This card could let users stream PC games to the Nintendo Switch

[Daniel Sims]

Something to look forward to: Many users enjoy streaming PC games to mobile devices through apps like Steam Link, but there currently isn't an official method to bring similar functionality to the Nintendo Switch. One company hopes to sell an attachment for that purpose, and the project seems to be off to a good start.

At the 2022 Tokyo Game Show, Tassei demonstrated a hardware attachment for streaming PC games to a Nintendo Switch over Wi-Fi. The device – called the Steam Card – looks promising, but Tassei still needs a partner to help mass-produce and distribute it.

The Stream Card is about the size of a Nintendo Switch game card and fits into the system's card slot. It consists of a Wi-Fi module and what Tasei told 4Gamer is similar to a System-on-a-Chip, which performs some local processing to bring the signal to the handheld.

The TGS demo consisted of the Stream Card inserted into an OLED Nintendo Switch to connect it to an Intel NUC running Stray. Attendees could play the game with a Switch pro controller, displayed on both the Switch screen and another display connected directly to the NUC so they could inspect input lag.

According to 4Gamer, the Steam Card's input delay is noticeable but not significant. Perhaps it isn't responsive enough for a competitive multiplayer game, but there are plenty of other kinds of games that a slight lag wouldn't ruin. The growth of cloud gaming and wireless streaming is evidence enough.

The Steam Link, which lets users play their PC games remotely on devices like a smartphone or a weaker PC, has worked successfully for Valve. The Stream Card could add the Switch to the list of compatible devices, giving users more ways to play games like Elden Ring or Spider-Man in more places.

There is certainly a demand for AAA games on the Switch that the portable system is too weak to run natively. Cloud-based versions of games like Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Control are available on the system. Capcom recently announced cloud versions of Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 7, and the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3 for the Switch. The Stream Card would bring similar functionality to owners of the PC versions of those games.

Tessei said several companies tested its device at TGS and reacted positively, raising the prospects that the Stream Card might be available to consumers one day.

Image credit: 4Gamer

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https://www.techspot.com/news/96025-card-could-users-stream-pc-games-nintendo-switch.html

 

[dangh]

I'd rather stick with steam deck. The only advantage of Switch - oled screen - is not enough to cover all areas Nintendo just f-up.

 

[EdmondRC]

The Wii U is the only device that I have found that delivered an enjoyable streaming experience and that is because it had hardware to make that possible. Streaming over wifi, there is just too much lag. There are too many different pieces of hardware involved, even if you have a very fast router, all the pieces having to communicate always seem to create noticeable lag. The Wii U took out the "middle man" and made it a good experience, but of course, it had a very limited range.

 

[jerbmega]

I wonder how this is being pulled off on the Switch side. Based on what I know about Switch security, unless this is somehow an officially licensed gamecard or the Switch has a modchip installed, this should be impossible.

 

[mbrowne5061]

I'd rather stick with steam deck. The only advantage of Switch - oled screen - is not enough to cover all areas Nintendo just f-up.

I mean, the Switch is 5yrs old at this point. Are they really screw ups, or just limitations imposed by it being 5yrs old (and trying to stay within a $300~ price tag in 2017)? I suppose you could argue that that OLED model should have updated more, but my guess is that Nintendo didn't want to strike another deal with nVidia for a newer gen of Tegra, just so they could go through dev hell to make sure all current switch games and all future switch games would be cross-compatible.

 

[someusernam]

The image in the article shows an esp8266 sticking out of the switch. They have a wifi radio far slower than what the Switch has, no special video processing hardware, relies on rs-232 serial communication as its only wired means of getting data on or off the chip, and you can buy the things for like $5 on Amazon. Meanwhile the Switch already has the hardware to do streaming by way of it having the same NVidia Tegra chip in the NVidia Shield. The only reason you can't stream games to the Switch is because Nintendo won't write the software to allow it and won't let anyone else do so either and no add on is going to change that; unless it also jailbreaks your Switch.

 

[dangh]

I mean, the Switch is 5yrs old at this point. Are they really screw ups, or just limitations imposed by it being 5yrs old (and trying to stay within a $300~ price tag in 2017)? I suppose you could argue that that OLED model should have updated more, but my guess is that Nintendo didn't want to strike another deal with nVidia for a newer gen of Tegra, just so they could go through dev hell to make sure all current switch games and all future switch games would be cross-compatible.

Sorry, but not having Netflix, Spotify, own media is not related at all to agree of device, but to the crappy Nintendo policy. I'm fine with hardware limitations, but no way I'm going to accept software approach.

 

[ZedRM]

Game streaming you say? No thank you. Hardcore pass.

 

[Slappy McPhee]

Game streaming you say? No thank you. Hardcore pass.

Did you even read the article? lol. This is streaming from your PC to the Switch just like SteamLink, Moonlight, etc. Not a streaming service. This could be of use for those that don't want to spend the $$$ on a dedicated handheld like the Steam Deck. If you have a Switch and it can be used and if the module isn't too pricey then why not?

 

[ZedRM]

Did you even read the article? lol. This is streaming from your PC to the Switch just like SteamLink, Moonlight, etc. Not a streaming service. This could be of use for those that don't want to spend the $$$ on a dedicated handheld like the Steam Deck. If you have a Switch and it can be used and if the module isn't too pricey then why not?

You're missing some context.
First point, Why would anyone want to stream a game from their own PC when they could play ON their own PC? Hmm?
Second point, The Stream process introduces latency to the experience. Why would you want to do that when you can, TADA, play the game on your PC directly WITHOUT any added latency? Hmmm?

While interesting, the whole premise for this is flawed.