The last few years have seen a surge in portable gaming outside of the Nintendo ecosystem, which was almost the only solution for this plan for decades. At a time when the Switch was already partially outdated, and technological capabilities allowed most modern games to be launched on a portable device, Valve introduced its Steam Deck - an evolution of the Steam Machines idea combined with chips with a Steam Controller with an updated Steam OS on board. It's not that portable gaming computers from small players like the GPD Win didn't exist before, but the release of the console from Gabe Newell's company somewhat revived or even reborn this market.
What did Nintendo show?
Nintendo has finally shown off its new console. Players have been divided into two camps since the first teaser: those who believed in a bunch of innovations and a new experience with Nintendo chips, and those who saw the Switch 2 as more of a Pro model of the first Switch, as has been the case with PlayStation for the last two generations. But even with the announcement of the Switch 2, the Nintendo console is not necessarily the only or best option for portable gaming for everyone. Especially considering the price of the console and the games for it. But if you are not ready to wait a few months for the release and availability of the console at a normal price (there is an option that there will be no normal prices due to Trump's tariffs), or you doubt the feasibility of the new Switch 2, or you are simply not a fan of Nintendo games - here are the options available right now. I will share my personal experience using current portable consoles.
So what are the options for playing on the go?
Currently, the most popular device is from Valve. According to IDC, in the three years since its release, they have already sold almost 4 million Steam Decks (a trifle compared to the 150 million Nintendo Switch). However, the market is growing, as evidenced by constant updates and new models from many vendors. Almost every company that produces gaming computers has a portable gaming PC in its arsenal. The three main players are Asus, Lenovo and MSI. Unlike the Steam Deck, these portable PCs run Windows.
I've put together a small collection from all the major ecosystems. For the growing and evolving Steam OS, I have the 1TB Steam Deck OLED, which I upgraded to from the regular version right after it was released, and even managed to order a limited edition in a translucent case. For Windows, I have the Asus ROG Ally, which jumped on the portable gaming PC bandwagon next after Valve, and has become perhaps the most common "portable" on this OS. The company also has the Nintendo Switch OLED, so we can look back and evaluate Nintendo's new products. Now let's move on to comparing the systems to understand how everything works and what to look for.
Steam Deck
Steam Deck became a pioneer among gaming handheld PCs in 2022, but continues to receive updates. Later, a model with an OLED screen was released, which will be discussed later. The main feature of the console from Valve is native support for Steam OS and a large number of games from this platform, the list of which is constantly being updated. And new releases, even quite "heavy" ones, often immediately receive a "green checkmark", which demonstrates compatibility with the device. This verification is designed to highlight games that work stably on the Steam Deck, but high performance, especially in new AAA games, should not be expected. But still, the verification mark usually guarantees that the game has a graphics preset for a portable and works with a stable frame rate. There are, of course, exceptions when the checkmark does not guarantee even 30 frames, but this does not happen often, and fresh games are constantly updated and improve performance.
When you launch the Steam Deck, you're greeted with what's essentially a Steam Big Picture mode with additional features for Valve's own hardware. The console has a custom chip from AMD on the RDNA 2 architecture, which allows you to play a large number of recent games at a frequency of at least 30 frames per second, and simpler graphically and older games run at a stable 60 FPS. All this on a screen with a resolution of 800p. Many of the games run well at 40 FPS, especially since the screen supports a refresh rate of 40 Hz. However, this is a fixed 40 Hz, which means that if there are performance drops, it will be visible on the screen. The newer OLED model has VRR support and a display with a refresh rate of 90 Hz, which significantly improves the experience both in games that run at 40 FPS and in more demanding games with dynamic frequency changes. All this is thanks to the dynamic refresh rate. The OLED model also has significantly better battery life, as the new screen, new process, and larger battery together provide up to 50% more battery life. That is, in demanding games, the battery life has increased from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours or more. And in 2D and indie games — from 3.5 to 5.5 hours.
In everyday use, the Steam Deck is a pleasant experience, as it is a real plug-and-play experience. The console wakes up quickly and you can continue playing from the same point if it was opened. This allows you to play in short sessions during breaks at work or in transport. Until recently, this was the only such handheld with Steam OS on board, but recently Lenovo has also released a version with Steam OS alongside the Windows version of the Legion Go S. So now players have an alternative.
Overall, as a console gaming enthusiast, I like the experience that Steam Deck provides. After all, in most cases, and especially when it comes to certified games, it does not require additional manipulations. Just download the game and run it. But for those who like more customization, you can choose desktop mode and access Steam OS both in portable mode and by connecting the device to an official or third-party docking station. This turns the console into a full-fledged portable computer.
ASUS ROG Ally
Alternative solutions to the Steam Deck were devices on Windows. The first such computer was the ASUS ROG Ally, which was released a few months after the joking announcement of April 1, 2023. Like other representatives of the class, this console is more powerful than the device from Valve. I have an older version on the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, by the way already on the RDNA 3 architecture from AMD, which allows you to get decent FPS in many games. The newer model ROG Ally X has received many updates, including in terms of performance, but it also has a higher price.
Let's go back to the Ally of 2023. It's still a PC, and requires tweaking settings for most games. And the weak support of the Windows operating system for devices of a similar form factor and with similar functionality requires additional settings. Fortunately, the shell and system software from ASUS, although not grabbing stars from the sky, is constantly updated and adds new functions for controlling the system from a gamepad (although there is a touchscreen here, using it is not so convenient on a 7" diagonal), allows you to configure power modes and change other aspects of the hardware.
As for power, ASUS has made several profiles for games with different requirements: 10, 15 and 25 W, and in the mode of operation from the mains even 35 W. There is also a manual mode with flexible settings. Ally also boasts a screen with a frequency of 120 Hz with a resolution of 1080p. Of course, such power and the screen affect the battery life and in Ally it is on par or even less than in the original Steam Deck with an LCD screen. However, the system software allows you to adjust it here too, and by reducing the screen refresh rate and resolution to 720p or 900p, you can squeeze out a little extra autonomy and frames per second in games.
This is, of course, not as smooth an experience as Steam Deck, but Windows 11 on board also gives a bunch of advantages. The main one when choosing was support for third-party launchers such as Epic Games Launcher, EA App or Ubisoft Connect without additional "dancing with a tambourine", and most importantly - support for Microsoft PC Game Pass. After all, unlike others, Game Pass works only on Xbox and Windows, not counting cloud gaming. Another significant advantage of Windows on board ROG Ally is the full compatibility of all games that can be run on this OS. Unlike Steam OS, where games and applications made for Windows work through the Proton layer (and most games are just that), everything is native here. In addition, some multiplayer games will not work on Steam Deck due to anti-cheat, which is not supported by Linux systems. You can also add wider support for emulators of various classic systems.
Full-fledged Windows 11 when working with a docking station gives the same experience as with a regular gaming PC. In fact, this is an even more compact gaming laptop with pros and cons typical for this class of devices. The disadvantages include the already mentioned poor adaptation of Windows to portable devices. The developments for working with touch screens that existed in the days of Windows 8 have come to naught in version 11, now it is a purely desktop OS. However, along with rumors about a portable version of Xbox, discussions have also appeared that this will not be a device from Microsoft itself, but products from other manufacturers, among which ASUS often appears in the advertising materials of the software company. However, the software will be from Microsoft and we hope that this will be a better adaptation of Windows 11 to a similar class of devices. Time will tell how it will actually be, but for now we have various portables with "crutches" on top of the OS for more or less comfortable work.
Original Nintendo Switch / Switch OLED
The veteran and harbinger of a new wave of portable gaming devices, the Nintendo Switch, has long been in the top sales charts and only now, shortly before the announcement of the second version, has it begun to slow down a bit, but remains at the top of the rankings. In 2017, the big N revolutionized the gaming system market and simply amazingly quickly got out of the hole it had driven itself into with the unsuccessful release of the Wii U. However, time is running out, and a new generation of Nintendo is on the verge with an obvious number "2" in the name, which is obvious to many, but unusual for fans of the Japanese company. The new console has become more powerful and more expensive, and games for it have raised the price tag to a staggering $90. This is possible and will allow the original Switch to remain popular for some time to come.
Nintendo Switch is, unlike our previous heroes, a full-fledged gaming console. Here you have a closed ecosystem that allows you to buy games only in the eShop store, or on cartridges; here you have a fee for playing online. And the prices for games, unlike some PC stores, are without regional adjustments. And Nintendo exclusives generally have some amazing property of only becoming more expensive over time, and not vice versa. But is it possible to be interested in this gaming system in 2025? Will the high price of games and the technical obsolescence of the console repel buyers, or will the low price of the device itself and the huge library of great games still prevail?
As for prices, the younger Switch Lite can now be purchased for less than 7,000 hryvnias, and the latest revision with an OLED screen for 12,000 hryvnias. Against the background of portable gaming PCs, the prices for which start at 18,000 hryvnias, this looks tempting.
Nintendo exclusives are a separate category of games with millions of fans around the world. Over 150 million Switch units sold are proof of that. In a time of monotonous and repetitive gaming experiences, these bright and quirky worlds can provide a truly unique experience. In addition to exclusives, there are also a lot of indies, as on other platforms, plus some large multiplatform titles. Such as Doom and Doom Eternal, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or the same Monster Hunter: Rise, which was released primarily on the Nintendo Switch.
In addition to a large library of games, this console provides a pleasant experience of control and configuration, because everything works out of the box. Yes, many games no longer pull a stable frame rate, but most run well at 30 FPS. It's strange to expect more from such outdated and simple hardware.
Switch OLED has become a second wind for Nintendo games, in my own experience. It is for them that I have kept this legendary console in my collection for many years. The bright and large OLED screen gave new colors to familiar games, especially fresh ones, which seemed to be made taking into account the high contrast of the new matrix. And it is actually very strange that Switch 2 will not have an OLED option at release. The last revision of Switch did not become more powerful, so the performance in games remained at the old level, but everything felt much better.
Nintendo Online subscription, although it causes negative emotions, because of its necessity for online play, nevertheless hides some pleasant bonuses. One, and very valuable of which, is a collection of games from classic systems. So if you are tormented by nostalgia, or are interested in getting acquainted with cult classics, then this is an option.
Compared to the regular model of the first revision, which I had before, the OLED version has increased autonomy. This greatly adds to mobility. But the dimensions make the Switch truly portable. Unlike the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, this console can fit in a large jacket pocket or a small bag. And this is not even taking into account the ultra-compact Lite version. When choosing what to take with you on a long trip or when there is a shortage of space in a backpack, I always choose the Nintendo Switch.
Bonus: PlayStation Portal
If you already have a considerable game library and it is not on Steam, and if you have a PlayStation 5, you can consider PlayStation Portal as a portable addition to a large console. This, of course, is not a full-fledged gaming device, but rather an accessory to a stationary console, but it can expand the gaming experience with the ability to play outside the usual place in front of a monitor or TV. And if you have good Wi-Fi, it will allow you to play outside the house. The library will be with PlayStation 5 (and 4 with backward compatibility), the ergonomics are close to the DualSence gamepad, and the ability to continue playing your favorite game from where you left off on the large console without having to synchronize saves and start the game again has its own special charm. More details about the experience of using this amazing device in a separate article.
We choose from candidates
Nintendo has made its bet on continued dominance with the evolutionary Switch 2. And while it will likely once again rake in the box office, the world of portable gaming is no longer limited to just the red and blue gamepad.
In 2025, the choice has never been wider. If you want stability, branded exclusives and a minimum of settings - the Switch, even the old one, still plays to its fullest. And if the new model hasn't convinced you, it's quite possible that it will be the smartest purchase in the coming months.
If you like customization, experimentation, and already have a decent library on Steam, then Steam Deck is for you. Its SteamOS is convenient, the interface is adapted for a gamepad, and the latest OLED version pleasantly surprises with its autonomy. Although, sometimes you will have to put up with the lack of certain games or manually setting up the gamepad.
Do you need maximum power and absolute freedom? Then the best choice is Windows devices like the ASUS ROG Ally. Here the philosophy is different: everything is like on a desktop, with its pros and cons. It's a flexible, but slightly "geek" experience. That is, not plug-and-play, but rather "plug, update, tweak, and play".
And then there's Portal - not exactly a console, but for PS5 owners it could be a very nice addition. If you play in the living room, and sometimes want to continue the game from the couch or bed - this solution hits the spot.
If you don't plan to wait for the Nintendo Switch 2 (and there, it seems, there may be nuances) - there are more than enough good options. If, on the contrary, the money is postponed, and the days until the release are numbered, then we just wait and prepare for the big launch. I'm ready for new discoveries with the Switch 2, but the more attractive prices for games and a large PC library force me to keep other portables on hand.