The reality is that when Nintendo finally unveils the Nintendo Switch 2 to the gaming world next year, it has the potential to upend the handheld gaming market from the ground up. But before we get to the expected $419 to $524 price tag for the device, let's take a look at Valve's Steam Deck OLED news.

The company has begun selling certified refurbished Steam Deck OLED consoles in the US, UK, Canada, and EU at a discount of over $100. This brings the extremely versatile, high-performance gaming machine to $439 for the 512GB model and $519 for the 1TB model (down from $649). In the UK, the 512GB refurbished model is now priced at £389 and the 1TB option at £459.

This is an absolute steal for a machine that made one former TG staffer fall back in love with PC gaming.

However, buying directly from Valve gives you peace of mind regarding the durability of used equipment.

According to the company, each unit is subjected to “extensive testing, including over 100 tests at one of Valve's facilities.” Perhaps most importantly, the battery is always a concern; according to Valve, the battery health checks the company performs can “meet or exceed performance standards” for brand new units. Additionally, the refurbished Steam Deck OLED will come with a carry case, power supply, and a one-year warranty. The only drawback is a “minor cosmetic blemish” inherited from its previous life.

The importance of reducing e-waste need not be repeated here, but if you are on the fence about getting the Steam Deck OLED, you can save a pretty significant amount of money. The $519 for the refurbished 1TB model is cheaper than the $549 for the new 512GB version.

The Steam Deck OLED is over a year old at this point (it was released in November '23), but it remains one of the best gaming devices available. My colleagues are choosing it over newer competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X because of its ease of use and price to performance ratio.

Needless to say, even the non-OLED Steam Deck beats the Nintendo Switch OLED when it comes to performance and the amount of games you can play. You can also purchase compatible docks from reputable brands like Anker ($39, Amazon) so you can get a Nintendo Switch-like experience by playing Valve's handheld on your TV.

When the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally released in 2025, it will no doubt sell like hotcakes. However, I am not convinced that at this price it will be a better value for money experience than what you get from a refurbished Steam Deck OLED.