Former Blizzard president argues consoles offer much better value than expensive gaming handhelds

Gaming handhelds are getting more powerful every year. New models now come with stronger CPUs, better GPUs, and more memory, allowing them to run modern games smoothly while on the go. However, former Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Ybarra believes they still do not offer good value for most players.

The discussion started after Digital Foundry shared its review of the GPD Win 5 on X, claiming that it was the first handheld they had tested that could deliver performance similar to a PS5 in a portable form. Mike Ybarra responded to that post on X, arguing that consoles provide much better value while costing less. 

According to Mike, the GPD Win 5 costs $1,500 (Ryzen AI Max 385 model actually starts at $1,870 on the GPD Store). While he acknowledged the benefit of being able to play high-end games on the go, he argued that the cost is simply too high for what it offers.

Ybarra’s point was that for far less money, players could buy a PS5 Pro and still have money left over for games and subscriptions. He highlighted how traditional consoles are sold using a subsidized model, where the hardware is priced lower upfront. Companies then recover costs over time through services, digital sales, and third-party royalties. This approach makes consoles more accessible to a wider audience.

He also pointed out that most people cannot afford to spend $1,500 on a single gaming device. And with GPU and RAM prices constantly rising, high-end handhelds could become even more expensive over time. He also highlighted longevity, saying that current consoles like the PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X are powerful enough to remain relevant for another four years or longer if needed.

That said, consoles are not completely free of extra costs. The PS5 Pro is priced at $749.99, but players also need a decent 4K TV to fully take advantage of its power.