Submitted 8 months ago by atomicpoet@lemmy.world to games@lemmy.world
That’s right, for hardware that’s now eight years old and never got a price discount. It currently sells for C$400 – but they’re about to jack the price.
There are Android tablets that are much cheaper than the Switch, are more powerful, more battery efficient. Also, play games better.
Yet, Nintendo is jacking the price.
Video game companies are going all-in on seeing just how greedy they can be and get away with it. I’m curious to see just how much consumers will put up with.
Retroid Pocket 5
Of course they are. They don’t want anyone buying anything but switch 2.
There are Android tablets that are much cheaper than the Switch, more powerful, more battery efficient. Also, play games better.
You’re not really suggesting that playing mediocre android games on a touchscreen tablet is the same market as a handheld gaming device with controllers
No, I’m suggesting that it’s 2025—not 2008 anymore.
Android gaming is now very good, with many excellent titles available at an affordable price.
What’s more, you can play them very easily with an actual controller.
Google will change the APIs every 2 years and break all your old games so I’m kinda over it at this point.
Android has a couple high-profile indie games like Stardew Valley and some rare ports of older games, that’s it. I wouldn’t call it very good. and unless you’re willing to shell out $150+ for a great telescopic controller there’s no way playing on the tablet would be comfortable.
Because fuck you.
Just buy a steam deck and actually own your hardware and software.
Compared against a Switch 1, yes, it is a crazy deal, but I’d personally wait for a more powerful handheld, or a successor at least in 2025 (almost 2026) that truly competes against more recent PC handhelds, including the Switch 2.
Except you down own your software on steam
You can run non-Steam games on the Steam Deck as well.
You own more of the software that runs the steam deck than any Nintendo console. You also have the option to buy games from other digital platforms.
Buy games on GOG and run them on the steam deck.
I’ve been playing some games in a retroid pocket 5.
Mind you, it doesn’t run all games, nor all well.
If this could interest you, you may want to check www.ryanretro.com/rp5-flip2-secretconsole/
The rip the emulators from your hands then increase the price on the console. That’s anti consumer af
Fuck Canada in particular, as usual. It’s starting to feel a bit personal.
Probably to offset any tariff costs in the USA.
Uh…wow. The balls.
It may be that value prop of 1 with OLED is higher than 2.
Was considering a new switch, but may hold off now.
Which tablets do you have in mind? I could not find any suitable for anything but phone games via touch screen and unimpressive battery, but I don’t really know this market
You’d probably be better served by a retro handheld. A lot of them run android so you can play android games, but the built in controllers make emulating actually enjoyable.
Major issue is that the ones cheaper than a switch struggle with 3D games.
If you have the money, steamdeck is definitely one of the best bang for buck, but it’ll probably be more expensive than a switch (unless you can find a deal on a used/refurbished one).
Thanks! I am starting to think a steamdeck is going to be my solution. SteamOS on my tiny nongaming Linux laptop works perfectly for 2D or light 3D games, so I expext it to be fine.
You can get a Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (with a pen) for C$330. It has better GPU performance than a Switch.
You can play games like Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Sky: Children of the Light pretty damn well.
Thanks. Does it work well with controllers, or do people mostly play with the on-screen joysticks?
If you want a similar gaming handheld, Steam Deck.
How’s the deck for mouse-heavy strategy games like Stellaris, Civ, etc?
Coyote_sly@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Buy used. Because fuck them.
BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Or better yet, consider a SteamDeck instead of Nintendo in any way, shape, or form.
IndustryStandard@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Emulators are great these days. Far better experience than using their underpowered console.
avg@lemmy.zip 8 months ago
I bet, played through tears of the kingdom on the switch and it was rough.