Steam deck
I never expected to write an article by directly comparing the vapor deck with Switch 2. After all, they exist in completely different universes and ecosystems. One is a PC -based Handdheld with access to tens of thousands of games that include more than 20 years, and the other is a keyboard you buy mainly to experience wonder and the wonders of the excellent nintendo sides. Or not?
Honestly, it has always been logical to recommend buying both. The PC + Nintendo combination tends to cover the basics for enthusiasts who want deep access to most games there. Want to enjoy Nintendo’s exclusive? Get a switch. Want an affordable hand to play the wide PC game library in Steam? Catch himself a steam deck.
But a perfect storm has been the union since mid -2024, threatening to make the steam deck increasingly irrelevant in a growing sea of powerful competitors. And it seems sad ironic that a legendary game exclusivity with a historic PC legacy may be the last, oppressive wave on the steam deck.
Let me explain.
Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: A fairy tale?
That perfect storm I mentioned? List is the growing list of games that are simply very much required to run properly – if at all – on the steam deck. This list is listed by Indiana Jones and the big circle. Indy’s scary adventure last year from machinery games and Bethesda was the first match in the story for REQUEST A GPU with integrated beam traces. There is no menu option to disable it.
While it is true that Steam Deck’s processor has fundamental support for rays tracking, actually supporting it in games tends to bring the system to the knees. So when it is mandatory, as it is with the search for Indiana Jones and the big circle, it is an unbearable mess. As such, Valve lists it as unsupported on the steam deck.
But now the second match in history to ask that Ray Tracy has entered the picture, and that is the punishment: the dark ages. Combined with the requirement of the game for a Nvidia RTX 2060 Super minimumThis possible magic, well, punishment, for the chances of the steam deck to execute it.
More games that require integrated rays tracking will certainly follow in 2025.
Also, if you are keeping track, this is another Bethesda game. And Bethesda is now owned by Microsoft, who just promised her enthusiastic support for the Nintendo’s Switch.
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer recently said Xbox is “really waiting to support them with the games we have.” This statement follows numerous claims from industry interiors that most, if not all, Xbox games will be shipped to interrupt 2. And of course it matches Microsoft’s new strategy “everything is an Xbox”.
Beyond the new penalty and new Indy games, graphically intense titles such as the Space Marine 2 and Final Fantasy VII Rilindja are barely movable in the scary Handdheld of Valve. If a steam deck is the only applicable device you have for PC games, you can cheat, but it will be a bad game full of slowdowns and unclear textures.
So wait a minute. A legendary element of PC like punishment by bypassing the steam deck, but likely to work well in Switch 2? A relatively affordable Nintendo keyboard will be the smartest destination for Xbox and PC ports in one hand? That sounds funny.
It feels like we have entered an alternative timeframe. But there is abundant evidence to support this.
Switch 2 will have strong support for rays tracking
It is a widely kept belief that Switch 2 is powered by an ampere Nvidia Ampere derived from series 30 of the company’s RTX graphics cards, which involves supporting 2nd generation rays tracking by the company that pioneered it. You better believe that Nvidia wants one of its flag features to shine brilliantly on a device with the potential to sell more than 100 million units.
Also consider that the original circuit breaker is powered by Tegra X1, which is ancient ancient at this point, however somehow Doom 2016 exists on Nintendo’s 8-year keyboard. Now consider that the T239 processor often backed by Switch 2 has 500% more Nvidia Cuda nuclei than Tegra X1. Five. Percentage
All of this adds a sobering situation for the vapor vapor deck, and in fact for equipment like Legion Go and Rog Ally too. It seems increasingly possible that we are directed towards a reality where Switch 2 will be at home not only the usual dose of regular Nintendo exclusives, but also the house of major 3rd parties’ omissions that competition Nintendo’s wrist cannot start either.
As I said, it feels like we have danced the time limits. But Switch 2 seems ready to give the current list of power gloves from PC, a very strong awakening call. Maybe the valve should accelerate its plans for a 2 steam deck?