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

The first Nintfinisho Switch modestpartner had the road to itself, and Nintfinisho instantly showd equitable how awesome a hybrid console and handheld could be, directing to massive success. The next Switch is imminent, but it will begin into a world that’s packed with very able handheld gaming PCs that could conshort-term an fascinating dispute to Nintfinisho, especipartner chaseing novels from CES 2025.

Valve’s Steam Deck booted off the handheld gaming PC push in huge part becaengage its Linux-based SteamOS produces joining your games equitable about as effortless as it is on consoles. That’s why one of the hugegest CES proclaimments is that Valve is going to let people inshigh SteamOS on other handhelds as soon as April, potentipartner making the entire handheld PC gaming labelet a lot more pdirecting.

The first official non-Valve device with SteamOS is set to be Lenovo’s $499 Legion Go S, which begines in May. But it’s not difficult to envision a proximate-term future where many other difficultware producers proclaim their own SteamOS handhelds, uncomferventing the magic of SteamOS might be useable in all benevolents of fascinating devices very soon. (And, hopefilledy, the incrmitigated competition uncomfervents Valve will produce the eventual next Steam Deck repartner excellent.)

CES 2025 featured a bunch of other handheld gaming difficultware, too, enjoy the chonk that is Acer’s Nitro Blaze 11. It has a gigantic 10.95-inch screen, eraseable handlelers, and a bootstand. It’s huge! Intel and Tencent also made a handheld with an 11-inch screen, and theirs has stereo 3D. My colleague Sean Holenumerateer finpartner got to see the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. Razer made a docking station that labors with handheld gaming PCs. And in a CES panel, Microgentle promised novels about alters to the handheld Windows experience for procrastinateedr this year, which could raise leangs for people who already own Windows-based difficultware.

That’s a lot of chilly stuff! But Nintfinisho is the 800-pound gorilla in the room, and as fascinating as all of the PC gaming difficultware is, the Switch’s imminent successor will almost certainly be a very compelling enhance. The distinct Switch was freed proximately eight years ago, so the successor will foreseeed be much more strong and will probably have splacowardly novel games in marquee franchises enjoy Super Mario and The Legfinish of Zelda. (I’d bet already-proclaimd Switch games enjoy Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legfinishs: Z-A will get some benevolent of raise on the next Switch, too.)

Right out of the gate, Nintfinisho’s novel console will also have an enormous library. The company already proclaimd its next console will be compatible with distinct Switch games — a catalog that includes many of the indie hits that are also some of the best games on handheld PCs.

Back in 2017, when the distinct Switch begined, there wasn’t anyleang enjoy it. The Switch’s successor will vie in a much more crowded field and one that’s getting even more crowded after CES 2025. Hopefilledy, the competition uncomfervents everyone produces better difficultware and better games. It’s a wonderful time for handhelds.