The impending release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has stirred up quite the buzz, but with its hefty $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games, I find myself less eager to jump on board. My enthusiasm wanes further when I consider how little I've used my original Nintendo Switch since getting my hands on an Asus ROG Ally. The issues I had with the first Switch only seem to intensify with its successor, especially in today's world of handheld gaming PCs.

Asus ROG Ally Is All I Need

My love for handheld gaming started in childhood, moving from the Game Boy to the Nintendo DS, and eventually the PlayStation Portable. There's something uniquely comforting about playing games wrapped in a blanket in bed. I was even one of the few who stood by the PlayStation Vita, using it daily during my college train commutes.

When the Nintendo Switch launched in 2017, it was a game-changer for me. Despite buying it near launch, I only used it for exclusives. I reserved certain games in my mind for handheld play, and the Switch was my go-to for those titles. However, if those games were available for free on platforms like Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I felt guilty about repurchasing them for the Switch. The lack of significant discounts on Switch games only added to my dilemma. This cycle of wanting to play games on a handheld yet not wanting to spend more money often left me not playing those games at all.

The Asus ROG Ally, launched in 2023, broke this cycle for me. Running on Windows 11, it offers access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. Now, I can enjoy those games I avoided playing on a PC due to discomfort, right from my bed. The Ally has become my go-to handheld, allowing me to dive into a wealth of indie games and catch up on my backlog. Games like Celeste, Little Nightmares II, and the Resident Evil Remake, which are among my favorites, were all played on the Ally without the need for additional purchases.

Despite my excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, my feelings have shifted after the Switch 2 Direct. The original Switch was special not just for its exclusives but for its versatility and affordability, making it a standout in its time. It was the only viable handheld option back then, with great exclusives and a unique design.

The Switch 2 Isn’t Alone Anymore

With a starting price of $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 enters a highly competitive market, closely aligning with the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The PS5's $399 digital edition even launched at a lower price. Over the past eight years, the handheld gaming landscape has evolved significantly. The Steam Deck paved the way in 2022, followed by other handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. Rumors suggest Xbox might be developing its own handheld. The Switch 2 no longer stands alone, and its appeal is diminished if you already own a competing handheld.

Handheld gaming PCs boast powerful hardware capable of running indie and third-party games with ease. They offer access to a vast library of games, including those you already own, making them an excellent all-around choice. The technology behind these devices, such as the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, continues to improve, potentially outpacing the Switch 2 in the near future.

For owners of handheld gaming PCs, the Switch 2's high entry cost and limited use for Nintendo exclusives make it a less appealing investment. With games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza priced at $79.99 and $69.99, respectively, and given Nintendo's reluctance to offer significant discounts, the cost of entry into the Switch 2 ecosystem is steep.

While Nintendo exclusives do hold immense value and have contributed some of the best games in history, for those of us with handheld gaming PCs, the Switch 2's value proposition is less compelling. Devices like the Legion Go offer robust performance and access to a wide range of games. My Asus ROG Ally fulfills all my previous needs for a Switch and more, making it the superior choice for gaming on the go.