I’m trying to determine if I should get a steam deck. Money isn’t a problem. I just don’t know if I would realistically use it as I have all the consoles and do not have a steam account full of games. If a new game comes out I’m probably going to get it on console, and I have a switch for the 4-5 flights I take a year. Is there a type of game or use-case for the SD I might be overlooking? Or is it really designed for PC players to take their games on the go or couch play? Most of the reviews I’ve seen are people who already play PC, not seen any console-only people give their thoughts.

I already have a crazy backlog but gaming is my biggest hobby. I just don’t want to buy one to not use it.

  • Revolver_Lanky_KongB
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    1 year ago

    Sounds like you answered your own question. My Steam Deck is a companion device to my PC.

  • techbear72B
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    1 year ago

    I’m fairly casual but would probably be relatively close to your experience other than that I’m casual.

    My main systems were PS4 and Switch.

    I bought the Steam Deck because I had a few games on Steam that weren’t available on console over the years and a few more that I’d bought because they were stupidly cheap and played on my non-gaming PC, though it had a decent middle range GPU.

    It changed the way I play for sure. Completed more games than I ever have before because you can play in 10-30 minute snatches in ways I just couldn’t on the TV or PC.

    Massively changed the way I buy games. Not bought a single thing for Switch or PlayStation since I got the Steam Deck; but everything on PC now and almost always when it’s on sale which seems to happen all the time relatively speaking.

    It’s also fantastic for emulation and I’m rediscovering loads of old PS2, Xbox, and N64 era titles (all of which of course I own the originals of) and that’s hugely fun too.

    Like I say though, I’m no hardcore CoD player or anything.

  • Lightningxp1B
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    1 year ago

    Sounds like you don’t need it. The steam deck is intended for either people with large steam libraries that enjoy handheld gaming or people who are interested in joining the PC ecosystem and want an easy entry point. If you don’t fit either but find portable AAA gaming interesting I would suggest buying a controller peripheral for your phone and download remote play/PSnow/xcloud on your phone instead. Same effect but much cheaper. Streaming is obviously not as good as native gaming but depending on the game, it probably won’t make a big difference.

  • RonnstenB
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    1 year ago

    Well, if money isn’t an issue, you should just get one and try it out. Pick up a couple games you think you might like. Worst comes to worst, you can just return it in the two week return window or sell it on Facebook to get most of your money back.

  • BitterDoughnut996
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    1 year ago

    You clearly don’t need it, and it sounds like you already knew that.

    I had a modest Steam Library of 120 games, many of which I was actively playing through, when I got the Deck. It allows me to continue progress while relaxing upstairs away from my desktop.

    If you’re coming in cold, with a huge backlog elsewhere, and already have a portable device for the few trips who take a year, then I see no point in it.

  • ryanking32OPB
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    1 year ago

    Thanks everyone. Seems my instincts were correct. I’ll wait for the new Switch. I have a PC but I’m not tech savvy so it’s just frustrating, hence I stick to consoles. I’m sure I could do SD but I’ll never pair it with full PC gaming so I guess it’s just not for me, for now at least.

  • ThreeStoogesFanB
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    1 year ago

    As an owner of ps2, xbox 360, xbox one, ps4, switch, ps5, xbs x|s, an avid gamer with no pc experience or equipment, yes, a steam deck is worth it.

    I do end up double dipping(titanfall 2, max Payne 3, cyberpunk 2077 with cross progression now) on some purchases, but steam sales are so aplenty and cheap. It doesn’t really bother me.