Nintendo Switch 2 Struggles to Compete with Handheld Gaming PCs

The Nintendo Switch 2 is launching soon, but its $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games make it a tough sell. I’ve barely touched my original Switch since getting an Asus ROG Ally, and the sequel’s challenges are even more pronounced in today’s handheld gaming PC landscape.

Asus ROG Ally Meets All My Gaming Needs

I’ve loved handheld gaming since my days with the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable. There’s something special about curling up under blankets and playing from bed. I was even a loyal PlayStation Vita fan, using it daily during my college train rides.

The Nintendo Switch amazed me in 2017, but despite buying it near launch, I only used it for exclusives. PC gaming never felt comfortable, so I reserved certain games—those perfect for handheld play—for the Switch. My brain wouldn’t let me play them elsewhere.

Yet, if a game was free on Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I couldn’t justify repurchasing it on Switch. Switch games rarely go on sale, and discounts are minimal compared to other platforms. This created a frustrating cycle: I’d want to play a game on handheld but wouldn’t buy it if I already owned it elsewhere, often leading to not playing it at all.

The 2023 release of the Asus ROG Ally changed everything. This Windows 11-powered handheld gaming PC gives me access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. Games I’d avoid on PC due to discomfort are now playable from my bed.

Now, I dive into indie gems on my Ally, tackling my backlog with ease. Without it, I wouldn’t have experienced Celeste, Little Nightmares II, or Resident Evil Remake—some of my all-time favorites. I didn’t need to repurchase them, unlike on Switch. The Ally has become my primary handheld, saving me a fortune.

I was initially thrilled for the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, as Nintendo’s games are dear to me. But after the Switch 2 Direct, I’m unsure where it fits in my gaming life.

The original Switch stood out for more than just exclusives. Its innovative design and affordable price made it a compelling ecosystem. It was the only viable handheld option: budget-friendly, packed with great exclusives, and unmatched in its category.

Switch 2 Faces Fierce Competition

At $449 to start, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a crowded market. Its price is close to the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and even the $399 PS5 digital edition undercuts it. Since the Switch debuted eight years ago, its design has sparked rivals. The Steam Deck kicked things off in 2022, followed by devices like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors suggest Xbox is developing its own handheld. The Switch 2 isn’t unique anymore, and it’s only a smart buy if you don’t already own a handheld—and I do.

Handheld gaming PCs boast robust hardware, easily handling indie and third-party titles. With vast libraries and access to games you already own, they’re a one-stop shop. Their chipsets, like the upcoming AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, keep improving, and it won’t be long before the Switch 2 lags behind.

For handheld gaming PC owners, the Switch 2’s steep price and focus on exclusives make it a hard sell. If devices like the Asus ROG Ally can handle everything from indies to third-party games, Switch 2 owners will likely only use it for Nintendo’s first-party titles.

Exclusives like Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) add to the cost. Nintendo’s first-party games rarely see discounts, making the investment even less appealing.

Nintendo’s exclusives undeniably offer value, with a legacy of iconic games. For many, the Switch 2’s lineup over the next few years will justify its price. But for handheld gaming PC owners like me, it needs to offer more.

The Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t a must-have for everyone, especially if you own a handheld gaming PC. Devices like the Legion Go deliver strong performance and access to vast indie and third-party libraries. My Asus ROG Ally handles everything I once needed a Switch for, and with multiple storefronts available, it’s simply the better gaming platform.