This isn’t your parent’s Game Boy: The new gaming handhelds are powerful, expensive — and far from pocket-sized
Portable gaming systems are making a comeback this year – but the landscape looks very different from their heyday a few decades ago.
This year marks the first time that all three major gaming hardware companies – Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft – have handheld devices on the market. And they are not alone.
A holiday survey conducted on behalf of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) found that 16 percent of children asked for gaming handhelds such as the ROG Ellie and Steam Deck portable computers as Christmas gifts. Meanwhile, 46 percent requested a home console, which also includes the Nintendo Switch 2.
ESAC President Paul Fogolin said that while handhelds represent a relatively small piece of the pie, the survey results bode well for the growing category, as most of these devices are so new. The desire for Steam Decks in particular also indicated a growing interest in PC gaming.
That said, all of the above devices are very different, and which one works best for a gamer who wishes to play while on the go (or anywhere besides the living room) depends on a number of factors. Here’s what you need to know about them.
nintendo switch 2
Release: June 2025
Price: $629.99, bundled with $699.99 mario kart world
The Nintendo Switch 2 was released early Thursday, eight years after the first version debuted. Vancouver-based videogame critic, Victor Lucas, analyzes what’s changed with the updated videogame consoles.
What is this? In most respects, the Switch 2 is a direct hardware update of the original Switch, which has become extremely popular due to its ability to play as a handheld, as well as connect to a TV via a dock.
A significant power increase compared to its predecessor brings it almost in line with current home consoles from Sony and Microsoft. Its Joy-Con controllers now attach to the tablet with magnets, and it can play games (including your old Switch 1 games) via digital download or physical game card.
Drawbacks? Like most new gaming hardware, the Switch 2 is expensive, even more expensive if you want it bundled with mario kart worldThe buttons and joystick of the Joy-Con are smaller than average and may be uncomfortable to use in long-running sessions,
what’s that for? For fans of Mario, Zelda, and other Nintendo games, this is an easy choice since they aren’t available anywhere else. The Switch 2 is a solid new device, but if you’re looking for a more affordable option, the previous Switch console still sports the majority of games in its library.
Microsoft Xbox ROG Ellie and ROG Ellie
Release: October 2025
Price: $799 for Ellie, $1,299 for Ellie X
What is this? Microsoft’s first gaming handheld isn’t a smaller version of the Xbox Series S/X home console. It is a gaming-focused PC that runs a special version of Windows, produced in partnership with computer manufacturer Asus.
With a form factor built to mimic the streamlined, full-sized Xbox controller for playing games in the first place, it’s more comfortable to hold than the Switch 2 – albeit heavier.
With the ability to play PC games from other platforms including Steam and Epic Games, players have access to the largest library of games on the go.
Drawbacks? Despite Microsoft’s marketing line that almost everything is Xbox these days, you won’t be able to play some older Xbox console games on Ally. This PC can play everything on the Game Pass list, as well as games anywhere that works on a PC or Xbox console.
You may also face strange compatibility issues; For example, some games will prompt you to press keys on the keyboard even when no keyboard is present. It is the most expensive handheld among the three big gaming companies.
what’s that for? Anyone who wants to play their Xbox and PC games on the go and doesn’t want to wade into the more complicated waters of PC-first portables. Just be prepared to pay a hefty price, especially for the Ele X, which makes a strong argument as the most powerful portable PC at the moment.
sony playstation portal
Release: November 2023
Price: $270, but often on sale for around $240
What is this? PlayStation Portal is unique on this list. The massive device like the tablet is meant for streaming only, meaning you can’t download and play games directly from the system.
Instead its main purpose is to connect to the PlayStation 5, allowing you to play anywhere around your house or even away from home, if you’re connected to WiFi, as long as your home console is running or in rest mode.
The portal has been closed since 2023, but a new update earlier this fall added cloud streaming, letting you play a limited selection of games without a PS5 console — as long as you have a PlayStation Plus Premium membership, which costs $25 per month or $225 per year.
Drawbacks? As a streaming-only device, you need a strong internet connection to play. Since you’re not playing on a hard drive, the game’s picture quality and frame rate can fluctuate, just like it can on a video streaming app.
While the Portal’s main buttons and joystick are comfortable to use, the power and volume buttons are placed on the back, creating awkward ergonomics.
what’s that for? If you’re still looking to enter the current crop of gaming ecosystems, at under $300 this makes it a cheaper option than half that much – if you don’t mind the inconsistent quality caused by streaming technology.
other pc handheld
Look Steam Deck Portable PC Trailer:
Since the Switch launched in 2016, boutique PC gaming brands have released their own handhelds that play PC games.
Chief among them is Steam Deck by Valve, with a gaming-friendly, custom operating system and relatively affordable prices. Others from Lenovo or MSI introduce new processors or different form factors.
The high-end version of the Steam Deck, which comes with an OLED screen and sells for $819, is probably the most popular in this segment. But its performance lags behind the new Xbox ROG Ally
retro handheld
You’ve probably noticed that the new generation of gaming handhelds aren’t very small. They have screens over seven inches, full-sized controller handles and probably need an expensive carrying case for themselves.
Smaller and independent creators have tried to fill the void of nostalgia-driven enthusiasts. The Analog Pocket looks like a high-end version of the Game Boy Pocket; The AYN Thor is a dual-screen device similar to Nintendo’s 3DS.
However, these devices are often expensive, limited in stock and require a level of technical know-how to unlock their full potential – which often involves (unofficially, in many cases) legally playing classic games through grey-zone emulation.
Otherwise, you’ll have to rummage through your retro gaming stores to find old cartridges – or dig out your childhood collection while visiting family over the holidays. These are best reserved for enthusiastic tinkerers.
