Rising prices signal the end of affordable handheld gaming's golden era
By
Sean Hollister
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
The article argues that the golden age of affordable handheld gaming is ending, using the Steam Deck's price jump from $399 to $789 and the Nintendo Switch's increase from $299 to $499 as key examples. It highlights how rising costs are making handheld gaming devices increasingly out of reach for many consumers, marking a shift away from the accessibility that defined the recent handheld gaming boom.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledFor a few glorious years, a $399 portable gadget could run almost anything you'd want to play.
I played through the vast majority of Elden Ring on a Steam Deck, agape that such a rich world could comfortably fit between my two hands.
Today, that Steam Deck experience starts at $789 — nearly double the price.
handhelds aren't just getting more expensive — they're out of reach for many.
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