The Switch 2 Is Almost Here — But Pc Handhelds Are Giving It Big Competition

The first Nintendo Switch fundamentally had nan roadworthy to itself, and Nintendo instantly proved conscionable really awesome a hybrid console and handheld could be, starring to monolithic success. The adjacent Switch is imminent, but it will motorboat into a world that’s packed pinch very tin handheld gaming PCs that could coming an absorbing business to Nintendo, peculiarly pursuing news from CES 2025.

Valve’s Steam Deck kicked disconnected nan handheld gaming PC push successful ample information because its Linux-based SteamOS makes playing your games conscionable astir arsenic easy arsenic it is connected consoles. That’s why 1 of nan biggest CES announcements is that Valve is going to fto group instal SteamOS connected different handhelds arsenic soon arsenic April, perchance making nan afloat handheld PC gaming marketplace a batch overmuch appealing.

The first charismatic non-Valve instrumentality pinch SteamOS is group to beryllium Lenovo’s $499 Legion Go S, which launches successful May. But it’s not difficult to ideate a near-term early wherever galore different hardware makers denote their ain SteamOS handhelds, meaning nan magic of SteamOS mightiness beryllium disposable successful each kinds of absorbing devices very soon. (And, hopefully, nan accrued title intends Valve will make nan eventual adjacent Steam Deck really good.)

CES 2025 featured a bunch of different handheld gaming hardware, too, for illustration nan chonk that is Acer’s Nitro Blaze 11. It has a gigantic 10.95-inch screen, detachable controllers, and a kickstand. It’s huge! Intel and Tencent too made a handheld pinch an 11-inch screen, and theirs has stereo 3D. My workfellow Sean Hollister yet sewage to spot nan MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. Razer made a docking position that useful pinch handheld gaming PCs. And successful a CES panel, Microsoft promised news astir changes to nan handheld Windows acquisition for later this year, which could amended things for group who already ain Windows-based hardware.

That’s a batch of cool stuff! But Nintendo is nan 800-pound gorilla successful nan room, and arsenic absorbing arsenic each of nan PC gaming hardware is, nan Switch’s imminent successor will almost surely beryllium a very compelling upgrade. The original Switch was released astir 8 years ago, truthful nan successor will apt beryllium overmuch overmuch powerful and will astir apt personification splashy caller games successful marquee franchises for illustration Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. (I’d liking already-announced Switch games for illustration Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will get immoderate benignant of boost connected nan adjacent Switch, too.)

Right retired of nan gate, Nintendo’s caller console will too personification an tremendous library. The institution already announced its adjacent console will beryllium compatible pinch original Switch games — a catalog that includes galore of nan indie hits that are too immoderate of nan champion games connected handheld PCs.

Back successful 2017, erstwhile nan original Switch launched, location wasn’t point for illustration it. The Switch’s successor will compete successful a overmuch overmuch crowded conception and 1 that’s getting moreover overmuch crowded aft CES 2025. Hopefully, nan title intends everyone makes amended hardware and amended games. It’s a awesome clip for handhelds.