The excitement around the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is palpable, but its hefty $449.99 price tag and games priced at $79.99 give me pause. My current Nintendo Switch has been gathering dust since I got my hands on the Asus ROG Ally. The issues I had with the original console seem even more pronounced with its successor, particularly in the evolving landscape of handheld gaming PCs.
Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need
As a lifelong handheld gamer, I've journeyed through the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable eras. There's something uniquely comforting about gaming from the cozy confines of my bed. Even as one of the few dedicated PlayStation Vita enthusiasts, I cherished every moment spent playing during my college train commutes.
The Nintendo Switch was a revelation when it launched in 2017. I bought one near launch, but my use was limited to exclusives. For games that felt right for handheld play, my mind reserved them specifically for the Switch. However, if these games were available for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I felt reluctant to repurchase them. Switch games rarely see significant discounts, making the decision even harder. This cycle of "Why waste money on a game I already own" versus "I want to play this on a handheld" often left me not playing the game at all.
The arrival of the Asus ROG Ally in 2023 changed everything. Running on Windows 11, it grants access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more, allowing me to enjoy those games I once avoided on PC from the comfort of my bed. Now, I'm diving into a plethora of indie titles and tackling my backlog. Games like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, and the Resident Evil Remake have become some of my all-time favorites, and I didn't need to repurchase them. The Ally has become my preferred handheld, saving me both money and hassle.
Despite my enthusiasm for Nintendo games, the Switch 2 Direct left me uncertain about its place in my gaming life. The original Switch was revolutionary not just for its exclusives but for its versatile design and lower entry price compared to competitors. It was the go-to handheld option at the time, offering affordability, great exclusives, and a unique experience.
The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore
At $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a crowded market, closely rivaling the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The PS5 even had a $399 digital edition at launch. Over the past eight years, the Switch's design has inspired a wave of competitors. The Steam Deck kicked things off in 2022, followed by other handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors even suggest Xbox might be working on its own handheld. The Switch 2 no longer stands alone, and its value diminishes if you already own another capable handheld.
Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware, perfect for indie and third-party games. With access to a vast library and the ability to play games you already own, they offer a comprehensive gaming solution. The future looks bright as chipsets like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme promise even greater performance, potentially outmatching the Switch 2 soon.
For owners of handheld gaming PCs, the Switch 2's appeal lies primarily in Nintendo's first-party exclusives. Yet, with high-priced games like Mario Kart World at $79.99 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99, and knowing that Nintendo titles rarely go on sale, the investment seems less appealing.
Nintendo's exclusives are undeniably valuable, offering some of the best gaming experiences available. For many, the Switch 2 will be justified by the upcoming titles. However, for those of us with a capable handheld gaming PC like the Asus ROG Ally, the Switch 2 might not be the best investment. Systems like the Legion Go provide stellar performance and access to a vast array of indie and third-party games. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills everything I once needed from a Switch, making it the superior choice for my gaming needs.
