Often pitted against each other in handheld console wars, Valve's Steam Deck and Nintendo's Switch are often seen as direct competitors. Yet, for two such popular consoles with different strengths and weaknesses, why do we believe we should only own one or the other?

If you're wondering whether you should get a Steam Deck if you have a Switch or vice versa, we're here to help. We delve into six good reasons for owning both the Steam Deck and the Switch—no competition necessary!

1. You Can Play Nintendo Exclusives on the Switch and PC Exclusives on the Steam Deck

Nintendo Switch exclusive game Zelda BOTW screenshot

Switch games are difficult to emulate on any other platform, so by owning a Switch alongside your Steam Deck, you can still enjoy Nintendo exclusives. Some of the best exclusive Nintendo Switch games include Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Splatoon 2, among many others.

You can also play your favorite retro Nintendo games with a Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack—think rebooting N64 titles such as Mario Party or The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or reliving old Sega Mega Drive releases.

The online expansion service also gives you access to DLC packs for exclusive Switch games, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

While the Steam Deck allows you to access over 7,000 games that are either "playable" or fully "Steam Deck verified", you'll be hard-pushed to find Nintendo Switch exclusives on Valve's console. Conversely, many PC games on the Steam Deck are not compatible with the Switch. For this reason, it's well worth considering owning both consoles to fulfill all your gaming needs.

2. You Can Play Games at a Higher Quality on the Steam Deck

Steam Deck screenshot gaming device

Games available on Switch and Steam Deck will always look (and probably run) better on Valve's handheld device than Nintendo's. A significant reason for this is that the Switch tries to run new games on five years or more old hardware.

The initial Nintendo Switch was released in 2017, and despite the updated release of the OLED Switch, the hardware remains the same. This contributed to the fear that Valve's Steam Deck might kill the Nintendo Switch before its release in 2022.

Another reason to own both consoles is that many PlayStation games are now available on Steam. Forget the Valve Steam Deck vs. Nintendo Switch "one or the other" ultimatum, and consider whether your other non-handheld gaming consoles are obsolete.

3. You Can Price Match Games if You Own Both Handheld Consoles

Buy discounted games on Steam and Nintendo stores

For games that run on both the Switch and the Steam Deck, you can save money by purchasing the game for whichever console is cheaper. Often, Steam offers cheaper prices than Nintendo. This could be for a few reasons:

  • Developing games might be more expensive for Nintendo. Due to the Switch's unique hardware compared to PC and other consoles, there may be more optimization demands, upping the development cost.
  • Physical game cartridges incur additional costs. All Steam games are digital, while some Nintendo Switch games can be bought as a physical cartridge. These physical copies will generate additional manufacturing and distribution costs for Nintendo.
  • User base volume vs. market demand. Steam has a larger user base than Nintendo, meaning developers can opt to sell their game for a lower price and still make a profit with more sales. On the other hand, the demand for Switch games is often high, which might contribute to hiked game prices.

Despite Nintendo Switch games often demanding a higher price than the Steam Deck equivalent, you can still get a good deal on the Nintendo store. To help find the best price for your desired games, it's worth creating wishlists on both the Nintendo eShop and the Steam store.

You can enable notifications from each store to alert you when your wishlist games go on sale. That way, you can pick the best price for each game and own it on either console.

4. You Can Sell Nintendo Switch Games Once Played

You can sell Nintendo Switch game cartridges second hand

If you're a play-through-once kind of gamer, owning a Switch might give you better ROI. While both consoles offer digital games, only the Switch offers physical copies via Nintendo Switch game cartridges.

Due to the popularity of the Nintendo Switch, its games hold value well. This means you might be able to sell your game second-hand after playing through and put your money back into another game for either console. You can also save money on Steam Deck games by borrowing from your friends' libraries.

5. The Switch and Steam Deck Make the Ultimate Portable Technology Combination

Steam Deck portable gaming console

If you're looking for a solid reason to own both the Switch and the Steam Deck, then seeing the two consoles as the ultimate portable technology combination should do the trick.

The Nintendo Switch offers a reliable, hybrid gaming experience. You can play games in handheld mode or connect to a TV with an HDMI cable to play on a bigger screen, performing seamlessly between the two options. Its consistent performance adds to its appeal as a brilliant home and portable gaming device.

The Steam Deck, on the other hand, offers users a handheld gaming experience, but it can also be used to replace your desktop computer or laptop. This is ideal for both digital nomads who perhaps want to downsize their work tech (using a lapdock to convert your device into a laptop, for example) or couples who both like to game.

For couples, owning both consoles between the pair of you is a no-brainer. You either have a handheld console each to play on simultaneously without needing to be tied into a multiplayer game together. Otherwise, one of you can use the Steam Deck as a computer when required, leaving the Switch free for gaming for the other person.

6. You Can Pick Your Gaming Console Depending on Your Mood

If you want to play on the tv choose Nintendo Switch today

Just as you might crave comedy movies to cheer you up or a scary movie to get your adrenaline pumping, your emotions can affect your gaming mood.

Are you in the mood for customizing or optimizing your gameplay, trying out an emulator for old games on your handheld, or borrowing a friend's game from their library? Today is then the day to pick up your Steam Deck.

Alternatively, if you need a pick-up-and-play moment, want a reliable multiplayer option, or easily connect your handheld to the TV, you can opt for the Nintendo Switch.

Both the Switch and the Steam Deck have their pros and cons, but what you fancy using one day might change the next. As the games available for each can differ slightly, you might fancy a Nintendo Switch exclusive game one day, then a heavy-quality Steam game the next.

By owning both consoles, you will have games and devices at your fingertips to suit all moods and gaming desires.

You Should Consider Owning Both the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch

There are many reasons to consider owning both the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch, as the pair complement each other wonderfully. Each console offers exclusive games, differing gaming experiences, and hardware functions. It's not necessarily a choice of which console you should buy, but which one to buy first, the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch? The choice is yours.