The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 continues to make headlines as the device claims to offer plenty of amazing features and specifications. If you are planning to buy a new handheld gaming device, however, the Switch 2 is not your only option. Several alternatives available in the market can offer better performance for the same or even a lower price.

1. Steam Deck

The Steam Deck, produced by Valve Corporation, is a powerful handheld gaming computer that is designed for comfort and offers a console-like experience. The Steam Deck OLED version offers a beautiful, bright screen. However, if you want a more affordable option, you opt for the LCD Steam Deck. You can check out the Steam Deck LCD vs. OLED comparison to understand which one is better for you.

While not every game on Steam is playable on the Steam Deck, the list of games you can play on this handheld device continues to grow. One may also argue that several games available on Switch 2 won’t be available on the Steam Deck. However, the library of games available on the Steam Deck easily outweighs the games that will be available for the Switch 2 during its launch.

2. ROG Ally

The ROG Ally from ASUS is a capable alternative to both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck. This device runs on Windows and has the advantage of Xbox Game Pass, which is considered one of the best deals in gaming. You can also get EA Play membership, Riot Games benefits, and several other discounts across 300+ high-quality games.

While ROG Ally has not collaborated with brands like the Steam Deck, it offers multiple shopfronts to purchase games. This means you can easily download Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG directly onto your ROG Ally device, access your existing library, or start a new one. The device also allows you to purchase games from product key resellers.

3. Lenovo Legion Go S

The Legion Go S is very different from the company’s previous handheld devices. It has a unibody design that abandons the Switch-like removable controllers and several superfluous dials and buttons. This device runs on Windows and has recently released a SteamOS version. While it has fewer buttons, the layout of the Lenovo Legion Go S is more intuitive than its older versions.

This device is also the first handheld gaming PC on the market to use the new AMD Z2 Go APU. It also has a slightly bigger battery than the original Legion Go. Even though the device uses slightly older technologies, it has no problem playing most AAA games with a comfortable 30-40 FPS. Also, it comes with 32GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD, which is more memory than the ASUS ROG Ally X.

4. MSI Claw A8 & 8AI+

MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM is powered by the Ryzen Z2 series. This AMD variant of the latest MSI gaming handheld has an 8-inch LCD panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate, 500 nits peak brightness, and 100% sRGB coverage. The company has also announced the new Claw 8AI+ Polar Tempest edition, which uses an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip and has a 2TB NVMe SSD storage.

Because of these impressive features and specifications, the MSI Claw is on the higher end of the price range. It even includes all the benefits offered by the ROG Ally and Legion Go S. The larger screen makes the Claw more enjoyable to use. Also, the Centre M experience on the Claw 8 AI+ causes fewer gaming issues than the previous generation of Centre M software on the original Claw.

 

5. Logitech G Cloud

This Android-based gaming handheld focuses on cloud gaming, with an emphasis on services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming. These services require a separate subscription charge. The cloud streaming services have one major advantage–you do not run anything directly from the handheld, so you don’t need much storage space.

The Logitech G Cloud has a battery life of more than 12 hours and a screen size of 7 inches. The only issue users may face is that the device needs a constant connection to the internet. You won’t be able to play any video game without a strong internet connection on this device.

Conclusion

Nintendo Switch 2 has many amazing features and specifications that are rare in the current gaming handheld market. However, if you want something different, you can check out the options discussed in this article. While some of them offer better compatibility with other shopfronts and improved specifications, you may need to spend extra money to enjoy those features.