All articles tagged with #handheld gaming
A Time Extension piece covers the online mockery directed at Linda McMahon after she claimed the PlayStation Portable marked 'the beginning of life on the go,' noting the PSP released in 2004/2005 and that earlier handhelds like the Game Boy already made gaming portable—sparking debates about the device’s role in mobile media and whether her characterization was historically accurate.
Asus's Cetra Open wireless earbuds use an open-ear design paired with a USB-C 2.4GHz transmitter to deliver comfortable, non‑isolating gaming audio with solid mids and bass, multipoint Bluetooth, and customizable controls; they’re ideal for handheld gaming on devices like the Steam Deck or Switch 2, with quick charging and a magnetized case, though ambient noise can leak in and bass isn’t as tight as in closed designs.
The piece argues that Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) on handhelds is likely a testbed for Microsoft’s Project Helix, shaping Windows 11 into a controller-friendly, game-focused shell. While FSE improves handheld usability by suspending background processes and supporting multiple launchers, it’s still heavier and less optimized than SteamOS, with benchmark results showing minimal performance gains and a heavy emphasis on Game Pass ads. The article suggests Helix could adopt FSE-like ideas but must be faster, lighter, and more seamless to truly succeed.
Microsoft will roll out a dedicated Xbox-mode UI for Windows 11 PCs in select markets starting in April. The mode runs Windows underneath but hides the Start menu and taskbar to save RAM and energy, letting users switch back to the regular desktop whenever they want. Early hands-on with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X showed mixed results, and launching third‑party games still hinges on their respective stores. The update follows prior handheld UI experiments and accompanies other Game Developers Conference announcements, including DirectStorage / DirectX improvements and shader delivery tweaks for the Ally.
A community fork of Xemu has brought Original Xbox emulation to Android, with two options: a paid Google Play version and a free sideload from GitHub. The project isn’t by the official Xemu team, but leverages open-source tech to run classic Xbox titles on mobile hardware (AYAN Thor noted among capable devices). Early tests show mixed results across games—some run slowly or are unplayable on certain devices, while others function better—making this a promising but imperfectProof‑of‑concept as developers refine performance and compatibility.
AMD reportedly halted driver updates for the Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU used in handhelds like Lenovo Legion Go and ROG Ally, leaving devices on older drivers after about two and a half years. OEMs must test drivers per configurable TDP, and Z1 Extreme drivers may be stuck on mid-2025 builds; Ryzen Z2 devices reportedly still receive updates. No official AMD statement yet while users await guidance.
IGN’s Logan Plant reports hands-on Switch 2 impressions for Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata: both ports are solid for handheld play, with Requiem looking closer in fidelity to PC/console versions and Pragmata displaying brighter environments and a few rough edges; overall strong performance and responsiveness on Switch 2, aided by HD rumble, though the games don’t match home-console visuals.
Steam Deck’s Verified/Playable badge rollout has surpassed 25,000 titles (25,010 per SteamDB), highlighting rapid growth in games deemed a good or playable fit on Valve’s handheld. The official Steam store count may differ because SteamDB includes delisted titles, and a badge doesn’t guarantee a perfect experience, but the milestone underscores expanding compatibility with recent additions like CAIRN and Once Upon a Shell.
Intel's new Panther Lake CPUs, built on the 18A process, are set to challenge AMD's dominance in the handheld gaming PC market with significant improvements in gaming performance and battery life, potentially disrupting the current market leader and opening a new revenue stream for Intel.
Intel is developing a custom version of its new Panther Lake CPUs specifically for handheld gaming devices, aiming to improve performance and competitiveness in the gaming handheld market amid rising competition from Qualcomm and AMD.
Lenovo is launching the Legion Go 2, a premium handheld gaming device with SteamOS, detachable controllers, and the most advanced screen in a handheld yet, starting at $1,199 in June 2026, offering a performance boost over Windows versions and competing with other high-end gaming handhelds.
The KTR2 handheld gaming device, with various configurations and prices ranging from approximately $142 to $284, is set to challenge the $100-$200 market segment, featuring a magnesium alloy build, Wi-Fi/4G connectivity, and active cooling, potentially making it a notable competitor among brands like Retroid and AYANEO.
Ayaneo is releasing a more affordable Game Boy remake, the Pocket Vert, starting at $269 for early bird orders, featuring a 3.5-inch LCD, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, and minimalist design, with prices increasing after the campaign.
Retroid has released real-life images of its upcoming Retroid Pocket 6 handheld, giving fans a better look at the device before its initial and second batch shipments, expected in early January 2026 and March 2026 respectively.
The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is the standout handheld gaming device of 2025, praised for its user-friendly SteamOS, solid performance with AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, ergonomic design, and ease of setup, making it a top choice for portable gaming enthusiasts.