Recording summary · November 2022
Why I HATE the Switch OLED
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Overview
Daniel found neither the Steam Deck nor the Switch OLED satisfactory for travel gaming in Thailand due to the Steam Deck's bulk and the Switch OLED's software and performance drawbacks.
Daniel experienced poor performance and lag on Switch titles including Cult of the Lamb, Mortal Kombat Ultimate, and cloud-streamed Resident Evil 2 even when connected to a 5G hotspot.
Nintendo does not provide demos and refund options for expensive AAA titles, contrasting with the two-hour refund window on Steam.
Although Daniel liked the physical build, screen, and kickstand of the Switch OLED, he only plays Mario Kart 8 on it and recommends that travel gamers buy a compact gaming laptop instead.
Themes
Handheld console evaluations for traveling in Thailand
Switch OLED performance deficiencies and cloud gaming problems
Lack of game trials and refund options on the Nintendo platform compared to Steam
Comparison of handheld hardware appeal versus laptop utility for travel gaming
Developments
Daniel spent several weeks in Thailand.
Daniel tested a Steam Deck and deemed it too bulky for his backpack.
Daniel used a Switch OLED over a period of weeks.
Daniel resorted to using a 17-inch Razer Blade Pro gaming laptop for travel gaming.
Uncertainties & gaps
It is uncertain whether the Switch lacks the power to run games like Resident Evil 2 and 3 natively.
It is uncertain whether Daniel would enjoy AAA Nintendo titles such as Luigi's Mansion or Pokémon.
It is uncertain whether newer 14-inch AMD gaming laptops are completely fanless.