Handheld Gaming
Ongoing coverage on Handheld Gaming.
Latest coverage
Best 3DS Games Of All Time
This article ranks the top 20 games released for the Nintendo 3DS, highlighting titles that utilized the console's unique features like its dual screens and glasses-free 3D. The list includes exclusives such as Pokemon X and Y, Persona Q2, and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, alongside acclaimed remasters like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora's Mask 3D. The Nintendo 3DS, a successor to the DS, sold over 75 million units and offered backward compatibility with its predecessor.
The 28 Best Nintendo DS Games Of All Time
This article ranks the 25 best games released for the Nintendo DS, highlighting titles that leveraged the handheld's unique dual-screen and touchscreen capabilities. The list includes a variety of genres, from RPGs like Radiant Historia and Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver to unique experiences like Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Elite Beat Agents, showcasing the DS's impact on handheld gaming.
Morning Mobilization
This article discusses advancements in handheld gaming technology, specifically focusing on FSR 4 INT8, XeFG, and XeLL. These technologies are presented as key components for achieving the 'holy grail' of handheld gaming performance and visual fidelity.
The Xbox Ally has finally stepped up as an affordable Steam Deck stand-in, albeit with frame rate caveats
The ASUS ROG Ally is now a more compelling alternative to the Steam Deck OLED due to significant discounts, making it a more affordable handheld gaming PC. However, the base model's Z2 chipset offers a noticeable performance gap compared to the more powerful Z1 Extreme found in its sibling and competitors, impacting frame rates in demanding titles. Despite these caveats, the ROG Ally remains the most affordable new portable PC option currently available.
Lenovo Legion Go S Z1 Extreme Price Jumps to $1,579 Again
Lenovo has again increased the price of the Legion Go S with the Z1 Extreme model to $1,579, a price point that is significantly higher than competitors like the Steam Deck OLED and ROG Ally. The article argues that this premium pricing strategy is unsustainable in the competitive handheld market, where value and performance per dollar are crucial for consumers.
Look mom, new Intel Arc G3 handhelds that no one can probably afford are inbound
Intel is reportedly preparing to launch new handheld gaming PCs, the Arc G3 and G3 Extreme, featuring "Pather Lake" chipsets. These devices are expected to debut at Computex and may compete with existing handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally, though concerns about high pricing persist, with many current premium models exceeding $1,000.
PlayStation Vita: Our Love for a Dead Console
The PlayStation Vita, released in 2011, aimed to bring a home console experience to a handheld device with features like dual analog sticks and an OLED screen. Despite a strong library of JRPGs, fighting games, and indie titles, it struggled against mobile gaming and the Nintendo 3DS due to its high price and proprietary memory cards. However, the console gained a dedicated following through modding, enabling emulation, custom themes, and the use of standard Micro SD cards, preserving its legacy as a beloved handheld.
PANIC CELEBRATES PLAYDATE’S ANNIVERSARY BY ANNOUNCING PLAYDATE SEASON THREE, COMING LATE 2026
Panic has announced Playdate Season Three, a collection of new games for their handheld console, scheduled for release in late 2026. The company also highlighted its 'Playdate for Education' program, which provides discounted hardware to educators, and the release of 'Office Chair Curling,' a cross-play title available on both Playdate and Steam.
PS6 console and handheld backwards compatible with PS4 games claims leak
A leak from YouTuber Moore's Law Is Dead suggests the upcoming PlayStation 6 console and its rumored handheld companion will be backwards compatible with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games. The leak also indicates the handheld will be capable of running PlayStation 6 titles natively.
PS6 Lite Based on Handheld APU is Unlikely Because “It Would be a Nightmare for Devs” – Rumor
Industry insider KeplerL2 suggests a 'Lite' PlayStation 6 console based on a handheld APU is unlikely due to development challenges. Developers would face difficulties scaling games across both standard and low-power PS6 hardware, especially when upscaling to 4K. KeplerL2 also proposed alternative hardware configurations for a potential lower-cost PS6 model.
ONEXPLAYER just started teasing a Legion Go 2 rival with a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chipset, but the handheld maker should read…
ONEXPLAYER has begun teasing its new X2 Mini handheld gaming device, which appears to be a competitor to the Lenovo Legion Go. The device is rumored to feature a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chipset, a detachable controller design, and an 8.8-inch 144Hz OLED display. The article also touches on the high cost of current gaming handhelds and the desire for more affordable options.
SteamOS 3.8.2 Beta brings fixes for security issues, trackpad on Legion Go and Borderlands 2
Valve has released SteamOS 3.8.2 Beta, introducing fixes for security vulnerabilities, trackpad issues on the Legion Go, and a crash bug in Borderlands 2. The update also includes general stability improvements, enhanced controller support for various handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and GPD Win 5, and updates to the KDE Plasma desktop environment to version 6.4.3 with Wayland as the default.
Lenovo Legion Go 2 Pricing Sparks Backlash at Nearly $3,000
Lenovo's upcoming Legion Go 2 handheld gaming PC has sparked significant backlash due to its reported price of nearly $3,000 for the 2TB model. This pricing places it in direct competition with high-end gaming laptops, a stark contrast to the original Legion Go's $700-800 range. The PC gaming community is questioning the value proposition at this premium price point, especially when compared to competitors like the Steam Deck OLED and ASUS ROG Ally.
Retro handheld maker Anbernic's latest device has a swiveling display
Retro handheld maker Anbernic has revealed its new device, the RG Rotate, featuring a unique 1:1 swiveling display similar to older flip phones. The device will run on Android, feature an aluminum alloy frame, and include a proprietary ultra-thin alloy hinge. Anbernic has not yet announced pricing for the RG Rotate.
The Steam Machine could pull some pretty big moves with just 8GB VRAM, thanks to a savvy Valve engineer
Valve engineer Natalie Vock has proposed Linux kernel patches to improve VRAM management, potentially boosting performance on devices with limited memory like the upcoming Steam Machine. These optimizations could allow games like Cyberpunk 2077 to utilize available VRAM more efficiently, preventing data from being offloaded to slower system memory.
PS6 rumors suggest the next console war will be fought on a completely new battlefield, and the Steam Machine might be…
Rumors suggest the PlayStation 6 will launch in 2027 with multiple hardware options, including a budget model and a handheld, potentially shifting Sony's strategy towards ecosystem dominance. This comes as Xbox is also focusing on a hybrid console/PC approach with Project Helix and portable options like the ROG Ally, while Valve's Steam Machine is positioned to compete directly in the console market by leveraging existing PC player bases.
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 handheld costs more than two Nvidia RTX 5080 GPUs — and that's genuinely absurd
Lenovo has significantly increased the price of its 2TB Legion Go 2 handheld to $2,850, making it more expensive than two Nvidia RTX 5080 GPUs. This price hike, which also affected the 1TB model, is attributed to the ongoing memory crisis impacting PC hardware. The company has not provided an official explanation for the substantial increase.
OnePlus could take the road less traveled for its gaming handheld, and it just might pay off
OnePlus is reportedly considering using a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset for its upcoming gaming handheld, a move that deviates from the common use of Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. This choice, supported by AYANEO's successful use of MediaTek, could allow OnePlus to price its device more competitively. The Dimensity 9500's ARM Mali G1-Ultra MC12 GPU is expected to offer strong graphical performance and ray tracing capabilities.
PlayStation 6 Handheld Could Cost $500-$700, Leak Suggests
A recent leak suggests Sony is planning a PlayStation 6 handheld device with a price point between $500 and $700. This premium pricing indicates a focus on high-end hardware capable of running next-generation games, targeting enthusiasts rather than casual users. The strategy aims to avoid past mistakes like those with the PS Vita and compete with premium handheld PCs.
Get An ROG Xbox Ally For Only $500 Before The Inevitable Price Increase Arrives
The ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC is currently available for $500 at Amazon and Best Buy, a $100 discount from its original price. This Windows 11-based device features a 7-inch 120Hz display, 16GB of RAM, and an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, offering PC gaming on the go. The deal includes three months of Xbox Game Pass Premium.
