The Xbox Handheld Conundrum: A Gap in the Market?
The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 has come and gone, leaving many to wonder: where is the Xbox handheld? With Nintendo’s Switch 2 on the horizon, the case for an Xbox rival has never been stronger.
Xbox handheld concept
Phil Spencer, CEO of Xbox, has expressed his desire for a portable Xbox device that can play games locally, without the need for a connection. This would set it apart from existing handheld gaming devices that rely on streaming from a PC or console.
“I think being able to play games locally is really important.” - Phil Spencer
A dedicated Xbox handheld would have the power to run games without a connection, allowing for instant console-quality gaming on the go. With the ability to download games directly to the device, and seamless streaming of the Game Pass library, an Xbox handheld could be a game-changer.
Steam Deck
The Steam Deck, a handheld gaming PC, has shown that there is a market for portable gaming devices. However, it requires a PC to stream games, which can be a limitation. A native Xbox handheld would eliminate this need, providing a more seamless gaming experience.
Avermedia X’Tra Go GC515
Meanwhile, Avermedia has launched the X’Tra Go GC515, a capture dock that can record gameplay from handheld devices. This innovative product highlights the growing demand for handheld gaming solutions.
Wuthering Waves on Steam Deck
The Steam Deck has also shown that it can run demanding games like Wuthering Waves, albeit with some performance issues. However, this demonstrates the potential for a handheld device to run complex games, given the right hardware.
Lenovo Legion Go
Other handheld gaming devices, like the Lenovo Legion Go, have shown that it is possible to run games smoothly on a portable device. This raises the question: why not an Xbox handheld?
The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 may not have brought us the handheld we were hoping for, but it has highlighted the gap in the market. With Nintendo’s Switch 2 on the way, the time is ripe for Xbox to enter the handheld gaming market.
Xbox handheld concept
The ball is in Xbox’s court. Will they rise to the challenge and give us the handheld we deserve?
