With the official reveal of the mouse mode for the Switch 2’s controllers there is the potential for so many classic games to flood the console.
Imagine what it could do with graphical adventure games, RTS games, management sims, etc.
We already know CIV VII will use the mouse, and I just hope this is just the beginning for a whole range of traditionally non-console games to finally make it to the platform.
I am a huge proponent of the steam deck but there are a few things you’re kind of leaving out here
You would be surprised how many people actually don’t have a mouse on hand. But if they do, you do have to calculate that into the cost.
you need a dock or at least a cheap USB-C dongle unless the only thing you plan on hooking up to the steam deck is your mouse, which would be feasible but unusual.
The deck is getting a little longer in the tooth. I love it, I use it a ton, but it is definitely starting to show its age.
It can’t play Nintendo switch/switch 2 games natively, which many people who shit on Nintendo (I am one of those people don’t get me wrong) tend to forget is a pretty huge part of the appeal of Nintendo platforms.
if you plan on doing Couch multiplayer, the steam deck is really not a viable option compared to the switch unless you invest in a bunch of other stuff
I agree with everything except #5. If you want to play couch multiplayer for the switch with two people you’re set with the tiny joycons. If you want any comfort playing those games you’re investing in at LEAST as many controllers as you have couch players and the same can be said about the deck. But the Deck has options and years of hardware options that are far more inexpensive than the $90 joycons or $80 pro controllers at launch. Given time I’m sure there may be options for the S2 but I think the Deck has far more inexpensive options for multiplayer.
That said, the deck dock is expensive so maybe my argument is entirely moot.
A 10usd Chinese knockoff Bluetooth controller works well enough for multi-player. The true little brother experience is to play with the shitty controller.
For the steam deck, you’d have to buy 2 controllers (potentially both shitty), so the benefit for the switch is still there.
So buy 2 $10 controllers for the steam deck and still save money since the switch costs $50 more to begin with.
Comfort or not you can just do it. I’ve done it plenty. It’s a viable option
The offical dock is $80, but you can get the Baseus Dock for between $30 and $40.
Mice are cheap. Even Bluetooth ones, which wouldn’t need a dock or dongle to be used with the deck.
The steam deck can get fucky with 2 Bluetooth devices (forget 3) so unless you plan on a M or K you need a dock or dongle. I guess unless you plan on not charging either.
Point by point:
1: I mean, I guess? I do not even have a mouse myself right now… but if I needed just a cheapo one for basic use… you can get something functional for $20 or under, a basic mouse you’d get for a work laptop type thing.
2: People have all kinds of ‘unusual’ Deck set ups.
The mouse dongle you just mentioned wouldn’t… really make that much sense, as … you can just hold it… and use the touch pads… or the touch sensitive screen itself…
But its actually not uncommon for people to dock their deck, sync it to a controller or M+K, and then stream it to a smart tv, or a dumb one via a dongle or direct connection to the dock. No, you’re not gonna get true 4k on any non retro game, but a good number of people do something like this.
3: … As compared to…? Your minimum 3x more expensive PC you can upgrade with even more money? Another console/handheld you… can’t upgrade?
Unless the Switch 2 can play Cyberpunk 2077 at better than 45 fps, with graphics basically medium/high, I don’t see how the Deck is ‘showing its age’ compared to other similarly priced handhelds.
Decky FrameGen is pretty neat. I think I managed to tweak mine up to an avg of almost 55 on the benchmark, and thats without mucking around in CET to squeeze out even more.
4: I absolutely understand buying a Switch 2 is your best option if you want a very straightforward, doubleplus legal, and expensive way to play Switch 2 games.
Like, if you’re super dedicated to current era Nintendo games, sure, fine, yep, get a Switch 2.
But if you just like games in general…
5: Pretty much yeah, I agree. Its possible to get it working with a Deck, but its gonna be a lot more hassle, and you’ll need peripherals, yep.