Valve unveils Steam Deck, a portable gaming PC that looks like a Nintendo Switch
The company behind the Steam video game marketplace plans to launch a portable gaming PC that looks similar in design to the Nintendo Switch.
Valve announced Thursday the Steam Deck, a portable all-in-one PC they say compares to a gaming laptop and can run the latest video games.
Along with the ability to play any games available on Steam, users can also install or add any additional software or hardware.
The device is slated to launch this December starting at $399.
"We think Steam Deck gives people another way to play the games they love on a high-performance device at a great price," said Valve founder Gabe Newell in a statement.
The device features a 7-inch touchscreen, support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB-C connections, and a micro-SD slot to offer more storage.
Jeff Bezos flying to space: 18-year-old passenger joins crew after winning bidder for seat bows out
Streaming TV: Can you have too much of a good thing? 8 tips to help you trim costs
The Steam Deck starts at $399 for a model with 64GB of storage and a carrying case. A version for $529 includes 256GB of faster storage, while a $649 model has 512GB of storage and an anti-glare etched case. Pre-orders are available Frida.
The arrival of Steam Deck is part of a bigger push among video game companies trying to offer options for players to take their gaming experiences beyond their couch. Since its launch in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has been the most popular video game console in the U.S. As of June, the Switch was the top-selling console in the U.S. for 30 straight months.
Recently, Nintendo announced a new version of the Switch with an OLED screen will arrive this October.
Meanwhile, Microsoft presses forward with its cloud gaming aspirations, which allow users to play Xbox game straight from their smartphone.
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.