The Switch 2 is almost here — but PC handhelds are giving it big competition

The first Nintendo Switch fundamentally had the roadworthy to itself, and Nintendo instantly proved conscionable really awesome a hybrid console and handheld could be, starring to massive 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 situation to Nintendo, particularly pursuing news from CES 2025.

Valve’s Steam Deck kicked disconnected the handheld gaming PC push successful ample portion because its Linux-based SteamOS makes playing your games conscionable astir arsenic easy arsenic it is connected consoles. That’s why 1 of the biggest CES announcements is that Valve is going to fto group instal SteamOS connected different handhelds as soon arsenic April, perchance making the full handheld PC gaming marketplace a batch much 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 the magic of SteamOS mightiness beryllium disposable successful each kinds of absorbing devices very soon. (And, hopefully, the accrued title intends Valve will make the eventual adjacent Steam Deck really good.)

CES 2025 featured a bunch of different handheld gaming hardware, too, for illustration the 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 besides made a handheld pinch an 11-inch screen, and theirs has stereo 3D. My workfellow Sean Hollister yet sewage to spot the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. Razer made a docking station that useful pinch handheld gaming PCs. And successful a CES panel, Microsoft promised news astir changes to the handheld Windows experience 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 the 800-pound gorilla successful the room, and arsenic absorbing arsenic each of the PC gaming hardware is, the Switch’s imminent successor will almost surely beryllium a very compelling upgrade. The original Switch was released nearly 8 years ago, truthful the successor will apt beryllium overmuch much powerful and will astir apt person splashy caller games successful marquee franchises for illustration Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. (I’d stake already-announced Switch games for illustration Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A will get immoderate benignant of boost connected the adjacent Switch, too.)

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

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