The best thing about a Steam Deck is the fact that with Emudeck, you can make your deck a much better Switch. The only thing you’ll be missing is lack of Internet features and the GUI.
I’m also always happy to try and convince anyone and everyone not to buy from Sintendo and buy hardware that isn’t inferior because I swear Sintendo hardware has absolutely been inferior compared to the competition since at at least n64.
I do get the impression that Nintendo has consistently had worse hardware for a long time… And I appreciate it. Instead of cranking up the hardware, they make games that are fun and run on weaker hardware, often with neat stylization.
Those are fair points, I actually bought the switch pretty early on after seeing praise for Odyssey and BotW. I play on PC otherwise, but I enjoyed the experience, playing docked with joycons with motion controls.
I’m not personally frustrated, while the games definitely seem overpriced, I always felt like Nintendo is just sitting in their niche doing their thing, not trying to one-up others and instead providing various gimmicks with their devices. They’re selling consoles and games for a certain price, and it feels like if you think the deal is bad or unfair, you can just pass on it.
I don’t think I really have a point here, just saying my thoughts. I have my issues with Nintendo, but I do feel like their consoles and games provide value that is hard to get elsewhere.
The only thing you’ll be missing is lack of Internet features and the GUI.
You can even run the Switch UI in Suyu (or other forks of Yuzu): https://youtube.com/watch?v=rOLoVZ_br9M
And both Ryujinx, as well as Yuzu (and Forks) offer local/online multiplayer:
https://github.com/Ryujinx/Ryujinx/wiki/Multiplayer-(LDN-Local-Wireless)-Guide
https://yuzu-mirror.github.io/help/feature/multiplayer/
Both of them offering online features is true, but as far as I’m aware, you ain’t connecting to any official servers.
But I like Nintendo consoles for their couch-multiplayer games. Like Wii-sport, Boom-blox, Just Dance, Mario party, Mario kart…
A Steam-deck is good for single players games.
You can play multiplayer with emulators, just hook up multiple controllers
With an USB-C dock/hub you can plug the deck into your TV and multiple controllers. Lots of wireless controllers are also supported OOTB, including joy cons.
I use my Switch to exclusively play Smash Bros with my friends using GameCube controllers with the switch adapter.
My Switch has been having lots of issues lately though. Anyway to replicate that with the Steam Deck?
If you’re playing offline with friends, Emudeck has Ryujinx available. All you’d need is to either dump your cartridge if you can (which I don’t know how to do) or get a copy and make sure you got a dock to hook up your deck to the TV. I don’t know what kind of port the GameCube controllers use or if they’ll work, though. I don’t have one, so I couldn’t tell you. I know the 3rd party wired pro controller I have works fantastically, though. Only other thing you gotta worry about it having enough ports to plug in to depending on the number of players and dock you got.
As for whether the game will be as smooth on Ryujinx as it is on switch, that’s something I don’t know considering I’ve never tried it on my deck.
This reddit post leads me to believe that it is doable. I have the official Nintendo USB GameCube adapter and a Steam Deck, and I’d be happy to help you troubleshoot if needed :)
It seems like it should work great! 👍
You talk about convincing people into emulation, but can you even do that on moderated websites? I mean, helping them get ROMs without going into “wink wink nudge nudge” communication or risking Nintendo’s lawyers invading that site.
Speaking plainly, I still buy games and hardware the normal way because I don’t want that complication. It’s not worth the effort and hassle just to risk putting viruses on my computer.
I’d like to think Lemmy is still small enough that talking about piracy of their games and stuff is flying under their radar for now, which is why I don’t care. Also, fuck Sintendo. I ain’t afraid of their corporate stasi.
Also, on Steam Deck, Emudeck takes away the vast majority of complications regarding getting multiple emulators set up by having pre-configured configurations for each emulator you install to try and make sure game compatibility and running them is as smooth as can be for most games.
The emulators are generally easy to get. The struggle is in getting the games themselves.
Even if you’re unafraid of Nintendo’s stasi, you aren’t the one assuming risk. Takedown notices tend to go to the hosting / discussing sites, not individual users. It’s not very brave to order Lemmy hosts to battle those notices in court on your behalf.
I legit cannot remember the last time I got a virus pirating a game. Probably in the Limewire days, ~20+ years ago.
So, anytime people say this, I’m compelled to remind them: Unlike movie depictions, malware is generally incentivized to not be apparent.
You install something, they infect, and then they do their best to ensure you don’t know that for the next few months, if ever. Meanwhile, anything as subtle as key logging or checking wifi-connected devices can give them info for some other attack.
So, I can only say I hope I don’t have a virus right now - but I don’t really know. And I’m pretty sure those pirating groups have profit incentives beyond littering their sites with ads.
Still waiting for a good deal on the OLED model to convince myself to upgrade from the LCD. I’m hoping the holiday sale this year might bring some deals.
You might be better off waiting for a steam deck 2, possibly out next year?
Last I heard was that the steam deck wasn’t getting a version 2 update until there was next gen hardware to match it. Gaben isn’t a big fan of regular sub five percent hardware refreshes that other companies are happy with.
Might be a name thing though. They did the OLED update, but it’s not called the steam deck 2.
If they want Steam Deck to be a legitimate platform to target for developers - which seems to be the case and which seems to be working - they practically need to make sure they’re not refreshing it every 2-3 years with a spec bump. I’d personally be very surprised if Valve releases the next generation Steam Deck before 2026.
God, if this ends up with the steam deck 2 powering a standalone index 2 with redesigned knuckles 2 that can be used standalone as a Steam Controller 2…
It’s a fantasy, absolutely. The controller part especially probably wouldn’t work. But… I can dream.
I’m not even mad that I just paid full price. I don’t think I’ve been happier with any other purchase I’ve ever made!
Damn Gabe, u doing guerilla marketing now?.
Jokes aside, I do keep looking… Closely and I do hardly any gaming these days, usually 15 minutes on the phone awaiting an apoinment etc.
Is there a database for listing which games run on Steam Deck at what FPS and what settings?
Protondb has user reports that (usually) include performance stats and settings, as well as any additional setup like launch options or specific preferred proton versions.
I also check Valve’s own “top 100 played on steam deck” list to see what other people are rockin, always surprised to see shit like Fallout 4 on there.
Fallout probably got a boost from the new series, that was quite well received.
I have yet to run into any game through Steam that really doesn’t work. Even ones listed as incompatible, or having issues.
I’m having a lot of fun chilling in the couch playing Civ 6.
Thanks to Humble Monthly I have over 400 games on my Steam account.
In just the last three weeks I’ve played No Man’s Sky, Worms WMD, Civ 6, Bravery and Greed, Darkest Dungeon, Warframe and just today LEGO 2K Drive.
And that’s not counting emulation.
If you’re complaining that some AAA games don’t work, that’s because AAA games have sucked for the past 5 or so years. Starfield, Jedi Survivor, Cyberpunk all still struggle to run nicely on even the best hardware out there. Not a problem with the Deck, but rather the state of the industry.
If anyone is on the fence, Steam deck is the coolest gadget I own. Play all the time. Got the OLED but even the 1st gen deck was fantastic
I have a massive desktop with a very good graphics card. Collecting dust
I will say that while I love it, as someone with both it and a very capable desktop, I’m in the opposite position. I used it a bunch in the first couple months, but that was because it was a cool new gadget that I wanted to fiddle with. Once the novelty wore off, I do 99% of my gaming at home – the only time I’m using the steam deck at home is if I predict a long poop or I’m sick and don’t want to sit at my desk.
However, where it absolutely shines is travel. It’s small enough to throw in a carry on or even personal bag, and it’s amazing for a flight, or just any trip where you know you’ll have some downtime. The charge is long enough that you can go a few hours without power, especially if you anticipate it and use some of the power saving features.
It’s also fantastic if a second gaming computer would be good for your situation – maybe you’ve got kids or roommates that share your computer, or you wish you could game in your yard etc.
Basically, it’s not a slam dunk for everyone, but if you regularly have any of the use cases listed above, it’s absolutely worth the money – assuming you have the library for it already. I have tons of games that are excellent for the deck, but not everyone will, and while you can play competitive shooters and complex mouse-driven RPGs with it, it’s really not the ideal experience.
