In the world of gaming, handheld consoles have always held a special place, tracing a vibrant history that goes back decades. Though others existed beforehand, it was Nintendo’s Game Boy that truly changed the game, offering near home-console-level experiences on the go. With each new Game Boy version, Nintendo solidified its dominance in handheld gaming, and setting a new industry benchmark with the Nintendo DS’s launch in 2006. While PlayStation has occasionally dabbled in the handheld arena to compete with Nintendo, Xbox has traditionally steered clear. That’s all set to change, though.
After more than a year filled with speculation and whispers, Xbox’s head honcho, Phil Spencer, has finally spilled the beans in a chat with Bloomberg. He confirmed that Xbox is indeed gearing up to launch a handheld device. Spencer did mention it might be a while before fans see it hit the shelves — a few years, maybe. But when this Xbox handheld does make its debut, it’s likely to boast a standout feature that could easily give it an edge over its rivals.
The handheld market today is buzzing with activity like never before. Take the Nintendo Switch, for instance, which has been a staple for seven years, selling a hefty 140 million units across its variations, including the Lite and OLED models. Despite its hardware being less powerful than even the previous generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the Switch thrives on its portable nature, brand appeal, and family-friendly design, keeping it at the pinnacle of the gaming world for nearly a decade.
Then there’s the Steam Deck from Valve, which entered the fray in 2022. In just two years, gamers have celebrated it as one of the finest handheld devices around, capable of handling the heavyweight titles of the modern gaming era with ease.
By the time Xbox’s handheld hits store shelves, the console scene may have shifted but perhaps not drastically. The successor to the Nintendo Switch is expected to be revealed sometime next year, and Valve has already started work on the second generation of Steam Deck. This means that the Xbox’s handheld competitors could mirror those it would face if it were to launch today.
To add a twist, Bloomberg recently reported that PlayStation is in the nascent stages of creating a new handheld console. Should this materialize, Xbox will certainly face some stiff competition with its own device.
One potential ace up Xbox’s sleeve could be its Game Pass service. Lately, Xbox has been marketing the idea that it’s more than just a piece of hardware; it’s virtually any device running the Xbox app. Xbox Game Pass is at the forefront of this shift, showcased in ads featuring players streaming games on Xbox consoles, PCs, phones, and other gadgets.
When Xbox officially unveils its handheld, Game Pass will likely play a starring role, and rightly so. As a selling point, Game Pass could offer substantial benefits both immediately and in the future.
Initially, Xbox handheld users would access an expansive library of hundreds of games at no extra charge. Its diverse collection ensures players can fully explore the handheld’s capabilities from day one, with a wide range of AAA blockbusters and indie gems readily available.
In the long run, Game Pass ensures that the library remains fresh, with a constantly evolving mix of games. While a potential new PlayStation handheld might showcase its lineup of PS Plus games, Game Pass still holds a formidable advantage, as it includes first-party titles on launch day. Xbox’s first-party portfolio, now enriched by Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision-Blizzard, will keep expanding, sharpening this competitive edge over time.
More exciting news lies ahead for gamers, with a thriving wish list for the Xbox handheld console.
