Will Steam Deck Replace the OLED Nintendo Switch?
Written by Amos Gikunda - Tuesday, Aug 24, 2021 at 11:59am
Nintendo consoles have been undisputed for decades. But things may overturn with the latest announcement of a new-gen handheld console by Valve that will be released in December 2021. Steam Deck will feature powerful hardware that will allow users to play all the games available on Steam Library. This console has been dubbed ‘the portable PC’ because of its impressive handheld specs similar to the PC. The OLED Nintendo is the latest release but it contains a few upgrades to the underlying hardware of the previous versions. This has sparked a debate on whether the Steam Deck will replace the OLED Nintendo Switch?
1. Technical Specs
Nintendo OLED and the Steam Deck might look similar but they are very different when it comes to technical specs. Steam Deck is the most powerful in terms of resolution and storage while Nintendo has a slightly powerful battery. Some gamers will choose a powerful battery before looking at any other specs because it will keep them entertained for long. Others will definitely choose high performance.
Steam Deck features AMD APU, Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz processor while Nintendo comes with an AMD APU ARM quad-core, 1.02 GHz. Another major difference in terms of specs is the RAM. The steam deck features a 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM while the Nintendo is fitted with an 8GB LPDDR4 RAM.
2. Different target audiences
Both consoles have their own target audience. So it will be difficult for the loyal Nintendo fans to abandon their niche. Steam has done everything possible to win the PC players. They prioritize performance and graphics over anything else. Conversely, Nintendo switches mostly target the younger generation as it bets big on Nostalgia.
3. Nintendo is always protective of its IP
Nintendo has managed to be the dominant portable console for decades by protecting its intellectual property. It has made it hard for other consoles to tap into its ecosystem. This creates a high amount of return customers because the experience is nearly impossible to replicate elsewhere.
4. Subscriptions and games
You don't need a subscription to play steam games. All you need is to purchase it once and you can access it from your library at any time. On the other hand, Nintendo requires a subscription for you to play any game online. Once you buy a game on the Eshop you can play it locally anytime. Although you can play the entire steam library with the steam deck, it will be impossible to replace the big switch titles. For example Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the legend of Zelda, and many others.
5. Pricing
The first thing that people consider before making a purchase is the price. Steam Deck will come in three versions but they will all cost more than the OLED Nintendo and all the previous switch versions. The Nintendo price is inclusive of a TV dock while the steam deck gamers will have to dig deeper in their pockets to enjoy this feature. Although the steam deck prices are progressive based on the features, the graphics quality and in-game frame rates still remain constant.
Conclusion
Both consoles can co-exist like the PS5 and Xbox series X. This is because they target different markets and excel in different fields. However, the steam deck Vs Oled Nintendo Switch debate is not going to end any time soon. Gaming enthusiasts all over the world will always support their favorite console for one reason or another.
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