Insider says Project Helix won't be last new Xbox console, as handheld looms

Some analysts believe Project Helix could be the last first-party gaming system Microsoft launches. However, despite concerns that it won’t be a success, one insider expects more Xbox consoles to follow. That view aligns with new Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma’s recommitment to hardware.

Plans for more Xbox hardware

Windows Central’s Jez Corden issued the statement on a recent Xbox Two podcast. He confidently said, “I know it’s not the last console. I don’t think it’s going to be an issue. Like, they’re going to keep making them."

One concept that may already be advancing is a mobile solution. While Corden didn’t mention it in the broadcast, he previously reported that an Xbox handheld was in development. Unlike the ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft would likely design a unique device without Asus’ involvement. Nevertheless, as with Project Helix, it could run on a version of Windows.

Earlier rumors suggested a handheld arriving in the same window as the Project Helix release date. Supporting Microsoft’s Play Anywhere campaign, it would serve as its mobile counterpart. Still, even less has leaked about the portable option than the new Xbox console developed in tandem with AMD. In early February, the chipmaker’s CEO, Lisa Su, hinted at a 2027 debut for the hybrid.

Is the Helix Microsoft's last chance?

Not all observers are as optimistic about the future of Microsoft’s hardware. After Sharma took over, Japanese game consultant Dr. Serkan Toto made a troubling prediction. Addressing the Helix, Toto said, “This might be Microsoft's last attempt to make their hardware business work.” He also noted, “There is nobody in this industry who believes there will be another Xbox if this next machine fails.”

Toto thinks the Valve Steam Machine will pose a greater threat than the PS6. Both will rely heavily on PC titles, but this audience hasn’t always embraced living room gaming. The memory shortage is an obstacle for both machines, with former Microsoft executive Sarah Bond already labeling its contender as a premium option.

Sharma maintains that consoles remain a crucial focus of her brand. Still, after the struggles of the Series X|S, profits may ultimately determine whether more releases follow the Helix.