Roundup: “Hands-on” First Impressions of Valve’s Steam Platform – How does it stack up against the change?

When Valve revealed Steam Deck last month, the system was compared much to the Switch. It’s gotten to the point where Valve has responded, stating how it “goes after” a completely different audience.

However, what do critics think of Valve’s new system? Various media outlets have already gotten down to business with the system (as you may have already seen), so we’ve put together some of the “hands-on” first impressions, many of which are full of hardware comparisons. Nintendo hybrid.

Sean Hollister of The edge noted how the Steam Deck was much more comfortable to hold and mentioned how his fingers “just melted” into its grips and grooves:

What I didn’t necessarily imagine when I walked into the Valve lobby: how gigantic the Steam Deck looks next to a Nintendo Switch, and yet how much more comfortable it is to hold. While it barely fits in the deep pocket of a cargo pants (if you can call it “bulges in all directions” a fit), I now believe Valve when they say the Deck was sculpted for long gaming sessions.

The first time I picked it up, it felt like my fingers just melted into its grips and grooves, placing all the controls at my fingertips, including much meatier joysticks and a deeper, smoother release of its triggers than the controls. stiff and clicks I’ve made. They come to expect from the Switch and Switch PC competitors.

The weight of the system was immediately noticeable, but it was not a problem:

While I immediately noticed the additional half pound of weight compared to the Switch, it didn’t bother me during my short session. The Deck may be heavier, but these prototypes seem light for their size, with a slightly hollow feel that, on second thought, could be polarizing. I wonder if Valve will keep it that way and if the screen finish and plastics could be improved.

Wes Fenlon from Pc gamer He said the Steam Deck was “much bigger” than he expected, especially next to a Nintendo Switch, and highlighted how he preferred the system’s analog sticks over the Switches:

It took me maybe 10 seconds with the analog joysticks to be sure that I much prefer them to the Nintendo Switch joycons. It helps that they are much larger, with a fluid design and rotation that I would compare to an Xbox analog stick. They are not exactly the same, but the Steam Deck sticks have a slightly ridged edge and a flat, concave top for thumb placement. Unless they end up having surprise issues after heavy use, I think they will please just about everyone.

While the PC Gamer game tester wouldn’t consider the Steam Deck as a “one-to-one replacement” for the Nintendo device, the system apparently has the potential to become the best handheld device for playing games the Switch may not have. the power:

After spending a too brief couple of hours with the Steam Deck, I’m not sure if I would consider it a one-to-one replacement for the Nintendo Switch. Its larger size isn’t as great for tossing into a backpack and playing on the go. But as a portable PC gaming machine, it’s really impressive – it’s comfortable, it feels great to hold, and it seems to have the power to play games like Death Stranding with decent settings. If SteamOS can truly deliver the compatibility Valve was looking for, the Steam Deck will become my go-to system for playing games that I desire I could play on the Switch, laying on my couch, for which I just don’t have the muscles. And I am convinced that it will be the best emulation device ever created.

Andrew E. Freedman of Tom Hardware He said the “dream” of playing PC games on the go is on track thanks to Valve’s efforts:

My first impressions suggest that yes, this can work, and I look forward to PC gaming in bed and on airplanes. The games won’t look as pretty as they do on my desktop. But for those who dream of Switch-like portability and playability with PC games, it looks like Valve is on the right track.

Like many other impressions, Freedman was also a bit surprised by the overall size of the system, noting how Switch users would definitely feel the difference:

Steam Deck is much bigger than I expected. It is tall and it is wide. However, it feels surprisingly natural in the hands. Do not misunderstand. You can feel that 1.47-pound weight, but it’s fairly evenly distributed on both sides of the system. If you’ve done most of your handheld games lately on a Nintendo Switch, you’ll feel the difference. Steam Deck is a lot heavier, but that’s the trade-off for its capabilities.

The standard 7-inch screen on certain Steam Deck models (which is the same size as the screen on the Switch OLED model) also had some reflection, but not more than other devices.

While I spent most of my time with the etched glass anti-glare screen, Valve had a brilliant model. There’s no getting around it – the anti-glare screen is nicer. Of course, he had them both side by side. I’m not sure if I regret booking the 256GB model with the standard screen, but there was a twinge of jealousy. Either way, both are 7-inch displays with 1280 x 800 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio … I could see my reflection more on the standard screen, but no worse than on my Nintendo Switch or even on my smartphone.

GamesRadar + Managing Editor Rachel Weber summed up the Steam Deck as a “more serious” gaming device compared to the Nintendo system:

Compared to my Nintendo Switch, it definitely feels like a more serious gaming machine with additional controls and a larger screen, and it will be interesting to compare the new OLED screen Switch and the Steam Deck later this year.

If you want to see how the OLED Switch has been received so far, you can read practical impressions about it in the following post: