Handheld

Circana analyst Matt Piscatella says Nintendo may be the last major console maker to maintain a physical games presence as Sony prepares to end new PlayStation disc production in 2028.

Computer prices continue to increase and new gaming handhelds are also affected. MSI's new gaming handheld Claw 8 EX AI+ with Intel's new Arc G3 Extreme chip offers very good performance figures, but we are not sure there are sufficient potential buyers considering the high price of $1799.

MagicX has announced the discontinuation of the Mini Zero28 Android handheld, citing memory prices as the reason. However, it has also announced a potential successor that will have a larger display but ship with Linux out of the box.

Retroid had teased the release of a new gaming handheld. Appearing in the wake of the Pocket Nova, the device appears set to challenge the AYN Thor with dual displays.

MagicX is developing a new gaming handheld that strongly resembles a Nintendo 2DS. The device may launch in two versions at different price points.

Ayaneo has returned with teasers for two new gaming handhelds. While one is a new Konkr-branded device, the other is a return to Ayaneo's Windows handheld series that promises to offer a small form factor experience.

Commodore’s retro-themed Callback 8020 flip phone has opened for preorders at a reduced $399, with an early promo lowering the price to $349 despite continued criticism that it remains costly for a Linux-based “digital detox” device. Fan reaction has intensified after a promotional trailer featuring generative AI elements drew backlash, even as Commodore defends its "limited, transparent AI use" and says early interest in the device has exceeded expectations.

MSI has finally started selling the Glacier Blue Edition of its popular 8-inch gaming handheld. Much cheaper than the recent Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM, the Glacier Blue Edition is the third version of the Claw 8 AI+ that MSI has released so far.

Intel's new gaming handheld processor Arc G3 Extreme with the Arc B390 iGPU reaches a new performance level and easily beats AMD's counterpart Ryzen Z2 Extreme at 35 Watts.

The Paper Boy S3 shows what a Nintendo Game Boy with an E-Ink touchscreen would look like. This modding project combines an M5PaperS3 developer kit with an open-source emulator, and despite hardware limitations, it does a surprisingly good job of emulating a Game Boy.

LineageOS 23.2, based on Android 16, is now available for the Retroid Pocket 6. A developer working on the project also previously said support is expected to extend to the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket G2. The release comes just days after Retroid shipped the handheld's first official OTA update and AYN issued a fix-focused update for the Odin 3.

Firaxis Games deploys Sid Meier's Civilization VII patch 1.4.1 hotfix to resolve controller menu freezes on PS5, Xbox, Linux, and Steam Deck.

Early details about a new GPD Win Max have surfaced. Reportedly packing AMD Strix Halo chips, the GPD Win Max 3 is also said to combine a 97 Wh battery with a 165 Hz AMOLED display and an optional cooling module for keeping everything in check.

The next Elder Scrolls game to hit the Nintendo Switch 2 will be The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. The game has finally got a release date, but pricing information is currently unavailable.

Sony aims to reclaim some of its following that transitioned to PCs. In a new investor Q&A, the company suggested that accessories and console exclusives could convince these gamers. SIE also alluded to mobile PlayStation hardware, which may include a PS6 handheld.

AYN has announced the new pricing details for three of its handhelds. The new prices will take effect in early July and includes the Thor, Odin 3, and Odin 2 Portal.

Record-high console prices have driven PS5 and Xbox hardware sales to historic U.S. lows, with Sony and Microsoft hit by steep unit declines despite broader market spending gains.

Ayaneo’s Pocket Micro 2, a premium retro handheld upgraded with a Snapdragon 865 and improved memory/storage options, sold out immediately after launch and will not be restocked.

Capcom’s unadvertised Switch 2 port of Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition reportedly delivers up to 120 FPS in handheld mode, often sustaining 85–90 FPS in combat and outperforming the PS4 version’s unstable sub-60 FPS performance.

Retroid has begun selling a handful of official accessories for its new handheld, the Pocket Nova. Buyers can purchase a travel case, grip case, button sets, and even a secondary display attachment.

Anbernic has uploaded a new video to its YouTube channel that shows its upcoming RG 55G1 handheld. The video shows real life units, and not product renderings of the device.

Ayaneo's Pocket Micro 2 arrives with significant improvements on the outside and under the hood. However, a starting price of $239, albeit for early bird buyers, is another proof of the increasing cost of key components.

Retroid has announced when its new handheld, the Pocket Nova, will be available to pre-order. The handheld will come with free gifts for all pre-orders, while those who purchased the Pocket Mini V1 will get an extra discount. There's also a hands-on video showing the Pocket Nova in action.

TrimUI has begun accepting pre-orders for its new vertical handhelds, the Brick Pro and the Brick Hammer Pro U. While the former is priced at under $100, the latter costs over $200 due to the rising cost of components, despite an initial pre-order price of under $160.

Retroid has finally announced the Pocket Nova as its latest handheld. Available in colorful options, the new handheld packs 4:3 aspect ratio, a 120Hz AMOLED screen, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-level performance for under $250.

Ayaneo has revealed more details about its new gaming handheld. Positioned as a smaller alternative to its Windows options, the Pocket Micro 2 sports a premium design with recessed TMR joysticks, a “full-featured” USB Type-C port and a full glass front.

The hardware is one thing, but the software is just as important for an enjoyable user experience with a gaming handheld. MSI improved the software of the new Claw 8 EX AI+ significantly and the new quick settings menu in particular is very convincing.

Valve appears to be testing AMD FSR 4 support through Steam and Proton Experimental, potentially allowing many FSR 3-enabled games on SteamOS and Linux to access the newer upscaling path without third-party tools, a move that could benefit other similarly configured handhelds too.

The Onexplayer 3 has launched on Indiegogo, featuring an Intel Arc G3 Extreme, an 8.8-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, and a modular design that works as a handheld, tablet or mini laptop. Its high-end specs and 85Wh battery position it against premium Windows gaming handhelds.

Continuing its daily reveal of new info about the upcoming Pocket Nova, Retroid has announced the processor that powers the handheld. The new chip is quite powerful, but also hints at a not-so-pocket-friendly price tag.

Once again, an evaluation of a Nintendo Switch 2 game has appeared ahead of schedule. The Norwegian Gamer.no published its Star Fox review score before promptly deleting it. Lacking the article’s text, it’s unclear what gamers can anticipate with the remake on its June 25th release date.

Retroid has revealed the color options, its upcoming handheld, the Pocket Nova will be available in. All of the colors should be familiar to Retroid fans as they have been borrowed from existing handhelds.

Retroid has shared a new image that reveals what its next handheld, the Pocket Nova looks like. It has also provided the specifications of the device's display.

Ayaneo has released a new teaser that reveals key details of the upcoming Pocket Micro 2. The handheld will feature upgraded thumbsticks, new buttons, and improved ergonomics.

Retroid has announced a new handheld is coming soon that will launch as the Pocket Nova. Sporting a 4:3 OLED display, this device seems to be a successor to the discontinued Pocket Mini and Pocket Mini V2.

Valve has apparently added a new AMD library to Steam, fueling speculation about possible FSR4 support through Proton. The discovery could be relevant not only for the Steam Machine but also for the Steam Deck and other SteamOS-based handhelds.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is now available with a record 92% discount, bringing the remastered trilogy down to $4.79. The bundle offers strong value, combining sharper visuals and gameplay refinements with one of gaming’s most acclaimed choice-driven sci-fi narratives.

Seeing as Anbernic has been pushing out updates to its handhelds, AYN and Thor have now released OTA updates for their devices, the Odin 3 and Pocket 6, respectively. The updates bring a handful of bug fixes to both devices, but the Pocket 6 gets two new features, too.

A fan spotted an unfamiliar Xbox Handheld logo on official game sites, including Gears of War: E-Day. The graphic may signal that a title runs smoothly on a Windows gaming handheld. Or it will become essential to a rumored new mobile Xbox console arriving after Project Helix.

Ayaneo has revealed three new features of the Pocket Micro 2 handheld. It has also disclosed a launch date for the upcoming Android handheld.

ReStory: Chill Electronic Repairs offers a hands-on, low-pressure repair sim set in mid-2000s Akihabara, letting players restore PSPs, Nintendo DS-style handhelds, flip phones, music players, and classic Atari hardware.

Anbernic has unveiled a new handheld called the RG 55G1. While it is still keeping the technical details under wraps, the device which looks like a Nintendo Switch Lite has symmetrical thumbsticks, RGB lights, and a cooling fan.

Valve has released SteamOS 3.8, one of the most substantial updates to its operating system in recent years. Alongside a new Linux kernel, updated graphics drivers and a modernized desktop mode, one detail in particular is fueling speculation: SteamOS 3.8 includes initial support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware.

After announcing that the Pocket Micro 2 will be getting a battery life improvement, Ayaneo has revealed the battery capacity. The bigger battery alongside the new Snapdragon processor should translate to longer playtime for users.

Anbernic has released a new Linux update for the RG Vita Pro. The update brings visual changes as well as under-the-hood improvements to the PS Vita-styled handheld.

A recent Nintendo hack provided rare insight into the mindset of its employees. The workers resented the introduction of Microsoft Copilot, a generative AI assistant. However, there is no evidence that AI tools have created assets for first-party Switch 2 games.

Physical copies of Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 have reportedly surfaced at retailers, reinforcing earlier leaks about an enhanced release with all updates, DLC, bonus content, and performance improvements. While the packaging suggests a Game Key Card requiring a large download and points to a possible June 23, 2026 launch, Sega has not officially announced the title or its release date.

Lenovo’s disputed G02 retro handheld has resurfaced on AliExpress as the SUNYAO G02, marketed as “invested by Lenovo” and offered with up to 30,000 preloaded games. The relisting renews scrutiny over Lenovo’s links to a China-only white-label device previously criticized for shipping internationally with allegedly illegal ROMs.

Retroid has announced a limited-time sale on its handhelds in celebration of the 618 shopping festival. However, a particular model wouldn't be discounted throughout the period.