Handheld Gaming Consoles to Get if You Can’t Wait for the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be the next iteration in the highly popular handheld gaming console franchise that started in 2017. Fans are eagerly waiting for the company to make an official announcement, but for now, there is no release date for the Nintendo Switch 2. However, there are several handheld gaming consoles already on the market that offer an incredible on-the-go gaming experience. That does make finding the perfect one a bit more challenging.

Handheld gaming has been around for decades and with technology advancing at such a high pace, they are becoming larger and more powerful than ever. Starting with 2D black and white games, the newer devices are so powerful that they can run modern AAA titles that would otherwise demand a high-end expensive gaming PC. That being said, here are some of the best handheld gaming consoles on the market.

Game Rant’s Picks of the Best Handheld Gaming ConsolesLike the Switch

The Steam Deck from Valve made a big splash in the handheld gaming console space, as it gave gamers access to the entire Steam library of games on the go. While the hardware was not the most powerful, it is well optimized and comes with a rating system for games that helps gamers identify how well they will run on the handheld. Following the success of the Steam Deck, Valve released an upgraded version that brought an OLED display, an updated CPU, faster RAM, and a bigger battery.

Steam Deck OLED comes in 512GB and 1TB options, both of which carry 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The 7.4-inch display can refresh at up to 90Hz but still retains the 1280×800 resolution. This, while on paper may seem low, translates to a solid 720p gaming experience and games look pretty good at that screen size. The OLED display also brings higher brightness levels, boasting 1000 nits peak brightness.

The Steam Deck OLED is powered by a 6 nm AMD APU that includes a Zen 2 CPU and an RDNA 2 based GPU. The APU operates between 4W and 15W, so the device is extremely efficient, but at the same time not that powerful. It features two joysticks, two touchpads, dual-speakers, and four additional buttons on the back. The Type-C port is located at the top and is used for charging or connecting to a dock to output to an external display.

The ROG Ally X is the successor to the original ROG Ally that launched in 2023. Like the Steam Deck OLED, it is not a full upgrade over the previous generation console, but it brings some meaningful improvements, nonetheless. The ROG Ally X features a 7-inch full-HD display capable of 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness. While it carries the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and RDNA 3 graphics as its predecessor, it does have more RAM at 24GB and more storage at 1TB.

It is also using a more standard form factor for the M.2 storage drive, so it is even easier to upgrade storage down the line. Another upgrade that the ROG Ally X gets is in the battery department. ASUS has managed to double the battery from 40Wh to 80Wh without changing the overall size of the handheld, but it is about 70 grams heavier because of that extra battery capacity.

In terms of real-world performance, the APU can operate between 9W and 30W, giving it more power than the Steam Deck OLED. Plus, because it runs Windows 11, you have easy access to not only the Steam Store, but also other stores like the Epic Game Store and EA Play. The ROG Ally X is also more expensive than the Steam Deck OLED and comes in a single configuration that is black with some RGB lights.

Check out Game Rant’s review of the ROG Ally X for the complete picture!

At under $200, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a great budget-friendly handheld gaming console. It gives you access to all Nintendo games, as well as the benefits of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which expands the game library to include retro titles. While the Switch Lite does not have the versatility of the Switch or Switch OLED, it delivers a solid handheld experience. There are no detachable Joy-Cons and you cannot dock it either.

There is a 5.5-inch 1280x720p LCD screen, making this a compact handheld that is very comfortable and ergonomic. It is powered by the same Nvidia custom Tegra processor but comes with 32GB of internal storage. There is a USB Type-C port at the bottom for charging only and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You still get Bluetooth connectivity, so using wireless headphones will be no problem.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is available in multiple different colors that complement its fun and compact form factor. There aren’t a lot of features and extra bells and whistles with the Switch Lite, and it is a simple, affordable, handheld gaming console with a huge library of games. It makes for a great gifting option or a travel companion for yourself.

Those willing to invest over $1000 in a handheld gaming console should take a look at the GPD Win Mini. GPD has established itself as a major brand when it comes to handheld devices, mostly because of its clamshell style consoles with full QWERTY keyboards. The GPD Win Mini is just that with the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U CPU and Radeon 780M graphics. This handheld comes with 32GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, sufficient for most gamers.

It features a 7-inch 1920x1080p display that can refresh at up to 120Hz and the screen flips open to reveal the backlit keyboard, two joytsticks, a D-pad, the ABXY buttons, and a centrally positioned touchpad. In terms of ergonomics, the GPD Win Mini is not the most comfortable due to its chunkier size and keyboard layout. However, this thicker size allows for a 44.24Wh battery, a USB 4 (Thunderbolt 3) port, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen2 port, a full-sized USB Type-A port, and a microSD card slot.

To ensure an immersive gaming experience, GPD has included hall effect joysticks, linear triggers, and a bilinear motor for haptic feedback. Furthermore, it comes with detachable grips that can be used to make the device feel more like a controller in your hand and less a mini laptop. Despite all these features and powerful components, the GPD Win Mini still weighs less than the Steam Deck OLED or the ROG Ally X at 520 grams.

Till the successor to the original Nintendo Switch makes its appearance, the Nintendo Switch OLED is the best console for Nintendo games and retro titles. It features a 7-inch OLED 1280x720p touchscreen and 64GB of storage which can be expanded using a microSD card. Powering the Switch OLED is an Nvidia custom Tegra processor that is very efficient, but still powerful enough to output a 1080p image to an external display through the included dock.

Speaking of the dock, it comes with a USB Type-C connector which the Switch OLED sits on and has an HDMI port to send the video to an external monitor. This allows gamers to use the console in three different ways: TV mode with the Switch OLED docked, tabletop mode using the console with the controllers detached, and the standard handheld mode. The OLED model comes with an improved kickstand as well, and can be placed at a variety of different angles.

You can get easy access to the entire Nintendo game library through the Store or via game cards. With a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can explore over 100 classic NES, Super NES, and Game Boy games. Note that you will need the subscription if you wish to game online with your friends.

The major selling point of the Nintendo Switch OLED is the detachable Joy-Con controllers that can not only be fitted into a bracket to make a single controller but can also be used as two independent controllers for multiplayer games.

Lenovo entered the handheld gaming console space with its Legion Go, and it does something different from the other Windows-based handheld devices – it has detachable controllers like the Nintendo Switch. What’s unique here is that the right controller can be used as a mouse while gaming or navigating through the OS. This means FPS games can be played with either a mouse or a controller. However, you would need a solid flat surface to be able to use the controller as a mouse.

Besides the controller, the Lenovo Legion Go has a lot going for it. It features a large 8.8-inch QHD (2560×1600) display with 500 nits peak brightness and up to 144Hz refresh rate. Powering the device is the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip as the ROG Ally X. You get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. All this is backed by a 49.2Wh battery that supports rapid charging.

The gaming performance on the Lenovo Legion Go will be about the same as the ROG Ally X, but on a larger and sharper display. However, you may not be able to push all games at that resolution and may have to step down to 1080p or 800p for some of the heavier titles. Another consideration is that it is quite a bit heavier and bulkier than other handheld gaming consoles, coming in at 854 grams with the TrueStrike controllers.

Game Rant’s review of the Lenovo Legion Go takes a deeper dive into how good the handheld console is.

How to Choose the Best Handheld Gaming Console

With the variety of handheld gaming devices available on the market, it can be tricky finding the perfect one for your needs, so here are some factors to consider:

Form Factor and Versatility

Not all handheld gaming consoles are the same. Some have fixed controllers while others allow for the controllers to be detached and used independently. This adds to the number of ways in which the handheld can be used. While you can play on all devices in handheld mode, the Nintendo Switch and Lenovo Legion Go allow you to detach the controllers and use the main body as an independent display. Consoles like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Nintendo Switch Lite do not offer this functionality. On the other hand, the GPD Win Mini has a clamshell form factor, so the display flips open to reveal a QWERTY keyboard and more controls.

Operating System

Most handheld gaming consoles these days come with full Windows 11, which makes them basically a mini-PC with a touchscreen. The Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck have a more locked operating system, limiting the things you can do with it. The Steam Deck does have an accessible Linux interface that can be used as a desktop PC. If you want the full Windows experience, avoid the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch.

Furthermore, the Nintendo Switch also locks you into the Nintendo ecosystem, and you will only be able to play Nintendo games, while with other Windows-based handhelds, you have access to all PC games.

Ergonomics

When it comes to gaming on the go, the device you carry must be comfortable in handheld mode and easy to travel with. The Nintendo Switch Lite is the most compact and lightweight handheld gaming console, so if compactness is a priority, the Switch Lite is for you. If you don’t care about size and weight, but prioritize performance, the Lenovo Legion Go would be the ideal pick for you. The ROG Ally X is more compact than the Steam Deck OLED, which is considered bulky by a lot of users.

FAQ

Q: What is the handheld device that plays Steam games?

The Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw, and other Windows-based handheld gaming consoles can all play Steam games.

Q: What is the most bought handheld console?

The Nintendo DS is the best-selling console ever with over 154 million units sold.