I still remember my first handheld console. It wasn’t a Switch, a Steam Deck, or some fancy OLED display—it was a Game Boy Color, and I played Pokémon Blue on it until the screen was permanently burned into my vision.
Back then, handheld gaming was pure. No microtransactions, no battle passes, no “games as a service” nonsense. You just popped in a cartridge and played.
Now? We’re in a weird handheld renaissance. The Switch is still selling like crazy. The Steam Deck proved that AAA PC gaming on the go is actually viable. ASUS and Lenovo make Windows-powered gaming handhelds; the Razer Edge uses Android. Even Sony—who swore they were done with handhelds after the Vita—launched the PlayStation Portal (which streams games rather than running them locally).
It feels like everyone is trying to make the next big handheld console.
But are we actually moving forward, or are we just chasing nostalgia for a simpler time?
Why Is Handheld Gaming Suddenly a Big Deal Again?
Handheld gaming never really died, but for years, it felt like a side feature—something that existed alongside consoles and PCs, not something that could compete with them.
Now, with devices like the Steam Deck and Switch proving that people actually want powerful, portable gaming, companies are doubling down.
Here’s why handheld gaming is having a moment:
- The Switch reminded people how good portable gaming can be. Nintendo took a risk and it paid off massively.
- PC gaming is more accessible than ever. The Steam Deck lets people play compatible PC games on the go, and now every major gaming brand wants in.
- Cloud gaming is (almost) viable. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now mean you don’t need a high-end handheld—you just need a good internet connection.
- People are sick of being tied to a desk. Not everyone wants to be stuck at a PC all day—handhelds let you play wherever, whenever.
And now we’re seeing more handhelds than ever, each trying to offer something different.
The Big Players in Handheld Gaming Right Now
1. Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo’s Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025. The useful question now is whether its games and hardware fit how you play.
- Released June 5, 2025.
- Has a 7.9-inch, 1080p LCD screen, not an OLED panel; see Nintendo’s specifications.
- Plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, with exceptions listed in Nintendo’s compatibility guide.
Before buying, check the specific games and accessories you want to keep using, rather than assuming every original Switch item transfers unchanged.
2. Steam Deck – The Best for PC Gamers
Valve changed the game with the Steam Deck, and even though it’s not the most powerful device, it’s easily the most convenient for PC gamers.
- Runs compatible Steam games. Check the Deck compatibility rating: some games work immediately, some need adjustments, and others are unsupported or untested.
- Mod-friendly, but alternative operating systems and launchers add setup work. Check your specific games before assuming a subscription or launcher will work on SteamOS.
- Great for indie games and lower-spec titles, but struggles with high-end AAA games at 60 FPS.
Judge an available model by the games you want to play and its measured battery life, rather than buying around an unverified successor’s specifications.
3. ASUS ROG Ally / Lenovo Legion Go – The Windows Handhelds
If you want a full Windows gaming PC in handheld form, these are your options.
- ASUS ROG Ally: Compare the exact model, game settings and power limits; a blanket performance or battery-life ranking hides those differences.
- Lenovo Legion Go: Huge display, detachable controllers, and a built-in trackpad for better Windows navigation.
The trade-off? Windows is still a pain in the ass on a handheld, and these devices require more tweaking to get the best experience.
4. PlayStation Portal – A Handheld That… Isn’t Really a Handheld?
Sony’s Portal is a streaming handheld, rather than a device that runs games locally. It supports PS5 Remote Play and cloud streaming of eligible PS5 games.
- No native gaming—Remote Play uses your PS5, while eligible cloud-streamed games do not require your own console.
- Great for remote play, but useless if your internet connection sucks.
- Cloud streaming requires an adult account, PlayStation Plus Premium and a supported country or region; only eligible PS5 games are included. Check Sony’s current requirements.
If Sony had just made a real portable PlayStation, it would have been a hit. Instead, this feels like a missed opportunity.
Is Handheld Gaming Actually the Future?
It feels like we’re on the verge of something huge—but also a little lost.
Everyone wants to capitalize on the handheld boom, but no one seems to know where it’s actually headed.
- Will Nintendo stay ahead, or will Steam Deck-style devices take over?
- Will cloud gaming kill off local hardware, or do people still want physical consoles?
- Are we just chasing nostalgia, or is portable gaming actually here to stay?
Right now, handheld gaming is more exciting than it’s been in years—but whether it’s a true revolution or just another trend remains to be seen.
For now, I’ll be sitting here, Steam Deck in one hand, Switch in the other, and waiting to see who gets it right.
More from Super Techno Girl
- The Steam Deck vs. The Rest – Can Anyone Compete With Valve?
- Nintendo Switch 2: What to Expect from Nintendo’s Next-Gen Console
- Top VR Headsets Right Now: Is Xreal One the Game-Changer PC and Console Gamers Have Been Waiting For?
- Cloud Gaming Keeps Failing – So Why Do Companies Keep Pushing It?
- The Great Game Dev Layoff Cycle – Where the Hell Is All the Money Going?
