"Switch 2 Faces New Challenge: Handheld Gaming PCs"

The anticipation for the Nintendo Switch 2's imminent release has been palpable, yet its hefty $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games have dampened my enthusiasm. My experience with the original Nintendo Switch has been underwhelming since acquiring the Asus ROG Ally, and the issues I faced with the first console seem magnified in its sequel, particularly in the era of handheld gaming PCs.

Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need

My journey as a handheld gamer began in childhood, evolving from the Game Boy to the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. There's nothing quite like the comfort of playing games from the warmth of my bed. I was even among the few staunch supporters of the PlayStation Vita, using it daily during my college train commutes.

The Nintendo Switch initially blew my mind when it launched in 2017. Despite purchasing it near launch, I only used it for exclusives. For games that seemed better suited for handheld due to their mechanics or graphics, I reserved them for the Switch. Yet, if these games were available for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I felt guilty about repurchasing them on the Switch. The lack of significant discounts on Switch games only compounded this issue, leading to a frustrating cycle of indecision and ultimately, not playing the games at all.

The 2023 launch of the Asus ROG Ally broke this cycle for me. As a handheld gaming PC running Windows 11, it provides access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. This allowed me to comfortably play games from my bed that I previously wouldn't touch on a PC. Now, I'm enjoying a plethora of indie games and catching up on my backlog. Without the Ally, I might never have experienced gems like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, or the Resident Evil Remake, which have since become some of my favorite games. The Ally has become my primary handheld device, saving me both money and hassle.

Despite my excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, given my fondness for Nintendo's games, the Switch 2 Direct left me questioning its place in my gaming setup.

The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore

With a starting price of $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a crowded market, closely competing with the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Notably, the PS5's $399 digital edition even undercut the Switch 2's launch price. Over the past eight years, the original Switch's design has spurred a wave of competition. The Steam Deck set the stage in 2022, followed by a slew of handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors also suggest Xbox might be developing its own handheld. In this context, the Switch 2 no longer stands alone, making it a less compelling investment for those already invested in other handhelds, like myself.

Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware capable of running indie and third-party games effortlessly. With access to a vast library and all previously owned games, these devices offer a comprehensive gaming solution. The chipsets, like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, are poised to further enhance their capabilities, potentially outpacing the Switch 2 in the near future.

For owners of handheld gaming PCs interested in Nintendo exclusives, the Switch 2 represents a costly entry point for limited use. With devices like the Asus ROG Ally capable of handling everything from third-party to indie games, the Switch 2 would primarily serve as a platform for first-party titles. The high cost of these exclusives, with games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza priced at $79.99 and $69.99 respectively, further complicates the decision. Given the rarity of discounts on Nintendo Switch games, the investment becomes even more challenging to justify.

While Nintendo's exclusives undeniably hold significant value, offering some of the most iconic games in history, the Switch 2's appeal diminishes for those of us with a robust handheld gaming PC setup. Systems like the Legion Go not only deliver superior performance but also access to an extensive range of indie and third-party games. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills all the roles the Switch once did, and with its broad access to various gaming storefronts, it remains the better choice for my gaming needs.