Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
Microsoft has yet to make an Xbox portable console, even though the Xbox brand is almost 20 years old. During that span of time, in fact, Sony has seen three PlayStation handhelds appear and disappear, while Nintendo has consumed countless versions of the Game Boy and DS. Breaking into portable devices now would be tough – most mobile gamers play on phones and tablets, and the Nintendo Switch has a firm grip on the console angle. Valve’s Steam Deck seems set to make portable PC gaming viable.
That said, there are ways Microsoft could make a portable Xbox attractive, perhaps even enough to carve out its own niche. Here are five things we’d like to see if Microsoft ever decides to release an Xbox handheld.
1. Access to all Xbox games
Halo: The Master Chief Collection en la Serie X
One of Sony’s obsessions with handhelds was making portable spin-offs of larger game franchises like God of War. There was nothing inherently wrong with the idea (some of those spin-offs became classics in their own right), but occasionally I had the feeling that I was getting an inferior B-team product, with a smaller scale, weaker graphics, and / or a side story that didn’t advance the plot. That doesn’t really fly in the 2020s, not when Switch players can play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild wherever they go.
So an Xbox handheld would need to run most or all X / S Series games. Lower resolutions and Nvidia DLSS scaling could go a long way to make this work as it doesn’t make much sense. 4K textures on a smaller screen. At least some developers would have to produce low resolution assets, but that could be an acceptable obstacle to expanding a game’s audience.
We would like a handheld to have a Game Pass version equal to the X / S Series.
Developers unable to downsize their graphics could use Xbox Cloud Gaming for delivery, reflecting the cloud technology Nintendo uses for games like Control and Hitman 3. Xbox Cloud Gaming is currently limited to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, and Microsoft will probably keep it that way. I walk for financial reasons, but it would certainly be better than nothing. Cloud technology could even allow a handheld to play Xbox and PC titles, as long as they share the same control scheme.
In any case, we would like a handheld to get a Game Pass version equal to the X / S Series, with a solid library. The catch to avoid is Game Pass for PC, which has an anemic pick in comparison.
2. Touch screen, trackpad and motion controls
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
The standard Xbox controller layout is a given. That means two analog sticks, a D-pad, and four front buttons, plus side triggers and buttons.
A touchscreen may not be essential, but it would certainly be expected, as virtually every other handheld has had one in the last decade. It would make it easier to navigate the Xbox user interface, especially when it comes to typing.
Related: The best portable consoles
Meanwhile, a trackpad would open up mouse style control for everything from Halo Wars to Call of Duty. In fact, this is why there are two trackpads on the Steam Deck, along with a motion sensor that can be used to adjust aiming. Adding them to an Xbox portable system would be crucial if Microsoft also wants to take on Steam by offering support for PC games on the go.
3. A mobile cinema experience
Interestingly, the Switch is completely lacking in native video streaming apps, although it seems like an obvious way to increase the value of a console. The only options are YouTube, Hulu, and Funimation, leaving big loopholes like Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max. Steam Deck should be in a better position, but only because it will be able to open services on the web; you could have your own native apps to improve offline caching and playback. None have been announced so far.
A portable Xbox should have access to a full suite of third-party streaming apps, plus access to Microsoft’s video and rental store. You could also have the presentation to back this up, including Dolby Atmos support and a widescreen HD display measuring at least 7 inches. HDR (high dynamic range) would be welcome, although that would probably call for a 1080p resolution, higher than 720p on the Switch’s built-in display.
4. A dock
The Switch proves that as enjoyable as it is to play on the go, when you’re at home, it’s best to put a system on a stand and play on a TV. Even the Steam Deck has an optional dock to match Nintendo’s hybrid hand and home setup. While this could cannibalize S Series sales if the price were similar, Microsoft probably wouldn’t mind as long as it gets its money somehow.
See also: PS5 vs Xbox Serie X
In a basic specification, an Xbox dock is expected to offer 4K upscaling and gigabit Ethernet. Ideally, it would also include alternate sound outputs and USB ports for connecting controllers and other peripherals. Theoretically, that could include cheaper storage, although it would be jarring to pull a device off a dock and suddenly lose multiple games.
5. Excellent networking options, at home and on the go
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
While Microsoft will almost certainly keep up with its competitors, it’s worth reiterating that a good handheld should allow people to play together wherever they are, with or without an internet connection. At home, a portable Xbox should allow people to connect multiple controllers; anywhere, the peer-to-peer network would be a must. It keeps kids busy on road trips and adults can only play a set amount of Monument Valley or Words With Friends on their phones.
Related: The best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories
Perhaps most interesting is how Microsoft could go one step further. Imagine, for example, if your company allowed an Xbox handheld to connect to a Series X / S as a controller. At the very least, it would be a great alternative, especially when friends are gone. If touch and touchpad input were supported, it could make a handheld the best control option.
A handheld would almost certainly enable a high-performance all-in-one experience for Xbox Remote Play. At the moment, Remote Play allows X / S Series owners to stream to iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, but to get the full effect they need to connect a separate gamepad, often with a stand or stand. A dedicated handheld would optimize the technology.
Microsoft could possibly add cellular 4G and 5G, although that would be tricky. 5G is an infamous battery drain and regardless, gamers would still have to pay for a monthly data plan.
Is there a chance that an Xbox portable console could actually happen?
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
If it exists, it is small. As mentioned, gamers already have plenty of mobile options, and an Xbox handheld would presumably be more expensive than the $ 350 OLED Switch. It would also be redundant with the X / S Series for people who are already set up for Remote Play on. a smart phone.
To be successful, Microsoft would likely have to go with Valve or Nintendo’s jugular, losing hardware to hook people into the Game Pass ecosystem. The rewards could be huge, but the challenge of selling enough units to earn a foothold (insurance) means it may not be worth the risk. Stranger things have happened in the tech industry, so we’ll never say never.
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