Nintendo Switch Successor vs Steam Deck: Elden Ring Performance Shines a Light on Handheld Evolution

With handheld gaming platforms vying for dominance, the upcoming Nintendo Switch successor stands poised to set a new standard for portable performance.

The debate surrounding third-party titles such as FromSoftware’s critically acclaimed Elden Ring has intensified, especially as comparisons with Valve’s Steam Deck continue to surface across the industry.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to examine verified performance metrics, development advancements, and the underlying hardware architecture influencing these results. Recently, industry discussions have highlighted significant differences between handheld platforms when running demanding games like Elden Ring.

The Steam Deck, launched by Valve in 2022, allows the title to run at 720p and approximately 30 frames per second — a technical achievement, but one that reveals limitations under certain settings.

In a revised statement reflective of these ongoing debates, a veteran developer noted, "If you compare current projections, the next-generation Switch is very likely to offer Elden Ring at 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second in portable mode.

That’s a substantial leap forward, suggesting it outpaces even some laptop hardware equivalent to a PlayStation 4 when undocked." This advancement can be partially attributed to NVIDIA’s expertise, as the rumored custom chipset for the Switch successor is said to leverage their latest innovations.

However, despite speculation, there is no official indication—at the time of writing—that NVIDIA’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology will be integrated into the platform.

This adds a layer of intrigue, as fans await further details from official Nintendo announcements or future Nintendo Direct presentations. Elden Ring itself, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, has seen remarkable success since its initial release in February 2022.

By May 2024, it surpassed 25 million units sold worldwide, cementing its place as one of the generation’s landmark titles.

The interest in bringing such graphically demanding games to portable consoles like the Nintendo Switch successor and Steam Deck demonstrates both the ambition of hardware manufacturers and the evolving expectations of dedicated players. As the Nintendo Switch successor gears up for launch, the focus will remain on scrutinizing how it balances battery life, thermal management, and graphical fidelity in portable mode.

In a market where portability and power must coexist, the promise of greater resolution and frame rates—notably for games like Elden Ring—marks a pivotal moment for the future of handheld gaming.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Elden Ring Steam Deck Steam Switch Switch successor