Handheld Gaming
Ongoing coverage on Handheld Gaming.
Latest coverage
You can now pre-order Ayaneo's GBA clone, and its sub-$100 price tag is giving me hope
Ayaneo has opened pre-orders for its Game Boy Advance-style handheld, the KONKR Pocket Advance, starting at $89. The device runs on Android 12 and features a MediaTek Helio G90T chipset, capable of emulating systems up to the PlayStation 2 and GameCube. Early bird pricing offers a 3GB RAM/32GB storage model for $89, with an upgrade to 4GB RAM/64GB storage available for $109.
The Anbernic RG SP will be available on August 5
The Anbernic RG SP, a modern remake of the Game Boy Advance SP, will be available starting August 5. Early bird pricing is being offered, with the device starting at $65.
Ayaneo reveals its Game Boy Advance remake called the Konkr Pocket Advance
Ayaneo has revealed its new handheld device, the Konkr Pocket Advance, which is a remake of the Game Boy Advance. The horizontal handheld will be available in navy and orange colorways.
Weekend Discussion - July 26, 2026
This Weekend Discussion article from Shacknews covers various topics including potential remakes of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a desire for more original Xbox titles, and the introduction of new handheld gaming devices. It also features discussions on Halo maps, music, and updates on games like Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and Street Fighter 6.
Don't Play Halo: Campaign Evolved on Steam Deck or Xbox Ally
Halo: Campaign Evolved exhibits poor performance and image quality on handheld devices like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, falling short of the older Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Players seeking a handheld Halo experience are advised to stick with the Master Chief Collection for better results.
The Anbernic RG SP looks like an awesome update to one of the most iconic Game Boys of all time
The Anbernic RG SP is presented as a modern update to the iconic Game Boy Advance SP. It aims to incorporate desired features for contemporary handheld gaming enthusiasts.
REVIEW: Mobapad M12 HD & M12 S
This review discusses the Mobapad M12 HD and M12 S accessories for the Nintendo Switch, finding them to be a strong addition to the hybrid console's ecosystem. The reviewer notes that the Switch OLED model remains a personal favorite, but the Mobapad accessories enhance the overall handheld experience.
New estimate suggests Valve's Steam Deck sales have decreased by 82%, and the reason shouldn't be a surprise
Valve's Steam Deck has reportedly seen an 82% decrease in unit sales, attributed to price increases for both LCD and OLED models. Analysis suggests a 72% revenue contraction and a 54% price hike have significantly reduced demand, pushing the device down in Steam's top seller rankings. The discontinuation of the LCD model and ongoing RAM shortages for OLED variants further impact availability and value proposition compared to more powerful alternatives.
Anbernic is making yet another GBA SP clone, and I'm glad it's ditching the sticks
Anbernic is releasing a new GBA SP-style handheld, the RG SP, which notably ditches the embedded thumbsticks of its predecessors for a more authentic retro experience. This new model is 10% slimmer than previous versions and features a 25% thinner top screen bezel. It will be powered by the H700 chipset, capable of emulating up to PlayStation 1 and Dreamcast, and will be available in multiple colors.
Steam Deck sales are estimated to have plummeted by around 80% since the massive price hikes earlier this year, back of…
Sales estimates suggest Steam Deck unit sales have plummeted by approximately 80% since price hikes were implemented earlier this year. This significant drop in demand is attributed to increased costs, making the handheld a less attractive value proposition for consumers.
Steam Deck sales are seemingly down an estimated 82% - Bear with me while I put on my surprised face
Steam Deck sales have reportedly dropped by an estimated 82%, with weekly unit sales falling between 1,400 and 3,000 following Valve's price increases. While the author acknowledges pricing as a major factor, they also suggest the age of the hardware and competition from devices like the ASUS ROG Ally may be contributing to the decline. Despite the dip, the author believes the Steam Deck remains a strong contender in the handheld market.
Is Halo: Campaign Evolved Steam Deck Verified?
Halo: Campaign Evolved has been confirmed as Steam Deck Verified and optimized for handheld PCs like the ASUS ROG Ally. The game will feature cross-platform four-player co-op and will be available on Game Pass from day one for certain subscription tiers.
The Game Boy Pocket is now 30 years young, and I'd thank it for today's retro handhelds
The Game Boy Pocket, celebrating its 30th anniversary, is credited with refining the handheld gaming experience and influencing modern retro handhelds. Despite lacking a backlight, its improvements over the original Game Boy, such as a better screen and slimmer design, set a precedent for quality-of-life enhancements that continue to inspire devices like the Steam Deck and Anbernic's emulators.
Acer's Predator Atlas 8 pricing puts the nail in the handheld coffin for me: it is now a luxury market
Acer's new Predator Atlas 8 handheld gaming PCs, featuring Intel's latest chips, are priced between £1,000 and £1,500 (approximately $1,300 to $2,000), indicating a shift towards a luxury market for such devices. This high pricing is consistent with other recent releases like the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and makes the previously accessible handheld gaming PC market increasingly niche.
The new MSI Claw nails almost everything I could want from a handheld gaming PC
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM is praised for its stellar gaming performance, excellent battery life, and comfortable design, powered by Intel's Arc G3 Extreme silicon. However, its prohibitively high price of $1,800 makes it a difficult recommendation for most consumers, positioning it as a luxury item rather than a practical handheld gaming PC.
Jokes aside, buying the $4,299 Ayaneo Next 2 would mean selling my car
The Ayaneo Next 2 flagship gaming handheld is launching with extremely high prices, ranging from $1,799.99 to $4,299. The article questions the value proposition of these premium handhelds, especially considering the rapid pace of hardware upgrades and the high cost of components. It suggests that such pricing might push the market towards cloud gaming solutions.
Ever wanted to play The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind on a dual-screen handheld? Well, now you can - if you don't mind putting in some legwork
A modification called OpenMW-DS allows players to experience The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind on a dual-screen handheld device, specifically the Android-based AYN Thor. This mod leverages the open-source OpenMW engine and requires a PC copy of the game. Separately, progress is being made on an actual Nintendo DS port, showcasing ambitious efforts to bring the classic RPG to older hardware.
LCD emulation could preserve a bunch of iconic Nintendo handhelds and their cursed rivals
The BrickEmuPy project aims to preserve classic handheld LCD games through emulation, having already archived over 60 titles including Nintendo's Mini Classics keychain games. This initiative seeks to maintain access to these older, often obscure, gaming devices as physical hardware degrades and the industry moves towards digital distribution.
That Lenovo cloud handheld lands this August, and an 120Hz display and TMR thumb sticks won't get me into streaming
Lenovo's cloud streaming handheld, the C700, is set to launch in August with a 7.82-inch 120Hz display and TMR thumbsticks. The device is primarily designed for Tencent's START cloud gaming service, raising concerns about game ownership and reliance on internet connectivity and subscriptions.
Retroid finally provides a closer look at its Pocket Nova handheld in action
Retroid has released new gameplay footage of its upcoming Pocket Nova retro handheld, showcasing its ability to run various classic games like F-Zero GX and God of War 2. The portable device features a 4:3 screen and is priced starting at $229, positioning it against competitors like the Anbernic RG Cube and Retroid's own Pocket 5.
