Latest news with #gamingdevices
CNET
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Best Handheld Gaming Consoles Right Now
Phones and tablets already do a fine job of playing tons of great games and streaming games from consoles or the cloud. Dedicated devices can provide unique features, exclusive games or extra power to do things your phone can't. The difference between types of game handhelds at the moment can feel vast, but let's break it down into some clear categories. Handhelds can be full TV-connectable consoles, tinier versions of full PCs, or smaller, purpose-built ways to play retro games, indies, or even novelty experiences. Some are, like PCs and phones, built on more standard OS forms. Others are locked down. The Nintendo Switch 2. Scott Stein/CNET The Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 Nintendo's consoles are a platform all unto their own. Nintendo locks down its hardware to only work with games bought in physical game card format or on Nintendo's eShop, and the Switch and Switch 2 also require subscriptions for online play. The Switch 2 can play nearly all the games that work on the Switch, with the exception of ones that either needed the original Switch dimensions (Nintendo Labo, if you can find it) or the original Joy-Con's IR camera (Ring Fit Adventure, which works with Switch 2 if you pair original Joy-Cons to it wirelessly). It does have its own accessories and added functions: GameChat for talking to other Switch 2 owners, USB-connected camera support for games and chat, and the new Joy-Cons can work as optical mice with supported games. It works the same way the Switch does, but has better graphics and a larger screen, and worse battery life. To expand Switch 2 storage, you need to buy microSD Express cards, which are different from standard microSD. Lori Grunin/CNET PC game handhelds A growing number of beefy handheld systems can run either full Windows OS onboard, or specific Linux-based SteamOS software. The Steam Deck, Asus Rog Ally and Lenovo Legion Go are the best current options and come in several forms and flavors. Most of these handhelds run similar-performing types of AMD-based processors with integrated graphics which deliver surprising functional gaming on the go provided the games you're playing are properly optimized. Valve makes this super easy on Steam Deck and on the new Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam OS, making it very clear on its Steam store which games are optimized to play well. On Windows handhelds, you gain the freedom of full Windows OS, and its complications. You could run any game from any source (and on SteamOS handhelds, with some tinkering, you could do this too), but your mileage will definitely vary. I've often had some games not run at all, or run so badly they were unplayable. Indie and smaller games are often great choices on handhelds for this reason. Still, games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Spider-Man 2 and No Man's Sky are a few of the games that are great to play on the go with these handhelds. Expect battery life to vary based on the type of game, and many of these handhelds are pretty heavy, too (up to 1.5 pounds). They can connect with monitors and accessories, too, but don't come packaged with docks. The ModRetro Chromatic. Numi Prasarn/CNET Retro handhelds The Analogue Pocket and ModRetro Chromatic are remastered Game Boys for playing classic cartridges you might still have or buy. The Pocket can also play other game cartridges, and even emulations of games that can be sideloaded. The Evercade series of handhelds, alternatively, plays rereleased compilations of games on custom cartridges. While the Pocket and Chromatic and Evercade models are geared towards physical cartridges, there are also tons of small handhelds that can play ROMs and emulated games. CNET doesn't review those at the moment, but know that there's a big space there to explore. There's also the weird stuff: the Panic Playdate is its own beast, a custom mini-handheld that plays its own library of games. There's nothing else quite like it, but Nintendo's limited edition Game & Watch re-releases come to mind. The PlayStation Portal. Scott Stein/CNET Streaming handhelds While Windows handhelds can stream games from sources like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, so can your phone or tablet. Another streaming option to consider is the PlayStation Portal, which only plays either PlayStation Plus streaming cloud games or streaming games via your PlayStation 5, but also adds haptics and force-feedback triggers. The future of gaming might be increasingly streaming, but for now, it's a tool that lots of devices are throwing in the mix. The Backbone Pro controller on an iPhone. Lori Grunin/CNET Your phone, or tablet Tablets and phones are extremely valid game consoles: The iPad has tons of games on the App Store, and hundreds more on Apple's subscription-based Apple Arcade. The iPad can pair with Bluetooth game controllers, too. iPhones and Android phones have tons of games as well, obviously, and a number of great game controller cases are available, including the Backbone and the Razer Kishi. Phones and tablets also offer other advantages, including an ability to cloud-stream games on a growing number of services including Microsoft Game Pass Ultimate and PlayStation Plus.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Xbox Ally Handheld Console to Launch This Year From Microsoft
Xbox will launch two new handheld gaming devices, ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, this holiday season. The products are made in collaboration with ASUS and described as combining 'the power of Xbox with the freedom you expect from Windows.' More from Variety 'Deadpool' VR Game Starring Neil Patrick Harris Set From Meta Quest, Marvel New 'Game of Thrones' PC Strategy Game 'War for Westeros' to Launch in 2026 Day of the Devs Producers Tease Summer Game Fest Plans and How They're Evolving Biz iam8bit After 20 Years 'When you power on your Xbox Ally, you'll boot directly into the Xbox full screen experience, a new feature optimized specifically for handheld gaming,' according to Xbox's announcement for the handheld Ally devices, which was made during the Xbox Games Showcase live presentation Sunday. 'With new modifications that minimize background activity and defer non-essential tasks, more system resources are dedicated specifically to gameplay. That means more memory, higher framerates, and a fully immersive experience for players—all made possible by the versatility and freedom of Windows.' The devices will have a dedicated Xbox button, contoured grips and accessibility features that are already established on Xbox consoles and Windows PC. Xbox says pricing, release date, accessories and pre-order details for the Ally and Ally X will be announced at a later date. Per the description for the Ally, 'The Xbox Ally offers great value for anyone looking to take their favorite games wherever they want to play, whether it's 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,' 'Gears of War: Reloaded,' 'Lies of P,' 'South of Midnight,' or many more. It's powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor—balancing performance and power consumption to maximize battery life without sacrificing gameplay quality—16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.' Separately, the Ally X 'offers more for players looking to get the best level of performance and visual settings from their favorite games on a handheld.' According to the specs, the device 'features the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor—allowing us to power the latest AI features as they are introduced— double the storage to have more native games at your fingertips, and 24GB of high-speed RAM that more demanding games crave. The Xbox Ally X also features impulse triggers for more immersive play.' Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
Free Malaysia Today
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Microsoft unveils ROG Xbox Ally handheld video game devices
Two 'ROG Xbox Ally' models will be available by the year-end holiday season. (EPA Images pic) SAN FRANCISCO : Microsoft unveiled its first Xbox-branded handheld gaming devices today, touting them as a way to play its vast library of titles anywhere. Two 'ROG Xbox Ally' models made in a partnership with Taiwan-based ASUS will be available by the year-end holiday season, Xbox president Sarah Bond said during an online event showcasing games heading for the platform. 'The Xbox Ally is an Xbox you can hold in your hands, bringing together the power of Xbox and the freedom of Windows,' Bond said. 'On this Xbox, you can play games across your entire library, including all the Windows PC game stores from Xbox and to Steam, GOG (Good Old Games platform) and Ubisoft Connect.' The peek at Xbox Ally came just days after the release of Nintendo's Switch 2, the handheld console that could score record early sales for the Japanese 'Super Mario' creator. The Nintendo device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, is an upgrade to the Switch that became a global phenomenon with hit games such as 'Animal Crossing.' Microsoft promised to disclose pricing and release date details for Xbox Ally in the coming months. Both Xbox handhelds appeared similar to Microsoft console controllers in terms of buttons, toggles and grips but looked elongated to provide room for center screens. 'When you power on your Xbox Ally, you'll boot directly into the Xbox full screen experience, a new feature optimised specifically for handheld gaming,' Microsoft said in a release. 'The Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are perfect for players looking to take an approachable gaming experience with you during travels – whether it's between airports, or between the comfiest chairs in the living room.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Xbox Ally Handheld Console to Launch This Year From Microsoft
Xbox will launch two new handheld gaming devices, ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, this holiday season. The products are made in collaboration with ASUS and described as combining 'the power of Xbox with the freedom you expect from Windows.' More from Variety 'Deadpool' VR Game Starring Neil Patrick Harris Set From Meta Quest, Marvel New 'Game of Thrones' PC Strategy Game 'War for Westeros' to Launch in 2026 Day of the Devs Producers Tease Summer Game Fest Plans and How They're Evolving Biz iam8bit After 20 Years 'When you power on your Xbox Ally, you'll boot directly into the Xbox full screen experience, a new feature optimized specifically for handheld gaming,' according to Xbox's announcement for the handheld Ally devices, which was made during the Xbox Games Showcase live presentation Sunday. 'With new modifications that minimize background activity and defer non-essential tasks, more system resources are dedicated specifically to gameplay. That means more memory, higher framerates, and a fully immersive experience for players—all made possible by the versatility and freedom of Windows.' The devices will have a dedicated Xbox button, contoured grips and accessibility features that are already established on Xbox consoles and Windows PC. Xbox says pricing, release date, accessories and pre-order details for the Ally and Ally X will be announced at a later date. Per the description for the Ally, 'The Xbox Ally offers great value for anyone looking to take their favorite games wherever they want to play, whether it's 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,' 'Gears of War: Reloaded,' 'Lies of P,' 'South of Midnight,' or many more. It's powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor—balancing performance and power consumption to maximize battery life without sacrificing gameplay quality—16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.' Separately, the Ally X 'offers more for players looking to get the best level of performance and visual settings from their favorite games on a handheld.' According to the specs, the device 'features the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor—allowing us to power the latest AI features as they are introduced— double the storage to have more native games at your fingertips, and 24GB of high-speed RAM that more demanding games crave. The Xbox Ally X also features impulse triggers for more immersive play.' Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
