The world of handheld gaming has seen some remarkable innovations over the years. While there were a few consoles preceding it, Nintendo’s Game Boy really set the benchmark, offering experiences almost comparable to the NES on a portable device. Continuing this trend, Nintendo has consistently pushed the envelope with subsequent Game Boy models, and they truly redefined the handheld market with the introduction of the Nintendo DS in 2006. On the other hand, while PlayStation has occasionally ventured into this arena, Xbox has traditionally avoided it. However, that’s all on the cusp of change.
After a long period of rumors swirling about, Phil Spencer, in a recent interview with Bloomberg, confirmed that Xbox is indeed working on a handheld device. According to Spencer, it’s going to take several more years before we actually see it hit store shelves. But once the Xbox handheld does launch, it promises to boast a feature that could give it a significant lead over its competitors.
We’re currently experiencing a period where the handheld market is perhaps more crowded than ever before. The Nintendo Switch, despite being in its seventh year, continues to dominate with over 140 million units sold, including its Lite and OLED variations. Its success largely stems from its portability, strong brand identity, and appeal to family audiences, even if its hardware doesn’t measure up to the previous generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
In 2022, Valve made a significant entry into the handheld space with the Steam Deck, and it’s since gained accolades as one of the finest devices in the field. It can handle some of the most graphically demanding modern games with ease and only minor restrictions.
With time, the landscape might shift by the time Xbox unveils its device, but perhaps not drastically. Nintendo is gearing up to showcase the heir to the Switch next year, and Valve has already confirmed a second-generation Steam Deck is on the way. Therefore, the competitive environment for Xbox’s handheld may not be too different from what it would face if it were available today.
Moreover, a recent report from Bloomberg hints that PlayStation is in the early stages of crafting a new handheld console. If these rumors hold true, Xbox is in for quite the competition once its handheld finally debuts.
What might give Xbox’s handheld a vital advantage would be the power of Xbox Game Pass. Over the past year, Xbox has been pushing the idea that Xbox transcends the console—it’s any device that can run the Xbox app. Xbox Game Pass is central to this campaign, showcasing users enjoying their games across Xbox consoles, PCs, mobile devices, and through Cloud streaming.
Once Xbox officially reveals its handheld, there’s a good chance that Xbox Game Pass will play a crucial role in its marketing. And this strategy would be brilliant. In the short run, Xbox handheld users would have access to a vast collection of games at no extra cost. With such a wide range of gaming experiences available on Game Pass, players can immediately explore the capabilities of the new device, diving into both blockbuster and indie titles from the start.
Looking further ahead, Xbox Game Pass ensures a constantly evolving library of games to captivate handheld users over time. While PlayStation might bring its PS Plus titles to its potential handheld, Xbox Game Pass would still maintain its advantage—PS Plus doesn’t offer new first-party games on launch day, in contrast to Game Pass. This dynamic only strengthens Xbox’s position as it incorporates offerings from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision-Blizzard into its burgeoning lineup.
And for those eager for further insights, keep an eye out for our Xbox Handheld Console Wish List.
