Looking back, my experiment with the Switch 2 has gone exceedingly well. When I picked up the console over Memorial Day weekend, my biggest concern was that it would be a very expensive dust collector; two factors I consider major negatives. However, it’s actually become my primary gaming platform since then.
I’m finding that it’s also a much more focused platform. Steam experiences such a new influx of games, it’s mind boggling. Some are worth focus more than others, but content, there’s loads of by any measure. On the Switch 2, I’m finding that I typically buy fewer games and play longer–which is great until you consider the cost of them. If you want cheaper costs, Steam and GOG are there places to be. The eShop frequently sees decent sales on third party games, and you should just treat anything on a Game Card as cost of game + memory card, and assume Nintendo’s own games are plated in gold.
But, I will also admit that I’m appreciating that focus. Sometimes it’s a quick game, and sometimes it’s a reminder like refusing to count how much time I’ve spent in Skyrim across multiple platforms. Often I feel like I wish the system had a browser, but it’s very much a time to play and tune out. I’m less likely to scrounge around the eShop and just play games.
I’ve also found that honestly, I forgot how nice it was to just lounge on the couch and play a game. That’s something that I haven’t done much since the GameBoy Color was relevant, not to much Pokemon Red/Blue and Silver/Gold 😅. Yeah, you don’t really get that with a desktop PC and ten pounds of Nvidia; nor can a SteamDeck compete with that on visual fidelity, even if it can achieve an impressive Xbox One level power in a portable package.
Only time will tell where the road goes, but so far, I’m inclined to conclude that the experiment was successful. Outside of remembering Campaign Evolved released, I actually don’t remember the last time I powered Ranga up in recent weeks… lol