Logitech G Cloud Vs Nintendo Switch: Which Is Better?

The handheld gaming market is getting a little crowded. Between the Nintendo Switch, Valve's Steam Deck, and Apple Arcade's slew of hidden gems for iPhones and iPads, there's no shortage of options out there for those that want to take their games on the go. One of the more recent parties to throw its hat into the ring is Logitech with its new device: the Logitech G Cloud. The console has already gotten quite a bit of buzz, due in no small part to the fact that Microsoft has officially backed and supported the product.

The Logitech G Cloud's striking tablet design is more than a little similar to that of the Nintendo Switch. That reminiscence is likely no coincidence, as Logitech's new device also looks to appeal to gamers who would like a premium way to play their library portably. For those in the market for a new handheld, deciding between the Switch and G Cloud may be a tricky endeavor. Here's how the two consoles stack up against one another and which one might ultimately offer the better value proposition.

The Logitech G Cloud offers several key benefits over the Nintendo Switch in a few respective areas. As its name implies, the G Cloud is a cloud-streaming device, meaning that users stream their games to the device and play them via an internet connection, rather than running them natively. Game streaming has some valuable upsides, as it allows users to play many games at their highest-possible graphical and performance settings, since they're not restricted by running on the hardware of a handheld device like the Nintendo Switch. Such a process is less performance-intensive too, and Logitech reports that the G Cloud boasts a battery life of 12+ hours, a clear winner over Nintendo's estimates of up to nine hours for the current standard Switch model.

The G Cloud also supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW, meaning that gamers with pre-existing libraries on these services can play their games on the system with relative ease. As it stands, Nintendo doesn't offer either of these options on the Switch. Finally, the system runs Android 11 and hosts the Google Play Store, meaning that users can also play select mobile games natively on the system if internet connectivity isn't an option at the moment.

Unfortunately for the Logitech G Cloud, its greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. While there are benefits to game streaming, there's no getting around the fact that it can be a tough sell to require a constant internet connection for a device that's meant to be taken on the go. Without a tip-top connection, users risk running into problems like lag, stuttering, and input latency while playing. Though Nintendo has also shifted towards some cloud gaming on the Switch in recent years, it still runs the vast majority of its library natively and allows most games to be played offline without a hitch.

Though Nintendo doesn't support Xbox Cloud Gaming or NVIDIA GeForce NOW on the Switch, the company does have its own share of exclusive games that cannot be played on the Logitech G Cloud, such as "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate." Furthermore, Microsoft has also supported the Switch with some of its own games, including ports of "Minecraft" and "Cuphead."

As a final point, the Switch sports controllers that are detachable from the main unit and can be played in a variety of setups, as well as the option to dock the console and display games on an external monitor. The Logitech G Cloud is a handheld-only device.

There are a number of benefits that are exclusive to either the Logitech G Cloud or the Nintendo Switch, but the latter ultimately offers a superior experience for general consumers. While there are merits to the G Cloud's streaming-based setup, there's no denying that it's limited in terms of accessibility. Though it's a portable device, users must ensure that they have stable internet to play non-mobile games, and players may run into issues if their connection isn't up to snuff.

By comparison, the Nintendo Switch might have to make some performance sacrifices to get its library running, but it allows for offline play in most situations and still manages a decent battery life while doing it. Combine that with its hybrid model and selection of stellar Switch games that you can't play anywhere else, and you have a winning handheld for modern players on the move.

The fact that the Logitech G Cloud's retail price is $350, which is the exact same price as the premium Nintendo Switch OLED Model and $50 dollars more than a standard Switch, might be the final nail in the coffin for many gamers. All told, the Switch offers a simpler and more versatile solution for handheld gaming.