Embark on a Gaming Odyssey: Handheld Consoles vs Traditional PC Rigs

As gamers, we’ve all dreamed of the perfect setup. For many, that means a top-of-the-line PC, equipped with the latest bells and whistles to make even the most demanding AAA titles sing. But for others, the pursuit of ultimate portability is the holy grail. The Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable are just a few examples of the many products that have fueled this quest.

The evolution of handheld gaming

Portable gaming has been a staple of the industry for as long as I can remember. The ability to play games wherever and whenever I want has always been one of its greatest appeals. What started with retro consoles has now expanded to a scale never before seen. Today, the market is flooded with portable gaming handheld options like the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally, Logitech G Cloud, and many more.

But how do these stack up against the good old gaming PC? Let’s find out.

The Steam Deck Revival

The launch of the Steam Deck was the revival that the gaming handheld needed. Its attractive features, comfortable design, powerful hardware, and excellent price-to-value proposition made it an instant favorite among gamers. The Steam Deck also set a precedent of easy customization and self-repair, a feature that PC gamers have enjoyed for a long time.

The Steam Deck: A game-changer in portable gaming

The concept of a portable gaming PC had existed before the Steam Deck, but no one had been able to execute it as well before. The Steam Deck showed consumers that a portable gaming PC is viable.

The Handheld Revolution

The Steam Deck sparked a movement in the gaming industry, inspiring companies like Ayaneo, Asus, Logitech, and Lenovo to enter the handheld gaming race. Each company has tried to put its own twist on the gaming handheld. Lenovo’s Legion Go has detachable controllers, the Logitech G Cloud is an Android-based system that boasts cloud gaming capabilities, and the Ayaneo Flip DS, a dual-screen handheld, banks on the nostalgia surrounding the Nintendo DS.

The many faces of handheld gaming

With the Good Comes the Bad

Newer handhelds are often more expensive and powerful than the Steam Deck. While this proportion of price to performance might seem reasonable at first glance, you won’t feel the same way when you realize that some of these newer systems lie in price ranges of Rs 50,000 - Rs 80,000 and beyond. At such prices, it feels more appropriate to purchase a laptop or low-end gaming PC, which might be less portable but offers better performance and the best bang for your buck.

However, high prices aren’t the only drawback that these devices have. Handhelds’ performance is understandably not on par with a similarly priced gaming PC, but that is still acceptable because a smaller screen requires less powerful hardware to make the game look good. What is harder to swallow is the low battery life that these devices are sporting.

The freedom to game anywhere

PC vs Handheld

So, what is the perspective of a PC gamer when it comes to the current state of the gaming handheld? I believe it depends purely upon different use cases. If you have a lifestyle that allows you to spend a lot of time at home, a PC is the most cost-effective option for you. It performs well for many years, and any snags can usually be resolved by swapping out a single component instead of replacing the entire system.

On the flip side, they are the least portable because they require an external display and peripherals as well. Still, they are perfect for people who live in a single location for extended periods or work from home.

On the other hand, the charm of a good gaming handheld is something not even a PC gamer like me can deny. Getting cozy in bed with a good indie game is equivalent to months of therapy. And the ability to carry your games with you no matter where you go is extremely satisfying.

The joy of indie gaming

While the battery life may not be perfect, it has gotten better and will continue to improve in the future as well. The biggest problem once again is the price. The near-perfect price-to-performance ratio achieved by devices like the Steam Deck needs to serve as inspiration for future gaming handhelds.

Final Verdict

Both options are extremely enticing. Being an early adopter of any new technology always comes with its risks. But there is also a chance that you might stumble upon something amazing. Both options have their benefits, but I think I’ll stick with my trusty PC rig for now because it provides me with a level of consistency that a gaming handheld cannot at the moment.

However, I will acknowledge that some years down the road, newer gaming handhelds will have the possibility of giving my PC a run for its money.