Direct comparisons to the Nintendo Switch are almost comical because of how much larger the Steam Deck is in practically every way. When Valve unveiled the Steam Deck, I was taken aback by its sheer size. Steam Deck in official case (Image credit: Miles Dompier | Windows Central)

But in a market dominated by the success of the Nintendo Switch, who is the target audience for this?

Valve's foray into the portable gaming space promised convenience and power, launching with a Linux version of Steam's proprietary operating system. That's where Valve's exciting handheld console, the Steam Deck, comes in. The ultimate dream for many players is a device that allows them to experience the games they love on the go with impressive visual fidelity, respectable framerates, and virtually no latency. It's why we see so many conversations and rumors concerning a fabled Nintendo Switch Pro model. Nintendo's once ambitious hybrid console doesn't have the hardware capabilities to run many current games at 60FPS. In a post-Xbox Series X|S and PS5 world, players want and, quite frankly, expect a certain level of performance from newer titles. While fans were initially happy with the performance of most Nintendo Switch titles, expectations have shifted since the console's launch back in 2017.

Steam deck 512 price