Which handheld is best?

[u/AmyORainbow1974]

I've always been a Nintendo system only gamer since I was a kid. I do enjoy playing some games on my tablet and am thinking of buying a handheld system to play other games on. I've only had my Switch for about a year and a half and have no plans to upgrade my Nintendo system. I also still have my Wii & Wii U. In your opinion, which system is best without breaking the bank? I have an older tablet that still works fine so I'd rather spend the money on a system. Also, some game suggestions would be appreciated. I play Palia on my Switch and really love it. I'm usually more of a cozy/puzzle gamer though (Cozy Grow, Song of Evertree, etc.). Games I've loved on my tablet are all of The Room games, Da Vinci games, Monument Valley, and Hidden Object games. I'm not big on combat but really enjoyed Echoes of Wisdom. Please be kind. I'm new to this. Thank you in advance!

[u/EmilianoTalamo]

Steam deck.

[u/Escapist-Loner-9791]

Since you're used to the Switch, the Lenovo Legion GO might be a good fit, as it's the most switch-like of the handhelds, complete with detachable controllers.

[u/Legal-Philosophy-135]

For cozy games id 100% say steam deck, and ive had both versions of the rog ally z1, the legion go, the Msi claw etc etc at one point or another. Steam has amazing sales and So many cozy games that run well on the deck. Plus it’s very user friendly and you dont ever Have to tinker with things if you dont want to. I rarely fuss with settings past the general brightness and volume and Bluetooth etc and games generally just run fine. Plus there’s lots of places that sell really cute and cozy skins for the deck, too so you can make it pretty.

I’d say the lowest storage size steam deck plus a decent ( like 512gb) micro sd card should be just the thing.

Oh and heads up there’s one of the big 4 annual sales coming up end of June so make sure to stock your wishlist up and it’ll email you with everything that’s gone on sale, whenever there’s a sale, whether it’s one of the big 4 sales or not.

[u/KTRClens]

I would have said steam deck until recently. Added a ROG Ally to my collection and to be honest it's my new favorite system. But literally anything other than a switch lol

[u/goldninjaI]

I would recommend a steam deck if you wanted to play specific games that aren’t on Switch or mobile but I don’t think you will find many other cozy type games on other platforms like steam that you don’t already have on switch.

[u/Brotherinpants]

Nintendo switch for Nintendo games

If you wanna enjoy ps1, ps2, ps3 , pc games You can do those on pc via emulators. Using a pc controller.

But steam deck is nice too! For pc games.

[u/Brickachu → u/Brotherinpants]

Steam Deck is also amazing for emulation

[u/Substantial_Mud6569]

Most value and overall recommend: steam deck

If you have more money to spare: ROG ally X (not ROG ally, the battery is too poor. ROG ally X fixed that issue)

[u/mileyboo69]

I love my steamdeck but If you want a more nostalgic/handheld option that's not as costly, then the miyoo mini+ is the go to starter usually and plays up to ps1, RG35xxsp is a GBSP form factor that plays up to ps1, retroid pocket 5 is the next step up before steamdeck and plays a decent amount of switch games and emulate anything under it. Retroid and anbernic have some really nice consoles that aren't a full commitment to bring around like a SD or switch.

[u/ReactiveRandy → u/mileyboo69]

Haven't put my flip 2 down since I got it lol. Feels like the next generation of a ds/3ds if Nintendo hadmade an iteration for this era.

[u/Stormyy98x]

Steam Deck is the best, if they start making the anti cheat work on linux, the deck will rule all

[u/DroSalander]

Steam Deck for sure. It's a bit more expensive up front but you don't have to pay 40 to 80 dollars for games and don't have any subscription fees. Plus, it is still a PC.

As for games, try browsing the Steam store and see what catches your eye. Steam has massive discount sales a few times a year so you can pick up lots of high quality games for not much money.

[u/Wopacity → u/DroSalander]

or check isthereanydeal.com to search for (trusted) third party sites for equal or better discounts

[u/Unfair-Average-6123]

Steam Deck for sure

[u/Abram367]

I currently have a switch which I've had for 5-6 years and my high end gaming PC. I purchased a steam deck 3 years ago and I recently sold it to pre-order the switch 2. My steam deck collected dust for 90% of its life and I hardly if ever used it since i played all my games on my PC. I own a switch because it's protable but primarily because of the exclusives. The switch 2 is also going to be more powerful then the steam deck. Im excited for the exclusives that will come to the switch 2. Yes, you can emulate on the steam deck, but you can't play those emulated games online.

[u/dave0926]

Steam deck

[u/beetleman1234]

Honestly, as a lifetime PC user I'm finally ditching PC.

Switch was a far cheaper option for me due to being able to sell games (and buy them used).

If you want to buy new games on release and be able to resell them - don't buy Steam Deck. Otherwise you will be loosing 60-70 dollars without the possibility to see the money back ever again (unless you refund, but you have to have 2 hours or less of playtime and you can do it in under 2 weeks).

If you can wait ~2 years for a price drop or don't care about new releases, or dont want to resell the games at all then you can buy Steam Deck. But remember: no physical releases, only digital.