Even amongst the turmoil of the RAM Storage Crisis, new SSDs haven't stopped dropping. But the Lexar Play X PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD sets itself apart from other new releases by providing storage for PC and handheld fans in one.

The best SSDs for gaming traditionally come in a 2230 or 2280 form factor, and you need to decide which is best for you before you check out your online shopping basket. Lexar has instead packaged a 2230 drive alongside a 2280 bracket, so you have the best of both worlds and can decide what's right for you right until the very moment you need to install. Without a gaming laptop or a handheld that's suited for a compact Gen 4 drive, I wasn't able to take full advantage of Lexar's ingenuity. That being said, Lexar's hybrid SSD was still a solid and speedy addition to my desktop PC.

Design

If you've ever upgraded the storage of your PC, you're probably more familiar with 2280-sized drives, however, the Play X consists of both a 2230 and 2280 in one. Smaller 2230 drives aren't anything new, but they're usually marketed specifically towards those with gaming laptops or handhelds, rather than being offered as a storage solution that's "compatible with M.2 2230/2280 slots."

Lexar achieves this wider range of compatibility by including a 2280 adapter with the smaller drive right in the box. This was a relief for me, as my current testing rig doesn't facilitate drives with a 2230 form factor. Once the adapter is hooked up, the Play X looked and acted more like a traditional 2280 SSD, so if you're in the market for a traditional 2280 option, don't let the 'hybrid' nature of this option put you off.

Features

The Lexar Play X is a PCIe 4.0 M/2 NVMe SSD drive that's available in 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB capacities. For this review, I was provided with the 1 TB model, which offered me 952 GB to play around with once formatted as part of my testing rig, which is pretty much what I'd expect.

The drive is powered by TLC NAND flash and according to Lexar, is designed to deliver "instant game loading and rapid level transitions" with its on-the-box 7,400 MB/s and 6,500 MB/s sequential read and write speeds. The brand's older Play 2230 PCIe 4.0 SSD was able to achieve read and write speeds up to to 5500 MB/s and 4,700 MB/s, respectively, so this is a big step up from its predecessor.

Additionally, Lexar packs in a 5-year warranty with the drive, though with an endurance rating of 1,200 TBW for the 2TB model, you shouldn't need to rely on it. The SSD is also packaged with a set of two stickers, so you can label them at your discretion. They have a slight holographic sheen to them, which I really appreciated, even if I never saw them once the storage was inserted into my motherboard.

Performance

Slotting the compact Lexar Play X SSD into the adapter was pretty straightforward, but I can't pretend there wasn't a lot of hesitancy before I put the two together. Gaming storage is worth its weight in gold right now, and my anxiety led me to believe I was going to break both along the way.

I thankfully didn't, as otherwise you wouldn't be reading this very review. Once it was all set up I was able to format it like any other traditional 2280 Gen 4 SSD. Afterwards, I ran it through CrystalDiskMark, where I was able to achieve average 7,074.43 and 6,551.29 MB/s read and write speeds. Compared to 7,400 MB/s and 6,500 MB/s as advertised on the box, the drive came pretty close and even managed to do slightly better than expected when it came to write speeds. Write speeds measure how fast a drive can save data, so this is good news if you need storage for not just gaming, but saving hefty amounts of information, which can be pretty common if you're an artist or a content creator on the side.

It missed the mark slightly where read speeds were concerned, but anything above 7,000 MB/s is still what I hoped to see. Regardless, all of those numbers don't mean much when they're not put to the test by running actual games, which is exactly what I did next. Loading up Counter-Strike 2 took an average of 25.61 seconds (over a period of three tests) to get to the menu screen where my booted-up character was waiting. While it wasn't faster than the built-in PNY CS1030 drive of my testing rig, there was only a 2.62-second difference. This set a precedent for the rest of my tests, as Lexar's drive wasn't faster than my onboard storage, but it wasn't that far behind, with just a few-second differences each time.

That's not exactly the "instant game loading" the marketing spiel stated it would be, but the lightning-fast loading times were still felt. No matter if I was loading up CS2, Dispatch, Marvel Rivals, or a plethora of my other current gaming obsessions like Mina the Hollower and Peak, there was no moment where I grew impatient waiting for anything to load, nor did I experience any noticeable differences running games straight off the SSD as compared to the onboard drive.

During testing, the compact storage managed to keep its cool too. While I still don't have a DC meter at my disposal, checking the Windows 11 settings informed me that the Play X managed to sit around 40% for the majority of the time I had it equipped in my rig, only bouncing up to 48% at the most when I was putting it through its paces running Marvel Rivals. That's pretty much what you'd expect, with the Samsung 990 SSD reaching similar temps while part of the same setup.

Much to my chagrin, I didn't have a compatible setup to test the Play X in its 2230 form factor alone. With that in mind, I can't justly say that it'd be the best addition to your laptop or PC handheld over alternatives, but if it's able to putter along at the same (or similar) speeds as I managed to achieve on the PC, you'd likely be in good hands with this small but mighty drive.

Should you buy the 1TB Lexar Play X SSD?

The Lexar Play X has yet to be released in the US, so the question of whether any of you across the pond should buy it can be answered pretty quickly.

For those of you in the UK, the answer is a little more layered. The 1TB model I reviewed today is sitting at £241.99 at Amazon, and even amongst the RAM-pocalypse, there are plenty of 1 TB options out there which are far cheaper. In the end, I'd still recommend this as an option should you want a 2230/2280 hybrid drive with fast speeds and if your budget can allow for it.

Plenty of older 2230 drives can't muster the same prowess as that of the Lexar Play X, including the brand's own past releases. The 1TB 2230 Lexar Play SSD launched with box quoted 5200MB/s and 4700MB/s read and write speeds, so you'd be getting more bang for your buck. Well, if the 2230 form can muster the same performance it managed when attached to its 2280 adapter, anyway.

If budget is at the forefront of your mind, I'm still going to recommend doing your best to pick up the 1 TB Samsung 990 Pro instead, which tops our general and best SSD for PS5 guides. It's reached as high as £229.99 at Amazon in May earlier this year, according to my CamelCamelCamel price checker, but can drop below the £200 mark without a heatsink. If that option is available to you (and you're looking for a 2280 design and not a 2230 one), that should always be your priority. However, Lexar's Play X is a valid choice if you must have have hybrid form factor at your disposal.

By the way, there's a chance I put the stickers on the wrong way round during testing, so feel free to excuse that in the photos.

How I tested the 1TB Lexar Play X SSD

I put the Lexar Play X SSD through its paces by attaching the 2230 drive to its 2280 adapter, hooking that up to the M.2 drive of my testing PC. Afterwards, I formatted the drive and used the CrystalDiskMark benchmarking tool, where I ran the drive through a series of four tests and calculated an average from those speeds. That average was then compared to its advertised on-the-box speeds. Additionally, I downloaded titles like Marvel Rivals, Counter-Strike 2, and Dispatch via Steam and timed how long it took to load to their respective start screens and compared this to past SSDs that I've tested so far. To read more about the ways we test SSDs and the rest of our gaming tech, have a look at how we test SSDs and our hardware policy.

Check out our guides to the best SSDs for PS5, the best PS5 external hard drive, and the best Xbox Series X hard drive if your gaming platform of choice could use a little boost.

Handheld gaming PC prices are out of control, and you could argue that it's out of everyone's hands. The effects of RAMageddon and absurd AI data centre demand are driving MSRPs up to impossible levels, but retailers like Best Buy appear to be using it as an excuse to flog one of the worst-received portables from 2024 for way above odds.

If you keep up with all the best gaming handhelds and my general thoughts at GamesRadar+, you'll already know I'm talking about the OG MSI Claw. The A1M version of the portable with its Intel Core Ultra 7-155H chipset was pretty poorly received two years ago, failing to pose any threat to the then-popular Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck OLED when it comes to performance.

It's for that reason that I find it bananas that the MSI Claw A1M is currently $749.99 at Best Buy, especially given that the whole issue with the handheld is price. Keep in mind this is a discontinued portable that, as far as I'm aware, isn't in production, so the retailer is asking full price for a portable that previously dipped under $400 due to its reception.

Here's the thing: I don't hate the MSI Claw A1M. I'd never dream of paying above $500 for one, as I've tested too many handheld PCs to know it doesn't provide appropriate performance for that price range. It could serve as the portable we need while the proper new-gen options are nearly unobtainable, especially given that it's armed with the same 1080p 120Hz screen and similar controls to the ROG Ally.

The Claw A1M isn't a new handheld, and the price increases tied to component shortages and fabrication being hogged for AI reasons shouldn't apply to a device produced in 2024. That's precisely why it took a while for manufacturing costs to catch up with Valve, as it only started charging more for the Steam Deck once existing stock had run dry.

I should also clarify that while Newegg also has MSI Claw A1M stock for even more, those are by third-party sellers applying the usual inflated price tags. The blue and yellow big box store doesn't have that excuse to fall back on, though, as its listings have that "sold by Best Buy" badge at the bottom that signals a direct sale.

Simply put, Best Buy should be lowering MSI Claw A1M stock to its previous average rates. It feels very much like the retailer is hoping players will fall back to the 16GB/1TB handheld upon seeing the price of newer portables like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ or its EX variant that are still in production, and that's simply aggravating a pricing situation that manufacturers are struggling to control.

TL;DR - Don't buy the MSI Claw A1M for anything above $500, and if anything, retailers should be helping fend players from RAMageddon with stock under $400.

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Windows 11, an operating system I'm not convinced we even want powering out handhelds and PCs, has apparently hiked OEM licence prices. That means it has potentially cost more for companies to pre-install it on your gaming device of choice, and I can't help but think that's ridiculously bold of Microsoft considering Linux is gaining prominence.

The report, courtesy of Chinese publication UDN, claims Windows OEM licences have increased by "7% to 10%" since July (via Videocardz). That's according to a "PC brand executive" who says while Microsoft typically increases its fees for the operating system every year by single digits, it has now allegedly slapped OEMs with a much higher bill compared to previous years.

Increased supplier costs on anything linked to making gaming handhelds or full PCs will naturally aggravate already spiralling MSRPs. OEMs like the laptop manufacturer Framework have already been sounding the alarm on increases, including higher Windows licence fees, before now, so we could start to see it cited as a reason for higher price tags on far more devices.

I would perhaps take the idea that anything gaming-related is increasing in price due to Windows licence fee hikes with a grain of salt, at least until we get a blanket announcement from Microsoft. While OEMs don't negotiate on usage prices, the figures tend to be tied to various factors like machine specs and volume of production.

That is to say, some of the bigger names out there, like Dell and HP, could be getting discounts compared to smaller builders, and if we're talking about something like the ROG XBOX Ally X, then Asus likely isn't paying any licence fees since it's a partnership device. It's instead companies like Ayaneo who could end up footing a bigger bill as a result of these changes, meaning those extremely pricey boutique Windows handhelds could be hit.

Even if the effects aren't as dramatic as RAM and storage hikes sparked by AI demand, this is the last thing the gaming tech scene needs right now. It's safe to say devices like the Steam Deck OLED and the freshly launched Steam Machine have proven there's an appetite for a less bloaty OS for playing games, and if Microsoft isn't going to do the bare minimum to help the industry while it's in turmoil, it's perhaps an even bigger sign to switch to Linux.

Don't get me wrong: Windows has its perks when used with portables like the ROG Xbox Ally or alternatives like the Lenovo Legion Go S, but it has taken a while to get near SteamOS standards. New boons like OG Xbox emulation via Game Pass will also help keep the operating system in the mind of players, but Microsoft is playing with fire considering it'll rely on the PC scene for its upcoming Project Helix console.

I'll be watching to see how any potential Windows licence fee increases impact the scene, and if they contribute to the destruction of RAMageddon, I'll be banging the Linux drum harder.

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Ayaneo is embracing a weird drip-feed strategy with its KONKR Pocket Advance. Not only did it break up its GBA clone handheld into a sprinkling of breadcrumb teasers post-launch, but it's now slowly revealing new colorways that apparently over 15,000 of you missed out on.

That's according to Ayaneo's stats shared in a live sharing session, as CEO Arthur Zhang reveals that "15,000+" KONKR Pocket Advance units have sold so far. That has apparently helped the best retro handheld contender become a number 1 seller at Chinese retailer JD.com, and while I'm happy for the Game Boy Advance homage, the same stream features yet another "you should have waited" colorway drop.

Yes, Ayaneo did just drop a KONKR Pocket Advance colorway that's basically a pink GBA homage to Princess Peach. However, as if that wasn't painful enough for players among those 15,000+ buyers who would have bought the Sarkura-shelled version, there's now a transparent "Onxy Ice" variant with big 2000s vibes.

The Onxy Ice KONKR Pocket Advance is the first translucent model to hit the lineup, featuring a shell that gives you a slightly smoky peek at the handheld's innards. I can almost guarantee some of you have been waiting for a GBA clone with this get-up specifically, so if you already settled for one of the existing colorways (Coral, Navy, Grey, or the new jammy pink version), this reveal is going to sting.

The inconvenient cherry on top of this GBA clone release strategy is that while the pink version revealed just days ago has the previous early bird discount, the Onyx Ice version starts at $109. For whatever reason, the transparent plastic bumps the actual full MSRP up to $129, despite boasting the same 3GB/32GB starting specs. You'll have to fork out $149 for the 4GB/64GB flavor once the introductory period is over, and that's the sort of pricing I feared in the first place.

Considering the still available GameCube Indigo (Navy) and NES grey Pocket Advance models are still available for $89, it feels like transparent tech fans are getting a raw retro handheld deal. If I were sitting wishing there was a translucent GBA flavor, only to have one dangled in my face after pre-ordering another colorway, I'd be pretty disgruntled, and I'm struggling to see a reason for the strategy beyond keeping the hype going.

I've witnessed retro players get really upset with the likes of Analogue for releasing different flavors of its Analogue 3D a month after launching black-and-white 4K N64 consoles. That situation was still iffy, but the KONKR Pocket Advance has already had two previously unannounced colorways within its first week.

I'm sure fans will be pretty vocal about Ayaneo's strategy here, but the KONKR Pocket Advance is shaping up to be a solid modern GBA. The gaming handheld maker has a real knack for making portables that feel lavish in the hands while providing punchy specs, and if I can take it for a test run, I'm sure it'll keep up with my modded GBA consoles.

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Check out the best retro consoles for remakes, emulation boxes, and new systems with cartridge support.

Apparently, being late can pay off if you're all about pink portables, as Ayaneo just dropped another GBA clone as part of a KONKR Pocket Advance restock. The new "Peach" version is a hat-tip tribute to a certain Italian plumber's crowned companion, and while it's an outstandingly pretty portable, I feel like it should have been available before now.

On Friday, Ayaneo officially unveiled its KONKR Pocket Advance "Peach" edition in all its pink jammy glory. The two-toned Sakura-paletted portable starts at $89, just like its best retro handheld counterparts that only just reached the battlefield, and its launch coincides with a restock of the other colorways following pretty high demand.

In an email update, Ayaneo admits that demand for the KONKR Pocket Advance "far exceeded our expectations." In an effort to explain the initial availability situation, the handheld maker explains that "some SKUs sold out so quickly that they had to be temporarily removed from sale," while also revealing that it "immediately started working with our suppliers to explore every possible solution," which ultimately resulted in a second wave of stock after "working late into the night" to secure components.

Despite efforts to get more KONKR Pocket Advance units into production, Ayaneo says "the restock is limited." That said, dropping the new pink GBA after the first wave of pre-orders seems to have been the plan all along, and I'd be lying if I said the strategy sits right with me.

Revealing additional colorways and versions after players rush for pre-orders is becoming a trend in the handheld scene. We're not just talking a chunk of time after the initial launch, as in many cases, companies are dropping new variants before initial orders have even shipped.

Ayaneo isn't the only handheld maker guilty of this, as Blaze recently unveiled an Evercade Nexus DOOM edition that now has players itching to swap their initial pre-order. I have no doubt that early KONKR Pocket Advance adopters are now wishing they'd waited until it was "too late" so as to grab the pink GBA instead, and that could breed resentment.

Of course, if you went straight for the "Coral" Pocket Advance that borrows the look of a Spiced Orange GameCube, you made the right call. That specific colorway is currently sold out, meaning the only available models are the "Navy" version or the NES-inspired "grey".

I can't promise I won't try to get hold of the pink GBA for my Kirby shrine, as I already missed my chance to grab a portable to pair with the Spiced Orange cube. At the same time, I do fully believe the Peach version should have been part of the original lineup, and seemingly withholding models won't go down well availably dries up quickly in the second wave.

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Check out the best retro consoles for authentic remakes, mini plug-and-play systems, and more.

I won't lie, I was expecting the Anbernic RG SP to land with an unsavoury, but the GBA SP clone is making big impressions with its pre-order price tag. While even the cheapest portables are taking a battering thanks to AI component demand, this clamshell is holding onto a sub-$60 MSRP that's actually lower than its predecessor.

I should caveat that the Anbernic RG SP is sitting slightly lower at $57.99 due to "early bird" discounts. Normally, the retro handheld will set you back $64.99, and that's if you order directly from Anbernic. Still, even that full MSRP is respectable since it matches the RG35XXSP from two years ago, and it demonstrates the portable maker is trying to keep prices steady.

Yes, we are talking about low handheld specs that, logically speaking, should be outside the RAMageddon blast zone, but that's sadly not how this works. Even the modest Super Pocket, Blaze's Evercade cart-wielding portable, fell folly to price hikes last month, and it comes armed with just 256MB of DDR RAM and a quad-core ARM chipset.

There are multiple layers to the AI-fuelled debacle surrounding component demand that's rooted in all production rather than specific parts, so no device is really safe. Therefore, it's worth commending Anbernic for keeping the RG SP under $60, as its rivals aren't faring quite as well

For instance, Ayaneo Pocket Advance pre-orders just landed, and I'm not opposed to its $89 price tag by any means; it will eventually jump up slightly higher to $109. The GBA clone is technically new, but it's pretty similar to the previously released Pocket Air Mini in terms of specs, and it landed for a lower introductory price. That would suggest there's something narrowing the margins that will lead to slight price increases, even if they are pretty small.

Ultimately, I think it's worth rooting for the handheld makers actively keeping prices sensible right now, and Anbernic is one of them. Yes, it does dabble with higher-end hardware, with the Anbernic RG Cube serving as an example of a more premium portable, but it seems to be making the right calls by focusing on its core affordable offerings that helped it ascend as a renowned brand in the first place.

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Ayaneo has finally lifted the lid on its KONKR Pocket Advance GBA clone handheld, and early bird pre-orders start at $89. Yes, that's steeper than its main rival, the Anbernic RG34XX, but now that the handheld maker is done posting a million teasers and has given the portable a full reveal, it's clear to me that the price is pretty great.

Just before pushing the live button on KONKR Pocket Advance pre-orders, Ayaneo graced us with a follow-up live stream. The retro handheld maker had previously drip-fed eager players with tidbits of specs and specifically angled shots, but a sharing session on Friday and the latter presentation fully reveal the portable and its abilities.

Starting at $89 ($109 without an early bird discount), the base model comes with 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, and a MediaTek Helio G90T chipset. Yes, that's the chip used by the Ayaneo Pocket Air, and while it won't be punchy enough to become a full-blown portable PS2, it has the guts to run a chunk of its library while easily handling plenty of other retro consoles and portables leading up to the sixth generation.

If you'd prefer some extra memory headroom and a bit extra storage, you can upgrade to the 4GB/64GB model for $109. The rest of the specs and perks remain the same, as you're still getting a 3.5-inch LCD display, a 4,000 mAh USB-C rechargeable battery with Power Delivery, rumble, a gyroscope, and active cooling. All models also run Android 12, meaning opting for the cheaper portable won't restrict you to just Linux like with some portables.

I know this will be more pressing to some of you than fancy specs, but both Pocket Advance models come in Navy (Indigo), Coral (Spiced Orange), and a gray colorway with NES vibes. I'd be lying if I said the orange version doesn't have me in its clutches, and releasing a variant that references a Japanese-exclusive GameCube is the sort of move I respect.

For under $100, or even slightly over when early bird discounts end, I can really get on board with the KONKR Pocket Advance. Paying that bit extra above existing portables with GBA vibes will grant you a bit more oomph for platform flexibility, as while it's clearly suited to non-3D romps before analog sticks became mandatory, jumping into anything from GBA and SNES classics to beefier GameCube and PS2 romps isn't off the table.

I was bracing myself for ludicrous Pocket Advance pricing given that gaming tech is falling victim to RAMageddon. Even my affordable go-to portable, the Super Pocket, had to take price hikes on the chin, and budget portable MSRPs have absolutely been creeping up throughout 2026. My hope is that Ayaneo can get this GBA clone out the door without any shenanigans, as launch availability for the Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 was pretty scrappy.

Swing by the best retro controllers if you're seeking a fresh pad for your console.

Many of the best gaming handhelds have seen their prices shoot North in 2026 so far, and the Steam Deck is among the more egregious MSRP increases. Now sitting at $789 in its basic 512GB configuration, the Steam Deck OLED - like the rest of the market - has seen a considerable markup in recent months. That's why the few discounts we do see are so important.

One of Valve's biggest competitors has just delivered. The Lenovo Legion Go S has dropped to $635.54 at the brand's own store this week (was $1,137.41). I'm normally checking back in on discounts of just a couple hundred bucks here, but we're down a full 44% right now - a hair over $500 in your pocket.

This is where I get the bad news out of the way. We didn't review the Lenovo Legion Go S particularly favorably - but I'll caveat that with the fact that Phil checked out the Windows version. A lot of their concerns stem from that finnicky handheld operating system - taking Microsoft out of the picture the handheld received "almost full marks for design" while its adjustable triggers and improved controls garnered praise as well.

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At launch, with last year's pricing landscape, the Legion Go S felt a little short with its AMD Ryzen Z2 GO processor. Today? Things look a little more favorable in light of that new $635 price tag.

After all, this thing comfortably beat out the much older Steam Deck OLED in our benchmarks - all with a larger, faster display running at a higher resolution. No, you're not getting that OLED panel up top, but you are getting a more impressive screen overall.

Here's how we benched the Windows version last year:

Ultimately, if you're looking for a mid-range handheld in the three-figure price range right now you've got three options; pay over the odds for a Steam Deck OLED, pay slightly over for the Lenovo Legion Go S, or opt for the $600 Xbox ROG Ally.

If you're after a Windows experience, there's no problem. Ditch the deal, head to Amazon, and grab the $599 ROG Ally. You'll be dropping speed from the Z2 Go's additional GPU cores, but you'll have an easier time loading games from other storefronts. Otherwise, today's discount alleviates some of the pricing pressure we've been feeling in the mid-range handheld market for some time now.

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Legendary Nintendo fellow Shigeru Miyamoto has said that the major gaming hardware and software company is planning for a future where people purchase and keep multiple generations of the company's consoles. He hopes that this will make game development easier as studios won't have to worry about the new console generation cannibalizing the older platform's sales.

In an interview with Famitsu, that's been translated by GamesRadar+, Miyamoto speaks about how he wants Nintendo's hardware to make game development easier for creators. "We all want to put minimal effort into making a living; live the easy life… I'm half joking," he says with a chuckle. "I think it's really important to reduce workload and streamline development, and in this regard, I think we created the perfect environment."

The "perfect environment" he's referring to is one where developers can reach a wider base of players by making games for both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 simultaneously. "There are people who have multiple Nintendo consoles at home," Miyamoto explains. "Those who want to play on high performance hardware use the Switch 2, and games can be developed specifically for that console."

Nintendo wants to offer hardware capable of running high-performance games, but for those who don't need the extra power, they can target both generations at once thanks to the shared hardware architecture. "In a few years, there will come a time when this is the norm," Miyamoto says. "Nintendo is planning for a situation where a new market emerges. We can create different games without asking if [game] sales for the new console will compete with the old. I think that would be the best scenario."

Nintendo hopes to offer developers two options; reach a wider playerbase by releasing on both platforms, or take the greater power of the Switch 2. This is contrary to Xbox's plans with the Xbox Series X|S, where developers are forced to create games with the exact same features that work on both the high performance and lower performance consoles simultaneously.

While Miyamoto's talking points focus on making development easier for creators, the company obviously benefits financially from having multiple Nintendo consoles in each home. As the Switch and Switch 2 are also handheld consoles, many families, particularly those with children, have more than one Switch lingering in their abode.

Nintendo also supports homes with multiple consoles by releasing titles that can use features like Game Share and foster co-operative play. There is also the Nintendo Online Family Plan, which offers online benefits for multiple consoles at a discount. Shrewd move, Nintendo.

Shigeru Miyamoto was "pleased" to sell the original Nintendo Switch for 8 years as "customers aren't always looking for the best specs."

The Playdate is a handheld haven of low-spec creativity, but one dev is going the extra mile by making a 3D "Metroidbrainia" for Panic's portable. Not only does the outing use its own "tiny" 3D renderer that even gets DOOM running on the monochrome indie game machine, but it also allows for outdoor cityscape platforming inspired by Mirror's Edge.

In a Bluesky clip, developer Cristina Ramos shows off her first-person exploration game Katavatis running on Panic's gaming handheld using the aforementioned 3D renderer. "I was told you couldn't do 3D on the Playdate, so I did it," proclaims Ramos before adding, "Then I was told there was no way I could create exterior levels like those in Mirror's Edge, so I proved them wrong again."

The developer's clips provide receipts for that claim, as she clearly demonstrates what appears to be a 1-bit Mirror's Edge running on the Playdate. The defiance accompanying the clip does appear to be slightly tongue-in-cheek, referencing the "back of the box" synopsis for Katravatis that reads "they told us climate change is a hoax," but honestly? I also figured 3D rendering would be a stretch for Panic's plucky portable.

I was told you couldn't do 3D on the Playdate, so I did it.Then I was told there was no way I could create exterior levels like those in Mirror's Edge, so I proved them wrong again.

— @saffroncr.bsky.social (@saffroncr.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-07-22T12:13:47.276Z

Naturally, I'm more than hyped to try this climate-apocalyptic, Metroidvania romp on an actual Playdate, but Katavatis is also coming to Steam and Itchio. The indie dev has actually documented their journey making a 3D renderer for the handheld on her latter page, and while the deep dive admits that the portable lacks the power to draw 3D scenes like a '90s 3DFX Voodoo PC card or the OG PS1, the results are closer to the likes of the 3DO or Sega Saturn.

The full devblog for the Playdate 3D renderer is a fascinating read, and does a fantastic job explaining what three-dimensional graphics actually are and how they're even possible on something like the Playdate. Keep in mind the portable is powered by a very low-key ARM Cortex-M7 chipset and just 16 MB of RAM, so seeing a perceivable 3D adventure platformer running on the hardware is wild.

Ramos says now that the 3D renderer is in a "good enough" state, it's paving the way for gameplay prototypes. The dev has already uploaded snippets of these to YouTube, and she's already answered the age-old question of whether it can run DOOM (it can). Again, if you've not got the indie retro handheld, Katavatis will be hitting Steam and Itchio, and I can't wait to explore the Metroidvania's abandoned deep-sea facility in all its 1-bit 3D glory.

Check out the best retro consoles for remakes of OG systems and emulation machines.

Pointing out that Steam Deck sales are down following Valve's price hikes feels a little silly, but the figures are pretty rough. While between 11,000 and 18,000 portables were previously being snapped up by players per week, that respectable number has reportedly dropped by 82%. I'm not convinced pricing is completely to blame for this massive dip, though.

First highlighted by Boiling Steam, Steam Deck sales analysis using SteamDB suggests Valve is now shifting between 1,400 and 3,000 handhelds per week. The site estimates that the portable was previously bringing in $6-10 million per week, with revenue potentially plummeting to between $1.2 and $2.5M after the drop.

Keep in mind these aren't official Valve Steam Deck sales figures, as Boiling Steam has rather cleverly used weekly chart data and revenue range calculations to generate an estimated figure, as its position has slipped from around #4 to #5 last year to as low as #15 in mid 2026.

I'm not remotely shocked that increasing the Steam Deck OLED by over 40% has impacted its sales, even if it is still my best gaming handheld pick. The portable was never designed to exist within the upper premium bracket of portable gaming, especially since punchier contenders like the ROG Xbox Ally X are hanging out just under $1,000.

At the same time, I'm not convinced Valve's seeming mandatory price increase is entirely to blame for the Steam Deck's flatlining figures. I'd be surprised if the Steam Machine hasn't had some impact, with players choosing to hold off and invest in the mini PC instead. I'm also all too aware the handheld is now over four years old, so some of you might be waiting on the Steam Deck 2 rather than splashing out just under $800 for something "last gen".

Don't get me wrong - pricing still sits at the centre of the Steam Deck's sharp sales dip. Even if the additional player motives are true, the handheld would still draw more attention if it were available for its original $399 launch price, as it's still an extraordinary portable that focuses on the overall gaming experience rather than raw performance.

Yes, things look pretty shaky for my favorite handheld, but I don't think it's all over for the Steam Deck. I reckon that it will see a slight uplift in demand once the Steam Machine hype leaves the station, but its affordability thunder has currently been snatched by the white ROG Xbox Ally since it's $599.99 at Best Buy. If I'm being real, I don't even think that latter alternative is a "bargain", but given that Ayaneo wants over $4,000 for its top-end Next 2 model, Microsoft's system is one of the only options that has a semi-reasonable MSRP.

Take a peek at the best retro handhelds if you'd rather revisit your favorite classics.

Ayaneo wants up to $4,299 for its Next 2 flagship gaming handheld. I'll give you a moment to let that sink in, as that's the price of its top-end model, and even the cheapest version costs almost two grand. Keep in mind the portable was previously suspended due to high production costs, but it feels like the boutique device maker is now hoping early bird discounts will save its campaign.

Over at the freshly re-launched Ayaneo Next 2 IndieGoGo page, the best gaming handheld contender now starts at $1,799.99. That's the version with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage with an early bird discount applied, meaning if you wait until after the launch, you'll pay next to two grand. It's also armed with a lower-spec AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 chipset compared to the two other models, but those will make even the steepest portable prices blush.

If you're gunning for at least the mid-tier Next 2 model with 64GB RAM and an A1+ 395 APU, you're looking at $2,299.99 with discounts applied. Even with the Steam Deck OLED sitting way too high for its own good thanks to RAMageddon, you could still grab almost three of those, and I'm pretty sure I have less funds in my life savings account right now.

I'm half poking fun at the 64GB version price, but I can't quite compute why the top-end 128GB/2TB combo is a thing at $3,499. Again, that's with an early-bird discount serving as a saving grace, as the top Ayaneo Next 2 comes with a $4,299 MSRP. I've been working with handhelds and analysing the scene for decades at this point, and I can't grasp who that model is actually for.

Just to be clear, you are getting a premium handheld for your money. The Next 2 is rocking a massive 9.06-inch 165Hz OLED display with a max 2,400 x 1,504 resolution, adjustable TMR thumbsticks, and dual touchpads. While a chunk of the cost is sunk into inflated RAM and storage prices sparked by AI data centre demand, Ayaneo's portable was always going to be pricier than its competition thanks to its feature set.

Believe me when I say I'm not being flippant, as I can't see even ultra-enthusiasts paying over $4,000 for a handheld given their nature. There's a reason we've continued to get waves of portables this decade, and it's due to how quickly next-gen contenders succeed chipsets.

Unlike with consoles that use custom silicon, even the "top" portables like the ROG Xbox Ally X with its AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme are finding themselves quickly outpaced thanks to new Intel Arc G3 Extreme and Ryzen AI+ models. Don't get me wrong, I love testing newcomers to see how much further they can boost fps compared to last year's model, but the current price situation makes it solely feel like a banana-swinging exercise.

Sure, the Ayaneo Next 2 might end up being the beefiest handheld gaming PC out there, and the company certainly knows how to make a punchy portable. I'm not uncomfortable with the way buying a handheld now feels like investing in something like a car, and yearly spec changeups mean that players will likely only hang onto their devices for a couple of years before trying to trade them up for a hotter model.

There's an anxiety goblin telling me that things will go the way of the PlayStation Portal and the pricing situation will prompt the handheld scene to embrace a cloud streaming future as a solution. We're already set to lose access to physical media, and if playing on the latest hardware comes with a tariff in the thousands, actually owning capable hardware at home could soon become a thing of the past.

Check out the best retro handhelds if you'd rather stick with the classics.

I've been mulling over the Lenovo C700 since teasers emerged, and it's now got an August release date. Normally, I'd be pretty hyped about a portable with a 7.82-inch 120Hz screen and TMR thumbsticks, but it's all bogged down by the fact it's a cloud streaming device.

Yes, rather than being a full-fat gaming handheld that can run games natively without internet, the Lenovo C700 is the exact opposite. Highlighted by Notebookcheck, a fresh reveal provides a better look at the portable alongside some standout features, like that 7.82-inch 120Hz display and TMR thumbsticks that use magnetic tech to provide higher precision over Hall effect.

I've certainly dabbled with cloud streaming in the past, and I do think there's a place for the tech as a luxury alternative. Yes, I'm classing the device genre as premium, as while it might feel like a device for a lower MSRP than most consoles and handheld gaming PCs, there are plenty of hidden caveats and charges that factor in.

That's before we even get to my games ownership fears, as I recently spelled out why devices like the PS Portal are a worrying sign of an all-digital future to come. Sure, the PlayStation Portal and other streaming gadgets like the Logitech G Cloud and Acer's upcoming device will let you stream and play in a perceivable higher frame rate than what you'd get using native specs, but it's granted on the condition that you pay for a stable, high-speed internet connection and for a ticket-to-ride one (or all) of the numerous subscription services out there.

The C700 specifically is designed with the aim of getting you onto Tencent's START service. As a reminder, this seems to be China-exclusive for now, and it's currently unknown whether it'll support other platforms like GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass. That should be the case if it runs Android, but I've still got core fears that Lenovo is testing the waters for a fallback now that hiked gaming hardware costs are proving inconvenient.

Whether or not the C700 is a device that'll contribute to a future where games are provided on a permissions slip basis comes down to specs. There's still a chance this portable will boast beefy enough specs to run as a best retro handheld contender, in which case you can run a bunch of classics without the Internet or monthly subs. If it really is solely designed just to connect to the cloud, though, I'm hoping it doesn't spark a trend among brands that nudges us closer to a future where you pay for access, not for something you can retain.

Take a peek at the best retro consoles for new systems that'll run the classics.

Ayaneo has finally revealed what its Konkr Pocket Advance looks like, and yep, it's a GBA clone. I was holding out for a homage to the original 2001 handheld, and that's exactly what we're getting this time around, but we should probably wait for the specs before getting too hyped.

In yet another teaser, Ayaneo reveals a detailed render of the Konkr Pocket Advance that reveals the entire front. To the untrained eye, it's pretty much exactly like Nintendo's original GBA, complete with a cross d-pad, prominent top triggers, and black bezel framing its widescreen display. However, just like with most modern retro handheld remakes, there's plenty of modern touches here that give the game away.

For instance, you're getting four face buttons rather than two, just like with Anbernic's RG34XX GBA-inspired device. That serves as a reminder that this thing isn't just for running Game Boy Advance romps, as while we don't have a specs list yet, it'll likely emulate at least up to the PS1, or maybe even the GameCube since it borrows its delightful Spiced Orange getup.

Other details, like the two extra menu buttons on the right and the embossed Konkr logo at the bottom, all give the jig up too. What's perhaps more subtle when not next to a real GBA is the handheld's overall size difference, as this portable wields a larger screen. I'm not convinced it's the same 6-inch display as the existing Konkr Pocket Fit, as the aspect ratio, but if the faux Famicom controllers in the render are also to scale, we could be looking at something around 5 inches based on comparative measurements.

Keep in mind these teaser images only reveal the front, so it's hard to get a sense of its complete design. You can just about see a USB-C port at the bottom for charging, a microSD card flap on the left, and a volume wheel on the right, meaning we do know where all the main IO resides. I'm pretty sure there's a 3.5mm headphone jack next to that aforementioned wheel too, which could leave the top completely clear for additional USB-C ports or a dedicated HDMI.

I'd imagine that the rear will be kept relatively clear for cooling vents, but I'm curious to see whether Ayaneo has messed with the OG GBA design in the name of ergonomics. In theory, it could get away with adding some subtle grips without changing the overall vibe, even if many would argue against anything but a flat back panel.

Going by first impressions alone, the Konkr Pocket Advance looks to be a faithful homage to the real Game Boy Advance. The entire vibe is in line with Ninty's original vision, and it even avoids neglecting purely aesthetic elements like the plastic molding on the sides. Ayaneo should consider my interests firmly piqued, and I'll be patently waiting to see if its eventual specs and price tag make it a no-brainer for OG GBA nerds.

Take a peek at the best retro controllers for fresh, but authentic gamepads.

The Retroid Pocket Nova has been a thing since June, but we're only just getting to see the retro handheld in action. While we did get a look last month, the gadget maker caveated its demo was based on an engineering prototype. Now, an employee has now unleashed footage of the portable running a bunch of classics.

An unexpected post to Retroid's official X account dubbed "some gameplay for y'all", employee Chris Covers uses the retro handheld to run F-Zero GX, but a bunch more demos are included on their channel (cheers, Time Extension). There are separate clips of Burnout Revenge, Outrun 2006, God of War 2, Panzer Dragoon, and Dead or Alive 2 running on the 4:3 horizontal portable on Covers' YouTube account, providing a nice idea of its emulation abilities.

The footage is admittedly a little janky compared to something you'd find on the actual Retroid YouTube channel. We're talking close-up shots on the screen that aren't supposed to boast high production value, but they do at least give a clear view of each game.

Naturally, it's impossible to get a true idea of performance from this style of video, but from what I can see, every game runs at full speed with ease. The resolution looks crisp too, which could mean it's scaling PS2, Dreamcast, and Saturn games to suit the display's native 1280 x 960 abilities.

It's best to wait for actual reviews that take a closer look at performance stats and highlight any slowdown, but from this sneak peek, I'm impressed. The Pocket Nova is set to strike a nice balance between modern controls and a 4:3 screen that suits most classic games, particularly if you're looking to avoid black bars on each side.

As a bonus, there's also footage of the Pocket Nova paired with an attachable screen for 3DS games. Super Mario 3D Land looks buttery smooth on the top display, and the fact that it's 16:9 means it's equipped to take on other clamshells like the Ayn Thor.

Of course, you could say that, considering it starts at $229 for the 8GB/128GB version, it should punch pretty hard. It's up against some solid rivals like the Anbernic RG Cube, Retroid's own Pocket 5, and the slightly pricier Anbernic RG 477M, so it'll need to pull some bigger performance moves off to stand out.

Check out the best gaming handhelds for portable PCs and emulation machines.

Sony has a habit of presenting big hardware changes as a matter of fact. You could say that's why I was surprised to see it preemptively announce that physical PS5 discs won't be a thing by 2028, as I was fully expecting the PS6 to simply rock up without a disc drive. However, that doesn't mean it's not hoping certain monumental trends will be naturally embraced before anyone has time to react, and the PlayStation Portal has sort of already signalled some upsetting handheld ambitions.

Yes, I know plenty of people love the PlayStation Portal, and I can see why. Those full-sized DualSense controls give even the best gaming handhelds a run for their money, and you could say it even influenced the Xbox ROG Ally X to embrace controller grips. Those perks have earned it plenty of praise, but I can look past how it dangled an always-online streaming device in front of us dressed up as a promising PS Vita successor.

The Portal may feel harmless enough as an add-on device targeting players who are into PS5 Remote Play or even dabbling with streaming. Hilariously, it couldn't even do the latter at launch, which in my eyes placed it in the same housebound ring as the Wii U GamePad. But, Sony does like to cite commercial success to back up its hardware and software decisions, and it could use said figures to argue people want streaming handhelds.

You only need to look back at Sony's more recent hardware history to see a "testing the water" trend. The PlayStation Portal isn't even its first attempt to make all-digital handhelds a thing, as it also made the PSP Go portable in 2009, which ditched the system's UMD disc drive.

Sony clearly had an overarching digital future in mind when coming up with the PSP Go, as while the $250 handheld with zero physical support for its own ecosystem of games was naturally a flop, the idea survived. In fact, you could say the Ericsson Xperia Play ended up being a spiritual successor, as it was pitching the idea of downloading games, all while including a few baked-in games based on that PS1 PUGA plug-and-play DualShock console I shared a couple of weeks ago.

The difference here is that the PSP Go and Ericsson Xperia Play are examples of Sony trying to get players to bite. It wasn't quite at the stage of presenting a portable that removes physical support entirely, as the PlayStation Vita was just about to take centre stage as a much safer bet. Still, the trajectory pointed towards all-digital ambitions, and there's an oddball system between the Vita and Portal that made the case for streaming.

I won't blame you for not remembering the PlayStation TV. It was originally called the "Vita TV" in Japan, which naturally helped signal its actual screenless handheld game functionality. Yes, it was basically a mini console that could run the portable's cartridges, but actually, Sony really seemingly wanted you to use it as a remote play box instead.

I'm not one for taking a hint, and I earnestly picked up a PlayStation TV to play Vita games on the big screen. It always irked me that the handheld lacked video output, so the tiny box felt like a reasonable compromise. The thing is that Sony actually blocked users from using a bunch of physical games with the system by using an internal "whitelist", meaning it wasn't ideal for playing your own collection.

Maybe I should have taken the lack of "Vita" in the box's title as a sign, but to me, the approach felt senseless. Yes, it used the lack of a touchscreen to bar some games from running, but that made little sense, seeing as controller emulation for compatibility was a thing. Add the fact that manually adding the missing games to the whitelist resulted in them running perfectly, and you have what appears to be a missed hardware opportunity.

Except, I'm not convinced Sony didn't intentionally neglect the PS TV's Vita functionality. After all, its other big new feature, and one that led to it being specifically bundled with PS4 consoles, was Remote Play. By including the gadget with systems, players would be more likely to start using a type of streaming to play games, even if it did first start with local Wi-Fi play.

Of course, the PS TV was also a response to the 2010s smart box craze, as tech companies were going all in on making their own add-ons. Sony's gizmo could also access apps like Netflix, but if we're going to say it was rivalling anything, it's probably Valve's Steam Link that established PC remote play.

The strategic difference there is that Steam was always a digital storefront, whereas Sony built its house on physical game foundations. That's not to say you couldn't establish strong remote play features while keeping discs and cartridges alive, but it's the arrival of the PlayStation Portal that highlights an alternate path.

The PlayStation Portal was the first sign that Sony was accelerating its all-digital plans. It actually signalled that the company had locked in an all-digital future, and it was now ready to make a case for providing games via the cloud. In my review, I highlight that while it feels like a nice handheld, the fact that it totally neglects letting players run games natively makes it far too niche, but it's a niche that Sony was hoping to make stick through pricing.

It's hard to deny that the Portal's price is alluring. If I didn't know better, I'd be jumping at a PlayStation handheld for $200, especially one that provides that PS5 controller goodness. The unfortunate reality is that you're not really getting a portable console for that price: you're getting a "portal" to Sony's subscription service.

Here's my specific worry: the PlayStation Portal has been pretty successful, and Sony is absolutely one to follow market trends. The upfront reason it gave for pulling the plug on physical discs is that the vast majority of players apparently buy games digitally, so it could apply the same quantitative logic to its next handheld format.

I can certainly see a reality where Sony releases a slightly higher-spec version of the portal alongside the PS6, rather than making a Steam Deck rival like current rumours seem to suggest. I'd even say that, if component price hikes caused by AI datacentres continue to persist, we might even end up with streaming being platformed as a solution.

I'm already seeing brand interest in creating streaming devices reignite, despite the cold response to low-specs, dedicated handhelds like the Logitech G Cloud. Just this week, teasers for a Lenovo C700 handheld designed with Tencent's PLAY platform emerged, and Acer is also cooking up a portable primarily for cloud gaming.

Right now, all the stars look unfortunately aligned for a streaming resurgence, and that means the future of consoles could be missing more than just discs. There's every chance that all the main players will point to the cloud as a solution for unaffordable hardware prices, and that completely takes any "ownership" over your game library out of your hands.

I don't want to sound like I'm completely bashing cloud streaming, as plenty of players enjoy letting servers deal with performance. It also works for people who are into the hands-off Netflix-style of paying to play rather than owning, but stable internet connections and monthly subscriptions aren't a luxury universally available to all.

Keep in mind that the PlayStation Portal arrived just before RAMageddon really ramped up. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that Sony was already seriously thinking about hardware designed only for streaming games, rather than downloading purchased releases. In my eyes, there is a path in front of the console giant, and it seems to lead to some pretty stormy clouds.

Swing by the best retro handhelds if you're looking to play the classics.

Valve's Steam Deck LCD partnership with iFixit was a big moment for handheld repairability, but it looks like parts are now being discontinued. While it's currently unknown whether every component will become unavailable, the repair site says it's looking "less likely" that it will continue to stock OEM batteries.

The Steam Deck LCD part revelation was originally unearthed by Zok-Felswyn on Reddit, with a post revealing correspondence from iFixit. According to the shared email enquiry response regarding gaming handheld batteries, the stockist says "we do not have immediate plans to stock this product."

It was originally unclear from the reply why iFixit was no longer stocking batteries, but a member of the team has since clarified, "It’s not that we’re choosing to not stock these anymore. Unfortunately, Valve is just starting to sunset these parts. We’re looking at alternatives!"

As someone who fixes, repairs, and mods both old and new gadgets, I am pretty bummed out. I appreciate Valve's efforts to make Steam Deck LCD components readily available, but it appears to be winding down access just when people will need components most. I know from decades of dealing with battery tech that after four years, you'll want to start thinking about a replacement depending on usage, and a lot of players in need of a reliable replacement will be out of luck.

It's worth noting I've reached out to Valve for comment on whether it is officially discontinuing Steam Deck LCD replacement parts. The company hasn't made any announcements regarding the decision, so finding out whether the handheld maker is actually ending part support, or if there's a change internally with iFixit, is important.

Before you also get any bright ideas, just know you can't use a Steam Deck OLED battery in the LCD model. The two portables may look similar, but there are subtle design changes and specs under the hood, including capacity. That said, I do wonder if Valve is actually working on supplying a different battery than the one it supplies currently, which may have led to the supply hiccup.

If Valve is actively discontinuing Steam Deck LCD parts, though, it'll leave players at the mercy of the hard-to-navigate third-party market. It can be a nightmare narrowing down which alternatives are reliable and of acceptable quality, and that's something iFixit will also have to do to fill its stock gap.

Check out the best Steam Deck docks if you're planning to make a low-spec Steam Machine alternative.

I need someone to tell Lenovo that cloud handhelds aren't the answer to the handheld situation right now. That said, it might already be too late, as a C700 portable has popped up designed with Tencent's START streaming service in mind, and while that likely means it's for the Chinese market, I'm worried that will change.

First highlighted by Videocardz, a Weibo post provides a good look at the Lenovo Legion C700, including its buttons and backside. At a glance, it looks like most contempoary gaming handhelds, boasting asymmetrical dual analogue sticks, a disc d-pad, and full-sized triggers up top.

The C700 isn't quite cut from the same cloth as the Lenovo Legion Go S, but you can tell they're from the same lineage. Both actually have near-identical back buttons and ergonomic contours, but since this is a streaming handheld, there's noticeably less heft and girth.

That'd normally be a good thing, except it means there's not much actually going on inside the C700. Keep in mind that cloud streaming devices aren't expected to run anything natively, and just like the Logitech G Cloud or even the PlayStation Portal, internet connectivity will make or break Lenovo's proposed portable.

Don't get me wrong, some devices can serve as both a cloud device and a solid retro handheld. Technically speaking, high-end emulation portables like the Ayn Odin 2 and other Android contenders can run the latest games through streaming services, but they also boast better chipsets and more RAM than gadgets specifically made for a subscription service.

Here's the thing - cloud streaming handhelds can be valid as an option for those willing to pay subscriptions every month rather than own games. They can provide a nice experience too if your internet connection has the stomach for it, but that applies to very few players. Try as they might, the world at large isn't ready, or wants devices that take ownership out of the equation (if Sony's physical disc discontinuation is anything to go by), even if prices are currently bananas.

The message from me is clear: do not try to fill the sub-$500 void with cloud streaming handhelds. No one asked for AI datacentres to exercise gluttony and create a situation where the Steam Deck OLED costs up to $1,000, and while the Lenovo C700 might be exclusively for the Chinese market (just like that sus Lenovo G02 handheld with questionable ROMs), I'm worried there's a trend kicking off.

Is that because Acer unveiled a Nitro Blaze Link "streaming portal" last month? Well, yes, actually, it feels like all the names we'd expect to provide affordable handheld PCs are exploring ways to keep making portables without having to navigate extreme component prices. That in itself could pivot the scene into a situation where streaming is presented as the norm, and as a lifelong lover of handhelds, that's the last thing I want to see happen.

The Lenovo C700 teaser suggests we'll hear more in August, so let's hope it at least boasts the specs to play PS2 games natively (I doubt it, but let's stay optimistic).

Swing by the best retro consoles for iconic system remakes and emulation machines.

I have fairly large hands. For that reason, I've been waiting patiently for the current slate of gaming handhelds to reach the shelves. After a few years of these portable PCs being a hot commodity, manufacturers have finally realised that comfort is just as important as portability and power. Rounded grips, bulkier devices, and better button sizes are now being welcomed with open arms, but after going hands-on with the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, I think we've gone as far as we need to.

For context, I review controllers, and I'm an OG Asus ROG Ally X owner, so despite my excitement, I'm a little salty about the fact that Asus, Acer, MSI, and Lenovo have all launched updated versions of their handheld devices that have much, much more ergonomic grips. The ROG Xbox Ally devices have properly rounded grips, which fix the comfort woes I have with their predecessors. Acer and MSI have reworked their grip designs accordingly, giving things a much more curved, comfortable hold that spreads their weight and makes them so much more enjoyable to hold during longer sessions.

With Acer's new Predator Atlas, I loved how much inspiration was taken from the best PC controllers. The handheld just felt broader, and like the ergonomics had been given just as much attention as the new Intel APU innards.

The MSI Claw handhelds were always a bit beefier since they have larger displays - or at least, that's been the case since the original Claw A8, which I tried out at IFA a few years ago. With the latest iteration I demoed out at Computex, the grips had a curve on their backs, as well as an expanded drop at the bottom to provide room for your pinkies. The controls felt really premium, and F1 2025 ran like an absolute dream, but I was actually finding myself struggling to make the reach from the palm of my hand up to the top of my index finger to work the triggers - which is a first for me.

Maybe it was due to the fact I was holding a very expensive prototype model in an overly crowded exhibition booth, maybe it was the fact I was holding it extra carefully, and maybe it was because I was playing a game that relied on my use of the triggers to accelerate and brake on a moment's notice. But for one of the only times in my hardware-reviewing career, I found myself thinking, "Man, this thing is actually uncomfortably large for my hands".

Like I said at the beginning of this article, I consider myself part of the big-hand gang when it comes to gaming peripherals. I tend to enjoy controllers that have been designed with broader, bigger builds in mind. The only time I felt a controller was too big for me was maybe the Thrustmaster eSwap line, and even then, I could still use it pretty comfortably. While trying to grip the Claw 8 EX AI+, I struggled to keep my hands positioned over the face and back buttons, while also reaching up to the triggers and bumpers.

I'm all for more comfort, but making things too big also increases the risk of you dropping your very pricey portable PC. Prices definitely come into things with this generation of handheld PC, but more on that in a bit.

If the size of this thing is an issue for me, I expect it to be an almost prohibitive problem for anyone who considers their hands to be on the smaller side when using modern gaming gear. It makes me think that the design of the latest claws hasn't just been about combating the comfort levels of the Xbox Ally X, but that potentially the larger display size has actually gotten in the way.

The latest Claw sports an 8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is slightly larger than the 7.4-inch size on the Xbox Ally. Interestingly, the Predator Atlas 8 has a similar 8-inch display, but it didn't feel like quite the same stretch for me to use, so there are definitely subtle differences between the two devices, despite their shared processor.

So the real toss-up, in my opinion, is how much power you want versus something that's not too unwieldy. The Claw certainly has the beefy innards you need to play games like F1 2025 at smooth frame rates with really surprisingly clear visual fidelity. I wasn't able to access performance monitor details during my hands-on test, but MSI claims you can get a 66% higher frame rate in F1 using 1200p / Medium settings / XeSS3 + MFG over last gen.

Of course, the elephant in the room here is that the Claw will let you back well over a grand on either side of the Atlantic, and beyond its size being a prohibitive factor for some gamers, its pricing is even more so.

Elsewhere, there's an 80Whr battery for 5 hours of play, an Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor running the show, Hall effect thumbsticks, and hyperflow cooling. I'd argue it's the smoothest performing handheld I've gone hands-on with, but based on how much work my hands had to do to use it and stay comfortable, I think I'd take the similar specs of the Acer Predator Atlas 8 instead.

Once again though, affording either of these PCs will be the real struggle since they cost more than the controversially pricey Steam Machine.

Still here? You might also be interested in the best TMR controllers, the best gaming PCs, and the best retro handhelds.

Intel just dropped its latest graphics driver for Windows, but the 32.0.101.8860 package only mentions support for Arc G3 Extreme chipsets. Yes, the cheaper non-extreme APU technically hasn't made its way to any handhelds yet, but it did officially land alongside its flagship sibling, so support should be on the table.

As a reminder, the Intel Arc G3-series is set to power the best gaming handhelds and challenge chips like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. Effectively, the Panther Lake APU will reside within premium portables like the $1,700 MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, helping it pull harder fps punches than the chip with the ROG Xbox Ally X, but the non-Extreme version should be powering alternatives that aren't astronomically priced.

The bad news is that, as of July 2026, those promised standard Arc G3 handhelds are MIA. Videocardz highlights that Intel's graphics driver 32.0.101.8860 WHQL only lists the Arc G3 Extreme within its valid products, which suggests Intel isn't currently considering support for the vanilla variant.

I should stress that this doesn't mean non-extreme Intel Arc G3 handhelds aren't happening. The takeaway here is that, at least for now, the Arc G3 Extreme is the first and only new-gen portable chipset on the track, and the lack of a shout-out in the driver update could mean handhelds using the chip aren't imminent.

The last thing I wanted to see is no mention of Intel's "cheaper" Arc G3 chipset given the current climate. We've swiftly entered a reality where handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED, which used to start at $550, now cost almost a grand for the 1TB model, and the ROG Xbox Ally portables I criticized for being too expensive last year are now "reasonable" compared to most other Windows options. Alanis sang about nonsense like this.

Effectively, the only Arc G3 handhelds I can see on the horizon right now will set you back well over a grand. The OneXPlayer 3 should start at $1,399 if it survives crowdfunding, and while Acer did announce a Predator Atlas 8, I'm not holding my breath for that one.

Don't get me wrong; if the longstanding PC giant can get one of those in my hands for cheaper than every other option out there, and offer a lower-spec non-extreme model, it'll firmly have my attention. Otherwise, it'll end up swiftly becoming vaporware, or arriving with a price tag that means it's not relevant.

The handheld is seriously suffering at the hands of AI data centre demand, just like the gaming hardware scene at large. I do think device makers can do a bit more to weather the storm, though, and that includes actually using cheaper chipset SKUs like the Arc G3.

If you've got Valve's handheld to hand, swing by the best Steam Deck docks to turn your portable into a makeshift Steam Machine.

This summer marks a year since I bought a Steam Deck OLED, and in that time, I've only bought a handful of accessories to improve the handheld's comfort, playing power on the go, and durability. But with the price of Steam Decks rising, keeping costs low is more important than ever – which is why I've scoured this week's Prime Day sales to see how many of my go-to Steam Deck accessories are discounted.

Below, I've found and price-checked the six most essential Steam Deck gadgets that you can currently buy for $35 or below. You'll notice it leans heavily towards JSAUX products – that's because they make up the majority of my own kit, as they offer significant bang for your buck on a budget.

The good news is that you can buy all of this for much less money than I paid, but there is some bad news. Prime Day ends tonight, which doesn't leave you long to put your order in. Step to!

The Nintendo Switch 2 could have some competition as the best gaming handheld with a potentially portable PS6, depending on how you interpret comments made by Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino about next-gen console development.

Whispers of a handheld PS6 console have been twirling in the wind for some while now. One recent rumor suggested the handheld could match the ROG Xbox Ally X when it comes to memory, while another told everyone to not bother thinking about the possibility of a PS6 Portable until at least 2028 – and Nishino has now poured fuel over all the gossip.

Speaking to Famitsu, in quotes translated by IGN, the PlayStation boss says today's consoles have to consider the importance of a "pick up and play" quality. The company will also be "leveraging technologies that can be used in various forms and locations" when making new game consoles in the future, according to him, which will lead to "something exciting."

"For example, although the PlayStation brand is strongly associated with playing on the TV in the living room, we're planning to release monitors and speakers so that people can play comfortably in other locations as well," he adds. "We developed the PlayStation Portal as part of this initiative."

Of course, PlayStation's tried to enter the handheld arena multiple times. It started with the very weird and also very cool Japan-exclusive PocketStation. The PSP then served as the company's biggest handheld statement yet, giving Nintendo a run for its money with over 70 million units sold, before the PS Vita subsequently crashed a generation later.

Since then, Sony's only dipped its toes into the market with the PlayStation Portal, a device that can stream games or enable remote play from a connected PS5. It's more an accessory than a standalone gaming handheld, but it's been pretty successful, all things considered. Nishino says the amount of people using cloud streaming on the PlayStation Portal "in January 2026 was 1.5 times that of December 2025."

Either way, streaming isn't the future for Sony. Consoles are. "My belief that a console is necessary for playing games hasn't changed,” he continues.

A portable PS6 device definitely isn't official – with the ongoing RAMpocalypse, nothing in the hardware space is certain – but it definitely sounds like something the console maker is at least thinking about.

Sony is considering pushing the PS6 to 2028 or 2029, "some analysts believe," according to Embracer Group.

With GTA 6 only a few months away, it's time to start making sure your gaming set-up is up to snuff. Sure, you've already got a console — I hope —but there are a few other pieces of kit which will help you enjoy the game to its fullest extent.

Usually, upgrading your gaming set-up could cost quite a bit, but it's Prime Day currently, which means you can pick up the right items at a discounted price. We're seeing TVs, projectors, soundbars, controllers, headsets and speakers all reduced, and so if you've been planning a system glow-up before Grand Theft Auto comes out, there won't be a time like now.

Finding a way to represent Leonida visually will be incredibly important for enjoying GTA 6. If you're squinting to see what's going on, you won't be doing justice to this visually-impressive game... and you might find it hard to actually appreciate the gameplay itself.

TVs are usually the go-to option for gaming, but spare a thought for the best gaming projector too. They can often let you view on a much bigger area than a TV, and they have some added versatility so you can move rooms or walls.

One of the most underrated upgrades a gaming set-up can enjoy is in the audio department. There's nothing worse than relying on tinny audio coming from your TV, or having to connect your AirPods if you need to play quietly.

Soundbars and eARC speakers are great for room-filling sound, to create an immersive experience. But headsets can often offer a similar effect, by putting the drivers nearer your ears. If you don't mind wearing them for your long gaming sessions, they'll be much more space-efficient, and have built-in mics for when you enjoy the online component.

Getting a good controller is less of an 'upgrade', given that GTA 6 isn't a competitive online game, but some premium (and not-quite-premium) controllers offer a more refined experience. Haptic buttons, hall triggers and customizable face buttons can all offer a more enjoyable gaming experience than whatever came included in your console.

The official install size for GTA 6 hasn't been confirmed, but most people are expecting it to require at least 200GB, and possibly a lot more than that.

If your console is already filling up, you've got two options. Either try and free up space by deleting games, making some tricky decisions about what you're happy not playing for a while... or getting a storage expansion.

Both of the above picks will hold GTA 6 with ease. No, they're not cheap, but that's modern memory for you, and at least they're below their current MSRPs.

There are plenty more Prime Day gaming deals that we've been collecting, across every sector of the gaming hardware and software realm. And if you don't even have a console yet, you'll need to use our Xbox Series X bundle deal or PS5 bundle deal pages to find a good deal, because Prime Day isn't offering much.

Despite memory and storage — and therefore gadgets themselves — getting a lot more expensive of late, Samsung apparently missed the memo, because a Prime Day storage discount sees a Switch 2-compatible microSD card lose half of its value.

Righty now, you can pick up a 256GB storage Samsung P9 micrSD Express card for $40 at Amazon, which is a saving of exactly 50%. There's no discount on the 512GB model, which currently sells for an eye-watering $200 (yes, two hundred), and storage discounts over Prime Day are pretty modest all around.

Amazon has several other Switch 2 microSD card deals, but I'm not finding any others that cost less than Samsung, are from a reputable company, and work on the Switch 2. So it's an ideal choice to bump up your Switch 2 storage.

Should you buy the Samsung P9 microSD card?

With transfer speeds of up to 800MB/s, this Samsung microSD card is fast enough to be sufficient for Nintendo Switch 2 gaming. Many other similar cards on Amazon, including the few other discounted ones, have much slower speeds.

This means they're not ideal for gaming with. However if you just want some extra space for your smartphone, tablet or for non-gaming purposes on your Switch, you might be able to opt for slower speeds.

What about the size? Games on the Nintendo Switch 2 typically don't take up the space space as their console or PC counterpart, so 256GB isn't as small as it initially might seem. Mario Kart World, for example, was 23.4GB, while Sonic X Shadow Generations is 24GB and Pokémon Legends: Z-A is just 7.7GB. So if you're only planning to play Switch 2 games like these, 256GB is more than enough.

Some AAA games ported to Switch 2 take up more space: Assassin's Creed Shadows needs over 62GB while Cyberpunk 2077 needs 60GB and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle needs 56GB. So if you plan to download a few of these games, you might find 256GB a little tight.

Saying that, you'll be hard-pressed to find any reasonable prices on 512GB memory cards, so I'd really recommend sticking to smaller sizes. It's cheaper to buy two 256GB cards than one 512GB right now!

• Lexar 512GB microSD card | $129.99 $79.99 at Amazon
• Lexar 1TB microSD card | $229.99 $159.99 at Amazon
• Lexar 2TB microSD card | $429.99 $279.99 at Amazon

We're monitoring all the best Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals, on consoles and accessories. And if you want some guidance on which storage expansions to consider, we have a round-up of the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD express cards worth buying.

Look, I don't want to slap your hand away from expensive handheld PCs this Prime Day, but I will. I can envision some of you out there seeing the price of the freshly released MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, thinking other portables are cheap since they're not $1,800, and subsequently ending up spending over a grand. Please don't do that, pretty please? I promise there are still options for less.

The big, nasty problem with handheld PCs we face as Prime Day gaming deals roll out is obnoxiously high prices. I don't want to be too harsh on device makers that have hiked prices, as even my knight in affordable armor, the Steam Deck OLED, now costs a grand for the 1TB version.

However, I can't imagine a situation where it'd be acceptable to pay $1,800 for one of the best gaming handhelds today, as the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ could be outshone in 12 months. Plus, while it's Intel Arc G3 Extreme should boost fps compared to last-gen models, I really don't think it needed 32GB RAM considering the climate. Simply put, the tech giant hasn't really helped its pricing situation, and I reckon you should look to cheaper alternatives, even if they lack the same oomph.

Keeping gaming handheld costs reasonable in 2026 requires a bit of creativity. Personally, I don't like feeding the beast that is tech price inflation, so in an effort to signal to retailers and portable PC makers that today's price tags are not okay, I like to check out open-boxed and refurbished options.

Opting for "second-hand" devices doesn't come with the grimy caveats you'd think. Having previously worked in a tech retail environment in my youth, stores will check any returns and grade them appropriately (provided they're doing their job right). So, when the likes of Best Buy say it has a ROG Xbox Ally with $100 off in "excellent" condition, you'll find it stays true to its word, and the result is getting the same flagship Ryzen Z2 Extreme handheld for a bit less.

I also love doing some virtual dumpster diving and finding old models that by rights should be long gone, but are somehow still on the "shelves". This time around, the handheld in question is the lowest spec original MSI Claw A1M with an Intel Arc 135H chipset. At full price, it's laughable since it only manages to just keep up with the Steam Deck, but for under $400? It's actually going to provide you with a decent Windows handheld experience for a chunk less than the other last-gen chumps.

I should also give kudos to Asus and Microsoft's duo of current-gen handhelds, as both the Xbox Ally and Ally X have managed to resist price hike temptation. I'm hoping that means there's still room to give current inventory a nice Prime Day cut to get some stock shifted, even if that comes with the risk of retailers replenishing with higher-priced units. Ideally, we'll see $100 come off the price of the flagship and lower-spec white version, with the latter serving as this year's sub $500 star.

You could call highlighting handhelds that aren't over a grand handheld hopeium, but it's all we can do when pricing is this bananas. I also need to keep my spirits high, seeing as the Steam Machine just barged onto the scene today with a $1,049 starting point, and that particular pickle has me thinking about using Steam Link to beam my rig to the living room instead. Sigh.

• Gaming handhelds at Amazon
• Steam Deck accessories at Amazon

Sticking with the classics? Check out the best retro handhelds for Game Boy clones and powerful emulators.

Look, I'm not saying you shouldn't grab the new Banjo-Kazooie handheld everyone is raving about. In fact, the new Rare edition of the Super Pocket is one of the flavors yet, and not just because it's packing an N64 classic. However, if you're not fussed about the red and blue getup, or the publisher's hits before the bear and bird were a thing, then there's an opportunity to save some Doubloons.

If you have already caught my Super Pocket Rare Edition hands-on and are already sold on playing Banjo on the retro handheld ASAP, I won't stop you. It's sitting pretty for $69.99 at Amazon for pre-order, and I can't guarantee it'll be in stock after its June 26 release date. If you're willing to play the waiting game, though, you could hold off for Prime Day gaming deals to drop and grab the often-discounted TECHNOS version for under $50.

Before you start shouting about how that version doesn't include Banjo, let me elaborate on my hair-brained scheme. Yes, you'll be buying a version that's loaded with 15 arcade classics like Double Dragon and River City Ransom instead, but every Super Pocket boasts the same Evercade cartridge slot. That means if you do grab the TECHNOS version for less, you'll then only have to wait until October to obtain the physical Banjo-Kazooie collection for the portable, which just so happens to also include Banjo-Tooie.

Effectively, if you pick up the Super Pocket Rare Edition AND a copy of the Banjo-Kazooie collection down the road, you'll be almost buying twice. That's not to say you shouldn't do that if, like me, you love the developer's other classics, like Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship for the NES, or the various ZX Spectrum oddities on the handheld. But, if you've got no love for that back-catalogue, you can optimize your purchasing plans.

Of course, I'm highlighting the TECHNOS version purely since it tends to drop during the sales, but there are other enticing versions. The Neo Geo Edition specifically is going to hook you up with some legendary arcade romps, like King of Fighters and Metal Slug X, and there's an Atari brick if you're itching for something of the vintage variety (Yars Revenge, wherever you go, yo).

Not everything has to be a money-saving exercise, especially when it comes to choosing the right gaming handheld. The Super Pocket is already exceptional for the price, so there's no real wrong way to pick one up. You might even decide you want to spend more on something that supports Blaze's cartirdges, and options like the $129.99 Evercade EXP-R will hook you up with a larger screen, a beefier 3,000mAh battery, and Wi-Fi for firmware updates.

Blaze is also cooking up the Evercade Nexus, a beefier handheld with dual analogue sticks and a 5.89-inch IPS screen that caters to later 3D games, like Banjo-Kazooie (it's $199.99 at Amazon). If you want to keep costs to a minimum, though, your attentions should be focussed on the Super Pocket, and while I'll be sharing discounts on the entire line-up when the sales kick off next week, I'd get ahead of the curve and keep eyes on that TECHNOS variant.

• Retro handhelds at Amazon
• Evercade consoles at Amazon

If you miss physical games, you should swing by our Everything Evercade guide to learn more about Blaze's cartirdge-based retro console ecosystem.

I've finally got the Super Pocket Rare Edition in my mitts, and if I showed seven-year-old me this thing, their brain would melt into a puddle. We're talking about a retro handheld that costs less than new console games, is smaller than my original Game Boy Color, and runs Banjo-Kazooie, an N64 game that was cutting edge when the latter portable reigned supreme.

And yet, even if the latest Super Pocket didn't come with one of the best N64 games of all time, I'd still be all over the retro handheld. After all, it's still the same 5/5 budget portable that dazzled me with its compact abilities back in 2023. However, the Rare Edition is packing some of the legendary publisher's lesser talked about hits from across multiple generations, and I'd be happy to spend $69.99 again since the collection includes one of my favorite NES games.

No, I'm not talking about Battletoads, even if that is undoubtedly an NES gem. Rather, it's the addition of Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship that would draw me to this specific, albeit a little garish, red, blue, and yellow version of the Super Pocket. If you're already aware of this quirky multidirectional shooter sequel to the ZX Spectrum classic Lunar Jetman and have no interest, you'll want to keep an eye on Prime Day gaming deals for other handheld flavors, but the rest of you should read on.

Don't worry, I'll get to playing Banjo on this new Super Pocket. But first, let's chat about why Solar Jetman is the perfect era of game for the vertical handheld specifically. Rare's space caper sits within a wonderful 8-bit genre that merges simple shooter mechanics with exploration, meaning it's not quite a quick "once-and-done" arcade romp, but it also won't ask you to pull off anything too strenuous using just a disc d-pad, four face buttons, and some cramped shoulder buttons at the rear.

There's certainly a forgotten art to the way Solar Jetman feels vast without doing too much. The primary loop has you "flying" around in an egg ship using the same chaotic momentum physics as Asteroids. That means one of the biggest dangers in this game is, well, you and your ability to use thrusters in the right direction to navigate narrow, spike-laden caverns in a bid to find pieces of the titular Golden Warship.

The high-contrast visuals of Solar Jetman, even on the Super Pocket's modest 320 x 240, 2.8-inch IPS display, will suck you into what feels like a far grander odyssey than it should. Plunging into the depths in an egg that will absolutely crack, exposing the 8-bit space dude within, will keep you more than entertained when travelling or even just sitting somewhere that your high-tech gaming PC or setup can find you, especially if you have the patience to survive the outing's 12 danger-infected planets.

Of course, you'll have better luck assembling the Golden Warship on the Super Pocket compared to a real NES, as the handheld takes full advantage of save states. That in itself means you can casually chip through the admittedly punishing gameplay without having to stumble through the same narrow pathways over and over, and while the Nintendo Switch Online version will afford you the same luxury, playing on an offline portable with Game Boy vibes is naturally more special.

But what about Banjo?

Alright, I get it: you want to know if you can actually play Banjo-Kazooie on a handheld that often costs under $60. The answer is a resounding yes, and if you've ever tried to emulate N64 games on a cheap portable emulator, you'll know that's a mean feat. Upon booting up the bear and bird's first adventure, I was immediately impressed with the perceivable frame rates. It's supposedly targeting 60fps, and from what I've experienced so far, that holds true.

I've been asking myself for a while whether we should try and play more complex early 3D outings on something like the Super Pocket. Doing so has been an option for a while since both Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and Tomb Raider exist as carts, but I reckon both of those are better suited to the full-fat Evercade EXP-R or, more appropriately, the upcoming Evercade Nexus.

If any flavor of early 3D game is going to work well on a vertical handheld with limited controls, however, it is Banjo-Kazooie. The collectathon's platforming isn't quite as nightmarish as something like Super Mario 64, nor will you find yourself looking for buttons exclusive to the OG N64 controller. What I do think the platformer could benefit from, however, is expanded options for mapping inputs to your specific preference, as while I found my stride by switching things back to "retro" rather than "replay" in the menu, it'd be nice to dial things in fully.

For context, using the retro control scheme maps Flap Flip to R2 rather than L2, which felt a bit more intuitive as someone who's played the original a lot. It also swaps around the face buttons for rolling and camera tracking, but I can't help but feel there's perhaps a customizable balance to be struck between the two modes.

When it comes to settings, the Super Pocket Banjo-Kazooie port is slightly odd, as it drops compatibility with that middle menu button. That means you won't have access to save states, or even the option to enable scanlines, and I would have enabled the latter to give the emulated N64 graphics a bit of needed pixel separation. Alas, neither omission is an entire deal breaker, and I get why those additional OS options are disabled, considering the tricks the new port is likely pulling off to run on the portable's low specs.

Ultimately, being able to play Banjo-Kazooie with no performance quirks or visual bugs on something that'll easily fit in your pocket is well worth the asking price. Plus, don't forget you're getting 14 other classics thrown in too, including Conker's Pocket Tales, a wholesome prequel to Bad Fur Day that was stuck on the Game Boy Color for 27 years, and some really early Rare releases for the ZX Spectrum.

Super Pocket Rare Edition games

• Atic Atac
• Banjo-Kazooie
• Battletoads
• Battletoads in Battlemaniacs
• Cobra Triangle
• Conker's Pocket Tales
• Gunfright
• Jetpac
• Knight Lore
• Lunar Jetman
• R.C Pro-Am II
• Slalom
• Snake Rattle 'n' Roll
• Solar Jetman: The hunt for the Golden Warship

The one question I'd ask yourself when considering the Rare Super Pocket is whether you care about any of the other games besides Banjo-Kazooie. One of the reasons I've expansively talked about Solar Jetman here is that it's one of the only games on the list exclusive to the handheld, as the rest are available on the Rare Collection 1. We're also getting a Banjo-Kazooie double pack in October in line with the Nexus, so some of you might want to grab another portable flavor for potentially less during the sales this year.

TLDR - The Super Pocket Rare Edition is fantastic, even if it does look more like it's cosplaying as Mario.

• Evercade consoles at Amazon
• Retro handhelds at Amazon

Looking for more modern cartirdge goodness? Swing by our Everything Evercade guide for the lowdown on Blaze's latest hardware and games.

Slowly, but surely, SteamOS is making its way to gaming handhelds other than the Steam Deck. Specifically, it now plays nicer on Intel-based portables like the MSI Claw 8 AI+, and I'm hoping the progress gives the brand's original, highly critizised, OG handheld a second-wind amid Valve's price hikes.

As highlighted in a new ETA Prime YouTube video, Valve has finally added support for Intel chipsets to SteamOS. The beta 3.8.7 update specifically adds controller compatibility, reliability enhancements for SD cards, and a fix for Bluetooth, but also includes firmware patches for newcomers, like the Panther Lake G3-based MSI Claw 8 EX AI+.

ETA Prime's video specifically focusses on the existing Claw 8 AI+ with a Lunar Lake chipset, but there's also a Reddit thread by SaperPL that outlines the new SteamOS beta working on an Intel B580 graphics card. The jist across both right now is that performance isn't quite on par compared to Windows 11. Issues like the menu button not being mapped properly, and having to use an additional plugin to toggle between 15W, 17w, and 30W is a thing, but I'm holding out hope that the newfound official compatibility will benefit the OG Claw's.

As a Windows handheld, I wrote off the first MSI Claw (officially called the A1M), pretty early. Its original $799 MSRP completely missed the mark, considering its Core Ultra 7 155H chipset required higher wattages to even keep up with the Steam Deck OLED. Effectively, the fact that the LCD model was still a thing for around $400 at the time, and the original Asus ROG Ally was still in action, meant the portable had nothing to really offer the scene, but I'm now wondering if it can weirdly become a cheaper stand-in for Valve's device.

Here's the thing: the MSI Claw was seemingly discontinued, but for whatever reason, the 1TB model is available for $749.99. That's way too much to pay for the handheld, both for the above reasons and since it's using the exact same screen as the cheaper white Xbox ROG Ally. It's slightly cheaper at Amazon since it's going for $719.99, but the fact that it still exists at all at retailers means upcoming Prime Day gaming deals could work their magic.

Handheld prices are bananas in general right now, so I'm not completely holding my breath for Amazon's sale. In an ideal world, though, the MSI Claw would drop back to around $400 like it did back in March and previous sale events, which would pair with new official SteamOS support to make it a sort of alternative to Valve's now-discontinued Steam Deck LCD.

When I get a spare moment, I'll be looking to fully try out SteamOS on the MSI Claw A1M to see if it actually holds up. If ETA Prime's current Claw 8 AI+ tests are anything to go by, it might not boost fps as high as when running Windows, but I can only imagine updates and optimizations will address that over time. Plus, it will save those of you looking for all the bells and whistles of Valve's operating system from splashing out $630 minimum on a 512GB Steam Deck OLED.

Yes, my ambitions come with quite a few ifs and buts attached, but our handheld options are limited in 2026. Therefore, I'm open to trying anything that'll get people tackling their Steam backlogs on the go for less, even if that means revisiting a previously shunned handheld in a bit to infuse it with SteamOS goodness.

Failing that, at least the now broader compatibility of SteamOS means that, if the Steam Machine ends up being $1,000, we'll have cheaper ways to make a makeshift console PC hybrid.

Sticking with the Steam Deck? Swing by the best Steam Deck docks and best Steam Deck accessories to enhance your hybrid setup.

It feels like I've been testing the best Steam Deck docks for aeons, and I figured a contender would usurp the Baseus 6-in-1 by now. Yet, three years on from first getting my hands on the hub, I still haven't found an alternative that offers up all the same handheld PC perks at the same price, even though there are plenty of challengers out there.

That's not to say I haven't paired Valve's portable and its gaming handheld rivals with plenty of other hubs. In fact, I'd say the Baseus 6-in-1 Steam Deck dock directly influenced premium alternatives like the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma since it borrows the same adjustable cradle design while adding the brand's mandatory RGB nonsense.

However, while Razer's Steam Deck dock looks the part, it'll set you back $69.99 even with discounts applied. Upcoming Prime Day gaming deals could help nudge things lower, but Baseus already has the PC accessory maker beat on price since its handheld hub comes in at $39.99, and I've spotted it for under $30 during previous sales.

Baseus's and Razer's handheld docks almost look like the same accessory in different fonts. Both are peacocking their adjustable cradles up front, which makes sense given the feature lets you adjust the angle of your chosen portable to accommodate devices that are chonkier than the Steam Deck OLED. Functionally speaking, both options will provide you with the same hybrid desktop experience, but that $30 price gap and subtle design differences may sway you either way.

The really obvious ace up the Razer Handheld Dock's sleeve is its Chroma RGB getup. Like a moth to a really colorful flame, I know some of you will be instantly drawn to the more expensive dock's vibrant strip lighting, and I'd be lying if I said it doesn't look purdy on new-age, rainbow-drenched desks. As you'd perhaps expect from a device by LED lighting pioneers, it also dazzles far harder than the Jsaux RGB docking station, and while you're getting more ports with the latter, it comes in at a loftier $85 at Amazon. Ouch.

The Handheld Dock Chroma also has elegance on its side, with its soft-touch plastic body and foam-padded metal cradle adding an appropriately premium feel. The Baseus 6-in-1 features a pretty similar construction, but opts for a more rounded silver frame with grey rubber that doesn't look quite as bougie. That said, its choice of harder plastic and a proper rubber pad means it's actually far more resistant to scratches, whereas Razer's hub starts to look quite rough if it comes into contact with anything.

Razer's more elegant materials mean that the Handheld Dock Chroma is better suited to the permanent safety of your desk, as slinging it into a bag will result in some stuff. That's not the only element that hampers its travelability, though, as its built-in USB-C cable also lacks proper retention. Yes, you can sort of tuck it into the cradle gap, but Baseus's dock has its own faux port that keeps the wire in place, which is *chef's kiss* for both travel and keeping chaotic cabling away from your surface.

If you're using a Windows 11 handheld like the ROG Xbox Ally X, the Razer dock will harass you with automatic software popups, just like when plugging peripherals into your main gaming PC. Sure, using Razer Synapse is what will give you full command over the accessory's 16.8 million colors and their respective patterns, but additional apps aren't really a vibe on lower-spec, portable machines, especially ones that like to haunt your sessions or pop up as soon as you've plugged in.

Effectively, we're talking about two extremely similar docks with the same primary objective. I personally think saving $30 on a docking station with more useful design elements and more robust materials is a no-brainer, but having a preference for flashy RGB lighting is valid.

If you are set on trying to grab the Razer dock over Baseus's hub while still spending less, there are "renewed" units for $49.99 at Amazon. Just keep in mind that even minor encounters with other objects will scuff up the dock's soft plastics, and while the listing promises "excellent" condition, I'd be shocked if these hubs look box-fresh.

The latest variants of the Analogue Pocket aren't getting along with Everdrive Game Boy flash carts. At least, that's according to the retro handheld gadget's creator, Krikzz, who suggests a new problem running GBA ROMs on the FPGA portable is a hardware issue, but I'm seeing conflicting explanations for why some players can't run backups using the new handheld batch.

At the centre of the Analogue Pocket and Everdrive fiasco is user elfricko. In a post to the Everdrive forum, the player says their shiny new FPGA portable is throwing a "04 File not found" error when using a GBA Mini cart ($125 at Amazon, FYI). After some initial digging, the issue was quickly narrowed down to something replacing the letter "r" with a "v", with the example cited being "romcfg to vomcfg."

The issue sounds like the sort of innocent quirk that'd usually be addressed with a firmware update. However, an additional Reddit threat titled "Possible defective RAM on newest AP batch" points a far more serious finger at the Analogue Pocket itself. elfricko says they know of at least three other people facing the issue, and one user has already reached out to Analogue for support.

In response to the Everdrive issue, Analogue allegedly advised the Pocket owner to "contact the manufacturer for troubleshooting and information." It seemingly also stated that it "does not provide customer support for 3rd party devices", which isn't surprising given the company has zero control over compatible hardware by other entities.

The "good news" is that inserting the Everdrive into a new Analogue Pocket won't destroy your cart or its ROM library. To get it back up and running again, all you apparently have to do is switch back the changed letters in the file system, but it still won't work on the FPGA handheld. Users in the forums are currently trying to suss out whether the handheld or the accessory is to blame, but elfricko seems to believe that it's linked to RAM timings, citing "15 years of experience in computer science."

Worst-case scenario here is that there's a serious fault in the new Pocket RAM module's logic gates that could affect more than just Everdrive carts. Or it could simply be that the timing of the handheld and the flash cart now differs slightly. Either way, not everyone believes the issue lies solely on Analogue's shoulders, as retro enthusiast Pixel Cherry Ninja says that conflicting sources point towards component changes in the GB Mini itself.

I sadly don't own an Everdrive GB Mini, or I'd already be testing it with my slightly older Analogue Pocket model. What I will say, though, is that we don't have enough information yet to know what the exact fault is and which end of the hardware is to blame. I suspect it won't be long until enthusiasts root out a cause, and while Analogue says it doesn't provide support for third-party accessories, I'm pretty sure they'll have someone on the case, figuring out the FPGA compatibility issue internally.

Unless you're up for joining the troubleshooting front lines, I'd perhaps hold off on buying an Analogue Pocket for use with an Everdrive. It's an incredible handheld and the best FPGA device for running Game Boy carts and a bunch of other retro console ROMs out there, so I don't say that lightly. I'd be surprised if we have to wait long for an official answer, though, and I'm hoping the whole situation can be remedied with a good old firmware update.

• Retro handhelds at Amazon
• Retro consoles at Amazon

Using Valve's powerhouse for emulating old handhelds? Swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck docks to soup up your setup.

I haven't been very nice to the white ROG Xbox Ally. On many occasions, I've mocked it for its lower-spec AMD Ryzen Z2 chipset, compared it to the best gaming handheld contenders from a few years ago, and, perhaps justifiably, been a little mean. It's finally time for the Windows gizmo to stick it to me, though, as it's now the affordable portable PC to watch.

Unlike most of its handheld gaming PC counterparts, the base Xbox Ally has managed to weather RAMageddon. Even the once heralded Steam Deck OLED, my previous price-conscious pick, now comes in at just under a grand for the 1TB model, and premium newcomers like the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ (catchy name, huh?) are closer to $2,000.

Meanwhile, the ROG Xbox Ally is still sitting pretty for $599.99 at Best Buy. No, it doesn't provide the same performance as the mighty ROG Xbox Ally X, as the black version is rocking a Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, but if Prime Day gaming deals have an influence on its already "cheaper" MSRP, we could be looking at a true Steam Deck stand-in.

I'll underline the point here by saying if you want a handheld gaming PC at a "normal" price, the ROG Xbox Ally is it. That's not to say I think it offers particularly great value compared to the OG Asus ROG Ally, especially since that model offered a punchier last-gen Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, the same 1080p 120Hz 7-inch display, and 512GB of storage, albeit at a higher initial $700 MSRP.

Don't be fooled by that latter price tag, as the OG ROG Ally rarely ever reached full price. In fact, it consistently dipped under $500 during the sales, occasionally challenging the LCD Steam Deck by reaching $400. Sadly, it's now firmly discontinued and MIA outside of a few open-box listings for under $450 (consider one of those if it's available). But, rather than dwelling on past variants, I'd focus your attention on its, perhaps lacklustre for 2026, successor to avoid feeling the premium handheld price beast.

As for what you'll actually get for your $600, you will end up with a comfortable, performant handheld. The trick is to resist comparing the Xbox Ally to anything that came before it, as if you ignore the fact that it feels like half a step backwards, it's still a pretty solid Steam Deck alternative with elevated controller-grip ergonomics, and wide game and storefront compatibility via Windows 11.

Those of you in the market for a portable PC gaming machine should keep the ROG Xbox Ally at the forefront of your mind. Part of me does want to advise not touching any handhelds, or by extension tech, until AI demand stops making pricing bananas, but I know some of you won't want to put your gaming ambitions on hold.

All I'll say is that with Prime Day on the horizon, we might be treated to a rare discount on the white model. Keep in mind that Microsoft's next handheld release, the ROG Xbox Ally X20, is firmly focused on providing premium elements like a 7.4-inch OLED display, not to mention it'll only be available as a bundle with pricey ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 AR glasses. So, investing in the base Xbox Ally instead may help signal that most of us want something affordable rather than flamboyant.

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Prefer to play the classics? Swing by the best retro handhelds for emulation devices that can handle history's greatest consoles.

AYN took to its Discord today to notify customers that its AYN Thor and AYN Odin 3 gaming handhelds will be suffering the same fate as countless other devices across the market. That's right, both the Thor and Odin 3 will see fairly lofty price increases, but we've still got some time.

Spotted by user u/crownpuff and posted to the r/SBCGaming subreddit, the brand claims that "new pricing will take effect once the current inventory allocation is sold through," while reassuring customers that the "new pre-order batch will continue to use UFS 3.1 storage."

We don't yet know how much these prices will jump by, but the Ayn Thor currently starts at $249 for the Lite version and the Odin 3 kicks off at $339. The former was saved from the brand's previous round of price increases back in April, but the Odin is already $10 more expensive than launch in its cheapest configuration.

Both devices are currently shipping from their latest batch, launched at the same time we were warned about these price increases. The Ayn Thor is currently in its seventh batch pre-orders, priced up at $249 until current stock runs out. Meanwhile the Odin 3 is in its eighth batch with the base 8GB/128GB model available for $339 via the brand's own site. If you're going back to older releases, you'll be at the mercy of marketplace sellers at Amazon.

Due to the flexibility in that stock level, we don't exactly know when these price increases will come into effect but we'll keep you updated as more emerges.

We're also rounding up the best retro handhelds as well as the best Steam Deck accessories for more portable play.

I'm at Computex this week trying all sorts of new gaming hardware, and one of the first to grab the headlines has been Acer's reimagined handheld PC, the Predator Atlas 8. People are right to be excited about this new best gaming handheld contender. Not only does it pack in some really powerful Intel innards inside it that stand apart from the standard AMD chips used in portable PCs, but it's yet another option in a blossoming handheld market.

I've had the chance to go hands-on with it though, and as the resident PC controller expert here at GamesRadar+, I was taken by it for totally different reasons than its impressive specs. For me, when it comes to handheld gaming, comfort is king. If you can translate the experience of actually holding a comfortable gamepad in your hand to an on-the-go device, it's going to unlock a whole new level of enjoyment and usability.

I love me some handheld gaming, but if I'm totally honest, I'm not all that interested in trying to cram expensive gaming PC performance into a portable footprint. I think, as we've seen, it just drives the cost of entry for what should be a really accessible type of device into realms where hardly anyone can afford them as a secondary (or even primary) way to play games.

Not to mention, the types of games I tend to want to take with me on the go aren't the performance-heavy singleplayer games or the competitive multiplayer ones. Both of those are examples of games I want to enjoy at home with my proper setup. For me, it's the indie games, the narrative adventures, the open worlds that I want to keep coming back to from the yesteryear of my Steam library, but if a handheld isn't comfortable, I'm not going to want to play when I'm out and about.

That's something that Acer has absolutely nailed with its new handheld. I remember testing the first iteration of its handheld gaming PC when it was first revealed at IFA a couple of years ago, and although it had some cool design points, it was launching before the era of the larger, more comfortable MSI Claws, and well before the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X paved the way for more pronounced grips on handheld devices.

There's been a serious evolution with the Atlas 8 in terms of ergonomics. Acer isn't exactly known for its controllers, but you wouldn't know that from holding the Atlas 8 in your hands. Acer has managed to translate a lot of great design philosophies from a pro controller to a handheld form factor. It's not afraid to be bulky, putting some girth into the display/mid-section of the console courtesy of its Predator AeroBlade dual-fan cooling system. But that also translates to the grips, which have an equivalent amount of heft.

This has knock-on effects all over the place. Asymmetrical thumbsticks don't feel like such a stretch anymore because your hands wrap around and down, as opposed to stretching and straining around the flat back of a device in order to bear its weight. The back buttons are suddenly easier to press regularly because, again, that middle finger isn't so tied up with making sure you don't drop your pricey portable.

Even from a design and aesthetics standpoint, the Atlas 8 somehow looks more natural than the Xbox Ally, which arguably does look like someone's ungracefully stuck two cylindrical grips to an existing device.

In my experience of going hands-on with both the Atlas 8 and the revitalised 20th anniversary edition of the Xbox ROG Ally X at Computex, my thought is that it's actually okay for a handheld PC to be heavy, because as long as you can grip it properly, your hands aren't going to fatigue as easily, or even notice the extra weight because of how things are balanced. I say that as an owner of the original ROG Ally X, which certainly has some weight to it, but doesn't have the ergonomics to back it up.

On the Acer side of things, the Atlas 8 even has trigger stop switches, which change its triggers from standard analog Hall Effect depression into a microswitch instant click. These can be huge for giving you improved feel across different genres of games, and to my knowledge, this is the first handheld gaming PC to add this feature. It's all about comfort with the design of the Acer Predator Atlas 8, and I applaud Acer for pushing the envelope in this regard because it's certainly going to give the Xbox ROG Ally X a run for its money, and beyond its Xbox branding, I think the reason that device is proving so popular is that it puts comfort front and centre.

For more, take a look at the best retro handheld, the best TMR controllers, and the best gaming laptops.

MSI has brought the next generation of its Claw gaming handhelds to Taipei, showing off the new Claw 8 EX AI+ on the Computex showfloor. With improvements not just under the hood, but in the grips, sticks, and motors, the brand is looking to compete with similar horsepower levels in the Acer Predator Atlas 8 and OneXPlayer 3 when Intel's new cohort of handhelds hit the market this year.

Right now, though, it's looking like MSI's new release is going to cost you more than some gaming laptops. The brand told The Shortcut that it's aiming for a $1,500 launch price, though rumors are still circulating on whether that's the top-of-the-range model you'll find on the showfloor this week, or the bottom rung of the ladder.

The sad part is I wouldn't be surprised by either eventuality. The new ROG Xbox Ally Z20 Edition will likely be over $2,000 when it launches with its new AR glasses, the Steam Deck OLED just hitched its price up to $1,000, and even MSI's older Claw 8 AI+ is holding firm to its $1,299.99 MSRP (Best Buy).

Still, with price expectations adjusted for 2026's climate, let's take a look at what we get under the hood.

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ will make good on the Arc G3's promise of Intel XeSS 3 multi-frame generation, while maintaining the 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and 80Wh battery of the previous model. Those are specs that saw the previous release to a four-star review score when we tested it this time last year. Also returning is that 8-inch 1920 x 1200 120Hz display, though this time it's positioned so that it just about juts over the bottom lip of the device.

Around the sides, though, we've got some newly redesigned grips and a set of fancy motors underneath them. The chassis itself has been repositioned to offer a more ergonomic form factor, taking the blocky original and adding deeper curves to the back. Meanwhile, MSI has stuffed a "high-end linear motor" underneath, working to provide a more tactile haptic system with a faster response and better efficiency overall.

That's all running with a reported power level of 45W max TDP, a notable jump from the 35W found in the last generation of handhelds from MSI, Asus and Lenovo.

Without a final price tag, a common recurring theme amongst Computex's handheld announcements, we'll have to wait a little while to see just how the Claw 8 EX AI+ is going to stack up against the wider PC market. Thankfully, it shouldn't be too long before more information hits the feeds, with release currently slated for June 23.

For more portable play, check out the best gaming phones and best gaming tablets. Or, for a hit of (cheaper) nostalgia, check out the best retro handhelds on the market.

Handhelds seem to be top of the agenda at Computex 2026, and Asus isn't letting Intel's Arc G3 devices take all the attention. The brand has just unveiled a new ROG Xbox Ally X20 edition at the Taipei show, and this is far more than just a fresh chassis.

Launched to celebrate ROG's 20th anniversary, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 slaps a brand new 7.4-inch OLED panel up top, with the brand's ROG Nebula HDR tech packed inside. Underneath, its sticks have been upgraded with the same TMR tech that powers many of the best PC controllers on the market. That's a serious upgrade for one of the best gaming handhelds available right now, and one I've certainly been waiting for.

So it's strange that the new handheld looks to be only available when bundled with a set of the brand's extremely expensive AR gaming glasses. The $850 peepers are designed to work in tandem with the main device, casting a 171-inch virtual screen in front of you, rather than constricting your gameplay to the OLED panel you've just paid top dollar for. There's no word yet on whether the device will be available without the nearly $1,000 add-on (one that, essentially, removes the device's biggest upgrade), but I'll keep in touch.

Still, if you stick to the inbuilt screen, it's also been extended up compared to the original 7-inches. That HDR is also a series first for the range, promising the same boost to the ROG Xbox Ally X's contrast and colors as we see among the best Asus gaming laptops.

It's not the first OLED handheld, the Lenovo Legion Go Gen 2 and Steam Deck have been repping high-end panels for some time now. Plus, plenty of the best retro handhelds utilize the deeper blacks and boosted contrast of these premium displays.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 still features the same Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chipset with 24GB LPDDR5X memory as the original release, but has also had a makeover with a translucent chassis showing off its golden innards. While it might be one of the most powerful handhelds on the market right now, Asus is taking a more nostalgic approach to its design. It's the great-great-grandson any GameBoy Advance would be proud of.

With the AR gaming glasses bundled in, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 price is likely to be pretty damn high. This is a handheld that launched at $999.99 and, with those glasses costing $849.99 by themselves, this one's reserved for the high-end collector. Asus itself hasn't confirmed the full bundle price, but if the math adds up this is likely well over $2,000. Currently, the full package is still on 'Notify Me' status at Asus's own store, but it will likely also be available at Best Buy at launch.

• See all gaming handhelds at Best Buy

For more gadgets to take on the road, check out the best Steam Deck accessories and the best gaming earbuds.

After weeks of fervent rumors, Acer finally revealed the Predator Atlas 8 handheld yesterday - but that's not the only new device heading our way. Alongside the chonky Intel Arc G3 system, the brand is also bringing its Nitro Blaze Link to market in 2026.

This isn't a hyper-expensive handheld PC, but it could pave the way for more interesting portable play. The system is designed to pair with specific Acer gaming laptops (the Predator Helios 18 AI and Nitro 16) to stream games. It's the PlayStation Portal to the PC world.

This isn't the first time the best gaming handhelds have relied on WiFi after all. Before Sony stepped in we had the Logitech G Cloud - and fans of the best mobile controllers have been remote playing on their phones for years. However, with all the component shortages plaguing the industry, bumping prices, discontinuing devices before their time, and ruining supply chains, it could be time to revisit the stream.

The PlayStation Portal has come on leaps and bounds with streaming technology, with its latest updates proving that stable on-air gameplay isn't just possible, it's actually enjoyable now. Acer releasing a stream-friendly (and hopefully budget friendly) companion device is welcome news in the same week the Steam Deck hit $1,000. After all, the fully loaded Predator isn't exactly going to be a cheap affair.

The Acer Nitro Blaze Link doesn't have a price tag just yet, but is expected to hit the shelves in late 2026.

• See all gaming handhelds at Amazon

For more portable play, check out the best Steam Deck accessories and the best retro handhelds.

How much would you be willing to pay for a New Nintendo 3DS XL in 2026? How about one signed by Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto himself? Within the next week, someone's going to be the proud new owner of one, as the winner of 2015's Nintendo World Championships has put his prize system up for auction.

The 2015 Nintendo World Championships winner was John 'John Numbers"'Goldberg, who came out victorious after competing in a number of games, including Splatoon, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Mario Kart 8, and Super Mario Maker (the latter of which hadn't actually been released at the time). As we reported back then, his prize wasn't just a trophy, but a signed handheld – the newest model, at the time – presented by Mario and Zelda creator Miyamoto.

On the eBay listing for the 3DS now, John Numbers reminisces on his win, while saying: "It's been over a decade now, and I thought it might be cool to put the system up for auction. I figure someone might like to get their hands on a national treasure like this."

The listing is full of pictures of the champion posing with the 3DS and his trophy to prove its legitimacy, and as for the condition of the prize itself, he says that "the box has obviously been opened a few times, and has a bit of wear on it, but the 3DS itself is largely in perfect condition, and appears to be working properly (I checked this on the same day of posting this listing)."

For what it's worth, the system itself doesn't appear to have a custom design for the tournament like the old Pokemon World Championships Nintendo DS consoles that were given out to a number of winners, but that autograph from Miyamoto, plus the significance of where it came from? I can understand why John Numbers calls it a "national treasure," and folks bidding on it clearly think the same thing.

At the time of writing – with a full week to go before the auction ends – bids for the 3DS have already reached a whopping $15,100, and I highly doubt that it's finished climbing yet. How high it might go is another matter, but I can only imagine console collectors will be going feral trying to secure the one-of-a-kind handheld.

John Numbers has clarified that the trophy he won isn't included in the listing, but he will throw in "some 'official' trading cards of myself, made by Walter Day back when the World Championships had concluded." If you're interested in making a bid, though, it should be noted that "I won't be able to do international shipping for this piece" – according to a post on his Twitter page, he's planning to deliver it by hand, which makes sense given the value of the system. So, if you're outside of the US, you're apparently out of luck.

As for the price it's reached, well, the 2015 champion was already blown away when it passed $11,000. "I gotta say I really wasn't expecting this to pop off the way it did," he wrote at the time. "I was sitting here perfectly ready for it not to get any takers, or for me to part with it for close to what the starting bid was."

And apparently, the bidding war is fierce. One person in the replies shares a screenshot from a "high-end" video games Facebook group, in which one apparent bidder (whose name has been redacted) writes: "Just a public service announcement. Whoever is outbidding me on the first place NWC prize on eBay. Expect to pay through the roof. As I'm not quitting. That is all." …Best of luck to anyone who wants to compete with them.

Be sure to check out our ranking of the best 3DS games of all time.

Intel Arc G3 gaming handhelds are now officially a thing, as the chipmaker has unveiled its portable Panther Lake line-up. In addition to introducing its Extreme and vanilla APUs, it also confirmed that it'll be working with Acer, MSI, and OneXPlayer, and two of those portables have now been unveiled.

In a press release, Intel says its Arc G3 family marks "a new era for handheld graphics" while outlining support for XeSS 3 AI upscaling with multi-frame generation alongside DirectX 12 and ray tracing abilities. In line with that announcement, Acer has officially confirmed that its Predator Atlas 8 portable will drop in October, but OneXPlayer 3 and 2 Pro rivals will show up as soon as this June.

I've had Acer and OneXPlayer in my inbox revealing their new 8-inch handhelds so far, but I haven't heard from MSI about its Claw EX 8 AI+. Intel has confirmed the Claw 8 AI+ sequel is also coming, though, meaning we'll have three new premium contenders hitting the battlefield this year.

All three Intel Arc G3 handhelds are promising the same premium Panther Lake performance dressed up in a slightly different way. The Acer Predator Altas 8 and MSI Claw EX 8 AI+ feel like straight-up rivals to the ROG Xbox Ally X, boasting larger 8-inch 120Hz 1920 x 1200 displays and integrated controls. As is tradition with OneXPlayer, its duo of handhelds takes a quirkier approach to design, with the 2 Pro boasting detachable controls like the Switch and the 8.8-inch OneXPlayer 3 boasting hybrid laptop and tablet abilities.

The new trio of handhelds should mark the beginning of a new portable chipset generation for Intel. That in itself is a good thing since it'll help keep things competitive, as the market is dominated by Ryzen Z2 options right now. However, I can't help but feel like premium portable PCs are the last thing the scene needs right now, especially seeing as Valve just hiked its 1TB Steam Deck OLED to just under $1,000.

If anything, players are desperately in need of more options under $600, but I have a funny feeling we won't see anything quite like the OG Asus ROG Ally in terms of performance and price any time soon. If even a device like the Steam Deck OLED with the same chipset as the 2023 model can't resist price hikes, then it's easy to see why any notion of an affordable handheld might be cooked.

I'll still be looking to put the trio of Intel Arc G3 handhelds to the test when I can, as I'm keen to see whether Panther Lake will actually usher in a new dawn for portable PC performance. Multi-frame generation will undoubtedly make a difference to perceivable speeds and draw on what Nvidia has been doing with DLSS on graphics cards, but if all three end up over $1,000, I'll be either pointing most players towards the white Xbox Ally, or recommending you take a portable play gap year.

Psst, first brand to make a handheld that most players can afford gets an icy Coke on me.

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Sticking with Valve's portable? Swing by the best Steam Deck docks for ways to make the handheld into a hybrid machine.

Looks like the Steam Deck OLED is off my affordable gaming handheld list, as Valve quite quietly increased the 1TB model to just under a grand. Launched originally with a $649/£569 MSRP, the price hike means it's only $50 less than the ROG Xbox Ally X, and I'm now pretty concerned about future Steam Machine costs.

Just to confirm, the Steam Deck OLED 1TB now costs $949/£779 direct at Valve, while the 512GB model comes in at $789/£649. Earlier today, all versions of the handheld were out of stock at the US site, but new MSRPs have arrived alongside restocks. Simply put, you're paying $300 more for the top-end portable PC now compared to when it was last in stock, and the increase is undoubtedly tied to RAM and storage costs.

I won't lie, as someone who has platformed the Steam Deck since launch as an affordable handheld, I'm feeling pretty crushed. I had hoped the portable would shrug off component hikes sparked by AI data center demand, but it looks like Valve has been hit hard with this restock. Keep in mind that the AMD chipset within the device hasn't been refreshed, meaning you're paying nearly the same as premium portables like the Xbox Ally X that can boost fps far higher with newer Ryzen Z2 Extreme APUs.

The timing of this Steam Deck price hike is pretty unfortunate, given that Intel is rumored to announce Arc G3 handhelds tomorrow. I was fully expecting to advise players to wait for the OLED model to come back in stock rather than paying potentially over a grand for something like the new MSI Claw EX 8 AI+, but alas, it looks like the only "affordable" option left is the non-X white Xbox Ally.

I suspect Valve will drop a blog post addressing the increase soon, as the company is usually good at communicating strategic decisions. I'm not sure words can really comfort anyone who was planning to pick up the portable at its original price, and since the LCD version has been firmly discontinued, it looks like players who haven't got at least $800 to spend won't be enjoying the modern marvels of handheld gaming this year.

It's also hard not to worry about the Steam Machine's fate. It's reasonable to assume that the mini PC will be more expensive than the Deck when it eventually arrives, but the new handheld pricing signals that it will cost at least $1,000. If that ends up being the case, I fear that the console rival will fail to take off, and it could be disastrous for what is the biggest gaming hardware launch in 2026.

Tired of modern hardware prices? Swing by the best retro consoles to revisit the classics.

Intel is seemingly ready to send its Arc G3 line up to the best gaming handheld battlefield, and the grand unveiling could happen tomorrow. That's May 28 for those of you looking to circle your calendars, which might be handy if you've been waiting for anything portable PC-shaped by Acer.

In an Intel Arc G3 report by Videocardz, the publication says it has information regarding the May 28 unveiling. The core of the leak links to MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+, a successor to the excellent Claw 8 AI+ that's already popped up a few times via accidental retail listings and benchmarks. It pairs 32GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, an 80Wh battery, and an 8-inch 1920×1200 120Hz display with a 14-core Panther Lake chip.

The new MSI handheld should pile some pressure on existing premium portables like the ROG Xbox Ally X, although that ultimately hinges on price. It apparently isn't alone on the reveal podium, though, as Acer is apparently set to release a contender known as the "Predator Atlas 8".

The longstanding tech maker's Predator Atlas 8 is technically a sequel to Acer's original Nitro Blaze lineup. What's that? You had no idea Acer handhelds were a thing? Well, that's probably because the company released a 7-inch model in very limited quantities before deciding to put the two 8-inch options on hold.

For all intents and purposes, the Acer Nitro Blaze handhelds feel like vaporware, but the new Predator portables could serve as a redemption arc. The alleged plan right now is for Arc G3 Extreme and Non-extreme flavors that use the same 14-core chipset as the Claw 8 EX AI+, but there's zero mention of potential pricing or other specs.

I'd take all these Intel Arc G3 rumors with the usual grain of salt, but if the new Acer handheld swaps out the Nitro branding for a Predator logo, it could be a worrying pricing clue. The latter is the laptop maker's "premium" brand reserved for gaming PC, laptops, and graphics cards with higher specs and features.

My personal fear is that, rather than focusing on challenging affordable devices like the Steam Deck OLED (still AWOL, FYI), or even the non-X ROG Xbox Ally, Acer will instead lean into the saturated premium portable market and create another $1,000 monster.

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Sticking with the classics? Swing by the best retro handhelds and best retro consoles for remakes, emulation systems, and more.

Okay, if seeing the best retro consoles like the PS2 Slim being chopped up and turned into a handheld homunculus makes you squeamish, you'll want to look away. While there are some eloquent attempts at miniturizing Sony's second system on the internet for portable play, this certainly isn't one of them, and yet, boons like better battery life than the Steam Deck OLED and full controls make the cursed creation sort of alluring.

If you're familiar with James Channel, one of my favorite retro gaming tinkerers and chaotic modders, you'll know what comes next. Just like the diabolical OG Xbox handheld that emerged just before the ROG Xbox Ally X, the PS2 handheld is a ripped-up slim console with the disc drive fully exposed, like a flywheel, complete with a cheap LCD screen slapped on the front.

Naturally, the retro handheld is held together with duct tape, or a "roll of housing" as James so eloquently calls it. Some of you might put the YouTuber's reluctance to carefully cut down console boards, or even 3D print a shell for said creations, as sheer trolling. I'd argue that, as much as the bananas approach is supposed to be entertaining, it highlights some really interesting PS2 hardware elements and demonstrates what's actually achievable when adding contempoary mods.

It's easy to get distracted by the Frankenstein's Monster PS2 handheld, but a chunk of the video features James fixing the console's optical drive. If you're into detailed console repairs, you'll dig the process, as it involves using a clone of Sony's internal calibration tools known as PMAP (or PlayStation 2 Mechacon Adjustment Program), to tweak the system's EEPROM data. Doing so can help the laser read discs if it's having issues, in turn saving the need for hard-to-find drive parts.

The freshly repaired disc drive is then precariously sandwiched between the main board and a cheap sat-nav LCD screen, but that's potentially less offensive than the crunched-up MadCatz controller underneath. Again, this whole project is deliberately "lazy" and involves snipping away at things like the Dualshock and memory card ports before mounting them elsewhere, and while the process is horrific, it does help the portable retain elements like full controls and save compatibility.

The cherry on top of this sliced-up PS2 Slim Sundae, though, is the battery. This time, James has opted to bolt a 10,000mAh power bank to his creation, complete with its tiny LCD status screen. Remarkably, the cells can power the sixth-gen console for over an hour and still have 71% capacity to spare, meaning it could theoretically run for around 5 hours. Those figures put modern gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and Switch 2 to shame,

I should note that James isn't the first modder to make a portable PS2 using real hardware. You can even seemingly grab systems with a real motherboard at Aliexpress that swap the drive out for flash storage, but those somehow feel less inspired than having a high-speed disc flying next to your face while you play racing games. Said disc launches out of the machine like a banned '80s action figure toy just as the video ends, and while that signals that you shouldn't try this at home, the entire experiment makes for an excellent peek at the old console's innards.

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• Retro handhelds at Amazon

Using Valve's handheld to play PS2 games? Swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck docks to enhance your big screen setup.

Lenovo has confirmed that a retro handheld floating round AliExpress wearing the brand is actually officially licensed. Normally, that wouldn't be a biggie, as I've spotted the tech company's name on weird "free" earbuds at Chinese retailers in the past. The difference this time around is that the Game Boy clones being sold by third parties come with a bunch of ROMs, and that's more likely illegal.

The Lenovo "G02" handheld was first spotted by Retro Dodo, with the publication originally questioning whether it was fake. That makes sense given that the company is better known for making high-end gaming handhelds like the Legion Go, and this portable has all the hallmarks of one of those "knock off of a knock off" devices you tend to see mimicking other Game Boy clones by the likes of Anbernic or Retroid.

After emailing several contacts at the brand, Retro Dodo says it eventually got confirmation that the Lenovo G02 is a licensed handheld. However, the PR contact in question, Pedro, is quick to note that it's "produced through a regional brand licensing agreement meant for the China market only and is not part of Lenovo’s official global product portfolio."

"As such, products developed through these agreements may differ from Lenovo products sold through authorised channels," explains Pedro. Simply put, that means that the handheld isn't being produced by the 40-year-old tech giant, and whoever is making the device is simply paying to use the branding.

I'd argue that while the handheld technically isn't "fake", it's still a very specific and problematic genre of device. It's the sort of low-grade portable console that's strictly speaking not really meant to exist outside of China, but will inevitably be bought in bulk by sellers and distributed globally via the likes of Aliexpress and Temu (remember that time SouljaBoy tried to sell handhelds? Yeah, that.)

While China does have its own copyright laws, clone consoles and unlicensed ROMs used to be at the bedrock of the country, as Japanese systems by the likes of Nintendo and Sega were banned. This inevitably led to the rise in "Famiclones" and countless cheap plug-and-play systems that would typically either come with illegally sourced games loaded on an internal chip or knock-off cartridges.

This context is important when it comes to the ROMs packaged with the Lenovo G02. The short of it is that it's typically marketplace sellers and distributors who will load up SD cards with games and bundle them with stock. In fact, some of my favorite devices, like the Anbernic RG28XX, are listed at Amazon right now with "5,000+ games" in their description, and from experience, those are being illegally included without their respective brand's knowledge.

Just so we're clear: it's good practice to erase or discard any ROMs that happen to come with a retro handheld. If you'd rather avoid receiving potentially illegal games with your device, the best approach is to go directly to brands like Anbernic or Retroid, as many third-party listings will come with a dodgy micro SD card.

Judging by Pedro from Lenovo's "thank you for flagging this" response, it sounds like the company may try to investigate the way its brand is being used. Attaching your name to a cheapie Game Boy clone is already a questionable move, but the fact that it's being bundled with ROMs isn't a good look for a gadget maker with a longstanding international presence.

I think it's naive to think the Lenovo G02 will vanish from marketplaces, or that it'll now be shipped without the aforementioned ROMs. The company will likely reiterate its licensing agreements, or amend them to address the situation, though, and that may prompt whoever's producing the portable to change their traditional distribution strategy.

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I've been meaning to get around to some basic PSP mods for a while, but one of my favorite modders basically just remade the retro handheld. Rather than simply buying a cheap replacement shell or swapping in an IPS display, YouTuber Polymatt has designed and manufactured the portable's body using brass and acrylic from scratch.

As with all of Polymatt's videos, this PSP project is all about the journey rather than the finished product. The video details what the modder admits is a project that doesn't have a specific end goal in mind, with the only ambition being to "elevate" the gaming handheld with a shell that "really does the design justice."

In this instance, that means gifting the PSP an acrylic front and back shell alongside a brass CNC-milled core. Polymatt describes the process of tearing down the mid-2000s handheld as an "archeological dig", which is something I really relate to as a retro console modder. It's a reference to the design philosophies that inevitably dictated how systems came to be and the minds making the gadgets.

You might now be itching to make your own PSP shell, but I honestly don't think even console modding enthusiasts will be taking on this project. Polymatt's self-described "rabbit hole" involves using high-tech 3D scanners, spraying the original parts with slow-evaporating "scanning spray" to make them a white, camera-friendly color, then modelling the shell before testing fitting using 3D printed prototypes.

To cap that all off, the modder then machines blocks of brass and mills acrylic to make the final parts, which come with lots of sanding and detail work. The process looks therapeutic, but it requires far more skill and patience than just popping the innards in a new plastic shell. In the middle of all that, Polymatt even designs his own USB-C mod board that replaces Sony's old barrel jack, something I haven't even considered yet.

The end result is a PSP that looks like a high-end fashion brand handheld that skirts the line between elegance and Steampunk vibes. Polymatt confesses that he made a few boo-boos, though, like somehow forgetting to mill out the shoulder button spaces and accidentally blocking the power switch with the new USB-C mod. Nevertheless, this custom body is basically a work of art, and is an example of what's possible in terms of reviving and revamping our beloved old gadgets.

I'll be sharing my own PSP project soon, and that will focus on adding simpler IPS screen mods to my pink handheld. If you've got any requests ahead of that, or thoughts about new parts in general, let me know, and I'll look into them. Just note that I won't be modelling my own shell, I'll leave that to talented folks like Polymatt.

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Last month at GDC 2026, Microsoft delved into its vision for Xbox consoles and devices in a dedicated "Game Dev Update." The presentation featured touched on everything from Project Helix to more immediate plans surrounding PC play and gaming handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally, and we just got a full video that provides a glimpse at unified UI plans for the latter.

In the lengthy presentation, Microsoft's VP of "Next Generation" at Xbox, Jason Ronald, shows off a new UI (via The Verge). The graphic used implies that the revamped dashboard will make its way to both the Series X and handhelds like the Xbox Ally, with the latter likely using a future version of the "Full Screen Experience".

Weirdly, the generic laptop and PC screen featured in the Xbox "consistent experience" graphic uses a desktop version of the Windows app. Opting to use the windowed version makes sense to illustrate the nature of playing on a desktop, but it should be the same app as the Xbox Ally. The optimist in me is hoping this means handhelds might soon get a specific version of Windows that isn't just an app overlayed on the desktop, but that is pure speculation on my part.

Ronald says, "As players are starting to play with Xbox across multiple screens, they're noticing a lot of fragmentation in the experience." It's that feedback that seems to be at the heart of Microsoft's unified UI plans, and, to be frank, the idea of making any Xbox device feel "distinctly Xbox" is a no-brainer. However, the VP does clarify the dashboard won't look the same across all devices, citing things like "screen size, or things like input modalities.”

Keep in mind that the pitch for Xbox Project Helix is that it will run both console and PC games, making it a natural rival to the upcoming Steam Machine. Valve is already well-versed in streamlining its storefronts and UI across devices, and handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED have only helped SteamOS go from strength to strength in terms of consistent layouts and controller-based usability.

It's already clear that, under new CEO Asha Sharma, strengthening the core Xbox brand is going to be a priority. That inherently means ensuring that everything with the logo slapped on feels the same, and gaming on Windows acts as a hurdle. It's one thing to mold the big lump of operating system clay into a pretty console-focused pot with streamlined UI elements, but the real challenge is curbing any OS distractions or the need to head into the desktop mode for specific settings.

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I can't help but feel like Lenovo is trying to prank me, as the Legion Go 2 is now available for $1,200. The "price drop" follows a wild automatic price hike on the Z2 Extreme version at the brand's storefront that ramped it up to $3,000, and while I'm glad that was just a discontinuation glitch, the only gaming handheld now available is the non-extreme model with a lower spec chipset.

I should stress that while Lenovo says grabbing the Legion Go 2 for $1,199.99 will save you 25%, it's not really a price cut. I'd say it's more like the brand's handheld prices are merely healing, as the base version with a Ryzen Z2 APU, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD originally had a $1,099.99 MSRP, but that tag was fleeting thanks to the RAM situation.

That is to say that the only Legion Go 2 I'd pick up for $1,200 is the Ryzen Z2 Extreme version, as that handheld is on par with the ROG Xbox Ally X. My previous experience with the non-extreme chipset comes from the slightly older Lenovo Legion Go S, which feels like it's running on the same track as the Steam Deck OLED in terms of performance.

If you do decide to grab the Lenovo Legion Go 2, you'll be doing so for features other than higher frame rates. I can understand the appeal of its 8.8-inch OLED display, and while I previously didn't get along with the detachable TrueStrike controllers when testing the OG Legion Go, the new versions look like they'll provide a slightly nicer faux Switch Joy-Con experience.

I'd be more open to recommending the non-extreme Legion Go 2 as a slightly bougier alternative to the Steam Deck if it were cheaper than the Xbox Ally. Microsoft's handheld is already slightly too pricey for my tastes, and paying nearly $1,000 for successors to the Asus ROG Ally and Legion Go that used to be $600 at full price is hard to swallow.

At the same time, I am trying to accept the reality of gaming hardware prices in 2026. There's no guarantee things will ever go back to "normal", and it'll take some time before component prices settle down, so it doesn't feel productive moaning about MSRPs. That doesn't change the fact that if you've got $1,000 burning a hole in your bag instead of a premium handheld, you should probably start with the Xbox Ally, as it's going to offer up the same specs paired with a punchier APU for less.

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Almost six months later, the ROG Xbox Ally X finally has the Auto Super Resolution abilities Microsoft promised at launch. The AI upscaling tools work similarly to the likes of Nvidia DLSS, but while it benefits from being baked into Windows and not needing separate integration for games, the fact that it only works in docked mode spoils its potential as a gaming handheld feature.

Auto SR on the ROG Xbox Ally X still isn't public yet, but you can give it a try if you're a Windows Insider. You'll find it in the Display menu added to the Game Bar exactly one month ago if you're signed up for early previews, and you can toggle it on once you've launched a game. That's also when you'll see a message with an angry red dot informing you that you need to connect to an external display before the feature kicks in.

Simply put, if you haven't already got a Steam Deck dock or another way to a gaming monitor or TV, you won't be using Auto SR. In a sense, the upscaling tools work similarly to Nvidia DLSS on the Nintendo Switch 2, kicking in to scale things up in docked mode, but I can't help but feel like the perk would be more useful when playing on the portable itself.

The good news is that handheld Auto SR compatibility isn't off the table. In a blog post outlining the preview features, Microsoft says, "we’re starting the preview with docked mode where we expect players will see the most value." That should mean we'll eventually see a non-docked compatibility become a thing down the road, but who knows when that will actually be.

It feels pretty bold trying to boost fps on the Xbox Ally X at much higher external resolutions first. In my mind, it would have made more sense to use the tool to nudge frame rates to the 60fps sweet spot handheld players are continually fighting to achieve. Nevertheless, I decided to put the new docked mode enhancements to the test, and realised very quickly the reason why Auto SR isn't public yet.

For starters, there's far more to using Auto SR than flicking a switch. If you're using a game like Silent Hill F with a full-screen mode that locks to whatever resolution you're using in Windows, you'll need to dial things back to 720p. It feels like since the feature is baked into the operating system, it should be able to automatically switch your overarching resolution to suit, but alas, you'll have to use that new Display menu dropdown first.

Yes, that is the sort of back and forth that puts me in a bad mood, but there is at least a payoff. Upon finally getting Auto SR to activate, I could immediately spot an improvement to edges and textures, with blades of grass in the misty rice fields appearing far sharper than at 720p. The downside is that while I was able to squeeze frame rates around 70fps with everything dialed to low previously, that figure dropped to around 56fps with the upscaling tool on, so you're getting the opposite of a performance boost.

I also picked up on some weird ripple effects when running around as Hinako that's linked to Auto SR. My guess is that the upscaling struggles to keep up with fast camera movements, meaning you can actively see the post-processing working its magic. Quick tests in Cyberpunk 2077 produced more of the same, but while the inherent softness of 720p was alleviated, other low-spec issues like aliasing and mushy textures were a distraction from the benefits.

These are just lightweight Auto SR tests for now, but the general vibe is that it's firmly a work in progress. It reminds me of the early days of DLSS when I'd try and get resolutions below 720p looking "playable" just for the fun of it, even though the sharpening effects are far more impressive than Nvidia's early tech. I guess if you're specifically looking for a mini PC you can treat like a Switch 2, then Microsoft's new scaling could be handy right now. Otherwise, it's going to need much longer in the oven before I'd call it a reason to buy a ROG Xbox Ally.

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Look, it's easy to get all hyped about the Steam Deck 2, especially since Valve just confirmed it's "hard at work" developing the gaming handheld. For what it's worth, I'm pretty keen to see Valve shake up the portable PC scene yet again since things have come to a standstill. But, I don't think it's worth thinking about any of that until the Steam Machine actually launches, as the next Deck needs the mini PC to thrive.

I'll admit, it's a pretty crummy time to be into handhelds. That's largely thanks to the Steam Deck OLED being out of stock and other premium options like the ROG Xbox Ally X coming in at $1,000. Yes, you can grab the white version of the latter for under $500, but honestly? It feels like that portable borrows too much from the 2023 Asus original to feel fresh.

All of that might have you saying Steam Deck 2 three times in the mirror in hopes it will jump you from behind. I don't blame any of you for thinking fresh handheld hardware at the sort of reasonable price point Valve normally guns for will fix things, but I firmly believe the Steam Machine will influence anything the storefront giant currently has in the oven.

I should note that the reverse also naturally applies to the Steam Machine. In fact, Valve's new controller basically exists thanks to the Steam Deck, and it practically just takes all the portable's tried and tested design cues and transforms them into a standalone gamepad. If the handheld hadn't already proven to players that haptic touchpads can make for an excellent way to play some PC games, it would no doubt be receiving a very different reception.

Of course, that latter scenario already happened with the first Steam Machine and controller. Both were arguably not completely different concepts, but Valve tried to introduce a new format with no prior success to back it up. As a result, the hardware was met with hesitation and a dash of skepticism, which ultimately led to its demise.

These sins of the father shouldn't technically haunt the Steam Machine, but the mini PC is new territory for Valve. It has managed to convince the PC scene at large that SteamOS is a proper rival to Windows and has effectively solved previous Linux-incompatibility hurdles with compatibility layers, but now it has to prove it can provide higher-end performance on par with a full-on rig.

The main challenge the Machine has on its hands that will directly impact the Steam Deck 2 is actually running games at 4K 60fps. For the record, the mini PC will be leveraging AMD FSR upscaling to make that happen, and if Valve can prove that the tools can boost fps appropriately, it will help outline realistic expectations for the handheld.

Let's be real, if a Steam Deck 2 drops that can't keep up with the Nvidia DLSS-enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2, it's doomed. Yes, performance comparisons are far more nuanced when comparing console and PC platforms since the expectations are higher on the latter. Still, it has to feel like it's providing next-gen specs without simply shoving the latest chipsets into expensive packages (something Intel Arc G3 handhelds will likely do), and the Steam Machine is the testing ground.

Performance will be pivotal to the Steam Deck 2 conversation, only second to its eventual price point, but new physical hardware features will be key too. Theoretically, Valve could test different accessories like new controllers that include elements destined for the handheld, allowing them to get a real sense for if something will actually stick.

It's not just the portable PC that will be influenced by the Machine, as the best Steam Deck docks of tomorrow could mimic the mini PC. For example, the next-gen accessory could incorporate features like the wireless controller puck into its design, or even adopt the same functional LED light strip at the front. It could even end up tapping into the faceplate design that will allow for e-ink panels at the front, all serving the purpose of transforming the handheld into a lower-spec alternative to the Machine with a similar featureset.

My entire point boils down to the idea that the Steam Machine has to be a proper force in the PC and console scene before the Steam Deck 2 can exist. Valve agrees, as SteamOS developer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated yesterday that you can "you can draw a straight line" across everything from the OG Machine to the new Steam controller and the mini PC.

"The Steam Deck 2 will be a lot of the same, where a lot of what we're doing here will be learnings that build up to it," says Griffais, and that cements the idea of a linear journey to the next gaming handheld. In a nutshell, park your portable cravings to one side for now, as we've got a Steam Machine main course to chow down on first.

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The Steam Deck 2 isn't lost in the haystack of other Valve projects, the company says, but you nonetheless won't see it soon. The Steam Machine and just-announced Steam Controller take priority.

Valve coder Pierre-Loup Griffais tells IGN in a new interview his team is "hard at work" on the Steam Deck 2, a whisper Valve started passing around in 2022. But while both the Steam Frame VR headset and Steam Machine are meant to release in 2026 (unless the global RAM shortage becomes a RAM extinction), and the new Steam Controller will launch May 4, the Steam Deck 2 doesn't have a release window. It doesn't even have a release doggy door.

That seems to be because Valve wants the tech it develops this year for the Steam Machine and other projects to help build the innovative Steam Deck 2, which the company has always maintained should "truly be a next-gen performance," as Griffais said in 2025.

Expanding on this, Griffais now tells IGN, "If you look at our hardware projects over the years, you can draw a straight line from the original Steam Controller and Steam Machine to Steam Deck, to everything that we're announcing and shipping this year. And we expect Steam Deck 2 will be a lot of the same where a lot of what we're doing here will be learnings that build up to it."

People have speculated the handheld console could release in 2028 at the earliest, though some leaks indicate a 2029 launch. In 2023, though, Valve admitted the Steam Deck 2 would require "the next couple of years" of work, which couldn't possibly be more vague, and also serves as an important reminder that we're all just guessing until Valve gives us something tactile to work with. In any case, this year is meant to be stacked with Valve, Valve, and more Valve, so hopefully you'll have your hands full anyway.

Valve says it can sell the Steam Controller while the Steam Machine is in AI limbo because "this doesn't have RAM in it."

Intel has officially confirmed that Arc G3 chipsets are a thing. No, the tech giant didn't share any specs or mention any best gaming handheld contenders destined to use the Panther Lake APU. Instead, the company's vice president merely invoked its name in a sentence, so you'll need to wait until at least Computex for those MSI and Asus portables included in last week's wave of rumors.

In an interview with Intel's Robert Hallock, PCGH quizzed the VP on the company's future role in the gaming handheld scene. In response, Hallock specifically named the Arc G3 as the chipset teased last month while admitting that he's "not well versed in that product." The general manager then goes on to cite what he loves about Intel in regards to its tech versatility.

"What I do love about working at Intel is that we are a business where my team can work on a really nice desktop roadmap, another team can work on a really cool handheld roadmap," explains Hallock. "Another team can work on a really nice notebook gaming roadmap, and we can make unique products for all three of those markets."

The VP and General Manager cements his point by saying "I don't have to borrow a CPU and try to make it work in a different form factor," providing reassurance that its handheld chips are designed specifically with a specific portable use case in mind. "That's a unique capability Intel has in the market," boasts Hallock before expressing that he's "interested in seeing more handheld competition."

Even from that very vague acknowledgement that Arc G3 is a thing, it's clear that the chipset fully intends to rival AMD rivals like the Ryzen Z2 Extreme. Unfortunately, PCGH wasn't able to get Hallock to spill the beans on the APU beyond using its name, but he did allude to Panther Lake chips having a reassuringly long shelf life.

When asked whether "timing is critical" in the handheld market in the context of Pather Lake's late arrival to the handheld scene, Hallock confesses, "I actually don't work on Arc G3 all the time," but says "in general, as a comment about CPUs like that, CPUs that fit in smaller appliances, especially very small compact notebooks, the ones that are razor-razor thi or handhelds, those marketing life cycles are way longer than most desktop PC enthusiasts understand."

The example the VP provides focuses more on it taking longer to convert players to the aforementioned thin notebook systems compared to enthusiasts picking up the best CPU for gaming. But, even linking the idea of portable APUs having a longer shelf life is extremely reassuring, as while handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED are sticking with the one custom Ryzen APU for now, it feels like the premium side of things is pushing for yearly APU revisions with a traditional laptop-style rhythm.

Simply put, Intel's acknowledgement that players typically take more than a year to upgrade their handhelds is extremely reassuring. Yes, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ only just arrived with a Lunar Lake APU last year, so if you invested in that portable, seeing a new, punchier Panther Lake contender at Computex 2026 is going to be irritating. But, while we know nothing official about Arc G3's specs, it sounds like it'll pack enough power to throw punches against Ryzen rivals for much longer.

Previous reports by Videocards already named the Arc G3 and G3 Extreme before Intel, so this is really just official confirmation that the chipset exists. Early specs suggest the APUs will boast Arc B370 and Arc B390 graphics, respectively, along with support for LPDDR5X-8533 RAM. I'll save direct comparisons to its main rival, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, for when the official specs land, but all signs point towards a worthy contender, albeit one that will likely make its way to pricey portables like a new MSI Claw and something by Asus that are out of reach for most players.

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The Xbox Ally just became a light in the darkness that is the best gaming handheld scene right now, as it's now challenging the Steam Deck OLED on price. That's thanks to discounts in both the US and UK that mean it's now at a more palatable price point, but I need to remind you that it's not the beefier ROG Xbox Ally X everyone normally talks about in terms of Microsoft handheld performance.

Okay, here's the skinny - you can grab the white ROG Xbox Ally for $539.99 at Best Buy thanks to a $60 discount, while those of you in the UK can pick it up for £396.60 at Amazon. The US discount is a record low that takes more than usual off its $599.99 MSRP, but the United Kingdom's 21% discount looks more impressive on paper since it adds to over £100 off.

Both deals are refreshing considering every other option out there, including the Xbox Ally's flagship X sibling, are around $1,000. So picking up the white version for half of that should be a no brainer, right? Well, perhaps, but the issue with this model is that there's a sizable performance gap between its Z2 chipset and the Z2 Extreme that its expensive rivals are using, and it's technically less punchy than the last gen Z1 Extreme.

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If the original Asus ROG Ally and its first-gen handheld gaming PC kin hadn't come along and set a frame rate bar, I'd have less beef with Z2 handhelds. The chipset's capabilities make sense if you exclude those previous attempts, as it's boosts fps similarly to the Steam Deck, although the Lenovo Legion Go S only just beat Valve's OLED model during testing.

The part that annoys me more with the Xbox Ally specifically is how similar it is to the OG Asus handheld. Both are rocking the same 1080p 120Hz screen, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage, so it doesn't feel entirely like a new device. Physically, it adds controller-style grips that do admittedly enhance comfort, but if given the choice, I'd be tempted to go for the older Z1 Extreme version just for that frame rate edge.

Of course, the reason the Z1E has the advantage comes down to raw specs. It's packing 8 cores and 16 threats versus 4 and 8 with the Z2. The latter also has a higher 5.1GHz boost clock compared to the latest chip's 4.3GHz, which can translate to higher frame rates in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077.

Where the vanilla Z2 can sometimes shine is at lower TDPs, which could be beneficial if you're trying to prolong battery life when playing lighter indies and older releases. My issue there is that if we're getting into that, the Steam Deck OLED comes up trumps while offering up a superior screen and a more robust gaming environment in SteamOS.

Here's the thing, though, the Steam Deck is still out of stock. The 2023 Asus ROG Ally is also discontinued, so when it comes to new handhelds under $500 / £400, the Xbox Ally stands alone on the battlefield. I might be salty about the decisions made with the portable, but that doesn't stop it being the most affordable portable PC right now thanks to the discounts, and I won't turn my nose up at the current prices given the situation the gaming hardware scene at large is in.

My advice is either take advantage of the Xbox Ally price drops if you're hellbent on getting a portable PC right now, or hang tight for X2 Extreme deals. If neither of those options sound too appealing, maybe take a peek at some of the best retro handhelds and bide your time playing some oldies (that's what I'd personally do).

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