. It was the only viable handheld option at the time, offering great exclusives at a budget-friendly cost.
The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore
Now, priced at $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a crowded market. This puts it in direct competition with the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with the PS5 even offering a $399 digital edition at launch. Over the past eight years, the Switch's design has inspired numerous competitors. The Steam Deck kicked off the trend in 2022, followed by a slew of handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors suggest that Xbox may soon join the fray with its own handheld. The Switch 2 is no longer unique, and its value diminishes if you already own a capable handheld, as I do.
Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware capable of running indie and third-party games with ease. Their expansive libraries and access to games you already own make them a versatile choice. The ever-improving chipsets, like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, promise even more powerful future iterations, potentially outpacing the Switch 2.
For owners of handheld gaming PCs interested in Nintendo exclusives, the Switch 2's high entry cost and limited utility for anything beyond first-party titles can be a deterrent. The steep prices of exclusives like Mario Kart World at $79.99 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99, coupled with Nintendo's rare discounts, further complicate the decision.
Nintendo's exclusives undeniably hold immense value, being some of the most celebrated games in history. For many, the upcoming Switch 2 titles will justify the system's price. However, for those of us with handheld gaming PCs, the need for more value is evident.
In conclusion, the Nintendo Switch 2 may not be the best investment for everyone, particularly those who already own a handheld gaming PC. Devices like the Legion Go offer superior performance and a vast library of games. My Asus ROG Ally meets all my previous needs for a Switch, and with access to multiple gaming storefronts, it's simply a better platform for gaming.
