I plop on my couch and put a throw pillow on my lap and put the Steam Deck on the pillow. So I’m not really holding it. My arms do still get tired, but only after playing for hours at which point I should probably take a break anyway.

Honestly that’s fine. Not every game is for everyone.

I bought Hollow Knight because everyone said it was amazing and it seemed exactly like the kind of game I would like. I bought it, played for several hours, but ultimately stopped because I wasn’t having fun.

As a result I didn’t buy Silksong. But… Silksong seems to be doing just fine.

For me Baldur’s Gate I & II were the best games I played growing up. Divinity Original Sin I & II were the best games I’d played in recent years. I had high expectations for Baldur’s Gate III and the game exceeded them.

Of course even I would be wary of a Baldur’s Gate IV. I don’t trust Hasbro to be able to make a quality game.

True, but this book is the best thing Microsoft has made.

Just tested again with a few different games.

• Counter Strike Source, same results.
• VVVVV, played just fine.
• Animal Well, wanted a controller and then threw an error.
• Binding of Issac Rebirth, failed to load.

So it looks like I’d have to dig in and figure out why some failed to play. Any big games are probably out.

I’ve installed Steam using Crostini in the past and played CounterStike using it. It was technically playable, but not good performance wise. Although I do have a higher spec Chromebook now, so maybe it would be better. Although many Chromebooks are lower spec, so it’s possible there aren’t enough games that are reasonably playable.

I’m guessing the point of this project was to make it as easy as installing Android apps, a “one click” install.

You also have to keep track the site and how you spell it. For example is it “Microsoft” or “microsoft”?

And keep track of the current name of the site vs the old name. For example am I signing into Microsoft or Live.com or Xbox?

And keep track of my username. Is it my email? Which email? Which username?

I understand the concept but I think if falls apart fast.

To allow for a live avatar. For example when playing Mario Kart online you can see the reactions of your friends your playing with. When you hit someone with a red shell and they make a mad face, you get to see it.

Microphones have been in gaming for a while, this is just the next step.

Now… Is any of that necessary? No, not really. Is it kinda neat? Maybe for some.

That’s a fair point. I also have a SteamDeck so indie games I previously bought on the Switch 1, I would now buy on the SteamDeck.

If I only had a Switch or Switch 2, there are advantages to buying handheld versus a PC/Xbox/PlayStation.

With the new Xbox handheld thing that likely further cuts into the handheld market and unique feature of the Switch.

Are there lots of non Nintendo games exclusive to the original Switch?

Nintendo consoles are for Nintendo games. Non Nintendo games on Nintendo consoles are a nice bonus, but only when looking at the lifetime of the console and not the launch.

Re Minecraft, the “Vibrant Visuals” update only applies to Bedrock and not Java at the moment.

I assume most SteamDeck Minecraft players are using Java, so you won’t see this particular change at this time.

Although it is coming later.

And Java has had shaders since forever.

Curious to know what 8bitdo software exists and doesn’t work on Linux. I own two controllers and only ever used them on my Switch and SteamDeck.

So if it has software, it isn’t needed, and out of the box it just works.

To be fair the Switch launched with Zelda Breath of the Wild, which is arguably the best Zelda game and possibly the best game on the Switch.

So even with only a single title, the Switch had a strong launch title.

Now for Switch 2 they’re launching with Mario Kart. Now I know Mario Kart is the top selling Switch game, so it sounds like a good launch title, but I’m less confident.

I know Nintendo hasn’t made a new Mario Kart game in 10+ years, just updated the existing Mario Kart 8, and I’m sure it’ll be fun, but I think Mario Kart is too casual of a game, I think it sells systems eventually, but not so much on launch.

History shows it does pay off.

The Wii U had Nintendo Land, which was the 5th top selling game for the console.

The Switch had 1 2 Switch, which was the 40th top selling game for the console. 40th might sound low, but that’s about the same as Zelda Echoes of Wisdom, Pikmin 4 or Paper Mario Origami King.

Now this “game” looks to be terrible so far, but that can always throw it as a pack in after a year or two and suddenly the total sales bump right up. No downside.

So Donkey Kong lore can be weird, depending on which Donkey Kong you subscribe to.

The most well known version design of Donkey Kong starts with Donkey Kong Country, where Donkey Kong is the grandson of Cranky Kong. Cranky Kong was the original Donkey Kong that threw barrels at Mario (Jumpman at the time).

That also means we’re missing a Kong, Donkey Kong’s father, Donkey Kong Jr. The design shown here does closely resemble what a grown up Donkey Kong Jr might look like.

SO, the Donkey Kong show here might not be Donkey Kong, it may be Donkey Kong Jr, better known simply as Donkey Kong. It could also just be a young Donkey Kong or Cranky Kong, since they’re related and may look similar.

Good catch, so 2nd to 3rd for the Switch.

I know the headline says PlayStation, but this whole thread is ignoring the Nintendo Switch. For every PS5 sold, two Nintendo Switches were sold. Maybe PlayStation and Xbox are on the decline, but the Switch is nearly the bestselling console of all time (the PS2 is still in the lead and will likely hold that title.)

Also when it comes to MUST HAVE games, Nintendo has so many of those to choose from. Breath of the Wild, Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Smash Bros, the list goes on.

Nintendo has absolutely dominated the console market and this article seems to just ignore that.

Tony Hawk 1+2 was good, if they literally just do that again, then yes. There are areas to improve, but the core gameplay, which is just the Tony Hawk games, is still fun.

I mean this game is based on/a sequel to Pokemon Legends Arceus which played differently from all other games in the series.

Additionally, based on the trailer, combat will be changing once again.

That being said, I do expect it to be buggy.

So yeah, I’ll likely be having fun with this game.

The opening of the article gets it wrong but is so close to realizing it.

I stopped buying most games for my Nintendo Switch the day I bought a Steam Deck.

I did not.

My Switch has been a Mario and Zelda machine ever since.

That’s why I did not. Switch has the exclusive.

It’s simple: the Steam Deck took the Switch’s best trick — pick-up-and-play portability

That’s a great feature, but the best is the games.

Actually the most widely used OS worldwide is Android. Nearly ½ of all devices are Android while only ¼ of all devices are Windows.

Now if you want to adjust the scope and only look at “desktop” operating systems then yes, that is the majority. However over the past 10 years Windows has declined by ~15%, the majority going to macOS, but a small percentage going to Linux. Linux is generally on the rise, albeit slowly.

Also keep in mind the data I’ve referenced above applies to ALL devices. The landscape changes dramatically when you look at console vs “PC” gaming. Console gaming is roughly ~60% of the traditional gaming market. So while a Windows user may not become a Linux user, they may disappear and become a console user, decreasing the number of Windows users.

While I fully expect Windows to be around for a while, unless a change is made it will continue to lose market share. It would be a mistake to look at these numbers and think Windows is safe and beloved. By all metrics Windows is going away. It’s not going to happen overnight, but 10 years from now?