How PlayStation Portal and Steam Deck changed my thoughts about Switch 2

Nintendo’s next portable console will be here soon, and Maybe even revealed this week. But playing with other handheld consoles helps me rethink what Nintendo’s next system should look like.

Nintendo could make an announcement any day now Switch 2Nintendo’s next console after nearly 8 years of age Nintendo Switch. After such a long wait, expectations have risen. Now, early Reported leaks On the system and its internal hardware appears something that looks more like an updated first generation Switch than something really wild and new.

Disappointed? Not me, not really. Lately, I’ve been playing a lot on two other mobile devices: Sony PlayStation Portal and OLED deck steam valve. Both have been in my house for over a year, but I’ve recently gravitated to them for different reasons. The portal became a place where I could play remotely Astro Bot From the PS5, which is shockingly good for that. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck turned royal UFO 50 A gaming console, it’s my only way to play one of my favorite indie games of all time.

I also tried to push Portal and Steam Deck into new areas. I’ve streamed some cloud gaming on the portal via Sony PS Plus beta support. I purchased a dock to connect the Steam Deck to my TV, and pair the controllers so I can play UFO 50 player games with my kid.

As these two large portable consoles became my winter favorites, they also filled me with ideas about what they do better than the current Switch… and made me appreciate the things the Switch still does better. Nintendo needs to change a few things for the next Switch, but I’m more confident that Nintendo should stick to its formula as well.

I long for better controls

Steam Deck and PlayStation Portal, in their different ways, outperform the Switch in the console department. I was spoiled by the luxurious feel of both laptops. The Steam Deck is studded with control options: wide analog triggers, extra large trackpads, and extra paddle buttons on the back side.

Although I don’t use most of them, they don’t get in my way and the suite offers many ways to customize. It’s well put together. I can use the d-pad and buttons, switch to the analog sticks or use trackpads – or mix and match. Tactiles are subtle, but for solid-state trackpads in particular, they add realistic feedback and a “clicky” feel that impresses me.

The Portal is amazing in its own way because it somehow replicates most of the magic of the PS5 DualSense controller. The buttons are smaller than the DualSense, and the Portal doesn’t have a clickable trackpad (instead, you have to awkwardly double-tap the touchscreen), but the vibrating haptic motors are strong and the rear triggers have the same uniquely powerful feedback that the PS5 controllers do.

Astro Bot really showcases these features as the game makes the most of the PS5 controller in endless immersive ways. I was skeptical that Astro Bot would translate well to a mobile streaming device like the Portal, but it works. Sometimes, sure, there are hiccups in streaming. When it’s going well, I forget I’m using a streaming device. The rooftops shake beneath me, and I feel the weapons pulsing beneath my fingers. It sucked.

Nintendo was ahead of the game when the Switch first launched: its little controllers were studded with buttons, had motion controls and their haptic vibrations were much better than anything else in 2017. Those controllers now look old, they’re wearing out and drifting Easily and they don’t have analog triggers. I much prefer the Steam Deck and Portal controllers now.

Bigger screens please

I love small portable devices, but Steam Deck and especially PlayStation Portal made me realize that big screens are really great for playing large games.

The Switch optimizes most of its games to maximize its hardware, so everything usually looks fine on the Switch’s current 6- or 7-inch 720p display. The Steam Deck’s larger screen size is appreciated for cross-platform gaming and is often designed for PC monitors or TVs. However, PlayStation Portal does it better. The 8-inch 1080p display ends up working perfectly for most PS5 games. Madden? No problem. Astro Bot? Joy. I can navigate the PS5’s menus and not feel like I’m staring.

The Switch 2 is expected to have an 8-inch, 1080p display, which sounds perfect to me… especially if the Switch 2 is expected to play more current-gen console and PC games like Al-Din ring or Baldur’s Gate 3.

But do you know what? The Switch model still has unbeatable charm

There’s one last thing I realized: eight years later, the Switch’s magical powers remain undefeated.

We take these things for granted: The Switch comes with a TV game dock and runs smoothly. The controllers slide in and you’re able to play two-player, single-player or dual-player, take your pick. Kids can figure it out.

Having two controllers in one system was a great idea, and still makes playing with my kid easy and fun. I haven’t seen any other handheld handle adding and removing controllers as easily as Nintendo does. My recent experiment connecting a Steam Deck to my TV showed how unstable this process can be. The dock wasn’t included and needed software and firmware updates, and I had difficulty pairing the controllers (the Xbox didn’t work, but the 8bitdo controller and Switch Pro paired seamlessly). Even then, I had to restart the Steam Deck to get it to work. You can also replace Switch controllers when they break, which is huge for longevity. The Steam Deck and PlayStation Portal brings you to life with its associated controls.

Nintendo should update its Joy-Con controllers with better haptics, buttons, and a more “professional” feel, but the way they split, pair, and work is still better than anything else.

For me, just updating the internals of the Switch and keeping the model the same is a good thing. I know we all crave Nintendo surprises (I do more than anyone). I’m still pretty confident that the Switch 2 will have curveballs, like the rumored optical sensor in the Joy-Con, and who knows what else. Nintendo doesn’t have to dream up a new model of hardware this time. There’s a reason everyone keeps trying to copy it: Nintendo knocked it out of the park with the Switch. The Switch 2 deserves to follow in its footsteps, with a host of late performance upgrades. If that’s what’s going on, then that sounds good to me.