this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2025
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I am a huge proponent of the steam deck but there are a few things you’re kind of leaving out here
You would be surprised how many people actually don’t have a mouse on hand. But if they do, you do have to calculate that into the cost.
you need a dock or at least a cheap USB-C dongle unless the only thing you plan on hooking up to the steam deck is your mouse, which would be feasible but unusual.
The deck is getting a little longer in the tooth. I love it, I use it a ton, but it is definitely starting to show its age.
It can’t play Nintendo switch/switch 2 games natively, which many people who shit on Nintendo (I am one of those people don’t get me wrong) tend to forget is a pretty huge part of the appeal of Nintendo platforms.
if you plan on doing Couch multiplayer, the steam deck is really not a viable option compared to the switch unless you invest in a bunch of other stuff
I agree with everything except #5. If you want to play couch multiplayer for the switch with two people you’re set with the tiny joycons. If you want any comfort playing those games you’re investing in at LEAST as many controllers as you have couch players and the same can be said about the deck. But the Deck has options and years of hardware options that are far more inexpensive than the $90 joycons or $80 pro controllers at launch. Given time I’m sure there may be options for the S2 but I think the Deck has far more inexpensive options for multiplayer.
That said, the deck dock is expensive so maybe my argument is entirely moot.
A 10usd Chinese knockoff Bluetooth controller works well enough for multi-player. The true little brother experience is to play with the shitty controller.
For the steam deck, you'd have to buy 2 controllers (potentially both shitty), so the benefit for the switch is still there.
So buy 2 $10 controllers for the steam deck and still save money since the switch costs $50 more to begin with.
Comfort or not you can just do it. I’ve done it plenty. It’s a viable option
The offical dock is $80, but you can get the Baseus Dock for between $30 and $40.
Mice are cheap. Even Bluetooth ones, which wouldn't need a dock or dongle to be used with the deck.