On July 31, 1989, Nintendo released the Game Boy to the US, a gr??ay brick of a handheld console that would go on to dominate the market for years to come.

Sadly for us in the UK, we had to?? wait more than a year to get one ourselves. On the plus side, it did drop just two days before my 7th birthday. Oh, what a joyous occasion that was! Thanks, parental units!

Although Game Boy itself has long departed as bo?th hardware and a line entirely, the mark ?it left on the gaming sphere is long and deep. In fact, it's less of a mark and more of a geological fault line that shatters everything in its wake, leaving millions to recoil from its impact.

The Game Boy and Game Boy Color have sold more than 118 million units worldwide combined, right up until they were discontinued in 2003. Even though that figure combines sales data for the original gray model and its 1998 color version (while the Color is technically the Game Boy's successor, Nintendo has always treated it more like what we would call a mid-gen refresh today), it still makes the Game Boy ?the fourth-best selling console of all time.

A young boy's obsession

It's tough to look back across the decades without some sense of nostalgia. Th?e Nintendo Game Boy was a phenomenal success at a time when gaming as an industry was still finding its feet. But we'd had consoles in our home for some time now, such as the Atari 7800, SEGA Genesis, and Nintendo's NES. We were accustomed to playing games from our sofas and beds or sitting cross-legged on god-awful shag carpets. We were ready to move on.

And move on we did. While mobile gaming wasn't a completely new idea, the Game Boy revolutionized the concept of digital play on the go, despite its hardware limitations. In many ways, because of said limitations. It may have had a tiny screen capable of only displaying shades of green at resolutions no bigger than 160 x 144 pixels, but what it did have was Tetris.

Its roster of games was probably what set it apart from potential competitors. Remember, Nintendo was already flying high on the success of its home console, so the name carried weight. We knew of Super Mario, so when he got his own title on the Game Boy, that was a surefire hit. It's also worth remembering that the handheld was the springboard for Pokémon adaptations. We all know how that story goes.

Sadly, I never got into the whole Pokémon craze. But I did have some stonking games, like the aforementioned Super Mario Land, Tetris (which came bundled with the console itself), Batman: Return of the Joker, Mortal Kombat 2, and maybe some others.

Over its lifetime, the Game Boy amassed over a thousand titles, around 765 of which were on the original gray model. Obviously, my collection was barely a spe?ck compared to the sheer amo??unt of games that were available at the time.

Some that I sadly missed out on �but are deemed classics on the console �include Kirby's Pinball Land, Dr. Mario, a series of Mega Man titles, Harvest Moon, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Wario Land, and even some Final Fantasy games. Well, the Final Fantasy Legend games, at least.

Many may look at the Game Boy as a kind of conduit simply for Tetris, but the small example I've listed above lists some of the best-known names in gaming, provin??g that the Ninte??ndo handheld was capable of making a huge impact on a growing industry. I sadly never had the Game Boy Color or Game Boy Advance �or any other variation on the OG �so I missed out on even more potential classics.

Nokia who?

The Game Boy was not exactly a portable powerhouse of hardware supremacy. It didn't even have its own backlight, so good luck playing in the dark. However, Nintendo was able to make the most of what it ha??d. This also meant the machine was not as sizeable, weighty, or pricey as some of the alternatives. While the Game Boy cost around $90 when it was released, the SEGA Game Gear was a pretty hefty $150 when it was released a year later.

The reduced hardware also meant Nintendo's device flexed a boast-worthy battery life. According to the Nintendo website itself, the original could last up to 30 hours on four AA batteries. That's 30 hours of playtime, as well, not just it being idle. S??ega's Game Gear devoured battery in comparison. Even the Steam Deck's rechargeabl??e battery can't touch the Game Boy.

It was also a sturdy mother. I can't tell you how many years I had my Game Boy, but I almost certainly dropped it on the floor, and it kept on ticking. While it's popular to meme the Nokia 3310's alleged indestructible nature, the Nintendo Game Boy was proving its worth as a machine built to last long before Nokia. One Game Boy, which was previously on display at Nintendo New York, literally survived an explosion during O??peration Desert Storm. The fact that it's said to still work fee??ls like an alien concept in an era of planned obsolescence.

Of course, that hardiness was never really a selling point, mind. We were too young to truly appreciate the structural integrity of technology. But to have a portable gaming console that can last for a day and a bit �even through constant use �and survive global conflict sort of puts the ??Game Boy on a pedestal of gaming greatness that I'm proud to have experienced.

The memory remains

Yes, that is a rather obscure Metallica reference. However, what I wanted to talk about was the cultural significance of the Game Boy. You mean I haven't been doing that already? Well, yes, b?ut I think there is another aspect that's worthy of mention.

Although we've moved on somewhat over the years, video games can still be seen as a masculine hobby. Many strides have ??been taken, and glass ceilings have been broken, but it often feels like there's still a discre?pancy when it comes to attitudes. When gaming started becoming a global phenomenon, girls didn't get much of a look-in.

When the SEGA Genesis came out, it very much aimed to appeal to young boys, with promises of action, sports, and—inexplicably—the ability to emasculate school bullies. But the Game Boy had a broader appeal. In 1995, an article in the Gainesville Sun that looked at gender disparity i?n gaming quoted Nintendo?????????????????????????? of America as saying that girls accounted for 46% of those who were playing its handheld device. That's compared to 29% for its own NES console.

The fact that nearly half the Game Boy players were female was newsworthy even then. Nintendo was a company that was leading th?e charge in moving away from gaming being largely a boyish pursuit.

For me, the Game Boy was the perfect console. I know that just sounds like rose-colored glasses, but I was genuinely obsessed with mine. Despite not having that many games for it, I racked up hours and hours on that thing. I sh??udder at the thought of how much my parents had to spend on batteries (sorry, Mum).

I remember the Game Boy-shaped carry case I had for it, as well as the monstrous attachment that added a magnifying glass and light (sort of like this one, only somehow bigger). I remember running down to the arcades with my console in hand, looking for my sister so I could excitedly tell her that I'd completed Super Mario Land for the first time.

I'm not going to berate the current generation by insisting that 'we had it better in those days.' All forms of nostalgia are just desires. Desires for youth. Desires for innocence. Desires for shell suits (maybe). Or perhaps just desire to hear the Game Boy's iconic DING one more time and know that the only thing you had to worry about was which TMNT figure to ask for for Christmas.

I'm glad that I was around to experience the Game Boy, even if knowledge of its age and the fact that it was discontinued more than 20 years ago makes me feel old. But then, everything makes me feel old. I got excited the other day when our new clothes air dryer arrived (it's black!), and I no longer recognize most artists and actors who appear on Sunday morning cooking shows. Oh yeah, I watch cooking shows now. That old.

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As a follow up to its first handheld gaming PC, Asus has just revealed its brand new variant, the ROG Ally X. The updated Steam Deck competitor comes with a host of new fe??atures and improvements over the standard ROG Ally. Though as you'd expect, that bumps the price up a bit.

How is the ROG Ally X better than the ROG Ally?

First and most noticeably, the new Ally X handheld gaming PC is black, while the previous version only came in white. Good news to some, but especially those who are snacking while they're playing. Next, the Ally X sees upgrades to storage, battery ?life, and an additional vent to keep temperatures low.

Asus added a new 80Wh battery, which will help with one of the biggest complaints about the ?ROG Ally. Its storage upgrade features a 1TB M.2 2280 SSD and it maintains a microSD slot if that's not enough for you. The ROG Ally X will come with 24GB of LPDDR5-7500 RAM.

It wi?ll come with a Windows 11 operating system installed.

Other specs are as follows:

• CPU - AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor (Zen4 architecture with 4nm process, 8-core/16-threads, 24MB total cache, up to 5.10 Ghz boost.)
• GPU - AMD Radeon Graphics (AMD RDNA 3, 12 CUs, up to 2.7 GHz, up to 8.6 Teraflops)
• TDP - 9-30W
• Display - 7 inches, 1920 x 1080 (16:9), 10-point multi-touchscreen, 120Hz refresh rate, 7ms response time, 500nits brightness, FreeSync Premium
• Ports - 3.5mm combo audio jack, Thunderbolt 4 support DisplayPort, USB 3.2 Gen 2 type-C, UHS-II microSD card reader
• Audio - Dolby Atmos, Hi-res certification, Smart Amp technology, AI noise-canceling technology, Built-in array microphone, 2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier technology
• Network - Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
• Power Supply - TYPE-C, 65W AC adapter, 20V DC output, 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal input
• Dimensions - 28.0 x 11.1 x 2.47 ~ 3.69 cm
• Security - Built-in fingerprint processor, Microsoft Pluton security processor
• Compatibility - Asus says the ROG Ally X is compatible with multiple libraries, such as "Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, and more..."

Those interested in the new Asus handheld gaming PC can purchase it from Best Buy and straight from the source for $799.99. It is available for preorder, though ??orders won't ship until its release date o??n July 22, 2024.

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Since the Steam Deck, a few alternative handheld gaming PCs have been hitting the market. While we're still waiting for Valve to give details about a possible follow-up to its own device, we've already seen that Lenovo is planning a next-gen Legion Go. Now, Asus is quick to follow suit.

In the latest video from the ROG Global YouTube channel, hos?ts Jake Kulinski and Whitson Gordon are keen to bring us news that a new ROG Ally is currently in the works. While not all details about the upcoming device are being revealed yet, we do get a few bits of information.

For ??example, the next portable PC from Asus is going to be called the ROG Ally X, rather than the ROG Ally 2. What we're being told is that the next iteration will be "more than just a basic refresh" of the current model, and that it's going to be targeting the more "enthusiast" market.

Those who want "extra goodies"

It's also worth noting that this?? won't be a completely new device, either. The ROG X is basically going to be somewhere between being a refresh and a new-gen. What the next version will be is essentially a response to feedback from people who wanted a bit more.

There are going to be some improvements to the current model, such as a better battery �Kulinski's eyes even ?wi??den when he tries to express how the new battery will be "very good." There's also going to be improvements to the RAM and storage, as well as the ports.

As I say, not a lot is being said right now, but there is going to be a special announcement on June 2, which will hopef??ully dive deeper into what you can expect from the upcoming Asus ROG Ally ??X.

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Since Valve released its highly praised Steam Deck device over two years ago, we've been seeing a bit of competition from other companies looking for that slice of the mobile gaming PC pie. Lenovo launched the Legion Go late last? year, and we're alrea??dy getting hints about a next-gen model.

According to a recent report from Videocardz, Lenovo's Gaming Category Manager Clifford Chong spoke at the Innovate 2024 conference in Bangkok about what happens next. A quote from them says ??the company sees potent?ial in continuing in the mobile PC market after the release of the Legion Go.

While there's still work being done on the current model, Chong says the ??team is "looking towards when the time comes right" regarding the next generation. A potential Leg??ion Go 2 will likely "provide even more features."

Why no Steam Deck 2?

In all of this, it's tempting to get caught up asking wh?at Valve is planning next for the Deck. Released at the start of 2022, the hardware contained within it is already starting to look a little outdated. As a quick comparison, the Legion Go uses the fourth generation AMD Zen and RDNA3 technology, while the Steam Deck has Zen2 and RDNA2. Videocardz suggests a potential Legion Go 2 could sport Zen5 and RDNA3.5 tech.

Of course, Valve did release the OLED version of the Deck in November last year. While it did boast a ?few improvements, suc??h as better battery life, its focus was mainly on providing a better screen. The main guts of the device remained largely untouched.

That's not to say something isn't bei?ng planned, but with Lenovo already looking ahead to possible newer models, i??t feels like Valve may need to make an announcement about something soon.

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Valve's Steam Deck has been something of a big deal in the mobile gaming arena. Offering PC-like performance on the go, it's proved to be a rare? instance for the company: a hardware project that's actually successful. Now, just over two years later, we're still seeing the re?sults of this success.

According to figures from SteamDB, (as noted by Gaming on Linux), the Steam Deck now sports a total of 14,058 (at the time of writing) t??itles that are compatible with the system.

Of those, 9,444 are labeled as "Playable," while 4,614 are down as "Verified." The former means games should play but may be missing certain things or not be as well optimized. The latter means they should run absolutely tip-t?op and no mista?ke.

So, SO many games

If you take the filters out of the search, it shows that 165,119 games reside on Steam currently. That's...a lot of games, so the Deck still has some way to go. The database also? shows that, of those, 3.958 are?? "Unsupported" when it comes to the device.

This doesn't necessarily mean they won't? run per se, but you'll likely encounter issues when playing. ??In any case, it shows there's still potential for a lot more games to become compatible.

But as the months and years go by, the Steam Deck sees more competition muscling in on its territory. We've already seen ASUS, Lenovo, and MSI offer up their own handheld P?C alternatives. At this rate, we could be seeing a saturated market before we know it.

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Steam Deck may have its work cut out for it soon, as pre-orders for the upcoming Claw device from MSI are being?? taken. We also h??ave a release date, with one of the models launching on March 8 in the US, followed by the other two variants a week later.

As reported by Videocardz, the Claw is up on sites like Newegg, with options to place a pre-o??rder ready for launch day. There are three variations planned, and it looks like the mid-range device releases first, priced at $749. Which is not ch??eap, really.

For that pri??ce, you'll get a Windows-based handheld gaming PC with an Intel Core Ultra 7-155H CPU under the hood and 512GB of NVMe SSD storage.

And many more initialisms

There is a cheaper model in the Intel ?Core Ultra 5-135H variant, which also com??es with 512GB capacity. This is currently priced at $699 on Newegg and with a March 15 release date.

The same goes for the more expensive Claw, which will set you back $799. That benefits fro?m the same processor as the mid-range model but does have 1TB of SSD storage.

On top of this, MSI recently announced that the Claw also comes with seven days of Ubisoft+ for free. Whether that's going to justify the cost is dependent on how ??often you're likely to use Ubisoft's service, I suppose. Also, the fact that the above tweet says the offer available is from February 15 is a bit odd seeing as the device isn't even out yet. Not sure if that's a typo or not.

In any case, we're seeing quite the flood of Steam Deck competitors hit the market lately. We've already had offerings from ASUS and Lenovo, but it feels as though Valve's mobile PC is still a lot of?? pe??ople's first choice for now.

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We know that MSI is attempting to take on the likes of the Steam Deck with its own device called The Claw. There were also leaks suggesting how much the hand??held would cost, and now prices have been confirmed by the tech company.

As noted by Videocardz, MSI has listed three variants of its upcoming mobile gaming PC on its website. As? you can see, they're not exactly the cheapest. You'll be having?? to fork over $699.99 for the lower end model, while the two more expensive ones will cost $749.99 and $799.99, respectively.

If you opt for the first, you'll get a Claw device that's powered by? the Intel Core Ultra-5 processor. The midrange model will have the Ultra-7,?? as will the priciest one, but that will have 1TB of storage instead of 512GB.

A potential USP

Also, MSI's device will be utilizing the Intel Arc graphics chip technology, something which the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion?? Go don't have (these all use AMD). Whether this will be a unique selling point for The Claw is anyone's guess at this stage.

As far as specs go, it's going to give the Deck a run for its money, of?fering up slightly more advanced hardware, including a better screen and supposed stronger battery life. However, with that extra juice comes the price tag to match.

The other thing to say about The Claw is it uses Windows 11. That's not inherently a bad thing, but the good thing about the Deck ??is that it's gaming ready, linking users up to their Steam account from the first boot-up. That? could be a win in Valve's favor, but MSI and other competitors could also get the edge by offering more powerful handhelds.

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A week ago, I told you about how MIS was the next tech firm to be gunning for Steam Deck's title in the portable PC market, with a device called The Claw. Well, it seems the company is thinking long, long term, with some newer version?s of this yet-to-be-released system on the horizon.

In a recent interview with IGN, System Product Managing Director Clifford Chun discussed The Claw, saying that MSI b?egan developing it two years ago. Additionally, this is just one of a possible four models of the device that are "already ?in the pipeline."

Details are scarce, as you would imagine, but it seems the team is anticipating the release of numerous versions as the technology allows for it. When ask??ed about potential release dates, Chun says it "depends on, for example, the CPU or a graphic upgrade down the road," adding that we should anticipate what MSI will release next.

Has anyone made a Liar, Liar joke yet?

While it's tough to say whether Valve should be quaking ?in its proverbial boots, The Claw is yet one more in a line of Steam Deck competitors.

We've already had offerings from ASUS with its ROG Ally, and Lenovo released its Legion Go last November. Where The Claw may differ slightly is in its hardware, which is actually making use of the Intel Arc GPU technology.

Whether this will set it apart from the others remains to be seen at this stage (it's still using Windows 11, much like the ROG Ally and Legion Go). The Claw is set to release sometime this year. Who knows what other companies will be preparing their own mobile PC device by then. Oh wait.

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Fans with fond memories of gaming in the '90s (i.e. me) rejoice, as soon you'll be able to play classic Sega Genesis games on the go. If you always wondered what it would be like to play Cool Spot on a train or ToeJam & Earl while? in a post office queue, wel??????????????????????????l wonder no more.

As reported by The Verge, a company called Hyperkin �a specialist in console hardware and accessories �is working on a portable Sega Genesis device. Dubbed the Mega 95, the system is said to be compatible with th?e original cartridges.

The report goes on to say that it'll feature a five-inch screen, ??the ability to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, up to 10 hours of battery life, and there's even a USB-C dock so?? it can be hooked up to a TV.

Or Sonic the Hedgehog on an actual green hill

Taking a look at the images, we can see the Mega 95 dock has two controller ports, which resemble the se?rial connections from the OG Genesis (which we called the Mega Drive, here in the UK).

The fact that it's meant to support the official cartridges will be a huge selling point from a nostalgia point of view. This means it's probably not going to be using emulation, so you'll get to relive the classics as they were intended, such as Streets of Rage 2, which we all know is the greatest game ever made? (I will?? fight you over this).

At the moment, there's no release date for the device. Nor is there a price. How?ever, it is another means by which we can play our games on the go. E?specially for those of us who miss the glory days of Sega, iconic Saturday morning cartoons, and highly flammable shell suits. God, I hate being old.

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Literally a few days ago, there were heavy rumors and leaks suggesting MSI was about to unveil its own Steam Deck rival. Low and behold, it turned out to be true. Say hello to "The Claw," a gaming device from the laptop manufacturer that's gunning for a slice of the handheld PC p??ie.

MSI announced the item at CES 2024, with an expected release date around the first quarter of this year. We've already seen that companies such as ASUS and Lenovo can take on the Steam Deck, so perhaps there is mor??e room for another ?competitor.

As for what The Claw will be packing, details on the MSI website show it'll feature an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, along ??with an Intel Arc graphics chip. This is something of a departure, as the aforementioned alternatives (as well as the Deck) have opted for AMD architecture inst??ead.

Get a grip!

So how does it stack up against the Steam Deck? Wi?th a brand-new Intel processor compared to the Zen 2 �which launched in 2019 �we can expect The Claw to offer something a little nip??per with its more up-to-date guts.

It also boasts a 1920x1080 touchscreen and a 52Whr battery life. Compared to the Deck's 1200x800 screen and 50Whr battery, ?the former could have a bit of an edge over ??the latter.

However, with it running Windows 11, it could have a less intuitive mobile gaming operating system than SteamOS, which is s??pecifically built to play games from a user's Steam library.

Only time ??will tell how it'll fare against Valve's OG offering, but it definitely looks like things are beginning to get crowded in the portable PC sphere.

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With the release of the Steam Deck OLED last year, Valve keeps its place as the head honcho of modern handheld PC technology. However, the market is starting to beco??me crowded with alternatives, and one more tech firm is throwing its hat into the ring.

As spotted by The Verge, it looks as though multinational IT corporation MSI will be releasing its own Steam Deck competitor. That's according to leaked images, at least. In recent social media posts (originally reported by Videocardz), the company uploaded a teaser clip, showing something is certainly inbound ?from the laptop manufacturer.

There's also a message saying that a "whole new breed of MSI dragon is coming," as well as instructions for us to "get a grip and stay tuned." That last definitely hints at a handheld. In any case, details will be revealed at CES 2024 �j??udging ?by the hashtags �which begins next week.

Deck the halls with - hmm, bit late for that pun

It looks as though this device �said to be called "Claw" �will run with an Intel Meteor Lake processor. Whether this is accurate or not can't be said at this stage, but the fact that Intel commented under MSI's Twitter tease hints that the te?ch giant is involved.

We've already seen the release of the Lenovo Legion GO, which came out last November, plus, the ASUS ROG Ally before that. Both of these have evidently been wanting to muscle in on the portable gaming market. Oh, also there's Sony's Project Q, which cam?e out r?ecently, but that's more in-line with console gaming than with PC.

Whatever MSI has up its sleeve, it's clearly worth dropping ??hints about just before CES. And this recent leak seems to only cement the rumor. We'??ll know more about it sometime next week, but it's almost certain that that Valve will have another rival to contend with.

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It may be a while until we see a new Steam Deck, but Valve's recent announcement of the OLED variant will no doubt see increased interest in the handheld PC. In fact, we can already see a bit of evidence of this, as the device is now the to?p-selling release on Steam at the moment.

While the Steam Deck has already been prett??y high up on the list, the fact that it's now at the number one spot so soon after the OLED model unveiling is probably not a coincidence.

Pretty much since it launched last February (it's fast approaching its second birthday already), it's been in the sights of many-a-PC gamer. But with the latest iteration of the Deck coming this week, it's likely to keep dominating the chart at least until the new ye?ar.

Some other interesting things to note

The Steam chart is a good indication of what people are playing on PC currently. The Deck's recent position at the number one spot means it's pushed Modern Warfare 3 down a notch. But let's face it, the new Call of Duty game is probably going to keep slipping based on all the reviews.

Sidetracking slightly, there's also been increased interest in Zeekerss's co-op horror game Lethal Company, which �at the time of writing �is at number four, up from 20. Interestingly-er more-so, Train Sim World 4 has experienced a massive jump, s??hooting up from 72 to sit comfortably at positio??n eight.

Right, back to the Steam Deck. I've yet to purchase one myself, but hear nothing but good things about it. How??ever, now that the OLED model is alm??ost here, the current devices are now starting to drop in price. And a refurbished one is 20% cheaper still. Am I tight with money or just poor? You decide.

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Things are heating up in the mobile gaming world. While the Steam Deck has inevitably kicked things off in this market, there have been a number o??f rivals already. And now Lenovo has just launched its Legion Go device, which cou??ld blow Valve's efforts out the water.

We knew the Lenovo handheld was coming on Halloween, but boy did those weeks fly by! Promising PC gaming on the move, with a QHD+ display screen, ??detachable controllers, all working through Windows 11, the Legion Go may make the Deck poop itself.

In fact, you can see a side-by-side comparison of the specs over on Videocardz. The Legion device is ?powered by AMD Zen4 and RDNA tech, while the Valve machine is using Zen2 and RDNA 2, so the latter is already starting to trail behind.

The Steam Deck may want to up its game

While there's nothing wrong with the Steam Dec??k, we can already see the advances that have been made in mobile gaming in less than two years. The fact that Legion Go has a 1TB variant and a slightly better battery life will probably be appealing to some.

However, with that extra juice comes the price tag. Over on the Lenovo website itself,?? the 512GB model is currently selling for $699.99, while more storage will set you back an extra $50.

Given that we might not see a new Steam Deck for a couple more years, there may be?? a bit of danger for Gabe Newell and his team. No doubt Valve will have something up its sleeve, but in quite a short amount of time, we've seen a number of gaming handhelds try to muscle in? on the Deck's territory.

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While the Steam Deck has set the trend for portable PC-style gaming handhelds, there is some stiff competition aiming to make waves. The ASUS ROG Ally released recently and the Lenovo Legion GO is on the horizon. As such, Valve needs to keep ahead of the game, but ?a new iterat??ion of the Deck may be some time off.

According to a report from The Verge, Valve's own Pierre-Loup Griffais told the publication that he doesn't anticipate a leap in performan?ce that won't compromise on battery life for "the next couple of years."

This suggests that a Steam Deck 2 may not be on the horizon for some time. Indeed, Griffais, speaking to CNBC at the Tokyo Game Show, said the company is looking at a "stable target" over the next two years, suggesting that the team may not be lo??oking to pursue a newer, more advanced model just yet.

How will Valve keep up with the market?

We know that the Half-Life developer is considering a follow-up to its popular Steam Deck device. However, Griffais' words make it seem like there won't be one on ?the mar??ket for the foreseeable future.

A lot ??can happen in terms of technological? leaps in a couple of years. How will Valve hope to retain its position in the mobile gaming world if it's not looking at a new model just yet?

The report from The Verge speculates that a refresh of the Steam Deck could be a possible go-between. With the Nintendo Switch and graphics?? cards getting refreshed mid-generation, we could see something similar happen to the Deck, but it ??may not be one with more processing power or better hardware overall.

Of course, that's all just speculation. You never know what can happen in this industry and as competition heats up in the market,?????????????????????????? Valve will likely be keeping a close eye on how the technology advances.

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Not long ago, we spoke about rumors of a new handheld gaming PC from Lenovo that could potentially best Valve's Steam Deck. Well, it turns out the Legion GO is actually happening, and it's coming out at the end of October.

In a recent report from GamesRadar+, The upcoming ?Lenovo machine will be launching this Halloween (literally October 31) and judging from the hardware, it c??ould topple the Steam Deck. However, as always with these more premium gaming devices, there's the price to consider.

//youtu.be/BLD-dg1C_XU

According to the report, the Legion GO will set you? back $799. But hopefully, that extra dosh will be going towards so??mething that can rival the best mobile gaming PCs around.

What's under the hood?

While it will sport 16GB of RAM, similar to the Steam Deck, the overall hardware of the Legion GO looks a little more impressive. For example, the former boasts an AMD RDNA 2 graphics chip, but the latter will utilize the more up-to-date RDNA 3. The GO also comes with 512GB of storage and an SD slot that can hold ??up to 2TB. Again, similar to the Deck, but that's only if you pay for the more expe?nsive version of Valve's device.

Lenovo's machine will run on Windows 11 as opposed to it being a L?inux-based system. It's up to you to decide whether a mobile PC using Windows is a good thing or not, but at least you can be more confident that games will be compatible out of the box.

Check out Lenovo's website if you want more information on the Legion GO. Also, check out the above launch trailer, which showcases some of the interesting features it has, including Switch-like contr??ollers, a stronger battery, and AR capabilities.

The post Steam Deck alternative Lenovo Legion GO is real, ?coming Octobe??r appeared first on Destructoid.

There have been previous whispers of Lenovo potentially gearing up to release a handheld gaming PC called the Legion Go that'll compete with the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally. It has also been rumored that there will be Lenovo AR glasses released that'll work with the handheld. More details have emerged, courtesy of Windows Report. If the report is true, we could have the d??evice as early as Octo??ber this year, though it'll come with a hefty $799 price tag.

[caption id="attachment_399855" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Twitter.[/caption]

What you can expect from the Lenovo Legion Go

Windows Report claims to have received an official document that confirms many Lenovo Legion Go details. ?The ??upcoming device is going to be quite a big one sporting an 8.8-inch QHD+ screen. This is notably bigger than the Steam Deck and ROG Ally screens which are both 7 inches. It'll also feature 16GB RAM, and come in three options featuring either 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB NVMe M.2 storage.

According to Windows Report, the Legion Go's "battery of 49.2WHr is only marginally bigger than the competition" though it ??will "have Super Rapid Charge with 65W of fast charging" to limit how much time is spent plugged in. It's also revealed that Lenovo will be using AMD RYZEN Z1 Series processors.

Like the ROG Ally, it'll run Windows 11 Home by default, which should minimize any compatibility issues with games. The report suggests that the handheld will be leaning heavily into the Xbox gaming ecosystem, as the device will launch with 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. A leaked trailer also gives off the same impression, as it features Xbox exclusives like Starfield and Hi-Fi Rush.

//twitter.com/evleaks/status/169?6184363996635396?s=20

It appe??ars that the Legion Go won't be a lonely device, as Lenovo may have a few peripherals planned for it. This includes AR glasses that use OLED displays and can be connected to devices beyond the Legion Go. The report claims the glasses will launch in October at $499, which makes it pricier than the Quest 2 and puts it in the same price range as the PS VR2. There are also allegedly Lenovo Legion E510 7.1 RGB headsets in the works, and they'll also?? launch in October.

The handheld gaming scene is quite lively this year. In addition to the Lenovo Legion Go, you can also expect the PlayStation Portal which will ?allow you to play your PlayStation games on the go via a de?dicated remote play device.

The post Specs for Lenovo’s rumored handheld gaming PC may have been revealed appeared first on Destructoid.

There were previous reports that Lenovo may be preparing to release a handheld PC gaming device that will compete with the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. A recent article from Windows Report goes more in-depth regarding the rumored handheld device, while also revealing that there could be AR goggles to accompan?y it.

According to Windows Report, the gl??asses are part of a gaming ecosystem being developed by Lenovo. No release date or price is given for the handheld or the glasses, and Lenovo has yet to confirm or deny the reports.

[caption id="attachment_394545" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Taki Udon.[/caption]

Lenovo’s Legion Go could have accompanying AR glasses

Windows Report had previously revealed a few images o??f the Legion Go handheld gaming device from Lenovo. It is reported to run Windows 11, and it may be unveiled at this year’s IFA Berlin Trade Fair in September. The Legion Go wouldn’t be Lenovo’s first attempt at a han??dheld gaming console. The company once had plans to release the Legion Play, and a few prototype units were made available in China. However, the product was never widely released.

No specs are given regarding the AR glasses, though images suggest that it is meant to be used in tandem with the Legion Go. As for the handheld, it appears it will feature a microSD reader, an FPS mode switcher, as well as detachable controllers similar to the Nintendo Switch’s joy-cons. It is also expected to feature an “AMD Ryzen Z1 processor specifically designed for handheld Windows-based devices.�/p>

Using AR glasses, players could potentially blend virtual elements with the real world. A simple example of this can be found in Niantic's mobile game Pokemon Go which allows you to see your favorite critters in your living room. Wi??th a much more powerful device, such as a handheld gaming PC, even more opport??unities could be opened up.

Thou??gh AR glasses are an in??teresting idea, they won’t be the only ones on the market. Apple has unveiled the upcoming Vision Pro headset that will offer both augmented and virtual reality. Lenovo’s AR glasses could gain a competitive advantage if it manages to undercut the Vision Pro’s hefty $3,499 price tag.

The post Lenovo may have AR gaming goggles in the works appeared first on Destructoid.

How will valve react?

Those of you who have been waiting for the new ASUS ROG Ally handheld, the day has finally arrived. Although it was only announced back in April, with many even thinkin?g it was a prank, it's nice to see some Steam D?eck competition on the market.

With the Ally now out, we can truly see what PC handhelds can offer those looking for gaming on the go. While Valve's Deck device has been the? front-runner so far, time will tell whether ASUS can make? as big an impact.

Where the ROG Ally differs from the Steam Deck is in its potential to be a better machine. For example, while the latter has a Ryzen Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 graphics, the former has the newer Zen 4 processor as well as RDNA 3. The Ally is also said to be lighter. It's also running Windows 11, which will be one of the most ??immediate differences on the software side, compared to the Deck's operating system which runs off the Linux-powered Proton.

[caption id="attachment_386459" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image via ASUS.[/caption]

However, at the moment, the Ally only comes in one model, which features 512 GB?? of storage. By comparison, the Steam Deck has three variants, each with different SSD capacities, though 512 is the maximum out-the-box. Both devices do have Micro SD slots, though, for additional storage.

So what about the price? This is where the ASUS ROG Ally falls down ever so slightl?y. While the Valve machine can set you back around $649, the alternative is paying almost $700 for the ASUS brand. That's not a huge difference, and it is still cheaper than a ?gaming PC. On top of that, you are getting updated hardware and it being loaded with Windows means the Ally is probably going to be better in terms of game compatibility.

You can find more details on what the ROG offers from the ASUS website. No doubt Valve will have something up its sleeve to arm its latest competitor out the way, so it will be interesting to see what the Half-Life developer comes up with.

The post ASUS ROG Ally now out, offering a Steam Deck ??alternative appeared first on Destructoid.

But don't you be playing no emulators, ya hear?

Valve has announced that its powerful and alluring handheld console, Ste??am Deck, is now "readily available" for purchase �The portable PC had previously been a pre-order-only product, but the publisher now believes that it is comfor?tably in place to receive and deliver upon all customer orders.

Originally announced back in July 21, with pre-orders opening not long thereafter, Valve has been steadily manufacturing and delivering Steam Deck hardware to its customers in batches �impacted production delays and component shortages brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Valve, true to its word, was able to rapidly increase its output since spring of this year, and has seen to delivering upon all of the initial pre-orders. Manufacturing woes have? continued to stifle hardware produc??tion for all major industries over the past three years.

//twitter.com??/OnDeck/status/1578474399204016129?s=20&t=fIvV6Tq70jy2OjXbysjNkg

Despite the Steam Deck's relative availability, Valve has warned that production on the expensive piece of tech may slow once again should the company be inundated with orders. It seems that, for the most part, anybody who has been waiting on the opportunity to bag themselves a handheld PC can now do so over on the official website. In addition, the company is now taking pre-orders in Asian territor??ies including?? Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.

In other related news, a weekend hotfix saw the Steam Deck handle Capcom's Street Fighter 6 beta with what appears to be relative ease, Valve also took down se?veral online videos over the weekend that showed the console running naughty emulators. Now H??omer, Don't You Eat This Pie.

The post Steam Deck is now ‘readily available’ for purchase appeared first on Destructoid.

Logitech's cloud gaming handheld will launch at $350, with pre-orders coming in $50 cheaper

After much speculation and some leaks, Logitech has lifted the lid on ?its new built-for-cloud-gaming handheld system, the Logitech G Cloud, ahead of its October 17 launch. It's a device for players who actively use services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia GeForce Now (or even Steam Link), but plenty of us are still only dabbling in this stuff at best.

The handheld Android device has a 7-inch 1080p touchscreen, a supposed 12-hour battery life, and "haptics, gyroscope, an?d remappable control?," according to Logitech. I will say, it's a sleek design. The Logitech G Cloud is 10.11 inches by 4.61 inches, and weighs 463 grams, which would sandwich it between the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.

How powerful is it? The processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, an "octa-core CPU up to 2.3GHz." Per The Verge, ?it's got 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64??GB of UFS storage.

Here's the tricky bit: at launch in October, the Logitech G Cloud will cost a hard-to-justify $350 �but for those who pre-order, the handheld system will be $300. Still!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6104nB2pFs

In other words, it's a cool device that's going to feel way too limiting �unless, of course, you're really down to play games over Wi-Fi right now. I could see mo?re of us getting there collectively, eventually, but even with some positive Xbox Cloud Gaming experiences, this feels too early to me. Especially compared to the Steam Deck (and future iterations).

Game Pass is doing the heavy lifting

One big selling point is the Xbox angle. According to VP of Xbox Cloud Gaming Catherine Gluckstein, they've "worked with Logitech to enable our Remote Play feature, also pin?ned as a shortcut to the home screen. Remote Play differs from Xbox Cloud Gaming by letting you stream your full Xbox library �going bey?ond titles in Xbox Game Pass �from your personal Xbox console to phones, tablets, and now handhelds."

The head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, tweeted that he's "been using the Logitech G Cloud for about a month," and called it an "incredible streaming device for playing while I'm away from my console. I love the feel, the battery life, and screen size. Took it to Europe and TGS with me and had a great time playing, even on hotel Wi-Fi."

[caption id="attachment_345495" align="alignnone" width="1384"] _{A nice design, but there's tough competition.}[/caption]

That said, Xbox cloud support is only getting easier to come by.

Even in good circumstances, mileage can vary considerably for cloud gaming. Are you outright against this kind of streaming handheld, or could you see a use for it in your life? Either way, I?? think most of us will agree that the price is tough to overlook.

It's not a one-to-one comparison, but I would argue that using a newer phone with a mobile controller (or a gamepad attachment) wil?l get the job done for a lot of us.

The post The streaming Lo?gitech G Cloud hand??held is a tough sell appeared first on Destructoid.

The 4.3" cartridge-based handheld includes a collection of Capcom games, but they're built-in

While the retro-focused Evercade systems are known for ??their (officially licensed) game cartridges, there's an interesting wrinkle with the upcoming Evercade EXP handheld �it's bundling a coveted selection of ??Capcom games that won't be available on a cart.

And it's not just some random titles from Capcom's stretched??-out catalog, either.

When the Evercade EXP releases later this year (on November 24, with pre-orders opening on September 6), it will come with games like Bionic Commando, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Strider, Mega Man X, and Breath of Fire dire??ctly built-in.?? There are 18 titles altogether.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljnes-4Ebb4

The Capcom Collection included with Evercade EXP:

• 1942 (Arcade version)
• 1943 (Arcade version)
• 1944: The Loop Master (Arcade version)
• Bionic Commando (Arcade version)
• Captain Commando (Arcade version)
• Commando (Arcade version)
• Final Fight (Arcade version)
• Forgotten Worlds (Arcade version)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (Arcade version)
• Legendary Wings (Arcade version)
• MERCS (Arcade version)
• Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting (Arcade version)
• Strider (Arcade version)
• Vulgus (Arcade version)
• Mega Man (8-bit)
• Mega Man 2 (8-bit)
• Mega Man X (16-bit)
• Breath of Fire (16-bit)

These games will be "instantly playable out of the box," according to Evercade creator Blaze Entertainment. "??No download, no need for connection �simply go to the EXP button on the main menu and select The Capcom Collection."

One of the cooler Evercade EXP features is that it can be played on its side, which is perfect for vertical-minded games �1942, 1943, Commando, and MERCS, to name a few. If y?ou were wondering about those extra A and B buttons on the left side, they're for TATE.

[caption id="attachment_342947" align="alignnone" width="1920"] _{A look at the Evercade EXP's underside.}[/caption]

Why isn't there a cartridge equivalent?

Players who are already invested in the Evercade ecosystem (which includes the VS home console) aren't thrilled about the idea of built-in games that aren't also available separately on a cartridge �the physical aspect is the whole point of Evercade, after all.

From the sound of it, if Blaze Entertainment could've worked out a dif??fe??rent deal within reason, it would've. It seems like a "better than nothing" approach prevailed.

"For those that are asking, physical is still our primary outlet and we will continue to produce cartridges," the company tweeted. "[The Capcom Collection] is sp??ecifically a bonus for the Evercade EXP and currently the only way we could bring Capcom to you at this time. We hope this opens the doors for future carts."

Capcom is a big deal, so I get it. With Mega Man X, this announcement is the first time I've seriously looked into the Evercade EXP, so from that lens, the plan worked. For the long-termers and other physical-or-bust players, this first step w??ill hopefully pave the way for addit?ional Evercade agreements, whether that's with Capcom or other notable publishers.

[caption id="attachment_342936" align="alignnone" width="1500"] _{What's included in the Evercade EXP box.}[/caption]

Evercade EXP launch details

Evercade EXP pre-orders begin on September 6, ahead of the November 24 launch, and the console will cost $149.99 / £129.99 / �49.99 at participating retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Argos, and GAME, depending on your country. You'll also get a Capcom Collection manual, Irem Arcade 1 cartridge, and USB to USB-C cable in the box.

More stats for the handheld, if you need 'em: 800x480 resolution on a 4.3" IPS screen, 1.5GHz processor, 4GB memory, stereo speakers, built-in Wi-Fi, 3.5mm headphone jack, 720p mini H??DMI output (though you'll need to buy ?a cable), and a 3000mA battery for "4-5 hours of gaming." How big is it? The Evercade EXP is 7.76" x 3.1" x 0.8".

If yo??u're not a retro game enthusiast who values physical media, you might scoff at Evercade �admittedly, I did a double-take. But when there are so many games to play, especially with densely-packed subscriptions on the rise, it's nice to stop and consciously appreciate games one cartridge at a tim?e. I've been eBaying GBA games lately, so I get it.

The post Evercade EX?P comes with 18 Capcom games and pre-orders?? open soon appeared first on Destructoid.

Will The Blue Blur make an appearance?

SNK has announced that it is working on a second compendium of titles pulled from the back catalog of the Neo Geo Pocket Color. While the studio has made an official reveal for Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 2, it remained shy about deliver?ing any information whatsoever pertaining to the release.

The original Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection launched on PC and Nintendo Switch in March of 2021 and is packed out with 10 hit games for SNK's awesome, but ultimately unsuccessful, handheld console. The original release featured hits such as Samurai Shodown! 2, SNK Gals Fighters, Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999, Big Tournament Golf, and The King of Fighters R-2, but did not contain independent re-releases such as SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash, or the brilliant Match of the Millennium. (Note: MotM was only excluded from the Steam edition.)

While SNK has not announced platforms, a release date, nor a game listing for the second selection, one would assume it would compile the aforementioned omissions and �if we're extremely lucky �the NGPC ports of Bandai Namco's Pac-Man and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog. According to SNK, more details are set to follow soon. In related news, the NGPC version of rarity Mega Man Battle & Fighters dropped out of nowhere on Nintendo Switch.

Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 2 is currently in development at SNK.

//twitter.com/SNKPofficial/status/15549958188??17392643?s=20&t=D48zUDcGgrvl3Yj9eIBKMg

The post Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection ??Vol. 2 in the works at SNK appeared first on Destructoid.

Snug Boy

We love Game Boy (and Game Boy-shaped) hardware mods around here, and this new project �a Game Boy "like no other" �is worth a look. Creator Obirux imagined what an original Game Boy with the GBA form factor might look like, and then g??ot to work.

//youtu.be/p3Tl4aOVnvo

This video is a snappy overview of the "landscape" Game Boy prototype, which was created with two Game Boy shells, other original Nintendo parts, and a modified DMG IPS kit �so the overall desig?n is spot-on, and the games themselves look sharp, too.

As iconic as the original Game Boy looks and feels �and even with lots of fond memories coloring my perspective to this day �I'm sure my hands would get along so much better with this GBA-styl?e handhe??ld. There's a passionate market for custom handhelds, and I'll be curious to see if anyone else follows suit (or if this creator decides to offer a mod kit).

Here's a side-by-side shot with the original Game Boy and Obirux's landscap?e design:

[caption id="attachment_334362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] _{Nintendo fans would pay a pretty penny for this handheld.}[/caption]

The design is a winning combo, but Obirux isn't currently selling "landscape" kits. That said, the London-based modder does have a shop with lots of neat modified handhelds.

"Th?e retro gaming community keeps me buzzing and I can’t thank them enough for pushing tech and design to new and exciting levels," Obirux said on their website.

Whether it's a sl??ow or fast gaming news day, projects like this give me life.

[Via The Verge, Gizmodo]

The post This GBA-style Game Boy sure is sleek appeared first on Destructoid.

"[It] was a nonstarter"

In case you missed it, former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime just launched his new book, and there's a bunch of info coming out in regards to his time at the company. As VGC points out, one interesting tale involve??s the fabled Game Boy Micro.

If ?you missed it in 2005, the Micro was one of Nintendo's oddball handheld releases that offered up a tiny Game Boy Advance for $99.99. It did not do particularly well, ??by Nintendo's own admission.

Here's what Reggie had to say on the mat??ter, and ??how he wishes the company could have sidestepped the whole affair:

“From my perspective, the concept of Game Boy Micro was a nonstarter. The hardware was exceptionally small, Not only were the control b??uttons difficult?? for any reasonably sized adult to manipulate, but also the screen was tiny. This ran counter to current consumer electronics trends of making screens larger. But development of this hardware had continued, and now we were forced to launch the system. ‘We should have talked about this long ago� I told [fellow NOA executives] Don James and Mike Fukuda. ‘We should have all agreed that this product would be a distraction for us in our market and either not introduce it here or have it terminated as a project globally. By working together we could have had a different outcome.'"

And here's how Reggie flipped this in??to a learning experience:

"The lesson: company leadership needed constant communication on our priorities. As president, my solution was to institute weekly meetings of the executive leadership team to review key priorities and our progress against them.�/p>

So I completely get, from a business ?standpoint, why Reggie felt this way about an oddball pet project.

But at the same time, the Game Boy Micro is part of the reason why ?I continued to maintain an interest in Nintendo. Sure it was weird and unwieldy. Sure it's mostly collector fodder. But the fact that the company was doing strange things like this kept me interested. So while it may not have "met Nintendo's expectations" in the words of Satoru Iwata himself; Nintendo's long string of crazy handhelds helped augment its legacy as a company that was different, for better or worse.

//www.tiktok.com/@dest?ructoid/video/7096948368898804998?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&am?p;web_id=7052788164067706373

The post Reggie Fils-Aime didn’t want to launch the Game Boy Micro, but used it as a learning experience appeared first on Destructoid.

"Gradually shipping starting April 18"

Folks have noticed some recent activity when it comes to Playdate emails, and we have good news: Playdate group one is s?hipping "immine?ntly."

The news comes directly from the folks at Playdate, who confirmed the rollout to Destructo??id:

"Panic is thrilled to announce that Playdate, their unique video game? handheld system (with a crank), will begin shipping to pre-order holders in Group One, today!"

This will be a "gradual" rollout, and similar to a Kickstarter fulfillment, all of group one should be getting their orde??rs soon. With that?? in mind, Playdate is kicking off several initiatives for launch.

Y??ou can buy your first si?deloaded game now for $9.99. It's called Bloom, and it's billed as a "real-time narrative-driven social sim about ??starting up a flower shop." We're also getting a companion podcast, which will run through the games of season one, and speak to key developers who made the games. The first episode is called "The Story of Playdate," with a two-week cadence to follow.

As a reminder, pre-orders for the Playdate were highly sought after, and intrepid owners quickly found out that they were relegated to "groups" depending on how fast they were. Numerous Destructoid readers have shared that they're in several different groups: and? for the fast-fingered few, you're in luck today.

Cu??rrent Playdate pre-orders (read: if you were to do it today) are schedu??led to ship in 2023.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmrtkBmFSn4

The post Playdate group one orders are shipping imminently appeared first on Destructoid.

Pocket PC Player*

It has now been one month since Valve's impressive Steam Deck technology hit the consumer market. This weekend, Valve published a new blog post offering a breakdown of the handheld PC's launch period as well as its early integration into the ?console gaming market.

In addition to these statistics, Valve also released a new video, (which you can check out below), that focuses on som??e of the Steam Deck's? post-launch updates, new features, and future targets.

First and foremost, Valve notes that over 2000 titles have passed Steam Deck's verification process. That is to say, over 2000 games have officially been confirmed "Verified or "Playable?" on Steam Deck, though performance will, of course, be subjective to the power of the owner's chosen model.  Valve expresses its inte??nt to continue "charging through" Steam's catalog in order to get as many games registered for the Steam Deck as soon as it is realistically able.

For a full list of Steam Deck verified titles, visit the "Great on Deck" page right here.

//youtu.be/x17p_wqPPc4

In addition to the verification process, Valve is currently working to optimize the Steam Store dashboard to provide a slicker experience for users. The publisher is also looking into the implementation of Anti-Cheat technology for supported titles and is investigating better integration of Microsoft Edge on the platform, which will allow for the streaming of Xbox Game Pass releases. Tweaks have also been made to improve the console's digital keyboard, and Valve remains committed to improving battery life �which currently holds at around two-to-e?ight hours, depending on ??its usage.

One element not mentioned pertains to when pre-order customers can expect to get the durn thing in their mitts. Last week, Valve noted that it is ramping up its production numbers, and is expecting orders for Q2 2022 to roll out at a much faster pace than Q1. If your delivery is in the Q2 bracket, log on to the official Steam Deck page and stay tuned for updates as to when your black bo??x is en route.

The post One month after launch, 2000 ti??tles are verified playable on Steam Deck appeared first on Destructoid.

It looks great next to other handhelds too

Portable gaming is constantly evolving. We have mobile devices making a big dent in the market, and Nintendo famously shook the entire industry up with a console and portable hybrid device. Then there's the Playdate, which is doing something else entirely. Recently we were given access to the highly anticipated Playdate handheld, which is still slated for a release sometime ???in 2022.

Right now, all we can talk about is what's in the box, so let's do that. Here's what you get:

• The Playdate itself
• One USB charging cable (USB C to A)
• A quick paper insert with basic instructions

In terms of what's boxed it's pretty much all you need, and the insert is fairly self-explanatory. There's a power button on the top to wake the unit up for the first time (and from sleep mode), a d-pad, two buttons (B and A), a cr?ank (which is like an extended "button" and is used to control games), and a menu button in the upper-right-hand corner.

The size of the Playdate clocks in at 76 × 74 × 9 mm: it's relatively small! But given how everything is spaced out, not to mention the crank, my hands don't feel s??crunched when I hold it. The color scheme is stark, and allows it to stand out even among some of the extreme banana-colored handhelds of the '90s.

As a reminder, the device is $179, and you can still pre-order it for a 2023 target late shipment. There's also a $29 magn??etic folding cover you can buy as an add-on.

Expect a bigger rundown of the Playdate next?? week!

[gallery link="file" ids="316184,316186,3161??87,316188"]

The post The Playdate handh??eld is ?just as adorable in person appeared first on Destructoid.

Even more developer kits are going out

There's no such thing as too much communication when it comes to sought-after new video game hardware launches in The Current Times. So while today's update from Valve is pretty light on exciting new information, it's honestly nice to hear that the handheld Steam Deck systems are, as the company puts it, "on? track." One step at a time.

In a January Update posted today, the company said it was "firing on all cylinders" after the holiday break, and things are looking (relatively) stable. More Steam Deck developer kits are going out �for reference, "hundreds" of the beefy bad boys were shipped in the last month �in order to help facilitate the Steam Deck Verified compatibility program.

From the outside looking in at least, Valve has been pretty good about getting Decks in devs' hands and letting them show off the results. Here's a recent-ish demonstration from Thirsty Suitors, a skateboarding adventure game with RPG battles and cooking an?d dating and... gosh, Steam Deck or no Steam Deck, this look?s sweet.

//twitter.com/Ekanaut/status/1477838144003198980

So where does that put folks with a Steam Deck reservation? While shipping estimates will vary from person to person depending on when they got in (you can check your ETA here), the first wave should be arriving next month. The latest word: "Global pandemic, supply issues, and shipping issues notwithstandi??ng, it looks like we'll be able to start getting these out the door by the end of February." (A nerve-wracking caveat, to be sure)

February is going to be a bonkers month for video games no matter what �but hopefully, some of you will get to fire up a bunch of your PC games on your Steam Deck ??and bask in that "shiny new tech" glow. Those first moments are going to feel special.

My hardware-that-I-want-but-don't-strictly-need budget blew up last year thanks to a certain retro enthusiast company �reminder, the Steam Deck starts at $399 on the low end and can be as much as $649 for the high-end 512GB NVMe SSD model with anti-glare glass �but I'm? happy for y'all. What're you gonna play first? Wrong answers only.

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I miss the PSP and Vita

Want a PSP Switch? Well you can't have one, because it doesn't exist! But this creator's mockup is making it look like a convincing idea.

Crafted f??rom the minds of Andrea Gallarini and Nicola Pezzotti and shared on Yanko De?sign, the concept is deliberately mixing the PSP and the Switch together, pining for the ?days when the PSP existed, was thriving, and provided competition for Nintendo. It sports an ultra-HD OLED, with a Switch-like design with a DualSense twist. The mockup even has "teardown" pict??ures, as well as close-up views of the d-pad, analogs, and shoulder buttons: as well as a look at the "PSP" cartridges that can be used inside.

It's a pip?e dream presented in perfect conditions, but I'm a fan. I truly miss the days when Sony was riding high with the PSP, greenlighting interesting projects and really trying to make their handheld business work. It all came crashing down shortly after the launch of the Vita, when Sony silently pulled the plug and decided to retreat from the space altogether.

While the Switch is a great system, it could use competition. Nintendo has no real incentive to continue to innovate when it comes to quality of life upgrades or UI i?m??provements, and somethin??g like this could be the jolt we need. In the meantime, we can only just look at it.

The post This PSP Switch fan-created concept would actually be pretty?? c?ool appeared first on Destructoid.

Buckle in, folks

I don't know about you, but I'm a bit of an anxious flyer. There's something about being on a plane that makes it impossible for me to get comfortable. I think it might have to do with being in such close proximity to strangers, especially right now. That can make it a bit difficult to get ??through the five-hour flight I've had to take to get home the past few years since I moved to the West Coast. Thankfully, gaming has been the one thing that seems to help during my holiday travels.

Of all the things I've tried ?to bring onto a plane to keep me busy, games seem to be the only thing I can have with me that helps me relax a little. I think it??'s because games are such an active activity, I usually get so involved with what I'm playing that I completely forget I'm on a plane at all.

So, in an attempt to help any other travelers who get a bit nervous during their journey, here's my guide to the types of games to play when you're traveling. Oh, and I travel with my Nintendo Switch, so you're going to need one of? those if you want to fol?low along.

Simulators

Alright so you're gonna wanna go ahead and start with your favorite simulator game. I ?find these are great for the ride to the airport, waiti??ng in line for TSA, waiting at the gate, and waiting for takeoff once you've boarded. They're obviously some of the most relaxing games you can play, which is going to help you deal with all the stress of getting through the airport. 

Animal Crossing is a great one as you can use this time to get all? your daily chor??es done, but Stardew Valley is a??lso a solid go-to for me here because it divides up time into nice, digestible chunks. You need to wait ?an hour? Nah, that's only four days in Stardew time. Plus, the slow-paced nature of this game means that y??ou can easily look up from your console as needed without risk of dying or loss of progress.

Other good simulator games to try are My T?ime at Portia, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive ?Town, Spiritfarer, and Farming Simulator.

Turn-based

If you're someone who needs a littl??e more action in your life, turn-based games are a great way to go. Like simulators, they're easy to hav??e going when you're multitasking, because they kind of pause themselves every few seconds while waiting for you to do your button input, whether it's making your turn or simply pressing A to progress the dialogue. These are great for any of the lead up to your trip, plus the first half of your flight when you're waiting to be interrupted by the drink cart. 

My favorite turn-based or otherwise vis?ual-novel-esque games to travel with are Ace Attorney and Slay the Spire. Ace Attorney has the benefit of its episode structures, ?because I can make it through one during th?e five-hour flight it takes to get back to the East Coast. Slay the Spire is such a fun game and it's honestly slept on �it's?? a deck-builder roguelike that's perfect to play in short bursts.

Other great tu?rn-based or ?visual-novel-style games to try are Pokemon (duh), Octopath Traveler, Fire Emblem, Paper Mario: The Origami King, and pretty much any of the famous JRPGs.

Immersive

Okay, this one will come in clutch for any of my other anxious flyers out there �download an open-world game you know you love. You're gonna start playing, and soon you're going to be so consumed with what you're doing that you totally forget about your holiday travels. Anything with real-time action will be your best friend, because it forces you to focus more on what? you're doing.

My personal go-to is Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, because no matter where I jump into a save file, I can immediately? have fun with it. It's become something of a comfort game on planes for me, honestly. I've also considered trying out shooters that I know I enjoy like the BioShock series, because the storytelling and gameplay are so involved, I think it would have the same effect. More than genre, what's key here is to find a game that you feel sucked i??nto.

Other immersiv??e games to play while traveling are Minecraft, ?The Witcher 3, Monster Hunter, Assassin's Creed, and Xenoblade Chronicles.

Twitchy

If all else fails, that's alright, we just need to bring out the big guns. If I'm really having a hard time on the plane, I put on whatever game has the twitchiest controls I can find??. I want fast-paced, real-time gameplay that requires dodging, strategy, timed jumps, and so on. ??These types of mechanics not only require all of my attention, but my active brainpower, so I really have no other choice than to focus on the game over my anxiety.

The one catch with this one is that you usually need to bring a Switch Pro Controller along, set up the screen on the tray table, and play that way. It actually works pretty well, ??if you don't min?d the extra bit of hassle. Hades is hands down?? my go-to for this, and has gotten me through those last few exha?usting hours of the flight pretty nicely.

Other twitchy games to try are Hollow Knight, Celeste, Cuphead, Super Smash Bros., and? really any other fighting game that you might enjoy.

Man, typing this all out really makes me feel crazy, but this is really the process I go through playing games during my travels. If nothing else, I hope th?at this could help someone else as they navigate one of the most stressful times of the year. And of course, feel free to give these a try if you're just at home needing an escape from your family this Christmas. I have a feeling I'm going to this year. Good luck out there, gamers.

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