Handheld

Thanks to backwards compatibility, Switch 2 players can also catch up on games from the first Switch generation. A fan list on Reddit reveals which games run, which don't and which even benefit from the improved technology.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been on sale in the US since June 5th. However, due to the tremendous demand, the console is quite hard to find at MSRP. Scalpers are using this opportunity to sell the Switch 2 at much more than the MSRP.

The Ayaneo Pocket S2 is positioned as one of the first gaming handhelds with the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 SoC. Initially showcased at the GDC 2025 event, the device now has an official launch date: June 18, 2025.

The Gamesir X5s is a telescopic mobile controller for smartphones, tablets, and even the Nintendo Switch 2. Currently only available in China, the controller has Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks, and connects via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless.

With the improved Switch 2 specs, a former PlayStation leader expected a higher price in Japan. Shuhei Yoshida thinks Nintendo realizes the importance of dominating the industry in the country. Both companies employ different strategies in Japan compared to other regions.

A new teardown of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveals some surprising internal changes, including modular joysticks and port reinforcements. One unexpected detail under the battery has also sparked curiosity about early production quality.

Ayaneo has confirmed that it has a second version of the Flip 1S in development. Launching simultaneously alongside a dual-screen variant, the Ayaneo Flip 1S KB features an overhauled built-in keyboard on top of other improvements shared with the Flip 1S DS. Ayaneo has dropped a few hints about pricing and availability of both handhelds, too.

Some Nintendo loyalists are pledging never to purchase a Game-Key Card. Disgaea 7 Complete: Ewwdo Edition is especially unappealing for buyers hoping to collect physical Switch 2 games. The limited release for the Japanese RPG is not drawing as much interest as expected.

Looks like Red Dead Redemption 2 on the Nintendo Switch 2 could soon become a reality. The voice actor for John Marston, the protagonist of the first Red Dead game and part of the sequel, could barely contain his excitement about an upcoming Red Dead Redemption related announcement.

Switch 2 specs accommodate more modern ports but also benefit fans of classic games. On the other hand, the handheld's GameCube emulator isn't as smooth as some players had hoped. Many games exhibit issues that aren't as common with the Dolphin emulator.

The Nintendo Switch 2 dock offers many advantages, including a Gigabit Ethernet port. Sadly, some consoles only work reliably with WiFi networks. Nintendo support hasn't explained the issue and requests that customers send in the complete system for service.

JerryRigEverything's latest video on the Nintendo Switch 2 starts as a teardown of the gaming handheld but transitions into a durability test by the end. The device's screen was able to take fifty hits from big pliers without shattering.

Aokzoe has finally fully released the A1X, over two months after the powerful gaming handheld arrived on Kickstarter. Still available with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU and up to 64 GB of RAM, the Aokzoe A1X comes with OCuLink connectivity for adding an eGPU and a comparatively large battery capacity.

When Microsoft announced its new Xbox handheld devices at a recent showcase, it didn't reveal pricing. A leaker has shared Asus ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X costs obtained from European retailers. If speculation about U.S. prices is correct, the cheaper handheld may be only $500.

It looks like Anbernic could be releasing the RG Slide before the end of the month. Publicly, the company has not revealed when its nostalgic gaming handheld will be available. However, official and third-party videos suggest that the Anbernic RG Slide could be with us before the end of the month.

A major Google Cloud outage is preventing Switch 2 owners from enjoying their new consoles. Nintendo Switch Online enables multiplayer sessions and offers an expanding library of classic titles. Switch 2 games, like Mario Kart World, depend on NSO to host online racing with players worldwide.

The Kishi V3, Kishi V3 Pro, and the Kishi V3 Pro XL are Razer's new mobile controllers. The new controllers have TMR joysticks with swappable caps, customizable buttons, and USB-C connectivity.

One-Netbook has updated the OneXPlayer X1 Mini to bring its smaller gaming handheld into line with the larger OneXPlayer X1 Pro. Now available with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU, the upgraded OneXPlayer X1 Mini can also be configured with up to 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage, unlike many of its peers.

Microsoft appears less interested in manufacturing hardware for a new Xbox console. The ROG Xbox Ally and similar Windows devices may fill the void left by a canceled handheld. The company hopes to optimize its OS for gaming and emulate classic Xbox games.

YouTuber Chris Toro tested the Nintendo Switch 2’s battery life by running Cyberpunk 2077 in a continuous session until shutdown. The session ended just before full drain due to a crash.

Splatoon 3 improvements on the Switch 2 may come at the expense of last-gen gamers. The 10.0.0 patch unlocks crisper graphics and smoother motion, made possible by Switch 2 specs. To ensure that the Switch keeps pace, environments are slightly less detailed on the older console.

Sony is working on a PlayStation handheld that is said to feature AI upscaling, 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and have 16 MB of MALL cache. It is unclear when the handheld will be launched as some rumors point to a 2028 release while others hint at a 2027 date.

To the disappointment of some buyers, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X won't include an OLED screen. An Asus representative explained that VRR took precedence over the expense introduced by OLED. With the Xbox UI expected to arrive on other Windows handhelds, gamers may soon have alternatives.

Anbernic's innovative new retro gaming handheld appears destined for release later this month. Having got the RG35XX Pro out the door, the company has now delivered its first official RG Slide promotional video that confirms the handheld's internal layout and key hardware specifications.

Two YouTubers have teamed up to provide insights into the Steam Deck prototype that sold earlier this year on eBay. Dubbed Engineering Prototype 34, the device is older than originally thought and appears to run a modified version of the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U that unsurprisingly delivers less than stellar in-game performance.

Nintendo has announced the Switch 2 has sold over 4.5 million units globally within four days of its launch. Effectively, it is the fastest-selling Nintendo console ever.

A modder is attempting to use the Nintendo Switch 2's micro SD Express slot to open up new storage expansion options. While a microSD Express to M.2 2230 adapter does exist, it does not work at the time of writing.

While it is not a serious issue, some Switch 2 devices are showing incorrect battery levels. Luckily, Nintendo has an easy fix for it, but if that doesn’t work, there’s another more time-consuming solution.

The RG35XX Pro is now available to order after several teasers. Available for less than $50 at launch, the RG35XX Pro costs much less than recent Anbernic gaming handhelds while adding two joysticks to the tried and tested RG35XX platform.

Ayaneo has now fully detailed its Flip 1S DS gaming handheld. A reimagining of the Nintendo DS of sorts, the Ayaneo Flip 1S DS contains upgraded primary and secondary displays, a more powerful AMD Ryzen chipset and a refined CNC design too.

Retroid has begun accepting pre-orders for its screen attachment accessory for select handhelds. There's also a discount available on the Retroid Dual Screen Add-on, but shipping is still a few months away.

Fewer Xbox games are shipping in retail boxes with discs. The Outer Worlds 2, Gears of War: Reloaded, and other releases are digital only. Play Anywhere games, which are essential to the new Xbox handheld, don't use physical media.

On LinkedIn, A Microsoft employee mentions that Xbox Game Pass has more than 35 million subscribers. The company hasn't publicly updated the number since early 2024, but evidence is mounting that growth is slowing. With Series X|S sales declining, a new Xbox handheld could boost membership counts.

Furious Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order sales suggested a historically significant console launch. Sure enough, French retailers are selling the handheld at a faster rate than the PS4 or PS5. The numbers reflect the rapid adoption of the new system worldwide.

The Xbox full-screen experience which will debut on the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will not be exclusive to the new handhelds. Microsoft says older Windows handhelds including the original ROG Ally series will get the new software, too.

AMD has unveiled two new SoCs for portable consoles. The Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme adds an NPU to the company's top-spec offering, while the Ryzen Z2A sacrifices raw compute power for potential battery life gains.

The Retroid Dual Screen Add-On adds a second display to a compatible Retroid Pocket handheld or third-party device. The touch screen accessory will allow users to play a unique selection of games made for dual-screen consoles such as the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS.

Microsoft has shown off two Xbox-branded consoles, the ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally. The former comes with AMD's most powerful handheld SoC, while the latter opts for a more affordable option.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles launches 30 September 2025 for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™, Nintendo Switch 2™, and PC via Steam® and Steam Deck, offering both nostalgia for long-time fans and a fresh experience for a new generation of players.

Anbernic has now shared full specifications for the RG Slide, less than 24 hours after showcasing the handheld in its third official video. Sadly, the Anbernic RG Slide takes the guts of the RG556 rather than the newer RG557. Anbernic is still keeping a release date and launch pricing a secret for now, though.

Nintendo Switch 2 specs support several higher-capacity storage formats. A new benchmark determines which option loads titles the quickest. Results might make gamers more likely to purchase digital Switch 2 games.

The release of the RG35XX Pro is almost upon us. With pre-orders set to open next week, Anbernic has teed up fans with a new 10-minute that unboxes the new 3.5-inch gaming handheld ahead of time.

Some Nintendo fans are feeling neglected after a jam-packed Summer Game Fest 2025. Even though the console's logo was on display, the show featured very few Switch 2 games. Nintendo's controlled approach with dev kits and public relations may explain the lack of titles.

Anbernic has teased new features about the RG Slide before the handheld’s release. Sporting a sliding design reminiscent of devices like PSP Go, the RG Slide will be more powerful than many recent Anbernic handhelds, including the upcoming RG35XX Pro.

Although the Nintendo Switch 2 release date has just passed, Costco is offering sales on several new titles. Mario Kart World and the upgraded Tears of the Kingdom are both seeing early discounts. Costco also has the lowest price on Nintendo's pro-grade Switch 2 controller.

A Reddit user has built a fully functional Steam Deck PC inside a wireless keyboard shell, complete with fan, battery, and AR display output. Reportedly, the project is still evolving with more modules coming soon.

Retroid has now revealed the meaning behind its recent cryptic social media posts. Rather than an entirely new device, the Retroid Dual Screen Add-On expands the capabilities of recent Retroid gaming handhelds like the Pocket 5 with a second OLED display that supports pass-through charging and sits within an adjustable clamp. Retroid has hinted at when it will be releasing its new accessory too.

Even with improved Nintendo Switch 2 specs, upgraded Joy-Cons are what tempt many buyers to purchase the handheld. Sadly, they seem susceptible to stick drift, as with the previous console's controllers. Nintendo has updated its warranty policy to include Joy-Con 2 replacements.

The original Switch was plagued with Joy-Con drift issues and it looks like the Switch 2 may fall victim to the same, eventually. The new Joy-Cons are using similar looking hardware as seen in a recent teardown.