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The Nintendo Switch 2 is rumored to arrive by the end of 2024, but the handheld gaming market has changed a lot since the launch of its predecessor. The success of the launch of Steam Deck has changed the handheld industry drastically, and more handheld gaming devices have since launched, including the ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw.
If Nintendo wants the Switch 2 to compete with Steam Deck and the like, it needs a few features. This article lists the five features it needs to gain the upper hand.
Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
5 features Nintendo Switch 2 needs to compete with Steam Deck
The Steam Deck has better hardware, display, external SSD support, and more. Here's everything the Switch 2 needs to better compete with Steam Deck.
1) Powerful hardware
The Original Nintendo Switch's hardware was underwhelming even during the launch. Now, it can't even run Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom at a locked 30 FPS all the time. FPS dips to the 20s in busier areas, and it's not even the most graphically intensive game. So, the Nintendo Switch 2 definitely needs powerful hardware, and it could be happening.
Leaks indicate it could be based on Nvidia's T239 chipset, which is decently powerful and supports ray tracing. But it remains to be seen how well ray tracing is implemented.
2) Better display with a high refresh rate
A new version of Steam Deck was launched recently, which brought an OLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. The original Nintendo Switch also got an OLED but no high refresh rate. It doesn't even have the hardware needed to push a high refresh rate in a game. However, according to rumors, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have great hardware.
So, Nintendo must take full advantage of that hardware by bringing in a high refresh rate display. Also, a 1080P display won't hurt.
3) Support for 4K external display
The original Switch only supports up to 1080p resolution when connected to an external display. While it was fine back then, 4K TVs and monitors have become a lot more common, and the Nintendo Switch 2 needs to power those displays in their native 4K resolution.
The Steam Deck can already do that, and with the powerful hardware that the Switch 2 is rumored to have, it must also support that.
4) Support for external SSD
The support for external SSD cannot be more emphasized. You may argue that the Nintendo Switch already supports microSD cards, but that's now the same thing. The R/W speeds of a microSD are painfully slow compared to an SSD, and it also costs more.
5) Backward compatibility
Backward compatibility will be one of the key factors that will play a role in how successful the Nintendo Switch 2 becomes when it is released. Imagine owning a ton of Switch games that you can no longer play because you upgraded to the new Switch 2 console.
All the games in your library will go down the drain unless you keep both consoles. On a Steam Deck, you can play games that were launched over a decade ago.
If the Nintendo Switch 2 has these features, there's not much to stop it from being successful. Notably, the Nintendo Switch 2 must avoid the mistakes of Wii U.
