4 Reasons Why Microsoft and Sony Should Release Gaming Handhelds Right Now

From the Game Boy to the Switch, handheld gaming devices have existed for decades. But when Valve introduced the Steam Deck in 2022, it opened the floodgates to a new market of mainstream portables capable of running high-end games, and was soon followed by the Asus ROG Ally, the Ayaneo Next Lite, and the Lenovo Legion Go. But two companies are notably absent in the handheld resurgence: Microsoft and Sony.

Microsoft hasn’t released a dedicated handheld gaming system in its history, instead relying on the powerful Xbox Cloud Gaming service to beam your Xbox library to numerous devices. Sony released the PlayStation Portable in 2005 and the PlayStation Vita in 2011, but the company had been dormant in the portable arena until its half-baked PlayStation Portal debuted last year.

Expanded interest in handheld gaming means that it’s prime time for Microsoft and Sony to release portable gaming systems. Here’s why.

1. PlayStation Portal Left Gamers Hungry for a PSP 3

The PlayStation Vita didn’t match the success of the Nintendo DS, but it found a hard-core audience who loved JRPGs, indie games, and its killer feature: Remote Play. Using Remote Play, you could stream PS4 games to the Vita via a strong internet connection. The tech was locked to the handheld until Sony released a Remote Play app that let you stream PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games on your phone, laptop, and Steam Deck.

However, when Sony released the PlayStation Portal, a streaming-only device that relied on Remote Play tech, it essentially made a $200 Vita that can’t play physical games and can only be used at home. The best aspect of the Portal is that it made people long for a true Vita successor, a third PlayStation Portable. Across forums and social media, PlayStation fans expressed interest in a Steam Deck-like handheld that will let them play PS5 games on the go, without an always-on internet connection.

Fortunately, these dreams might be made a reality. The rumor mill states that Sony is working on a dedicated gaming handheld that can natively run PS4 and PS5 titles. Rumors are rumors, of course, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see Sony return to the handheld market so soon.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

2. There’s a Thirst for Portable Windows Gaming

The Steam Deck is a Linux-based machine that runs Steam OS. Although an open platform that lets tinkerers tweak to their heart’s content, it comes with a few challenges—namely, compatibility issues with some Windows games and mods. That’s why new handhelds such as the Asus ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go run Windows to ensure full functionality.

Still, there’s an Xbox-size opening in the handheld market for more Windows-based devices. If Microsoft were to step into it, the company could develop an Xbox-centric device that rallies its base to purchase an extension of the home consoles. Naturally, an Xbox handheld would run some form of Windows to give it the compatibility leg up over the Steam Deck. A Windows-based machine could even leverage a native Xbox Game Pass app, a platform essential to Microsoft’s gaming division.

In an interview with The Verge, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said, “Xbox is our gaming platform and content business.” Xbox sees its brand and ecosystem as more than just its X-branded machines. Zooming out and looking at Xbox’s future business strategies, the company will remain in the hardware business while expanding into new areas. The best way for Microsoft to fulfill those goals is to own a portable platform that delivers an Xbox gaming experience that its rivals cannot.

R&D is expensive, but Microsoft and Sony haven’t shied away from hardware experimentation.

3. The Tech Is Ready

With devices like the Steam Deck and its ilk, you can play Elden Ring, God of War, and other AAA console titles on the go. That said, getting visually demanding games to run on these portables isn’t always as simple as downloading the game and pressing the start button. Considerable settings tweaks are needed to make big games look good, run well, and not butcher the battery life on portable devices. New machines from Microsoft and Sony can leverage the latest advancements for a more seamless experience.

DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling, is an AI-powered image-enhancing technology that lets games run at lower settings while boosting the visual fidelity. DLSS tech is perfect for handhelds, but exclusive to Nvidia chipsets. Rumors abound that Sony is developing its own DLSS-like technology for the yet-to-be-announced PS5 Pro. This tech would be a perfect fit for a powerful, portable PlayStation. Likewise, Microsoft could tap AMD, its Xbox graphics partner, for the similarly functioning FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR).

4. There’s Room for Multiple Successful Portables

Historically, Nintendo has dominated the handheld gaming market, and the Switch is no different. Currently sitting at 139.36 million sales, it’s forecasted to surpass the other two best-selling consoles of all time, the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2. Yet Valve’s Steam Deck still thrives with “multiple millions” sold. That’s great for hardware that’s only been on the market for two years and caters to PC gamers.

So, it stands to reason that if Microsoft and Sony were to step up to the plate, they can find a portable gaming foothold, too.

Lenovo Legion Go Hands On: Windows Handheld Gaming Meets Switch Style

What’s Next?

Nowadays, smartphones, laptops, and tablets are gaming devices, but it’s nice to have dedicated systems optimized for digital play. The technology is finally here, and the market is ready for the major players to expand upon the foundations laid by their enterprising competition. Should the rumored Microsoft and Sony portables prove true, the video game industry has exciting times ahead that may reshape how we play our favorite games.