Are PC Handhelds Really Nintendo’s Competition?

When the Nintendo Switch 2 (read our thoughts on the 1st generation) was announced, many content creators and fans brought up a common talking point about how the Switch 2 will perform; how will competition impact the Switch 2?

The competition in question? The new wave of PC handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go, ROG Ally/X, and the Steam Deck LCD/OLED. These devices have been roaming the market for a few years now, with the ROG Ally and Legion Go being available in tech stores like Best Buy.

However, one of the main issues with the ROG Ally and Legion Go is that they are handheld computers running Windows, something that will scare away casual gamers who want a simple pick-up and play console, while the issue with the Steam Deck that runs a console-like operating system, is that you can’t purchase them in stores.

When the Switch 2 was released, all the people making comments about the competition were silent. The Switch 2 exploded onto the market, selling 1.1 million units in the U.S. alone in the first week, breaking the U.S. record for most consoles sold in one week, formerly held by the PlayStation 4. The system sold an astonishing 3.5 million units in four days worldwide, according to Nintendo.

Most of the criticism relating to the Nintendo Switch 2 has to do with the price, but compared to the price of a PC handheld, it looks like a budget option. According to Costco Canada, the ROG Ally is going for $800 and the Lenovo Legion Go for $900. Both of these are available in stores, but mostly target PC gamers who are familiar with the Windows OS. Meanwhile, in the same stores, you can find the essential Switch 2 bundle for $730, featuring Mario Kart World and a year of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

It’s also important to note the game price criticisms that Nintendo is facing. Games are going anywhere from 90 to 115 dollars CAD, although the way the video game industry is heading, it won’t be long until computer games on the Steam storefront are going for similar numbers.

PC Handhelds on BestBuy

For your average consumer, the Switch 2 at Costco offers three very large perks. 1. Lower price, 2. It’s Nintendo, a household name that I bet your parents and grandparents think every console is, and 3. It comes with a game.

So, is there competition against the Switch 2? After seeing the number of sales, it was clear that the expectation that people had about PC handhelds was severely blown out of proportion, and it feels like some people just ignored the advantages of the Switch. That’s not to say either device is better than the other, but Nintendo has proven again that they are the top dogs in gaming, and PC handhelds didn’t leave a scratch on Switch 2 sales.