Compare the Steam Deck, desktop PCs, and gaming consoles. Each offers unique strengths for different gaming experiences.
Compare the Steam Deck, desktop PCs, and gaming consoles. Each offers unique strengths for different gaming experiences.
Hello everyone, I'm thinking about getting a Steam Deck to enjoy gaming together at home. Instead of sitting in the corner with my PC, I'd like to play on the couch with my wife. My favorite games are strategy titles and RPGs, plus some action games. I'm currently playing Crusader Kings 3, Victoria, and Civilization, and I've spent a lot of time in Cyberpunk. I tried a friend's Nintendo Switch, but it didn't feel like the right fit for long-term use. Would a Steam Deck suit my needs, considering I have kids? Or should I stick with a quiet gaming PC? Also, with two young children, the Switch might still be worth looking into.
Thanks for the clarification. It seems there are conflicting ideas about using remote play. I can connect my PC to the TV, but I also know I could already do it with an HDMI cable and wireless keyboard/mouse.
The aim is to connect with your spouse and children, or simply to share the same room while playing. A Switch offers the first option, whereas a Steam Deck supports the second.
Here are some great aspects. My wife isn’t a gamer unless she’s playing Minecraft for a short time, so enjoying footsies on the couch while watching Civ 6 and listening to an audiobook sounds perfect. The kids aren’t very into games, but my five-year-old is definitely interested. It brings things back to Switch territory, though maybe not too soon. I’m not sure if Nintendo will release an updated version anytime soon—it’s still a bit of an older platform to commit to.
If you like strategy titles, especially those with turn-based gameplay, the Steam Deck is a great choice. A few of these games may not run smoothly on the compact display, though it's still doable. Civilization is a solid option, but Crussader Kings can be challenging due to its text-heavy interface and UI. I've played Age of Empires II on the Deck without any issues once I adjusted my controls, and I also enjoyed games like Planescape Torment that demand significant mouse input. Since I've never used a Switch in person, I can't share my personal experience. For intense gaming sessions, the Deck works well. I usually play it when I'm lying down, but you might find it uncomfortable to stay in one position for extended periods. For instance, when lying on my side, my right hand can become tired after about half an hour because the controller is positioned too high. Some mouse-based games require both hands, so I often lean the Deck against my legs and use just one hand for longer play sessions.
I owned the Switch for around a year and it was sold, though I really liked it. There weren’t many games available except for Super Smash Bros or Legend of Zelda. Unless you have kids, things were pretty limited. Based on what I’ve seen from the Steam Deck as a solo gamer, I’d definitely want it. The screen looks great in real life and the audio quality is impressive for a handheld.
Thats the thing I'm afraid of, for now. I wasn't really sucked in by the games I tried. Even Zelda BotW was really nice, but not worth a whole new console imo. So perhaps I should just wait until my kids starts pestering me to get them a Playstation, and THEN buy a Switch. *cough* Or just get them hooked on pc gaming
If you were me, checking platforms like Facebook Marketplace or local sellers would show you many "Switch Lite" options for under $100. You could test it out to see if it’s worth it, but I’d advise against using the lite for more than 30 minutes—it feels pretty poor with a smaller screen and lower quality. Have a great day!
Lol, probably not going all in. But buying used seems like a smart move. We have "The blue Newspaper" in Denmark, which is pretty affordable. I’ve sold my old GTX 960 there before, and it could work too. I’m not really in the mood to rush into a Switch right now, so I’ll likely wait until it’s more relevant.