XBox Handheld?

[LightyKD]

With all of the talk about a XBox handheld coming this year, what are your thoughts?

Personally I have no dog in this fight but I can easily see this device being the following..

1 - A Windows 11 device (made by one of the usual PC manufacturers) that boots into an XBox launcher.

2 - the moment a user logs in they will have access to their "XBox Play Anywhere" games with the option of subscribing to PC Game Pass for more games.

3 - there will be some link to desktop mode so that users can access games from Steam and other PC stores

4 - priced somewhere between a Series S and X.

My biggest hope is that a revised XBox controller is released with some fucking gyro controls and that gyro is finally added to X-input. I can see the new handheld being released with a "handheld + controller + dock" bundle. This would be a good time for a controller refresh.

 

[BigOnYa]

https://www.purexbox.com/news/2025/...-on-an-xbox-handheld-device-to-launch-in-2025

 

[Robert Newbie]

If I remember correctly, there are rumors that Sony is working on a handheld as well. This is like when Microsoft and Sony tried to muscle in on the Wii's audience. Long story short, the Kinect and EyeToy became novelties that didn't last particularly long. (Though I think the PlayStation Move did get recycled for Sony's VR headsets.)

The problems come down to who the handhelds are for, how they compare to the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, and how powerful they are. I like the idea of more hybrids in the space because it makes the competition more interesting, but I'm not sure how Microsoft or Sony would differentiate their products from the existing ones. The Steam Deck has much of the PC's library, and the Switch has Nintendo's IP's. They've been on the market much longer and have solid followings.

Based on the sales numbers, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S haven't been doing well this gen. Not focusing on a wide variety of quality first-party games (and porting released games to PC) has really affected the value of each console's software libraries. With that in mind, how will a handheld improve the situation?

 

[LightyKD]

If I remember correctly, there are rumors that Sony is working on a handheld as well. This is like when Microsoft and Sony tried to muscle in on the Wii's audience. Long story short, the Kinect and EyeToy became novelties that didn't last particularly long. (Though I think the PlayStation Move did get recycled for Sony's VR headsets.)

The problems come down to who the handhelds are for, how they compare to the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, and how powerful they are. I like the idea of more hybrids in the space because it makes the competition more interesting, but I'm not sure how Microsoft or Sony would differentiate their products from the existing ones. The Steam Deck has much of the PC's library, and the Switch has Nintendo's IP's. They've been on the market much longer and have solid followings.

Based on the sales numbers, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S haven't been doing well this gen. Not focusing on a wide variety of quality first-party games (and porting released games to PC) has really affected the value of each console's software libraries. With that in mind, how will a handheld improve the situation?

I can see Microsoft having a much easier time with making a portable than Sony. In Microsoft's case, they already have an OS, "XBox games" on their Windows store and PC Gamepass. All they need is hardware and a version of the XBox menu as the device's front end.

In Sony's case, I guess they could build their portable on Linux. I have a feeling most of their cloud stuff is Linux based. They already started the work on porting their major titles to PC. At best, their device will just be a PlayStation branded Steam Deck. Interesting times ahead. I wonder if both parties will be willing to take a decent loss to sell plenty of units.

 

[JacobLaw]

With all of the talk about a XBox handheld coming this year, what are your thoughts?

Personally I have no dog in this fight but I can easily see this device being the following..

1 - A Windows 11 device (made by one of the usual PC manufacturers) that boots into an XBox launcher.

2 - the moment a user logs in they will have access to their "XBox Play Anywhere" games with the option of subscribing to PC Game Pass for more games.

3 - there will be some link to desktop mode so that users can access games from Steam and other PC stores

4 - priced somewhere between a Series S and X.

My biggest hope is that a revised XBox controller is released with some fucking gyro controls and that gyro is finally added to X-input. I can see the new handheld being released with a "handheld + controller + dock" bundle. This would be a good time for a controller refresh.

I'm excited about it! I can picture a sleek Windows 11 handheld that boots into an Xbox launcher, offering Xbox Play Anywhere and PC Game Pass access. Integrating desktop mode for Steam and other PC stores sounds like a win. And yes, a refreshed controller with gyro would be a game-changer. A bundled handheld, controller, and dock would seal the deal. Can't wait to see what happens!

 

[hippy dave]

Competing with Nintendo in the handheld space always goes well

 

[LightyKD]

Another reason for Microsoft to make that Win 11 based handheld...

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-play-anywhere-just-crossed-a-massive-milestone

Having over 1000 play anywhere games is a good selling point to the casual gamer that probably doesn't care about having a XBox collection that dates back to 2002.

 

[Taleweaver]

Another reason for Microsoft to make that Win 11 based handheld...

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-play-anywhere-just-crossed-a-massive-milestone

Having over 1000 play anywhere games is a good selling point to the casual gamer that probably doesn't care about having a XBox collection that dates back to 2002.

I know it sounds like a lot...but that's until you look at the competition on the mobile market...

* switch: 12'110 games (which'll be backward compatible with switch 2)
* steam deck: +18'000 verified games (not counting playable or the myriad of not-yet-tested-but-work-fine games)
* android: +12'000 games
* iphone: also +12'500


Yes, I know: a relatively large chunk of those aren't exactly quality. But then counterpoint: handheld games lend themselves far more to casual games than to hardcore experiences (just look at the top 10 most played games on steam deck).

 

[LightyKD]

I know it sounds like a lot...but that's until you look at the competition on the mobile market...

* switch: 12'110 games (which'll be backward compatible with switch 2)
* steam deck: +18'000 verified games (not counting playable or the myriad of not-yet-tested-but-work-fine games)
* android: +12'000 games
* iphone: also +12'500


Yes, I know: a relatively large chunk of those aren't exactly quality. But then counterpoint: handheld games lend themselves far more to casual games than to hardcore experiences (just look at the top 10 most played games on steam deck).

The casual audience, especially the casual XBox fan wont care that the other platforms have more games. The console wars might be "effectively over" but people still have their favorites. As long as the big titles are there and that player can move between their TV console and the portable with the same save file and XBox Live account. That's all they need. Hell, some might even abandon a TV console if the portable can be docked.

 

[BigOnYa]

Reported rumor now is that ASUS is making the Xbox branded handheld, and it will come this summer with a price tag of $449-$549. Microsoft PC game store has over 2000 titles to date. PC Gamepass offers over 400 titles.

 

[Taleweaver]

The casual audience, especially the casual XBox fan wont care that the other platforms have more games. The console wars might be "effectively over" but people still have their favorites. As long as the big titles are there and that player can move between their TV console and the portable with the same save file and XBox Live account. That's all they need. Hell, some might even abandon a TV console if the portable can be docked.

Hard to counterargue, as you can make that demographic as specific as you want.
let me guess...these "casual xbox fans" also don't care that by far the majority of these very games are already available right now on other platforms that might be a lot cheaper to buy?

 

[BigOnYa]

I think if it plays all PC gamepass games from internal ssd and not just cloud play, then it be worth it for $11.99 a month PC gamepass subscription (over 400 games), or to have it included with Ultimate subscription, I'd definitely buy it.

 

[LightyKD]

FCC picture, baby!!!

 

[slaphappygamer]

Yep, ASUS. I want to like XBOX, but I can NOT like the reversed A/B and X/Y. I know I say they are reverse, but others will say this is normal. I just can't do it.

 

[SylverReZ]

FCC picture, baby!!!

View attachment 503522

The black model seems to have much higher specs compared to the latter white model. I suppose they're going for common aesthetics?

 

[Marc_LFD]

If Game Pass is what Xbox is all about these days, there doesn't even need to be a specific Xbox handheld, just run it on different platforms. Heck, Xbox games are coming to PlayStation as it is.



Maybe a new Vita by Sony/M$? That'd be neat.

 

[MrQQ]

Yep, ASUS. I want to like XBOX, but I can NOT like the reversed A/B and X/Y. I know I say they are reverse, but others will say this is normal. I just can't do it.

Funny i think the same of the nintendo layout

 

[Maximumbeans]

The status of handheld gaming is so fascinating right now. Nintendo arguably stepped back from it a couple of paces by making the Switch, which, yes, is handheld, but not dedicated like the GB, DS, etc. Companies like Sony and MS have focused on their home consoles as their core and focused on making these as powerful as they can for a long time. Mobile gaming has historically torn franchises away from PCs and their respective consoles to diverge onto phones.

And yet, you've still got dedicated handheld consoles being actively developed and pursued in the market. It's great to see.

 

[AndorfRequissa]

im personally not a handheld guy. even though i own multiple switch 1's ive played them off the dock in handheld mode maybe .001% of the time. ive bought quite a few handhelds and when it comes to traveling and using one i mostly take my abernic because if it gets lost its only $100 down the drain including the sd card.

ive heard of people losing or having their switch stolen while in handheld mode. i personally dont even carry a smart phone around because life works alot better when you arent tied down and enslaved to devices imo

alot of people are changing and the habits of how they use tech is often a guide for me on how people will socially interact and behave with others. i find alot of handheld gamers to be introverts and i never wanted to be introverted

 

[Maximumbeans]

im personally not a handheld guy. even though i own multiple switch 1's ive played them off the dock in handheld mode maybe .001% of the time. ive bought quite a few handhelds and when it comes to traveling and using one i mostly take my abernic because if it gets lost its only $100 down the drain including the sd card.

ive heard of people losing or having their switch stolen while in handheld mode. i personally dont even carry a smart phone around because life works alot better when you arent tied down and enslaved to devices imo

alot of people are changing and the habits of how they use tech is often a guide for me on how people will socially interact and behave with others. i find alot of handheld gamers to be introverts and i never wanted to be introverted

I do know where you're coming from with this. I adore my 3DS and I love its form factor, but I rarely play the Switch in handheld mode and I'll often avoid it if I can. And like you, I'm not taking that shit outside