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submitted 4 weeks ago by atomicpoet@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world

It’s silly to compare Switch 2 sales to Steam Deck sales.

The Switch 2 is a locked-down, vertically integrated platform. There are no ROG Switch 2s. No Lenovo Switch 2s. No Switch laptops or tower PCs with discrete GPUs. If you want to play Mario Kart World, your only option is to buy a Switch 2. Period.

Steam Deck, by contrast, isn’t a platform. It’s just one hardware option—one entry point into the sprawling, open ecosystem known as PC gaming.

Every year, around 245 million PCs are shipped globally. If even 20–25% of those are gaming-focused, that’s 49–61 million gaming PCs annually. Steam Deck is a sliver of that. So of course it won’t outsell a console that’s the only gateway to a major IP.

But that’s exactly the point.

PC gaming is too decentralized for any single device to dominate. The last “PC” that did was the Commodore 64, which sold 12.5–17 million units over 12 years because it was a self-contained platform, unlike modern Windows, Mac, or Linux machines.

That the Steam Deck has sold 4 million units despite competing with every other gaming PC in existence is remarkable. It didn’t just sell—it legitimized a category. Handheld PC gaming is now a thing. That’s why Lenovo, ASUS, and MSI have followed. Even Microsoft is getting in, optimizing Windows for handhelds—something they would never have done if the Steam Deck didn't hold their feet to the fire.

So no, Steam Deck didn’t outsell the Switch 2. It didn’t need to.

It won by changing the landscape.

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[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 48 points 4 weeks ago

If you want to play Mario Kart World, your only option is to buy a Switch 2. Period.

For now.

[-] tonytins@pawb.social 11 points 4 weeks ago

Yuup. Nintendo's biggest advantage has always been their intellectual property, and even that hasn't always saved them. glances at the Wii U

[-] Widdershins@lemmy.world 13 points 4 weeks ago

Fuck $80 mario you can get Garfield Kart for $5

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[-] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 3 points 4 weeks ago

Forget the wii u. The switch is really emulated on potatoes. I know, i have one and played Mario Wonder on it.

I'm looking forward to emulating the switch 2 games on my Deck.

[-] pycorax@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago

They're also much better for local party games. That's essentially what my Switch has become.

[-] mesamunefire@piefed.social 2 points 4 weeks ago

Yep give it a year or so. The emulator will be up and running.

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[-] DriftingLynx@piefed.ca 44 points 4 weeks ago

Has either company "lost" anything? They both seems to be raking in money quite healthily.

[-] mesamunefire@piefed.social 9 points 4 weeks ago

True no one needs to fight for either company.

[-] Agent_Karyo@lemmy.world 3 points 4 weeks ago

A very good point. :)

[-] cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 21 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

What I like about the deck is I bought it and I instantly already owned >1000 games for it where a good majority of those are playable out of the box.

So ya, I ain't paying $120 CAD per game. Fuck that.

Also my controllers basically all work for it so I don't need to buy these overpriced joycons again for a new system.

Already have webcams if I cared for a silly camera that streams at 2FPS.

It's unfortunate that theres been a lot more attention for optimization from some developers for the switch 2 though, not much we can do about that. Some games I own the deck is screaming and barely handling it and apparently the switch 2 runs it no problem.

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[-] saltesc@lemmy.world 16 points 4 weeks ago

What kind of idiots are comparing the two? They're different things with entirely different markets. There was never a battle to be had lol

[-] TheMinions@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 4 weeks ago

It’s funny you say this, because for 500 bucks I am actually debating between the two as my Christmas present to myself this year.

I think I’d prefer a Steam Deck for no particular reason. 🏴‍☠️

[-] Cassandra3MadScene@lemm.ee 5 points 4 weeks ago

Do what I’m doing. Get the Steam deck and about when that time comes around that you want to buy a switch 2 it’ll have more games out and most likely different colors to pick from ^_^

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[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 5 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

If you're comparing them, as in you don't have a strong preference for one vs the other, the Steam Deck wins hands down. You get access to a much larger library of games, repairability is awesome, and you can use it like a PC, because it is one.

The only reasonable reasons to get a Switch 2 are:

  • play first party titles - even when emulators come out, the performance probably won't be there on the Steam Deck
  • it's for someone who wants a very simple experience, and they're willing to pay more
  • the Steam Deck is too big for you - if you have smaller hands, it could be uncomfortable

But I don't think most people will really be deciding between the two, they target very different markets.

I'll probably end up getting the Switch 2, and I have a n OG Switch and a Steam Deck.

[-] nogooduser@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

They are competitors on a personal level as many people only have the time or money to fit one of them into their lives. But by that definition cycling or golfing is also a competitor and nobody would write an article about how bikes outsold the Steam Deck.

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[-] Scotty_Trees@lemmy.world 14 points 3 weeks ago

I'll emulate Nintendo games till the day I die because fuck Nintendo and their greed.

[-] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 5 points 3 weeks ago

I won't even pirate their games

[-] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 weeks ago

They make great games and they're a super anti-consumer company. Perfect combination for going out of your way to pirate their games.

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[-] Buske@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago

Steam Deck is the winner, They don't even advertise.

[-] D06M4@lemmy.zip 8 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I've generally seen purchasing a Steam Deck as an informed decision. Most people are not well informed, they're just very nostalgic (can't blame them, SNES to Wii Zeldas and Metroids were amazing) and have uncontrollable FOMO, which Nintendo keeps on milking even when their software and hardware is noticeably much worse than it's competitors'. If anyone also wants to know how Nintendo currently uses the money they earn, here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n025Gxn5GEM No wonder they're less worried about wasting money on legal battles. No trace of the good old Nintendo.

  • For Nintendo fans that may get triggered by this, don't. Just own it. Spending more on something worse doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.
[-] Garzak@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

This is such a wild take. « I buy the steam deck because I am informed and smart, they buy the switch 2 because they’re nostalgic impulsive morons ».

Has it ever occurred to you that not everybody is you, and people have different tastes ? Some gamers want to play the latest COD, others are Final Fantasy super fan, and others want to play Zelda and Mario. Most people even just play on a smartphone! (Disgusting, I know).

Your lack of basic awareness of what an individual is is astonishing. May I never meet and have to talk to someone like you again.

[-] D06M4@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 weeks ago

What's most common doesn't aply to everyone, just to most. But your reasoning didn't favor the point you were trying to make, and pushed the notion that I'm disgusted at anyone playing on a smartphone (I play on mine too, so no). So yeah, just as you said, even if some people buy a Switch with other reasons in mind, most will because they want to stick to where their Zeldas and Marios are. Some may even get triggered whenever someone posts info about how the Switch and Switch 2 won't get you the best bang for your buck and therefore might not be the most well informed purchases you can make for your gaming needs.

[-] mechoman444@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

I think you're missing the point.

The steam deck is still relatively niche and unknown compared to a switch.

The namesake and brand recognition for nintendo completely dwarfs that of the steam deck.

More people are going to buy a switch on impulse and brandname alone so buying a steam deck is almost always going to be an informed decision as in it won't be much of an impulse purchase.

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[-] oce@jlai.lu 7 points 4 weeks ago

The fact that the Nintendos are locked down, family friendly and with a reputation of good production quality (similar to Disney), are also important points for non-nerdy parents and casual gamers who don't want to navigate the ocean of PC gaming and its risks.

[-] Grass@sh.itjust.works 8 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

good production quality... *looks at workbench with 12 cubbies of drifting joycons queued for unofficial repair

[-] oce@jlai.lu 5 points 4 weeks ago

As you can see, I said "reputation". I hate how little they innovate while still selling at premium, but similar to Disney, it is enough for the casual mass.

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[-] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 7 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

In 1999, the SEGA Dreamcast was the fastest selling video game console when it launched. In 24 hours, it sold a little over 225k units (which was massive for the tiny gamer population of 1999). This earned it the Guinness World Record for Most Revenue Generated in the Entertainment Industry in 24 Hours.

Console sales at launch literally don't matter.

Also, I wonder how many of those were sold to scalpers that plan on returning them if they cannot sell them?

EDIT: For reference, the PlayStation 1 sold 300k consoles in Japan only when it launched, but not in 24 hours, that 300k is for the entire launch month of December 1994, per Sony's own official business data.

[-] Shardikprime@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

The funniest thing is that Nintendo buyers are not even part of this conversation LMAO 🤣

[-] taiyang@lemmy.world 6 points 4 weeks ago

I hadn't even thought about it until you brought it up. Kind of disappointed in people jumping on this like flies on shit but like... it's 2025, so bigger things to be upset about.

In any case, apples and oranges. And PSA, if you need a Switch 2, grab em on the rebound. There'll be used ones, likely hackable in 6 months and none of that goes to Nintendo. Don't forget what their legal department has done in the past few years.

[-] Stovetop@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

Console wars stopped being cool years ago. Everyone has their preferences and favorites, no need to shit on someone's fun because you think yours is better.

[-] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 4 points 3 weeks ago

Steamdeck also isn't a console anyway, it's a handheld PC.

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[-] joel_feila@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

There is a reason why i call all these handheld gaming pcs as decks or gaming decks.

[-] FreeBooteR69@lemmy.ca 2 points 4 weeks ago

I love my Steam Decks (LCD & OLED), and as far as handhelds, won't buy any more until SD2. I'd much rather see the Deckard released before SD2 to be honest, though my Index headset might be fine, the controllers are kind of fubar. I'll support Linux hardware over anything Microsoft, or closed platforms.

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this post was submitted on 11 Jun 2025
148 points (95.1% liked)

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