Valve has today announced a significant price increase for its popular handheld gaming device, the Steam Deck. Prices are set to soar by as much as 46% in the United States.
The 512GB OLED model will now retail for $789, up from $549, marking an increase of nearly 44%. Simultaneously, the 1TB OLED model will jump from $649 to an astounding $949, surpassing the cost of the $899 2TB PlayStation 5 Pro.
While the current situation surrounding memory prices is widely recognized, this steep price hike raises concerns about the viability of a four-year-old handheld device with hardware that is now six years old. Asking consumers to spend upwards of $780 for a device that excels primarily at casual gaming is, frankly, unreasonable.
Last year, Valve announced plans for a home console equivalent termed the Steam Machine, which has yet to be released due to the ongoing pricing issues. Given the current pricing trends for the Steam Deck, it may be prudent for the company to reconsider this project.
