Games

Deck is much larger and heavier.

Steamdeck is better than the Switch or Switch 2, from pretty much every objective measure.

You can even get a switch emulator in your steam deck.

Biased because I'm pro steam deck, but yes, Steam Deck will offer you the full steam library of games, on top of games from other platforms / consoles through emulation

This was the main selling point for me

Steam Deck is great but keep in mind it's way bigger and heavier than the Switch Lite. If you move around a lot, it's not something you can just toss into a backpack.

The deck is actually a little more expensive overall: You cannot detatch the controllers. Need to buy a 3rd party if you don’t want to always play handheld (most 3rd party will work though) Doesn’t come with a deck (any usb-c to HDMI dongle should work)

Besides that, if you have a big steam library already , it’s pretty amazing. Cities Skyline isn’t very steam deck friendly though.

If you don't care about Nintendo games. Go for the deck 100%

I'm going to go against the general consensus here and say you would probably be better served buying a Switch 2. The Steam Deck is awesome but it is bulkier, has less battery life, and is overall less suited for a "pick up, play 10mins and toss is back" usage.

However if you are up for some occasional tinkering, the SD is far more versatile than the Switch and could even replace your laptop depending on your use-cases.

End of life as in? Battery not keeping a charge? Joystick drifting? USB-C connector messed up? Most of those problems can be fixed, ifixit has the parts and great walk throughs. Just fix it and keep playing what you like how you like.

Don't give Nintendo any more money

Steam Deck

I love the steam deck. I haven't used my switch for anything other than family Mario kart since I got it. I really like having access to PC games, especially at steam sale prices, which makes the deck a lot cheaper in the long run vs Nintendo games that never go on sale. Even Pokémon games that are years old are still full price when they're 2 or 3 releases behind in the series.

The only thing I prefer about the switch is physical cartridges. The deck wins in every other category for me.

Just to preface, I have bias as a person who got a steam deck day 1 and love it with no plans of getting a switch 2 .

That being said it’s definitely on a per-person basis. The big differences are how comfortable you are with small “tinkering” because things work on the steam deck but small adjustments aren’t uncommon and how okay you are with not having Nintendo games like Mario Kart.

If you’re cool with both of those then I’d say Steam Deck! Otherwise waiting for the switch 2 is probably the move!

A Deck will likely be a better purchase for you. Shared library, more sales too. The Cities Skylines situation you’ve described would have been enough to make that decision for me

If you already have a gaming pc you could get a phone controller grip and use the steam link app.

I'm using a bracket for my xbox controller that way I keep the same comfort. Most phones have oled screens and a high ppi so it can look pretty nice.

It opens steam in big picture mode all ready, and since it's on a pc you can run the games at max quality.

Nintendo is going to lose alot of gamers this generation, they have gotten too greedy.

Nintendo is a terrible, anti-consumer company. Unless you simply can’t control yourself when it comes to their first party franchises, the Steam Deck is far and away the better choice.

You’ll be happier in general with the Deck I think unless you care about Nintendo exclusives

Personally, I didn't like physically holding the steam deck. In my opinion, it's much too heavy/bulky and even with a high quality comfort grip It just wasn't working for me. Ultimately, I ended up going with an Ayn Odin 2 instead and I've been enjoying my portable/lounging game time much more now. I do miss the ability to play my steam library though. Even though I can still do this with streaming, I just don't like streaming games as much. Other than the weight/size/ergonomics, which most people seem to be just fine with, the only other thing I'd mention is that steam's UI is buggy as hell when you're browsing around the store. I ended up doing most of my browsing on desktop as a result.

All that being said, you can't deny the draw of it. Even though it wasn't for me personally, I still like the system and I'd still recommend it to pretty much anybody. There's a reason Steam Deck is the champ.

Also, look up retro game corp if you aren't familiar. He just released a video today called 'dude, just get a steam deck'

If you already have a decent PC for games a Switch allow you to play more games.

I'm a collector of physical games, but with the last couple of models of PS5 lacking a disc drive and Nintendo's Screwball "Game Key Card" situation with Switch 2, the writing is on the wall when it comes to physical games media. I just recently got a Steam Deck LCD model (I don't need OLED) and couldn't be happier. I don't see myself getting a Switch 2 unless maybe it's years down the road, pre-owned and with at least three decent exclusives (one would have to be a "Zelda BOTW 3".) But no, Nintendo pissed away all their goodwill they built up as the common folk's console with the OG Switch

What do you mean by "end of its life" ?

Out of curiosity, what games do you play other than Cities Skyline?

If you just want something for portability + ten minutes of gameplay, what about an android phone you can emulate on + one of those phone controllers that turn your phone into a portable console?