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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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[–] [email protected] 60 points 6 days ago (3 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 25 points 6 days ago

I won't even pirate their games

[–] [email protected] 21 points 6 days ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Meh, personally I haven't enjoyed a Nintendo game since the GameCube. Every new game they release feels like a rehash of the same shit they've been shoveling down our throats since the Wii. Nintendo forgot how to innovate.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago (7 children)

BotW and TotK were both really good. Don't mistake this as me saying "Nintendo is good actually", more like a broken clock is right twice a day sort of statement.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Personally I thought botw was pretty mid overall. The world is so empty and there's no reason to really ever fight anything for the most part. The weapons breaking so easily just cements that. Haven't played the second tho.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago (5 children)

There's not a reason to fight most enemies in most video games to be honest. TotK mostly fixed the weapon breaking mechanic in my eyes. They're much more durable now and last longer when fused (there is generally no reason to not do fusion). The only thing that's more fun in BotW than TotK is riding a horse through Hyrule field while dodging tons of guardian lasers.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

It's always morally acceptable to pirate Nintendo games.

[–] [email protected] 135 points 6 days ago (5 children)

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

For now.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 6 days ago (3 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 43 points 6 days ago (4 children)

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

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 6 days ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] 84 points 6 days ago (2 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 21 points 6 days ago

True no one needs to fight for either company.

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[–] [email protected] 30 points 6 days ago

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

[–] [email protected] 36 points 6 days ago (6 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 days ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago (4 children)

it plays like a console and repairs like a pc.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Its unfair to call it a "console war" when one is a classic locked down console and another is a general handheld computer. This also means there are bigger societal stakes in this argument than just "which corporate flavor you like more" because one empowers people and the other does the exact opposite.

So no, "console wars" here are very much cool.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago (6 children)

Competition is good. If the Switch didn't exist then I don't think we would've gotten the Steam Deck.

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 5 days ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago

In a sense, this is also the point. They are different devices targeting different markets.

[–] [email protected] 47 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I ain’t paying $120 CAD per game.

You are correct. If you want Tears of the Kingdom, it is $130 ($115 plus tax). I am stunned that this is the launch price of Switch 2 games. How high will they go in the future?

The Switch 2 makes even the new ROG Ally X seem like a good deal (assuming it is around $1000 CAD), since you can just play any of your Xbox Play Anywhere games that you have acquired on sale, or have access to via Game Pass. You don't even need a subscription to access online play, and it has free cloud saves.

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Actually you will be able to play switch two games on PC. It's only a matter of time so no your only option isn't just switch two. It's patience 😜

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 6 days ago (5 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 19 points 6 days ago (4 children)

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. 🏴‍☠️

[–] [email protected] 12 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days 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.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (5 children)

I've generally seen purchasing a Steam Deck as an informed decision. But most people are 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.
[–] [email protected] 21 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (3 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 6 days ago (1 children)

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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[–] [email protected] 11 points 6 days ago (7 children)

But most people are 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’.

This reads like someone who never played any of the switch titles. It's not simply nostalgia. The switch titles were objectively good despite lackluster hardware. The switch lasted for almost a decade and is still playable today. People are buying switch 2 to be able to play the Nintendo exclusives.

It's true that the hardware is largely lackluster, but especially in the case of the first party titles, and in general overall, the lackluster hardware just doesn't prevent the games from looking and running great. Nintendo invests in developers capable of running large, complex games on somewhat modest hardware.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 6 days ago (2 children)

No shame to anyone who bought a switch 2. My partner got one during pre-sales and is incredibly happy to have gotten one, and I feel so happy for him that he gets to have some joy in his life with it. I wish you the same joy.

But I just can't get into it. I didn't grow up with nintendo so the properties really don't mean much to me. And now, I just don't think I can swallow paying hundreds of dollars to start, then another hundred dollars to get games that seemingly play the same way as they did in the last release, plus a yearly subscription for online play. You may not see what you purchased the same way, and I'm glad that it's meaningful to you even if I can't find the same meaning in it -- it's good that there exists something for everyone's niche.

I don't see why this needs to be a competition. Are there really people out there who were about to get a steam deck but decided not to in favour of a switch 2? I feel like switch owners are well aware that it's a Nintendo machine and theyre not gonna be playing a lot of their favourite out-of-franchise games on it. That's what they expect and thats what they'll likely get.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 6 days ago (26 children)

There are millions upon millions of Mario, Link, and Pokemon fans.

There are not millions and millions of... what's the killer Steam Deck game again? Oh, right, there isn't one.

If Valve came out with Half Life 3, made it Steam exclusive and a pack in with the Deck, then it would start putting up Nintendo numbers.

[–] [email protected] 86 points 6 days ago (35 children)

You're right, the best part of PC gaming is that it's always inclusive, never exclusive. Thanks for the reminder

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 6 days ago (1 children)

that anyone would even have the thought of "killer steam deck game" amazes me. It's just a pc. You can run literally every game in existence that doesn't require a top of the line nvidia card as a minimum, have rootkit anti cheat, or is still exclusive to yet un-emulated console.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 6 days ago (13 children)

Exclusives are a bad thing. The fact that you're asking to be fed the same regurgitated ip slop gives them the idea that maybe, $80 games are underpriced. Maybe they can bump that up to a base $90, $100 for physical. Nintendo keeps exclusives out of greed, worse than even Sony. There shouldn't be exclusives. Ridiculous.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 6 days ago (1 children)

There is no value in defending a billion dollar company from another billion dollar company. Just accept Nintendo is more popular and live your life ❤️

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

What company do you think I'm defending?

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago

I loved my steam deck, but it was too chunky for me and certainly for my kid.

My compromise is Anbernic type devices. Long battery life, better form factor, lots of ported games too.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Lol what comical copium.

They are both handheld gaming devices. To claim otherwise is nothing more than an ideological feature that only matters to 2% of thr market.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Not really copium. OP makes a great point. It's like comparing Xbox sales to the sales of a specific pre-built PC. The pre-built PC could never compete, but all PC sales over a given period likely outnumber Xbox sales significantly.

I don't own either, and probably never will, but IMO, you are the one who is coping.

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 6 days ago (4 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

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

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Playing with a amiga as a kid when I was at friends and got to play Nintendo I always felt like an outsider.. But I didn't realise how lucky I am that it was like that. I was exposed to so many more games, and got to tinker. Got to see many crack intros that was mesmerising to me as a kid. Soon enough I got into coding because of it.. And guess if that was useful later. I'm never going to think buying a walled garden device is ok, sends the wrong message to your kids and hampers their development. Don't take the easy way out.

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