Switch is the my best option for local multiplayer games because I don't want to explain what a steam deck is or how I got Mario Kart to run on it. Everyone at the party knows what a switch is and you can easily round up a few drunk friends (nerds or casuals) to play some kart or smash just by showing people you brought one. :)

Trying to get Kirby Air Ride to acknowledge all four controllers on Steam Deck for split screen is a goddamn nightmare.

But the switch doesn't have Kirby Air Ride at all, sooo one point for the Steam deck there?

Why local multiplayer? Wouldn't the more powerful Steam Deck generally handle that better?

This is pretty much it for me too.