
The affordable handheld gaming era ends as prices climb into premium territory
The piece argues that handheld gaming, once a cheap, portable alternative led by the Steam Deck at $399, is fading as prices rise (Steam Deck now $789; Nintendo Switch nearing $499; other handhelds near $1,000), with no strong price-competitive challengers and broader hardware costs (RAM, storage, tariffs) squeezing affordability. The result is a shift from an accessible pastime to a premium, luxury segment, narrowing the market for portable gaming and dampening broad appeal.













