Switch 2 Has to Face a Problem the Original Didn’t: Handheld Gaming PCs

The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is set to hit the market soon, but its hefty $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games have me reconsidering my investment. Since acquiring my Asus ROG Ally, I've barely touched my original Nintendo Switch, and the issues I had with it seem to be magnified in its successor, particularly in the era of handheld gaming PCs.

Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need

As a lifelong handheld gamer, I've transitioned through the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable, cherishing the cozy experience of gaming under a blanket in bed. I even remained a loyal PlayStation Vita user, playing it daily during my college train commutes.

The original Nintendo Switch was a revelation when it launched in 2017, yet I only used it for exclusives. I reserved certain games for handheld play, unable to imagine enjoying them on a PC due to comfort issues. However, the guilt of repurchasing games I already owned for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, coupled with the Switch's infrequent and modest discounts, often left me not playing these games at all.

The Asus ROG Ally, launched in 2023, broke this cycle for me. This Windows 11-powered handheld gaming PC grants access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. Now, I can comfortably play those games I'd previously set aside for handheld play, right from my bed.

Thanks to the Ally, I've delved into a variety of indie games and tackled my backlog, discovering gems like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, and Resident Evil Remake without spending extra money. The Ally has become my preferred handheld and has saved me a significant amount of cash.

Despite my excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, the Switch 2 Direct left me questioning its place in my gaming life.

The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore

At a starting price of $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a crowded market, closely competing with the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and even the $399 digital edition of the PS5. Over the past eight years, the Switch's design has inspired a wave of competitors, from the Steam Deck to devices like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw, with rumors suggesting Xbox might be developing its own handheld. The Switch 2 is no longer unique, making it a tough sell for those already owning a handheld gaming PC like me.

Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware capable of running indie and third-party games, offering a vast library and access to games you already own. With advancements like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme on the horizon, the Switch 2 might soon be outclassed.

For owners of handheld gaming PCs, the Switch 2's high entry cost and limited use for Nintendo exclusives pose a challenge. If the Asus ROG Ally can handle everything from third-party to indie games, the Switch 2 would primarily serve for first-party titles.

The steep prices of exclusives, such as Mario Kart World at $79.99 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99, further diminish the appeal. Nintendo's first-party games are seldom discounted, making the investment even less enticing.

While Nintendo's exclusives offer undeniable value and are among the greatest games ever made, the Switch 2 might not be a worthwhile investment for everyone, especially those with a handheld gaming PC. Devices like the Legion Go offer superior performance and access to a broader range of games. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills everything I once needed from a Switch, providing a better gaming experience across multiple storefronts.