Gaming Doesn't Have To Be Expensive.

Review Summary

The video compares a used Nintendo Switch with a used LCD Steam Deck as affordable ways to start gaming without already owning a TV, PC, or laptop. The reviewer bought 10 games for each platform and tried both for a few weeks. No formal ratings or scores are given.

Used Hardware and Costs

• Nintendo Switch: The used console cost about $150, or $250 including a 512GB microSD card. The card was a useful bonus, as the Switch has only 32GB of built-in storage. The console also came with a dock. Its condition showed some wear: scratches on the screen, slightly wobbly Joy-Con, and a weak rear stand.
• Steam Deck LCD: The used 256GB model cost about $400 and was in near-new condition. The reviewer notes that a 512GB version might also be available for around that price. It comes with a bulky case.

Both devices offer a portable, all-in-one way to play without buying a TV. A TV, dock, or controller can be added for a living-room setup.

Games and Ongoing Costs

Nintendo Switch

The reviewer chose five Nintendo exclusives—Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart 8, and Tears of the Kingdom—plus five other games.

• The five non-exclusive games cost $70.
• The five Nintendo titles cost $128.
• The total was $198, or about $20 per game. The reviewer estimates the selection provides well over 500 hours of play.
• Buying used cartridges, borrowing and reselling games, and using the price-tracking site Deku Deals helped reduce costs.
• The console, storage card, and games came to about $448.
• Nintendo Switch Online costs $20 per year for online play and a limited emulation library. A $50 option includes more emulation.
• The reviewer dislikes Nintendo’s digital purchase refund policy, describing digital purchases as non-refundable.

Steam Deck LCD

Steam’s frequent sales can make games substantially cheaper. The reviewer cites The Witcher 3 for $3.99, Cyberpunk 2077 for $18, and Doom: The Dark Ages for $23.

The reviewer’s five selected games—Slay the Spire 2, Hades, LEGO Star Wars, Spyro, and Stardew Valley—cost $64. Slay the Spire 2 was a full-price $24 purchase.

• The review was filmed during the Steam Summer Sale, and the reviewer notes that Steam holds sales regularly. Deku Deals and IsThereAnyDeal can also track prices.
• Steam multiplayer has no subscription fee. Eligible games can be returned within 14 days if played for less than two hours.
• Steam Family sharing can provide access to another person’s library, as long as they do not play the same shared game at the same time.
• Some discounted games are not compatible with Steam Deck; the reviewer gives Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora as an example.
• The reviewer does not give a complete Steam Deck total. They discuss the $400 console and $64 for the selected games, with family sharing or a smaller remaining game budget as options for getting additional titles.

Main Advantages and Drawbacks

Nintendo Switch

Advantages

• Lighter at about 400g, slimmer, and more portable.
• Easy to pick up and play.
• Strong library of Nintendo exclusives and family games.
• Detachable Joy-Con support local multiplayer.
• Cartridges can be bought used, borrowed, and resold.

Drawbacks

• Games are generally more expensive.
• Only 32GB of internal storage.
• Digital purchases are non-refundable, according to the reviewer.
• The used unit in the review had visible wear.
• The reviewer found its online and emulation subscription offering limited.

Steam Deck LCD

Advantages

• More powerful, with a larger PC game library and frequent low-cost sales.
• No multiplayer subscription fee.
• Steam refunds are available under the stated conditions.
• Supports Steam Family sharing.
• Offers extensive customization, and emulation expands access to older console games.
• The reviewer says EmuDeck makes emulation setup relatively straightforward and mentions a community compatibility list.

Drawbacks

• More expensive upfront.
• Heavier and bulkier at about 670g; its extra width may be uncomfortable for people with small hands.
• Not every PC game works well on it.
• Its size makes it feel more like a dedicated gaming investment than a device to casually pick up.

Additional Product: Mobapad C2 Lite Controller

The reviewer also features the Mobapad C2 Lite, a lower-cost controller option priced at under $30. It has Hall-effect sticks intended to resist drift, with a sliding design that keeps the sticks from rubbing against the ring. Other features include a comfortable grip, up to 20 hours of battery life, quiet membrane buttons, and compatibility with Switch, PC, iOS, and Android. It can be configured through the Mobapad app. The reviewer says the sticks feel better than expected for the price.

Verdict

The reviewer ultimately chooses the Steam Deck LCD, valuing its broader library, customization, free multiplayer, and low-cost game deals.

However, both devices are presented as good choices for different players. The Switch is better suited to people who prioritize portability, Nintendo exclusives, family play, and simplicity. The Steam Deck is a better fit for players who want PC flexibility and more ways to find inexpensive games. Buying both is possible, but the reviewer notes that it adds expense rather than serving as a budget solution.

Different Views and Contributions

• Tyson, a writer, suggested considering the Steam Deck as an alternative to the Switch.
• Jake loves Slay the Spire and wanted to play Slay the Spire 2.
• Abby recommended Pikuniku.
• The reviewer’s sister recommended Octopath Traveler, and the reviewer’s daughter likes Spyro.
• The reviewer’s husband has a larger Steam library and plays Slay the Spire 2 with the reviewer. That shared-game experience helped shape the reviewer’s preference for the Steam Deck.