Which is better for you, the Steam Deck or the Nintendo Switch?
Outperforming even the best gaming phone, they are two of the greatest portable gaming consoles ever made. Both the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck are excellent choices if you picture the ideal evening curled up on the couch with a console in your hand. But there are some significant distinctions between the two that would indicate one is more suited than the other. However, we're here to examine the differences between them, including factors like cost and the games each has available.
You may find it helpful to read our reviews of the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch before you get started.They provide you with extensive information on each item separately. To get to more areas of comparison between the two consoles, click the links below:
Costing
It's reasonable to assume that most individuals will notice the difference in pricing between the two initially. Compared to the Steam Deck, the Nintendo Switch is far less expensive; the base model costs around $300 (£259.99). Conversely, the most affordable Steam Deck option is still $399 (£349), so you may save $90 (£90) if you choose the best Nintendo Switch console. In light of this, if money is tight, the Nintendo Switch is unquestionably a superior choice.
There are three versions available for both the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch: a basic version, a less expensive one, and a more expensive one. Each console, of course, fits into one of those three categories for a variety of reasons. We'll simplify things for you by contrasting the three kinds.
Steam Deck and Cheapest Switch
At $199.99 (£199.99), the Switch Lite is the least expensive model in the lineup. It is a portable device, therefore it cannot be docked to play games on a TV. For further details, see our Switch Lite review.
Regarding the Steam Deck, its most affordable variant is $399 (£349). Its 64GB eMMC memory is the reason it is less expensive than other versions, but it is still twice as much as the memory found in the Switch Lite.
Steam Deck and Standard Nintendo Switch
Like the Switch Lite, the normal Switch costs $300 (£259.99), contains 32GB of storage, and can be played both handheld and docked. The basic Steam Deck costs $529 (£459) and features 256GB of NVMe SSD storage, which is quicker than eMMC and offers greater capacity.
Best Nintendo Switch with Steam Deck
Lastly, the OLED is the top-tier Switch model. It is, without a doubt, the greatest Nintendo Switch console; it costs $349.99 (£309.99), which is much less than the pricey Steam Deck variant, and has 64GB of storage capacity in addition to a bigger OLED screen that improves portable gaming (but not docked). For further details, see our Nintendo Switch OLED review.
Considering that the top-tier Steam Deck model costs $649 (£569), it can run and store a lot of your favorite large games thanks to its 512GB NVMe SSD storage capacity. It also has etched glass with anti-glare properties, which helps you view the screen better outdoors.
It's important to keep in mind that the Steam Deck is a much more powerful device than the Switch; we'll go into more detail about that when we talk about the specifications below. That should give you a general sense of the pricing differences between each console and some of the features that make those price differences worthwhile.
Library of games
In addition to titles from IPs like Xenoblade and Fire Emblem, the Nintendo Switch has a large catalog of games, including Pokémon games, Zelda games, Mario games, and Animal Crossing games. All of this simply indicates that Nintendo has an extremely large library of first-party brands, many of which are unique to the Nintendo Switch due to their status as first-party.
That alone is enough to convince a lot of folks to purchase a Nintendo Switch. Even better, you get access to a wide range of titles, including a massive collection of independent games, legendary retro console titles, well-known titles like Skyrim, The Witcher III, Crash Bandicoot, and popular multiplayer games like Fortnite or Fall Guys.
The Switch receives a lot of content even if it doesn't have the big next-gen releases like Elden Ring. The majority of players should have no issue compiling a lengthy wish list of games to play on the system. Explore our selection of the top Nintendo Switch games to learn about our favorite titles and get a feel for what's available.
There is also a vast game catalog on the Steam Deck. A vast array of excellent independent and vintage games is available, just as on the Nintendo eShop. However, the Steam Deck can also run popular next-generation titles like Marvel's Spider-Man and Elden Ring, unlike the Nintendo eShop. This increased assortment of games is in line with the hardware's increased capabilities.
However, there isn't a way to play any games from Nintendo's own back catalog on the Steam Deck (legally), which may be enough to discourage customers from using Valve's portable device. It's also crucial to remember that not all of the Steam games are compatible with the Steam Deck, so you may not be able to play the game you want to play until you sit down at your computer. Nonetheless, the library of games for the platform is constantly expanding as more and more titles are created compatible with it. You may check our sister site PCGamesN's list of the top Steam Deck games for additional information about its collection.
Details
What matters is what's on the inside, or maybe simply what makes you whole. Several of the key elements of the Steam Deck and Switch are contrasted here:
- Screen: The Steam Deck has a 7-inch LCD screen, which is larger than the standard Switch’s 6.2-inch LCD screen, and equal in size, but less visually impressive than the OLED’s 7-inch OLED display.
- Battery life: The Switch can last up to about 6.5 hours (9 hours if you use an OLED), while the Steam Deck can last for about 8 hours. Considering that the Steam Deck will use so much more processing power on that battery life, they’re pretty evenly matched.
- CPU/GPU: The Steam Deck uses an AMD Zen 2 CPU, along with an AMD RDNA 2 GPU, while the Switch uses an ARM Cortex-A57 CPU with an Nvidia Maxwell GPU. What does that mean? Essentially, the Steam Deck can handle games with better graphics that have much more intense action on-screen than the Switch can – by quite a significant margin too.
- Refresh rate: They both boast 60Hz, putting on an equally impressive footing in this regard.
- Storage space: As mentioned above, you get a maximum of 64GB on Nintendo’s handheld (though you can easily expand this with the best micro SD card for Switch), whereas the Steam Deck can give you 512GB and still have room for expansion. Keep in mind, though, that some Steam games are really big, whereas Switch games are typically a lot smaller, so you can still fit a lot more than you might think on a 64GB console.
In the end, the Switch was introduced in 2017 and hasn't seen many updates since—even the OLED has a lot of the same hardware—while the Steam Deck, which is effectively a portable gaming PC—was introduced in 2022 and is intended to run more sophisticated games than the Switch. Although the Nintendo Switch is an excellent piece of equipment, it is incomparable to the Steam Deck in terms of technological capabilities.
Usability
Would you want to be able to remove your console from its packaging and begin using it immediately? Do you have a poor degree of technical expertise? Do you lack the patience to put up with a protracted setup process? In that case, the Nintendo Switch is most likely the right system for you.
Pretty much the only things you have to do when you initially turn it on are choose your time zone and system language. In five minutes or less, you may insert a cartridge and begin playing after creating a very basic profile with only a name and an avatar photo. Unless your game requires a cartridge, in which case you will have to wait for the download to complete.
On the other hand, setting up the Steam Deck correctly takes a lot longer. You have to set up the controls for the games (which is more difficult if you're using a different controller), link it to your Steam account, download your games since, unlike the Switch, you can't use cartridges, and do a few other things.
In the event that you're purchasing this for a small kid or yourself and lack familiarity with such matters, the setup procedure will need a significant amount of time.
The advantage of having to set up the Steam Deck more intricately is that you may adjust its settings to better match your playing style. You may rearrange the buttons on the Steam Deck to your liking, which will make it even simpler to access your favorite games. Even better, compared to the Switch, utilizing third-party controllers with the Steam Deck is more simpler.
In the meanwhile, if you know your way around a PC, you can utilize emulators for other platforms and play fan-made modifications of your favorite games—two things Nintendo would never let. In other words, while the Steam Deck is more capable, it is more difficult to operate.
choices for multiplayer
Some individuals see gaming as a group activity, and if that is you, you probably want to learn more about the Switch and Steam Deck's multiplayer features. With the Nintendo Switch, you can start playing multiplayer games right away if you picked up a game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the system comes with two joy cons that each player can utilize for enjoyable multiplayer gameplay. This console is ideal for taking on road trips and similar excursions since it can also be used in portable mode.
Although there aren't as many titles on the Steam Deck with local multiplayer as there are on the Switch, you may still utilize it. Additionally, you should examine whether titles on Steam are marked as having local multiplayer. Even yet, unlike with the Switch, you can't go right to it. Rather, you'll need two controllers, and be ready for the fact that not all console multiplayer games are available on Steam.
However, what about those who would rather play multiplayer games online rather than locally? Since a large number of Nintendo users are minors, the company takes great care to safeguard them from predators and other bad actors online. While this is commendable, it does mean that certain activities, like messaging friends on the Switch, are not possible. To utilize voice chat, you must download the Nintendo Switch app. Since you're already doing that, why not use a separate app for video or phone calls?
Your online chats are unrestricted by Steam Deck. To be more specific, you can install Discord and quickly switch between it and your games whenever you want. In the meanwhile, you'll have access to a much wider variety of online games to play with your pals thanks to titles like Sea of Thieves and Halo Infinite that are compatible with Steam and Steam Deck.
Mobility
Since both the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck are portable gaming systems, it seems sense that you would want to play them while on the road. Which of these two gadgets is more portable and suitable for playing on the move, though?
Well, they're both enormous, to be honest. Neither of them, in my opinion, does a very good job of fitting into your pocket as a little, portable gadget (I miss the Nintendo 3DS). You will need to pack a bag if you want to bring one of them.
But I have to confess, the Nintendo Switch is significantly lighter and feels less bulky than the Steam Deck, which makes it a little more suitable for extended gaming sessions. The Nintendo Switch Lite is perhaps the most portable device available if you own one. I've never seen somebody playing a Steam Deck in public, but I do see a lot of people playing Switches in public, so I'm not saying it hasn't happened—it surely has.
Services for streaming
Many people use their gaming console as their main source of entertainment at home, where they may play video games, watch movies and TV programs, and listen to music. After a long day, there's something really satisfying about cuddling up in bed and watching favorite comfort show—especially with a portable console.
Nintendo fails miserably on this front. There isn't a native app for Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, or pretty much any other big streaming service that can be accessed on the Switch.
The only options available to you are YouTube, Twitch, Crunchyroll (which is beneficial for anime enthusiasts), and the Pokémon anime via a map made especially for it by Nintendo. However, many people prefer to watch content other than anime and streamers.
Since you have so much control and flexibility over a Steam Deck, you can quickly get them up and running on major streaming services, even if it does not yet have native applications for those platforms.
The ultimate decision
- Buy the Steam Deck if… you want a more powerful handheld gaming PC.
- Buy the Nintendo Switch… if you want an easy-to-use portable console and enjoy the rich catalog of Nintendo games.
The Steam Deck surpasses the Nintendo Switch in terms of sheer technological ability. With the help of this very amazing gadget, you can control all the power of a gaming PC. With this, you may utilize emulators, fan-made modifications, and much more in addition to being able to play next-generation Steam games on your television. If you know how, you should be able to do any precise task you choose to complete on the Steam Deck.
Beyond the most basic stuff, you don't actually need to be technically skilled at all to play on the Nintendo Switch. You launch a game and begin to play. That is all.
While it's true that Switch games might not require as much processing power to play, Nintendo has once again demonstrated that great games don't always need to push the boundaries of technology. Games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom offer amazing experiences. Nevertheless, it is still deprived of next-generation blockbusters such as Marvel's Spider-Man, Starfield, and Elden Ring.
Therefore, choose the Steam Deck if you're looking for a portable gadget that can do everything and you don't mind spending a little bit more and working a little bit more to get it to work the way you want it to. We believe the Nintendo Switch is the best option if you love Nintendo and its extensive back catalog and want to be able to play its games as well as numerous others from the previous 30 years of gaming comfortably and affordably.
If you're thinking about purchasing a platform but are particularly interested in taking your PC gaming on the road, our Steam Deck vs. Asus Rog Ally guide might be another helpful resource. You should also look at some of the Steam Deck 2 speculation that we have.