Handheld gaming has undergone a remarkable evolution, with several pioneering consoles setting the stage for today’s portable gaming landscape. In 1989, Nintendo introduced the Game Boy, a robust device featuring a monochrome screen and interchangeable cartridges. Its rugged design and extensive game library, including the iconic “Tetris,” made it an instant success, selling over 118 million units worldwide.
Building on this success, Nintendo released the Nintendo DS in 2004. This innovative handheld featured dual screens, one of which was a touchscreen, and offered backward compatibility with Game Boy Advance games. Its unique design and popular titles like “Mario Kart DS” and “Pokémon Diamond and Pearl” propelled it to become the best-selling handheld console of all time, with over 154 million units sold worldwide.
In 2004, Sony entered the handheld market with the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The PSP stood out for its multimedia capabilities, allowing users to play games, listen to music, watch videos, and browse the internet. Its impressive graphics and titles like “God of War: Chains of Olympus” and “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker” showcased console-quality gaming on the go. Despite challenges such as proprietary memory sticks and the UMD format, the PSP was ahead of its time, offering a glimpse into the future of portable entertainment.
These trailblazing devices laid the groundwork for the diverse and advanced handheld consoles we enjoy today, each contributing unique innovations that have shaped the portable gaming experience.
Nintendo Switch
Let’s start with the most popular handheld console on the market, the Nintendo Switch. Released as a predecessor of the Nintendo DS, perhaps the company’s most popular console, the Switch came out in 2017 to a flurry of interest, allowing players to not only play on their TV but to combine the controllers to act as a remote device. This hybrid method of gaming allowed players to take console-worthy graphics on the road with them, accessing popular titles like Super Mario Bros and Zelda into remastered formats.
The Switch has sold almost 150 million copies and the long-awaited follow up, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be releasing this year, with Nintendo broadcasting a ‘Switch 2 Direct’ on 2nd April 2025.
Asus ROG Ally
Asus made its mark on the handheld gaming market last year with the release of the ROG Ally. Hailed as the next big thing in portable gaming, this slightly larger device boasts over eight hours of battery life and has been in development for more than five years. Despite still being relatively new, it has quickly gained popularity for its impressive performance, functioning more like a Steam Deck than a traditional console.
With Windows 11 integration, the ROG Ally offers unprecedented versatility in the handheld space. It’s not just about AAA gaming titles; the full Windows experience means access to multiple game stores and entertainment platforms. Players can seamlessly transition from playing Call of Duty to streaming movies or enjoying casual gaming experiences. The browser functionality has made it particularly popular among fans of online gaming platforms and casino-style games – you can read a Pulsz Bingo review here and immediately jump into playing on the same device, something traditional gaming handhelds simply can’t match.
The ROG Ally’s expansion capabilities further set it apart. With USB-C connectivity, players can connect external storage, controllers, or even dock it to a monitor for a desktop-like experience. However, breaking new ground in the industry comes at a cost, with the device priced at over £600.
Steam OLED Deck
When the rise of online gaming and competitive tournaments meant that players could build entire careers off of video games, Steam became the go-to platform for competing with consoles. Developed by Valve, the Steam Deck provides a powerful yet optimized experience for PC gaming. It runs SteamOS, making it an ideal platform for playing Steam games seamlessly. The OLED model features a better screen, improved battery life, and enhanced thermals. It was inevitable the company would then leverage that popularity and create their own hardware, with the OLED Deck allowing players to login to their accounts and access their library of games away from the PC or laptop.
The Steam Deck has 30-50% more battery life than its competitors and is integrated with Wifi 6E, to allow players optimized bandwidth and lower latency, meaning they will lag less when playing online. This also means games can download faster while their stability remains intact. Expect plenty of updates in the near future for those that are still concerned with any performance issues.
The Ultimate Winner? It depends!
The battle for the ultimate handheld console doesn’t have a single winner—it all depends on what you value most as a gamer. If you prioritize a seamless and optimized PC gaming experience, the Steam Deck OLED is an excellent choice. For those who want sheer power and flexibility, the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go deliver top-tier performance. If you’re looking for first-party exclusives and a hybrid gaming experience, the Nintendo Switch OLED remains a solid contender. Meanwhile, retro gaming enthusiasts will find the Ayn Odin 2 a fantastic choice for emulation.
Ultimately, the perfect handheld depends on your gaming needs, preferences, and budget. No matter which one you choose, handheld gaming is more exciting than ever, offering an incredible variety of options to suit every type of gamer. So, which handheld will you pick for your next gaming adventure?
