33
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by potate@lemmy.ca to c/games@lemmy.world

Looking for some advice. My Switch Lite is approaching the end of its life and given that a Switch 2 is basically the same price as an OLED Steamdeck I was thinking it might be a good time to jump back to PC gaming.

I'm not much of a gamer. I got the Switch Lite because of portability and the ability to wake it up, play for ten minutes and then toss it back in my bag. My only beefs with the Switch ecosystem is that you can't download DLC - for Cities Skylines I have the bare game on Switch but a pile of DLC on my laptop for example.

So - would going with a Steamdeck make sense? Any gotchas I should know about? Is there a better option?

Thanks all!

**edit: y'all rock. I'm ordering an OLED Steamdeck

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] rhvg@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago

Deck is much larger and heavier.

[-] nokturne213@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

This was a huge surprise for me going from the OG Switch to my OLED deck. Also the short battery life while in sleep.

Edit: add switch

[-] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

The OLED is the same size as the OG but lighter.

[-] nokturne213@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 weeks ago

I meant my OG switch. Updated my comment.

[-] bread@feddit.nl 4 points 2 weeks ago

Definitely, but as a counterpoint it's also much more sensible ergonomically. The Switch makes my hands hurt, the Steam Deck doesn't.

[-] SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Steamdeck is better than the Switch or Switch 2, from pretty much every objective measure.

You can even get a switch emulator in your steam deck.

[-] Nox@piefed.social 8 points 1 week ago

Just to preface, I have bias as a person who got a steam deck day 1 and love it with no plans of getting a switch 2 .

That being said it’s definitely on a per-person basis. The big differences are how comfortable you are with small “tinkering” because things work on the steam deck but small adjustments aren’t uncommon and how okay you are with not having Nintendo games like Mario Kart.

If you’re cool with both of those then I’d say Steam Deck! Otherwise waiting for the switch 2 is probably the move!

[-] Denjin@lemmings.world 2 points 1 week ago

You can just emulate Nintendo games...

[-] inlandempire@jlai.lu 6 points 2 weeks ago

Biased because I'm pro steam deck, but yes, Steam Deck will offer you the full steam library of games, on top of games from other platforms / consoles through emulation

This was the main selling point for me

[-] nokturne213@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 weeks ago

Steam Deck will offer you the full steam library of games

*some exclusions apply.

Of my nearly 300 games in my library, 36 are fully steam deck certified. While another ~70 have some layer of compatibility. Leaving almost 1/3rd of my library not usable on the Steam Deck.

[-] ampersandrew@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago

1/3 sounds high. Just because it isn't verified doesn't mean it won't work, and most of the non-anti-cheat-related compatibility problems are solved by installing Proton GE.

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, I have had a really good experience with Unknown and even Unsupported. Proton just works really well.

[-] inlandempire@jlai.lu 5 points 2 weeks ago

I usually check protondb for more detailed data on games compatibility https://www.protondb.com/

[-] Jtskywalker@lemm.ee 2 points 1 week ago

Some games that say not supported actually work fine. I was disappointed to not be able to play some older games like Jedi Academy, but I installed it, set a community made controller mapping, and it works with zero issues.

Sure there are some games that don't work, but a lot more do than just the ones that are steam deck certified / playable.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] menixator@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 2 weeks ago

If you don't care about Nintendo games. Go for the deck 100%

[-] Sorse@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 week ago
[-] menixator@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago

Shshshshshsh. We don't say that part out loud 👀

Don't give Nintendo any more money

Steam Deck

[-] Jtskywalker@lemm.ee 4 points 1 week ago

I love the steam deck. I haven't used my switch for anything other than family Mario kart since I got it. I really like having access to PC games, especially at steam sale prices, which makes the deck a lot cheaper in the long run vs Nintendo games that never go on sale. Even Pokémon games that are years old are still full price when they're 2 or 3 releases behind in the series.

The only thing I prefer about the switch is physical cartridges. The deck wins in every other category for me.

[-] BigPotato@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

As someone with a primarily physical Switch library and more than 100 Switch games, the Switch cartridges aren't even satisfying to put in and harder to store or display than consoles of old.

Even the 3DS just feels easier and more substantial. So, despite the Deck's lack of a cartridge slot, I don't even think the Deck really loses.

[-] Jtskywalker@lemm.ee 3 points 1 week ago

That's a good point. Also with it being a PC, you can keep a library of DRM free games on an sd card or something and kind of get the same thing. Limited on what games you can do this with officially though. DRM is the worst

[-] NeryK@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I'm going to go against the general consensus here and say you would probably be better served buying a Switch 2. The Steam Deck is awesome but it is bulkier, has less battery life, and is overall less suited for a "pick up, play 10mins and toss is back" usage.

However if you are up for some occasional tinkering, the SD is far more versatile than the Switch and could even replace your laptop depending on your use-cases.

[-] Jtskywalker@lemm.ee 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Battery life definitely depends on what you are playing. In BG3 I get around 2 ish hours. But I can play older games like Morrowind, or newer retro style games like Skald against the black priory (10/10, do recommend) for 6-8 hours, maybe more.

You also have a lot of control to improve battery life like clock speed, frame rate limiting, etc.

But yeah it has a huge screen and if you play newer games with good 3d graphics it drains fast. Switch doesn't really have those kinds of games so it's not a 1:1 comparison.

EDIT: I also agree with your points on it being very bulky and not well suited to a 10 minute session. Launching games is slower on the deck and most PC games have more loading screens before gameplay.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] psoul@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

The deck is actually a little more expensive overall: You cannot detatch the controllers. Need to buy a 3rd party if you don’t want to always play handheld (most 3rd party will work though) Doesn’t come with a deck (any usb-c to HDMI dongle should work)

Besides that, if you have a big steam library already , it’s pretty amazing. Cities Skyline isn’t very steam deck friendly though.

[-] ReverendCrush@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 week ago

I'm a collector of physical games, but with the last couple of models of PS5 lacking a disc drive and Nintendo's Screwball "Game Key Card" situation with Switch 2, the writing is on the wall when it comes to physical games media. I just recently got a Steam Deck LCD model (I don't need OLED) and couldn't be happier. I don't see myself getting a Switch 2 unless maybe it's years down the road, pre-owned and with at least three decent exclusives (one would have to be a "Zelda BOTW 3".) But no, Nintendo pissed away all their goodwill they built up as the common folk's console with the OG Switch

[-] olicvb@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 weeks ago

If you already have a gaming pc you could get a phone controller grip and use the steam link app.

I'm using a bracket for my xbox controller that way I keep the same comfort. Most phones have oled screens and a high ppi so it can look pretty nice.

It opens steam in big picture mode all ready, and since it's on a pc you can run the games at max quality.

[-] Goretantath@lemm.ee 3 points 1 week ago

Latency is the big issue for me so i'd rather play the game directly on the device the screens hooked to.

[-] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Nintendo is a terrible, anti-consumer company. Unless you simply can’t control yourself when it comes to their first party franchises, the Steam Deck is far and away the better choice.

[-] Goretantath@lemm.ee 1 points 1 week ago

ALL the gaming console companies are, INCLUDING steam once gaben dies. Even currently you dont actually own your games on steam like you would a physical copy, you have to download a crack to play your steam games without steam.

[-] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

You are right. Unless the world starts to enshrine digital ownership laws very, very soon, things will get bad. They already are bad, but they could be, and will be, far worse in the not-to-distant future.

[-] Jtskywalker@lemm.ee 1 points 1 week ago

True, but Steam deck lets you boot into the Linux desktop environment of the os and you can do whatever you want with it. I have installed games and emulators outside of steam on mine pretty easily.

You could probably even put a different Linux OS on it entirely if you wanted to.

That control over the platform was the biggest selling point for me. More control even than the windows based handhelds.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] skozzii@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago

Nintendo is going to lose alot of gamers this generation, they have gotten too greedy.

[-] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

One can hope. Subscription just to backup saves is what fucked me up.

[-] snekerpimp@lemmy.snekerpimp.space 1 points 2 weeks ago

End of life as in? Battery not keeping a charge? Joystick drifting? USB-C connector messed up? Most of those problems can be fixed, ifixit has the parts and great walk throughs. Just fix it and keep playing what you like how you like.

[-] technomad@slrpnk.net 1 points 2 weeks ago

Personally, I didn't like physically holding the steam deck. In my opinion, it's much too heavy/bulky and even with a high quality comfort grip It just wasn't working for me. Ultimately, I ended up going with an Ayn Odin 2 instead and I've been enjoying my portable/lounging game time much more now. I do miss the ability to play my steam library though. Even though I can still do this with streaming, I just don't like streaming games as much. Other than the weight/size/ergonomics, which most people seem to be just fine with, the only other thing I'd mention is that steam's UI is buggy as hell when you're browsing around the store. I ended up doing most of my browsing on desktop as a result.

All that being said, you can't deny the draw of it. Even though it wasn't for me personally, I still like the system and I'd still recommend it to pretty much anybody. There's a reason Steam Deck is the champ.

Also, look up retro game corp if you aren't familiar. He just released a video today called 'dude, just get a steam deck'

load more comments (4 replies)
[-] CatDogL0ver@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

SD is a bit underpowered. Write down a list of games you want to play first and then check if there are SD compatible.

[-] simple@lemm.ee 1 points 2 weeks ago

Steam Deck is great but keep in mind it's way bigger and heavier than the Switch Lite. If you move around a lot, it's not something you can just toss into a backpack.

[-] sunshine@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago

I feel like the fragility is more of a concern than the weight. either console is sooo entertaining and nice to have on, like, a trainride or whatever that it more than pays for its weight burden in your pack; The risk of it getting its screen broken and needing to be fully replaced is a lot more daunting to me than the need to carry an additional 5 lb around. My steam deck came with a carrying case that I always really appreciate for just that reason.

load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 25 May 2025
33 points (94.6% liked)

Games

39352 readers
548 users here now

Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.

Rules

1. Submissions have to be related to games

Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.

This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.

2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil

No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.

We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.

3. No excessive self-promotion

Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.

This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.

4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts

This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.

We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.

5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW

Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.

No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.

6. No linking to piracy

Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.

We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.

Authorized Regular Threads

Related communities

PM a mod to add your own

Video games

Generic

Help and suggestions

By platform

By type

By games

Language specific

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS