#steam deck

Steam Decks are back in stock.

To put into perspective how much they USED to be.

I hate to say it, but the Switch 2 is actually... really nice. I wasn't going to buy it initially because the price-point is extremely steep at $450, but between the scarcity of RAM and the anticipated price spike of consoles/computers, I went ahead and purchased it for Kirby Air Riders.

For context, I own a Switch 1, a Switch 1 OLED (the TOTK edition), a Steam Deck OLED, and a Switch 2. I know this is going to be a niche post, but for anyone thinking about purchasing a hand-held console in the future, this is for you!

The Switch 1 and Switch 1 OLED are both out of the running for me. The Switch one was middling even in its prime, and though I definitely enjoyed some of the library-- BOTW and TOTK are fantastic-- neither model packs much of a punch. The price point, however, is great. You can get it on Amazon for $280 right now, so if you don't mind frame-drops or aliasing artefacts but want to experience some of Nintendo's heavy hitters from the Switch era, go for it.

Now, things get closer between the Switch 2 and the Steam Deck OLED. The Switch 2 is actually the more powerful console; it docks comfortably at 4k, and it comes with the dock + controllers. It's also $450. However, the game library is really limited right now. In my opinion, the only reason to get it is if you're a die-hard Air Riders fan (like I am!), but as a Zelda, Pokemon, and Mario fan, I have no doubt I'll be getting a lot out of this console in years to come.

The Steam Deck OLED, which won't be getting an update any time soon according to Valve, is $550. Is it as powerful as the Switch 2? No. But...

The library is massive, and the control scheme is better than any other system/controller I've ever used. There are eight trigger buttons instead of four, and two trackpads in addition to a D pad and joysticks. Valve also sent the best carrying case and USB charger I have ever owned.

Plus, you have access to all of Steam's games-- and a fully functional desktop mode that runs Linux, which allows you to mod the ever-loving shit out of your games if you know what you're doing.

Even though the hardware may not be the most powerful, I can also stream my games directly from my gaming PC to my deck from pretty much anywhere if I've got a good connection. I feel like I have control over my experience with the Deck, whereas I get locked into an (admittedly) quality experience with the Switch 2.

So imo: Steam Deck OLED > Switch 2 > Switch 1/Switch 1 OLED.