The anticipation for the Nintendo Switch 2 is palpable, yet its hefty $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games have dampened my enthusiasm. My current gaming setup, the Asus ROG Ally, has already eclipsed my use of the original Nintendo Switch, and the issues I faced with the first console seem even more pronounced with its successor, especially in the era of handheld gaming PCs.

Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need

As a lifelong handheld gamer, I've journeyed through the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable eras. There's something uniquely comforting about playing games from the snug warmth of my bed. Even as a staunch supporter of the PlayStation Vita, I used it daily during my college commutes.

The Nintendo Switch was a revelation when it launched in 2017. I bought it near launch, yet found myself using it mainly for exclusives. For games that felt right for handheld play, the Switch was my go-to. These games were mentally categorized as "Reserved for handheld," and it was as if my brain wouldn't let me play them on any other platform.

However, if those games were available for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I felt reluctant to repurchase them for the Switch. The scarcity of discounts on Switch games, and their lesser depth compared to other platforms, trapped me in a frustrating loop: "Why spend more on a game I already own?" clashed with "I want to play this on a handheld," leading me to not play the game at all.

The Asus ROG Ally, launched in 2023, shattered this dilemma. Running on Windows 11, it offers access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more, allowing me to enjoy games comfortably from my bed that I'd previously avoided on a PC due to discomfort.

With the Ally, I've delved into a rich selection of indie games and am steadily working through my backlog. Games like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, and Resident Evil Remake, which I might never have played without the Ally, have become some of my all-time favorites, and I didn't need to spend extra money on them. The Ally has not only become my preferred handheld but has also saved me a significant amount of money.

Despite this, the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 stirred excitement in me, given my affection for Nintendo's exclusive titles. However, after the Switch 2 Direct, my enthusiasm has waned, leaving me unsure of the console's place in my gaming life.

The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore

Priced at $449 to start, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a crowded market. It's priced close to the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and even the PS5's $399 digital edition launched at a lower price. Over the past eight years since the original Switch's release, its innovative design has spurred a wave of competitors. The Steam Deck kickstarted this trend in 2022, followed by devices like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors even suggest that Xbox might be developing its own handheld. The Switch 2 no longer stands alone, making it a less compelling investment if you already own another handheld, as I do.

Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware capable of running indie and third-party games with ease. They offer access to a vast library of games you already own, making them versatile gaming platforms. The technology, like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, is continuously improving, promising to outpace the Switch 2 in the near future.

For owners of handheld gaming PCs, the Switch 2's steep price and limited utility for Nintendo exclusives pose a challenge. If a device like the Asus ROG Ally can handle everything from third-party to indie titles, the Switch 2's appeal narrows to first-party games only.

The high cost of Switch 2 exclusives, such as Mario Kart World at $79.99 and Donkey Kong Bananza at $69.99, further complicates the decision. Given that Nintendo's first-party games rarely see significant discounts, the prospect of investing in them is less appealing.

Despite this, Nintendo's exclusives hold undeniable value. The company has a storied history of producing some of the best games ever made, and for many, the upcoming Switch 2 titles will justify the console's price. However, for those of us with handheld gaming PCs, a bit more is needed to make the Switch 2 a compelling purchase.

The Nintendo Switch 2 may not be the best investment for everyone, particularly for those who already own a handheld gaming PC. Devices like the Legion Go offer superior performance and a vast library of indie and third-party games. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills everything I once needed from a Switch, and with access to numerous storefronts, it's simply a better platform for gaming.