The journey of handheld gaming has been nothing short of remarkable. While some devices predated it, Nintendo’s Game Boy truly revolutionized mobile gaming by delivering experiences reminiscent of the NES but in portable form. Nintendo kept that momentum going with the evolution of its Game Boy consoles, and then, in 2006, they set a new standard with the arrival of the Nintendo DS. While PlayStation has dipped a toe into competing in this realm over the years, Xbox has notably stayed out of the handheld game—until now.
After more than a year of rumors swirling in the gaming community, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, has confirmed to Bloomberg that Xbox is finally working on a handheld device. Although Spencer mentioned that it might be a few years before it becomes available, this upcoming device is expected to bring something unique to the table, distinguishing itself from other contenders.
The handheld market is buzzing, perhaps more than ever. The Nintendo Switch, now in its seventh year, in its various forms—the original, Lite, and OLED—has sold over 140 million units. Despite its hardware showing its age compared to even last-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the Switch’s portability, brand loyalty, and family-oriented appeal have kept it at the top.
In 2022, Valve decided to join the fray with its Steam Deck, and in just two years, it has earned a reputation as one of the best handhelds available, capable of playing even the most demanding modern games almost effortlessly.
By the time Xbox’s handheld arrives, the competitive landscape might look a bit different, but not drastically so. The successor to the Nintendo Switch is anticipated next year, and Valve has already indicated that a second-generation Steam Deck is on the horizon. Hence, Xbox’s competition may closely resemble what it would face if launched today.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Bloomberg recently reported that PlayStation is potentially developing a new handheld console. If true, this would mean Xbox’s upcoming device will face some tough competition upon its release.
A potential trump card for the Xbox handheld could be the Xbox Game Pass. Over the past year, Xbox has shifted its marketing to emphasize that the Xbox experience isn’t confined to a console. It’s about any device that can run the Xbox app. Central to this effort is Xbox Game Pass, regularly showcased with individuals enjoying games on various platforms, from consoles to smartphones and PCs, courtesy of Cloud streaming.
When Xbox’s handheld officially sees the light of day, Xbox Game Pass is expected to be a standout feature, and rightly so. Highlighting Game Pass on the handheld could be a significant advantage both immediately and in the future.
In the short run, Xbox handheld users would instantly have a diverse library of games at their fingertips without extra charges. With such a variety of genres available, players would have a firsthand opportunity to explore the console’s capabilities right from day one, experiencing a wide array of AAA and indie titles.
Looking further ahead, Game Pass would ensure that handheld gamers have a constantly evolving selection of titles to enjoy. While PlayStation might offer its own library through PS Plus, Game Pass maintains an edge by including first-party releases on their launch day—a benefit PS Plus doesn’t offer. This advantage is only set to grow, with Xbox’s first-party lineup now boasting titles from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision-Blizzard.
For more insights, stay tuned as we delve into what fans are hoping to see in the anticipated Xbox handheld console.
