Can Nintendo Leapfrog Its Challenges to Transform the Switch 2 into a Steam Deck Challenger?

When the initial Switch was launched nearly eight years ago, very few anticipated the demand for high-quality gaming while traveling. It appears we did, leading to the Switch becoming Nintendo’s most successful console. Five years post the Switch’s debut, Valve delivered PC gamers a new avenue to enjoy their games on the move with the Steam Deck gaming handheld. Now with the Switch 2 introduced this week, it seems possible that gamers might receive everything they desire in a single device — provided Nintendo permits it.

The Switch 2 shows promise to evolve into the ultimate all-in-one mobile gaming apparatus. Its potential to support other console titles and PC games exists while remaining the singular device capable of playing Nintendo titles. The primary hindrance is Nintendo’s firm adherence to a closed and unnecessarily intricate ecosystem.

It’s accurate to say we are not well-informed about the Switch 2, as it was only disclosed on Thursday. Nonetheless, there are certain aspects we are confident about. Firstly, it will boast more power than the original Nintendo Switch. The extent of that power remains unclear, but if it approaches the capabilities of the Xbox Series S or Steam Deck, it could handle virtually any game available and likely every forthcoming title for either home consoles or PCs over the next few years.

This would signify a major leap: the original Switch was comparable to a PlayStation 3 upon its release in 2017, limiting its ability to run many prominent, so-called “AAA” titles that were accessible on the Xbox, PlayStation, or PC.

However, that is not the end of the story. Thanks to advancements in cloud streaming technology, the Switch 2 might also enable access to a myriad of games from Day 1, without the necessity for developers to convert their titles. With Xbox Game Pass, subscribers can enjoy Xbox games on their smartphones, tablets, and various portable gaming devices through browser streaming. Thus, no app is necessary; merely having access to a browser should suffice for playing Xbox titles on a Switch 2.

The same applies to GeForce Now. This service streams PC games via the cloud, and it too is functional through a browser.

This implies that by merely having an easily reachable browser, a Switch 2 user could potentially enjoy hundreds of Xbox games via Game Pass and thousands more through a GeForce Now subscription. This would be in addition to all the Switch games available through backward compatibility and future offerings for the Switch 2.

A potential collection like this could undoubtedly position the Switch 2 among the consoles with the largest libraries and would feature one significant advantage that other consoles and portable gaming devices lack easy access to: Nintendo titles.

However, this will only materialize if Nintendo consents, and the Mario developer does not have a history of facilitating ease for third-party involvement within the company’s ecosystem. Nintendo is often reluctant to simplify processes if it necessitates using more technology than what is absolutely required — or if it jeopardizes its family-friendly image.

This is why it employs Switch Friends Codes instead of simply sending friend invites, and its online voice chat is exclusively accessible through an app. Additionally, Nintendo is a company very protective of its hardware, hence its ceaseless lawsuits against Switch emulator developers.

There exists an immense scope of potential with the Switch 2 that could enable Nintendo to lead the entire gaming sector, not just the console market. However, perhaps Nintendo is simply unwilling to relinquish any control.