The consoles don’t rage in the same way they used to. Each major gaming platform sticks to its own way of doing things. Sony sticks to exclusive titles, Microsoft works with multiple companies to deliver gaming experiences on all platforms, and Nintendo sticks to what it knows best: nostalgia. The only platform that has stuck out over the years is PC, and there is a reason many call it the master race. PC typically has some of the best games, including both triple-A and indie titles, as well as the power to play anything. Against all odds, Nintendo could actually compete with PC and truly stand a chance.
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Exclusives
Hard to compete with that
Nintendo has spent years cracking down on emulation. While it still exists on PC, it is hard to emulate some of your favorite games from the past. Over the years, Nintendo has worked to create amazing exclusive titles for series like The Legend of Zelda, Mario, Metroid Prime, Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, and a lot more. These titles can only be played on Nintendo consoles, and a lot of them can only be played on the more recent systems, such as the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2.
Mario Kart World is the latest title that players will only be able to access if they have a Switch 2. If someone wants to play Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, they need to have either the Switch or the Switch 2. Every other console maker’s games eventually go to PC. For instance, PlayStation titles often appear on Steam around one year after launch. Xbox games typically get added to PC on day one. Nintendo titles, on the other hand, will never appear on PC, making Nintendo more capable of competing thanks to exclusivity.
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The Nintendo Switch 2 looks like a great system but there is one major thing I don’t like about it and that is the camera. I won’t be buying it.
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Handheld
Makes it easier to game
Nintendo has always been innovative. From the very beginning with the NES, Nintendo has found ways to make its consoles stand out from everyone else. When the Game Boy was released, it was a major shock to gamers because they could take their games on the go with them. This has since evolved into other handheld consoles, such as the DS, 3DS, and the Switch. The latest console in this line-up is the Switch 2, and it has a bit of power behind it. The only other companies that have handheld gaming devices that work anywhere work with PC gaming.
Nintendo has been in the market of selling handheld gaming for decades. Sure, PC gamers have the Steam Deck, but the Switch 2 is able to compete with it on a level of power, for around the same price. On top of this, you get access to Nintendo’s exclusives. The thing about the Steam Deck is that all PC games are compatible with the system. Companies have to go out of their way to make games compatible with it. Nintendo only has the Switch, so every game it makes will be compatible and able to be played on the go on day one.
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Price
PC gaming can be expensive
Source: Asus ROG
I love to game on my PC, but I also recognize that I spent a lot of money to play some of my favorite games. The thing about console gaming is that it is always cheaper than playing on PC. Even if you decide to build a cheap PC, you are still spending around the cost of a PS5 Pro or more just to play your games. This doesn’t even guarantee that the PC will be as powerful as the console you are replacing. This is when the costs start to pile up, and boy, are there a lot of parts to buy.
The beautiful thing about buying a console, and mostly Nintendo consoles, is that they tend to be cheaper than the others. The Nintendo Switch price was $300 at launch. That is cheaper than any other console and a PC, by far. Now, the Switch 2 will be $450. It is still cheaper than other consoles, depending on which one you want to buy. It is also still far cheaper than purchasing a PC or even building one. On top of this, you get access to exclusive Nintendo titles and triple-A games that are coming out.
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Nintendo can compete
Nintendo has always had a different game plan than other console developers. The company sticks to doing its own thing, and it has worked over the years. Nintendo has its advantages, such as a cheaper price for consoles, exclusive games that you know you’ll love, and a gaming experience you can take anywhere. Not only can Nintendo compete with the other major console makers, but it also has a clear advantage that allows it to compete with PC. That is, until the other console developers get in on the handheld gaming craze.
