The Nintendo Switch 2 is on the horizon, and while much is known about it, its $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games make me hesitant to invest. Since getting my Asus ROG Ally, I've hardly touched my original Nintendo Switch, and the issues I had with it seem even more pronounced with its successor, especially in today's world of handheld gaming PCs.
Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need
As a lifelong handheld gamer, I've cherished devices from the Game Boy to the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. There's nothing quite like the comfort of playing games from my bed, wrapped in blankets. I was even a staunch supporter of the PlayStation Vita, using it daily during my college train commutes.
The Nintendo Switch was a revelation when it launched in 2017. I bought one near launch, but I only used it for exclusives. For games that felt better suited for handheld play, I wanted them on the Switch. These games were mentally categorized as "Reserved for handheld," and I couldn't bring myself to play them on my PC.
However, if those 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 compounded this issue. This cycle of "Why waste money on a game I already own" versus "I want to play this on a handheld" often resulted in me not playing the game at all.
The 2023 launch of the Asus ROG Ally changed everything. This handheld gaming PC runs on Windows 11, giving me access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. Now, I can enjoy those games I'd previously avoided on PC from the comfort of my bed.
With the Asus ROG Ally, I've delved into a wealth of indie games and am still working through my backlog. Without it, I wouldn't have experienced gems like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, or the Resident Evil Remake, which have become some of my all-time favorites. The Ally has not only become my preferred handheld but has also saved me a significant amount of money.
Despite this, I was initially excited about the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, given my affection for Nintendo's games. However, after the Switch 2 Direct, I'm unsure where the console fits into my gaming life anymore.
When the original Switch launched, it was more than just about exclusives. Its versatile design and lower entry price compared to competitors made it an attractive ecosystem. At the time, it was the only viable handheld option: affordable, with great exclusives, and unmatched in its category.
The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore
Priced at $449 at launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a competitive market. It's priced close to the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and even the PS5's $399 digital edition was cheaper 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 handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors suggest Xbox might be developing its own handheld. The Switch 2 is no longer unique, and its value as an investment diminishes if you already own another handheld, as I do.
Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware capable of running indie and third-party games effortlessly. With access to a vast library and all the games you already own, they're an excellent choice for comprehensive gaming. The chipsets in these devices, like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, are only improving, and it won't be long before the Switch 2 is outpaced by the competition.
For owners of handheld gaming PCs, the Switch 2's high entry cost and limited use for Nintendo exclusives make it a tough sell. If a device like the Asus ROG Ally can handle everything from third-party to indie games, then investing in a Switch 2 just for first-party titles feels less appealing.
The high price of exclusives, such as Mario Kart World at $79.99 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99, further complicates the decision. Given that Nintendo Switch games, especially first-party titles, rarely see significant discounts, the prospect of buying them is less exciting.
While Nintendo's exclusives offer undeniable value and include some of the greatest games ever made, for handheld gaming PC owners like me, the Switch 2 might not be the best investment. Devices like the Legion Go offer superior performance and access to a vast library of indie and third-party games. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills all the roles I once needed a Switch for, and with access to numerous storefronts, it's simply a better platform for gaming.