In the world of gaming, handheld consoles have carved out a significant history. While a few devices preceded it, Nintendo’s Game Boy was revolutionary, pushing the boundaries by offering nearly NES-level gaming experiences wherever you went. Nintendo built on this success with various iterations of the Game Boy, setting a high benchmark in the industry, particularly with the launch of the Nintendo DS in 2006. PlayStation has dabbled in this market, but Xbox has stayed out—until now.
After a whirlwind of speculation and rumor over the past year, Phil Spencer confirmed in a recent chat with Bloomberg that Xbox is venturing into handhelds. He hinted, however, that it would be some years before the device becomes available to fans. Yet, when the Xbox handheld does make its debut, one standout feature will likely distinguish it from the rest.
As it stands, the handheld market is buzzing with activity. Though the Nintendo Switch, alongside its Lite and OLED versions, isn’t at the cutting edge technology-wise, it has enjoyed phenomenal success, reaching sales of over 140 million units. Its simplicity, brand strength, and family appeal have helped it maintain top status in the gaming world for nearly a decade.
Back in 2022, Valve introduced the Steam Deck to the market. Over the last couple of years, it’s been heralded as a remarkable device, capable of running demanding modern games with minimal limitations.
The landscape of handheld consoles could shift slightly by the time Xbox’s device hits the market, but perhaps not significantly. The Nintendo Switch’s successor is slated for announcement next year, and Valve has already given the nod to a second-generation Steam Deck. So, the competition for the Xbox handheld might mirror what’s on the market today.
Moreover, a recent Bloomberg article hints at PlayStation setting its sights on developing a new handheld console. Should this prove accurate, Xbox will face stiff competition when it launches its device.
A pivotal advantage for Xbox’s handheld could very well be the Xbox Game Pass. Over the past year, Xbox has been actively promoting the idea that the Xbox experience transcends the console, reaching out to any device that can run its app. Xbox Game Pass stands central to this strategy, frequently featured in promotions that showcase gaming across Xbox, PC, mobile, and other cloud-capable gadgets.
Upon its official debut, it’s highly probable that Xbox Game Pass will play a major role in the appeal of Xbox’s handheld offering. The inclusion of Game Pass could be advantageous both initially and sustainably.
In the immediate term, owners of an Xbox handheld would gain access to a library brimming with hundreds of games at no extra charge. With the wide variety of games available, players could readily explore the device’s potential, enjoying an array of AAA and indie titles straight away.
In terms of long-term benefits, Xbox Game Pass would ensure a dynamic and evolving selection of games for players to engage with. Although PlayStation might offer its PS Plus library to its handheld users, Xbox Game Pass might still maintain an advantage, given that PS Plus doesn’t include first-party games on launch day. With Xbox’s acquisition of Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision-Blizzard, this advantage seems poised to grow even stronger.
And there’s always more on the horizon—gamers can eagerly anticipate what an Xbox handheld console might have to offer.
