Handheld Gaming
Ongoing coverage on Handheld Gaming.
Latest coverage
Forza Horizon 6 makes a viable Steam Deck game, assuming you can find room to park it
Forza Horizon 6 is Steam Deck Verified, but achieving smooth performance requires significant graphical adjustments. The game's large installation size of over 155GB necessitates using a microSD card or larger internal storage. While it runs off default settings, lowering them to Very Low is needed to escape sluggishness, though this impacts visual fidelity.
6 Story Games for Players Who Don't Want to Talk | TAG
This article highlights six story-driven games that do not require dialogue choices or role-playing, catering to players seeking a narrative experience without conversational effort. Titles like Journey, Cocoon, Inside, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Return of the Obra Dinn, and Outer Wilds are discussed for their unique methods of storytelling through environment, music, and observation, with many also being compatible with handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
The Best Retro Handhelds Under $100: Anbernic vs. Miyoo vs. Powkiddy (2026) | TAG
This guide compares the best retro handheld gaming devices available for under $100, focusing on brands like Anbernic, Miyoo, and Powkiddy. It highlights the Miyoo Mini Plus as the overall best for its pocketability and OnionOS software, the Anbernic RG35XX H for analog stick users, the TrimUI Smart Pro S for PSP emulation, and the Anbernic RG CubeXX for its unique square screen ideal for Game Boy games. The article also explains emulation basics, the importance of custom firmware, and the legalities surrounding ROMs.
Subnautica 2 is Steam Deck Verified, as is Forza Horizon 6, Mina the Hollower, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Valve has granted Steam Deck Verified status to several new and upcoming games, including Subnautica 2, Forza Horizon 6, Mina the Hollower, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. This certification indicates full compatibility and optimal performance on the handheld PC. Other titles like Outbound, Dead as Disco, and Coffee Talk Tokyo also received the verification, while Directive 8020 was marked as Playable.
Which Handheld Gaming Console Should You Buy in 2026? | TAG
This guide helps consumers choose the right handheld gaming console in 2026 based on their gaming habits rather than specs. It compares the Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go S, and budget retro handhelds, outlining the ideal user for each device. The article emphasizes simplicity for the Switch 2, Steam library access for the Steam Deck OLED, and performance for Windows handhelds, while recommending retro devices for nostalgia.
Path of Exile 2 should hopefully be Steam Deck Verified with the next major update
Path of Exile 2's upcoming 'Return of the Ancients' update on May 29th aims to achieve Steam Deck Verified status with significant UI scaling options and performance improvements. Grinding Gear Games director Jonathan Rogers confirmed internal testing and a serious commitment to the handheld platform, though some endgame performance issues still need addressing.
SteamOS 3.8.4 Beta brings further Steam Machine support and fixes for experimental nested desktop mode
SteamOS 3.8.4 Beta has been released, introducing further support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware and fixing issues with nested desktop mode and VRR-capable TVs. A stable update, SteamOS 3.7.23, also rolled out with essential security and stability patches. The beta version includes numerous general improvements, enhanced controller support for various handheld devices like the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally, and updates to the KDE Plasma desktop environment.
Random: Liverpool Footballer Virgil van Dijk Prefers PS Vita to Steam Deck, Switch 2
Liverpool footballer Virgil van Dijk has been seen playing Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories on a PlayStation Vita, preferring it over modern consoles like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. This preference for older handheld hardware has drawn attention, contrasting with the typical choices of high-profile athletes.
The Best JRPGs You Can Play on Handheld Devices (2026 Guide)
This guide explores why JRPGs are perfectly suited for handheld devices, highlighting the pacing, progression, and flexibility that make them ideal for portable play. It details the best platforms for playing JRPGs in 2026, including the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, classic handhelds like the PSP and PS Vita, retro handhelds, and mobile devices, while also recommending specific titles for each.
You have just four days left to grab Assassin's Creed Valhalla and seven other Steam Deck games for just $14.99
The Humble Choice subscription service is offering a bundle of eight PC games, including Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, for $14.99. All games are verified or playable on the Steam Deck. Subscribers can cancel after claiming the games to keep them permanently.
If the RAMpocalypse doesn't price them into oblivion, the next generation of hot handheld gaming PCs could well be…
Intel's upcoming Arc G3 Extreme processor, potentially for handheld gaming PCs, shows promising benchmark results, outperforming AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme in multithreaded performance. While the iGPU performance is expected to be a strong point, the high cost of components like LPDDR5x memory could lead to a significant price tag for devices featuring this chip.
ROG Xbox Ally To Dock With A Host Of New Updates
The ASUS ROG Ally is receiving a series of updates aimed at enhancing its handheld and docked performance, bringing it closer to a traditional Xbox console experience. Key improvements include better docked play features like Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate, along with Auto Super Resolution for sharper visuals on larger displays. The Xbox PC app will also be updated to consolidate all installed games into a single interface, and haptic feedback and Bluetooth LE Audio are being refined for greater immersion and lower latency.
April Xbox Update: Customize Your Console, Manually Add Your Favorite Games on PC, and More.
Microsoft has released its April update for Xbox, introducing new customization options for consoles and PC. Console users can now pin more groups to Home, customize colors, and disable Quick Resume on a per-game basis, alongside a new Play History tab. PC users gain the ability to manually add games to their Xbox library and pin favorites to Home, with improved gamepad cursor functionality.
New ROG Xbox Ally Updates: Docking Improvements, Auto SR Preview, Collective Library, Enhanced Vibration, and More
Microsoft and ASUS have released significant updates for the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X handheld PCs, focusing on improving docked play experiences with features like automatic TV display switching and enhanced smart TV compatibility. The updates also introduce a new Display Widget in Game Bar for easier setting adjustments, improved controller pairing, and a preview of Auto Super Resolution technology for sharper visuals on external displays.
Valve Confirms Steam Deck 2 Development: No Release Date Yet | HappyGamer
Valve has officially confirmed that development is underway for the Steam Deck 2, though a release date remains unannounced. The company is taking a deliberate approach to development, focusing on significant improvements over the original model. Competitors like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go are pushing the handheld market, making Steam Deck 2's eventual release crucial for Valve to maintain its position.
Valve is 'hard at work' on the Steam Deck 2, but over four years after the OG Deck there's still no…
Valve is actively developing the Steam Deck 2, with designer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirming the company is "hard at work" on the next iteration. However, a release date remains unannounced, with Valve prioritizing significant performance gains over incremental updates and waiting for suitable new chip technology from partners like AMD.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Switch 2 – Going handheld around Kalm
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth appears to be a solid port for the Nintendo Switch 2, with compromises in resolution and visual fidelity compensated by DLSS upscaling. While the game was built for PlayStation 5, early impressions suggest it runs well in handheld mode, though performance in open-world sections remains to be seen. Quality-of-life improvements from Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade are included, making it a compelling continuation for Switch 2 players.
When Is The Steam Deck 2 Coming Out? Not Until Valve Is Satisfied That It's Better Than The Original
Valve is actively developing a successor to the Steam Deck, but a release date will not be announced until the company is confident it offers a significant upgrade over the original. Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the company is focused on meaningful performance and feature improvements rather than incremental gains. The original Steam Deck launched in 2022, followed by an OLED model in late 2023.
Steam Deck 2 is Still A While Away, But Valve is “Hard at Work” On It
Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed that "Steam Deck 2" is in development, but a release is still some time away as the company aims for a significant generational leap in performance rather than iterative upgrades. Designer Lawrence Yang previously stated Valve is not keen on yearly updates, prioritizing substantial improvements over frequent releases. The article also briefly mentions updates for other games and the upcoming Steam Controller.
Steam Deck Gets New Data Features in Latest Beta Update
Valve has released new data features for Steam Deck beta users, signaling continued software improvements for the handheld device. These updates, appearing through incremental software releases rather than hardware changes, aim to provide users with more insight into performance, battery usage, and thermal monitoring, reinforcing the Steam Deck's position as a customizable PC-like gaming experience.
