“Unlocking New Perspectives: How PlayStation Portal and Steam Deck Redefined My View on the Switch 2”

Nintendo’s forthcoming handheld will arrive shortly, yet engaging with other handhelds is prompting me to reconsider what Nintendo’s upcoming device should embody.

It could happen any moment now that Nintendo will unveil the Switch 2, the company’s next console following the nearly 8-year-old Nintendo Switch. Given such a lengthy wait, hopes are soaring. Currently, initial rumored leaks about the device and its components suggest it resembles an upgraded first-gen Switch far more than something truly innovative or groundbreaking.

Feeling let down? Not I, not really. In fact, recently, I’ve been engrossed in gameplay on two other handhelds: Sony’s Playstation Portal and the Valve Steam Deck OLED. Both have occupied a space in my home for well over a year, yet I find myself gravitating to them again for different motives. The Portal has transformed into a device where I can enjoy remote-play of Astro Bot from the PS5, and it’s surprisingly effective for that purpose. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck has become my dedicated UFO 50 console, serving as the sole means to indulge in one of my all-time favorite indie titles.

I’ve also been experimenting with pushing the Portal and Steam Deck into new arenas. I’ve streamed some cloud-based games on the Portal utilizing Sony’s in-beta PS Plus support. Plus, I invested in a dock to link the Steam Deck to my television, connecting controllers so I can enjoy two-player UFO 50 sessions with my child.

As these two larger handhelds have become my winter favorites, they’ve also sparked reflections on their superior aspects compared to the current Switch… and fostered an appreciation for features the Switch still excels in. Nintendo needs to modify certain elements for the next Switch, yet I also feel confident that they should maintain their core formula.

I long for improved controls

The Steam Deck and the PlayStation Portal, in their unique fashions, utterly surpass the Switch in the controller department. I’ve become accustomed to the premium feel of both handhelds. The Steam Deck boasts a variety of control options: spacious analog triggers, sizeable extra trackpads, and additional paddle buttons located on the back.

Though I rarely utilize most of them, they don’t hinder the experience, and the Deck provides a plethora of customization opportunities. Their layout is also commendable. I can opt for the D-pad and buttons, switch to analog sticks, or use the trackpads – or combine them as I please. The haptics are subtle, but particularly with the solid-state trackpads, they offer realistic feedback and a “click” sensation that impresses me.

The Portal is remarkable in its own right, as it effectively replicates much of the PS5 DualSense controller’s enchantment. The buttons are smaller than those on the DualSense, and the Portal lacks a clickable trackpad (instead, double-tapping the touchscreen is required), yet the haptic feedback motors are robust, and the rear triggers provide the same distinctive force feedback found in the PS5 controllers.

Astro Bot clearly showcases these attributes as the game utilizes the PS5 controller’s features in myriad immersive ways. I was initially skeptical that Astro Bot would successfully transition to a streaming handheld device like the Portal, but it does work. Sure, there are occasional streaming hiccups. However, when everything functions well, I forget I’m using a streaming device. Surfaces tremble underneath me, I can sense weapons pulsing through my fingers. I’m absorbed.

Nintendo was ahead of the curve when the Switch first debuted: Its compact controllers are adorned with buttons, feature motion controls, and their haptic vibrations were significantly superior to anything else back in 2017. Those controllers now feel outdated, they wear down and suffer from drift easily, and they lack analog triggers. I significantly favor the Steam Deck and Portal controllers much more at this point.

Larger screens, please

I appreciate compact handhelds, but the Steam Deck and especially the PlayStation Portal have made me recognize that larger screens are quite beneficial for enjoying bigger games.

The Switch optimizes the majority of its games to make the most of its hardware, so generally, everything appears decent on the current 6- or 7-inch, 720p-resolution screen. However, the Steam Deck’s larger display is advantageous for cross-platform games typically designed for PC monitors or televisions. The PlayStation Portal handles this best. Its 8-inch 1080p screen proves to be ideal for most PS5 titles. Madden? Not an issue. Astro Bot? A delight. I can easily navigate through the PS5 menus without straining my eyes.

The Switch 2 is anticipated to feature an 8-inch, 1080p display, which sounds quite perfect to me… especially if the Switch 2 is expected to handle more current-gen console and PC games like Elden Ring or Baldur’s Gate 3.

But here’s the thing: The Switch’s design still possesses unmatched charm

We often overlook these aspects: The Switch arrives with a dock for television gaming, and it functions flawlessly. The controllers detach easily, allowing for two-player capability, or single-player dual-wield, your choice. Kids can grasp it intuitively.

Combining two controllers into one system was an ingenious concept, and it continues to facilitate enjoyable two-player gaming experiences with my child. I have yet to encounter another handheld that accommodates the simple addition and removal of controllers as seamlessly as Nintendo does. My recent attempt to dock the Steam Deck to my TV demonstrated how cumbersome the process can be. The dock isn’t included, it required tweaking and firmware updates, and I struggled with pairing controllers (the Xbox ones were unresponsive, but an 8bitdo and Switch Pro controller connected effortlessly). Even so, I had to restart the Steam Deck to get it to operate. Plus, you can replace the Switch controllers if they malfunction, which is huge for durability. The Steam Deck and PlayStation Portal compel you to deal with the controllers permanently attached to them.

Nintendo should genuinely upgrade its Joy-Con controllers with superior haptics, buttons, and a more “professional” feel, yet the way they disconnect and pair remains superior to anything else available.

This means, to me, that just refining the Switch’s internals while keeping the form unchanged is perfectly acceptable. I understand we all desire surprises from Nintendo (I certainly do more than most). I remain fairly optimistic that the Switch 2 will present some twists, like the rumored optical sensor in one Joy-Con, and who knows what else awaits. However, Nintendo doesn’t need to innovate a new hardware form right now. There’s a reason everyone else continues attempting to mimic it: Nintendo excelled with the Switch. The Switch 2 merits following its legacy, with a series of much-needed performance enhancements. If that’s the direction they’re heading, then that sounds fantastic to me.