Steam Deck OLED – Show: 7.4-inch HDR OLED, 1,280 x 800 decision, 1,000 nits peak HDR brightness, 600 nits SDR brightness, as much as 90Hz | Processor: Customized 6nm AMD APU | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 6400 MT/s | Storage: 512GB, 1TB SSD | Battery: 50Whr | Dimensions: 11.73 x 4.6 x 1.93 inches | Weight: 1.41 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | OS: SteamOS

Steam Deck LCD – Show: 7-inch IPS, 1,280 x 800 decision, 400 nits brightness, 60Hz | Processor: Customized 7nm AMD APU | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 5500 MT/s | Storage: 256GB SSD | Battery: 40Whr | Dimensions: 11.73 x 4.6 x 1.93 inches | Weight: 1.48 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 | OS: SteamOS

Because of a refresh late final yr, Valve’s Steam Deck continues to supply one of the best stability of worth, efficiency and value within the gaming handheld market. And the brand new Steam Deck OLED is an intensive improve over the unique. Beginning at $549 for 512GB of storage, this variant contains a 7.4-inch OLED show that’s brighter, quicker, barely larger and extra vivid than the 7-inch IPS panel on the now entry-level mannequin. The upper distinction and richer colours of an OLED display makes each recreation look higher by default, however this show additionally helps HDR, with considerably brighter highlights at its peak. The utmost refresh charge has jumped from 60Hz to 90Hz as properly, which will help many video games look smoother.

As a result of much less power-hungry show, a extra environment friendly AMD APU and a bigger battery, the Steam Deck OLED additionally lasts longer than earlier than. No handheld can play resource-intensive “AAA” video games for too lengthy, however Valve says the brand new mannequin can run for 3 to 12 hours relying on the sport, whereas the LCD mannequin lasts between two and eight. A bigger fan retains issues cooler and quieter, and the chassis feels lighter. Efficiency is roughly the identical, although the OLED mannequin’s elevated reminiscence bandwidth will help it acquire a pair additional frames in sure video games.

All that mentioned, $549 is a giant funding. The entry-level Steam Deck, which makes use of a extra primary IPS LCD show however now comes with a 256GB SSD as commonplace, continues to be an unmatched worth at $399. Newer AAA video games are actually pushing their limits, however each Decks can run tons of video games that simply aren’t potential on a Nintendo Swap, from Elden Ring to Last Fantasy VII Remake to the Resident Evil 4 remake. Whereas official recreation help is restricted to a subset of the Steam library, the checklist of formally verified and still-playable titles is huge, various and continuously rising. (There are workarounds to entry different storefronts as properly.)

A near-constant stream of updates has turned Valve’s SteamOS into a versatile but user-friendly platform. You’ll nonetheless have to make tweaks now and again to get a recreation to run optimally, however the course of is normally simple. That energy, mixed with third-party instruments like EmuDeck, makes the Deck very good for emulation as properly. Some PS3 and unique Xbox video games may be difficult, however nearly every little thing else works fantastically. You too can cloud stream Xbox video games with somewhat setup.

The Steam Deck’s greatest challenge is its measurement: At two inches thick and almost a foot lengthy, it stretches the definition of a “handheld” machine, even when the OLED mannequin is lighter by comparability. The LCD Deck can get heat and noisy pretty shortly, too, and the d-pad on every machine is considerably mushy. However the contoured grips on the again assist offset the majority, and each variations really feel sturdy, with responsive face buttons and triggers, clean joysticks and helpful twin touchpads.

Show: 7-inch IPS, 1080p decision, 500 nits brightness, 120Hz, VRR | Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive | RAM: 24GB LPDDR5 7500 MT/s | Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery: 80Whr | Dimensions: 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.97-1.45 inches | Weight: 1.49 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | OS: Home windows 11

In the event you’re prepared to spend additional for extra energy, you’ll be able to skip the Steam Deck and purchase a Home windows-based handheld as a substitute. The ASUS ROG Ally X is one of the best of these proper now, and it’s an honest different to Valve’s machine in the event you’re prepared to commerce some ease of use for a better efficiency ceiling. Consider it like a extra moveable gaming laptop computer.

The ROG Ally X is an upgraded model of final yr’s ROG Ally, our earlier suggestion on this spot. This newer mannequin runs on the identical chip (AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Excessive) and has the identical show however comes with extra RAM, double the storage, a battery that’s twice as massive, improved ergonomics and a further USB-C port. It prices $150 extra, so it’s expensive, however it’s a superior piece of {hardware} in almost each approach.

There are three predominant causes to contemplate the ROG Ally X over the Steam Deck. The primary is energy: The unique ROG Ally was already a bit extra constant at taking part in graphically intense video games at increased body charges, thanks largely to a “Turbo mode” that reinforces the machine’s energy draw to 25W, or 30W when plugged in. (The Steam Deck formally tops out at 15W.) In our ROG Ally X assessment, we discovered the additional RAM and improved reminiscence bandwidth right here helped additional this benefit by 5 to 10 % relying on the title. It’s nonetheless not a night-and-day improve in sure video games when all settings are equal, however it’s normally higher, and it has far more overhead each for now and the long run. In the event you primarily need to play demanding “AAA” video games, the Ally X is extra prone to run them properly.

On that word, the Ally X’s second main promoting level is its variable refresh charge. The 7-inch LCD show right here is clearly not as vivid or color-rich as that of the Steam Deck OLED, however it’s each sharper (1080p) and quicker (120Hz), and VRR help does wonders to maintain video games trying clean even when their body charge fluctuates. It’s a giant deal.

The third key benefit is the truth that Home windows permits you to play video games from any PC shopper, not only a collection of Steam video games. In the event you’ve constructed up libraries on shops like Epic, GOG or the Xbox app, you’ll be able to entry them right here as you’d on some other Home windows PC, no workarounds required. For Xbox Recreation Move video games, Epic Video games Retailer exclusives or finicky always-online titles like Future 2 that require anti-cheat software program, it’s nice.

Alas, for all its flexibility, Home windows can also be the largest detriment to any Home windows handheld. ASUS has made actual strides over the previous yr by turning its Armoury Crate app into a superbly usable recreation launcher and settings hub, however it’s nonetheless slapping a bandage onto an OS that isn’t designed for this kind issue (a sentiment Microsoft itself has acknowledged).

Navigating Home windows along with your fingers and a controller continues to be frustratingly inconsistent. Sleep mode doesn’t at all times keep asleep. Whether or not a recreation works easily from the soar is usually a crapshoot; typically the UI received’t scale correctly, different instances you could have to spend minutes fidgeting with graphics settings and key bindings. These points pop up with any gaming PC, after all, however they’re extra annoying to take care of on a small display with no mouse helpful. Then there’s the bloat: You don’t want printer drivers, Copilot or advertisements for Workplace 365 in your gaming handheld. No one will confuse a Steam Deck with a Swap, however SteamOS is way simpler to only decide up and use — even whether it is extra closed-off consequently.

The Ally X’s battery life can’t match the Steam Deck both, although the drop-off is way much less obtrusive than it was with the primary Ally. You may anticipate someplace round 2-2.5 hours with heavier fare, however properly past that with much less demanding stuff. The larger battery does make the chassis barely heavier, however its extra pronounced grips, tighter joysticks, meatier triggers and barely taller face buttons make it simply that additional bit comfier than earlier than. It’ll nonetheless match greatest in larger arms, however it’s a few half-inch thinner than Valve’s machine. The overheating points that plagued the prior mannequin’s microSD card reader ought to be fastened, too, and the corporate has no less than pledged to enhance its RMA course of after a raft of complaints.

In the end, whether or not the ROG Ally X is best for you comes all the way down to your tolerance for software program jank. In the event you’re prepared to courageous some UX sloppiness as a way to play high-end video games from any shopper, anyplace you need, it must be definitely worth the worth premium.

Show: 4.7-inch IPS, 750 x 1,334 decision, 500 nits brightness, 60Hz | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1100 | RAM: 8GB LPDDR4x | Storage: 128GB UFS 3.1 | Battery: 5,000mAh | Dimensions: 7.27 x 3.25 x 0.62 inches | Weight: 0.58 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 | OS: Android 11

The $199 Retroid Pocket 4 Professional is a superb worth for many who primarily desire a gaming handheld to emulate older consoles. It’s an Android-based machine with far much less energy than the Steam Deck or ROG Ally X, so it could possibly solely run PC, PS5 and Xbox video games through streaming. However in order for you one thing extra compact and are prepared to undergo the trials of getting emulators to work, it’s probably the most succesful handheld we’ve examined for lower than $200.

The Pocket 4 Professional runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 1100 chip and 8GB of RAM, and it has a built-in fan with three totally different modes you’ll be able to activate to achieve somewhat additional efficiency. This supplies sufficient energy to play most video games from the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube, two standard retro consoles which can be typically powerful for cell handhelds to emulate. Not each recreation labored — significantly demanding titles like Star Wars Rogue Squadron II and ESPN NFL 2K5 had been too uneven — and getting many others to run optimally required tinkering with decision, rendering and lively cooling settings. With some setup, although, it could possibly play a major chunk of PS2 and GameCube video games at full pace and double their native decision. The very fact it could possibly stably play extra intensive titles like Gran Turismo 4 in any respect, even at decrease settings, is improbable for the cash.

Nearly every little thing we examined from programs under the PS2 and GameCube on the efficiency totem pole — PSP, Dreamcast, PS1, N64, and so forth. — ran flawlessly at a 2-4x upscale. The one exceptions had been a number of video games for the notoriously thorny Sega Saturn. Choose video games from later consoles just like the 3DS and Wii had been additionally playable, although the expertise was extra touch-and-go. For contemporary video games, Xbox cloud streaming labored simply high quality, as did native Android video games with gamepad help like Diablo Immortal.

The Pocket 4 Professional is constructed like a shorter Nintendo Swap Lite. It’s a flat slab that lacks ergonomic grips however continues to be comfy to carry due to its low weight and small profile. (Retroid sells a comfy grip add-on for one more $15 in the event you want it, although.) It doesn’t really feel low cost or creaky regardless of its plastic body, and its textured coating is pleasant to the contact. All of its buttons really feel proper: The face buttons are clean and have a cushty quantity of journey; the analog triggers are conveniently vast and flared; the bumpers are clicky and simple to differentiate; and the d-pad is agency and exact. The joysticks are on the stubby aspect and positioned somewhat too low on the machine to be really comfy with trendy video games, however they’ve a cushty stage of stress. And since they use magnetic Corridor impact sensors, they need to keep away from drifting points over time. Beneath these are helpful begin, choose, house and again buttons. There’s additionally a micro-HDMI port for connecting to a TV or monitor. The down-firing audio system are completely first rate, although they’re straightforward to cowl along with your fingers accidentally.

The 4.7-inch IPS show isn’t probably the most correct we’ve examined even after updates, however it’s sufficiently vivid, sharp and vivid, and any coloration temperature points are exhausting to note except you’re taking a look at white background. It’s cramped for streaming trendy video games, nonetheless, and its 16:9 side ratio means you’ll get hefty black borders with some older consoles by default. Battery life is ok given the machine’s size-to-performance ratio: We bought three to 4 hours with PS2 and GameCube video games, and round eight or 9 hours mixing in older consoles. The lively cooling system prevents the Pocket 4 Professional from ever feeling too sizzling, although it could possibly get noticeably loud at its highest efficiency setting.

Retroid additionally sells a non-Professional model of the Pocket 4 with a slower Dimensity 900 chip and 4GB of RAM for $149. We haven’t been capable of take a look at it, however in the event you like this design and don’t care as a lot about emulating video games from the PS2, GameCube and up, it might be a greater worth. It will nonetheless be capable of play many video games from these two programs, and every little thing under that must be rock strong. However the Pocket 4 Professional casts a wider security internet performance-wise, so it must be value the additional $50 for many who need to emulate higher-power consoles extra reliably.

Show: 6-inch IPS, 1080p decision | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | RAM: 8GB, 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5x | Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.0 | Battery: 8,000mAh | Dimensions: 8.86 x 3.86 x 0.67 inches | Weight: 0.93 kilos | Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | OS: Android 13

When you’ve got extra cash to burn on an emulation-focused machine, the AYN Odin 2 is the very best retro gaming handheld you should buy proper now. This Android machine can play every little thing the Retroid Pocket 4 Professional can plus somewhat additional, with smoother and extra dependable efficiency. That is primarily on account of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is identical chip utilized by lots of final yr’s flagship telephones.

The Odin 2 begins at $299 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is pricey when the entry-level Steam Deck permits you to play PC video games for simply $100 extra. Nonetheless, amongst extra compact cell handhelds, there is not a lot else that runs this properly on this worth vary. It performed all PS2 and GameCube video games we examined at two to 3 instances their native decision, whereas programs just like the PS1, N64 and Dreamcast had been sometimes playable at a 3-4x upscale. Most 3DS and Wii video games may have little to no slowdowns at 2-3x, both. It’s higher than most with the Sega Saturn, and it could possibly play a wider vary of Swap video games than the Pocket 4 Professional (although it is best to simply purchase a Swap if that is a serious concern). More difficult programs will nonetheless require some settings tweaks, however you received’t need to tinker on a game-by-game foundation as a lot as you’ll with lower-cost gadgets.

It’s not simply uncooked efficiency, although: The Odin 2 can also be a refined piece of {hardware}. It’s not as compact because the Pocket 4 Professional, however it’s a lot much less chunky than a transportable PC and the curved grips on its again make it straightforward to carry, significantly with newer video games. Its d-pad, face buttons, analog triggers and Corridor impact joysticks all really feel nice. Different touches like a fingerprint scanner, a devoted return button, a micro-HDMI out port and two customizable again buttons are all good perks, and the front-facing audio system are a transparent improve over the Pocket 4 Professional.

The 6-inch, 1080p touchscreen is strong and well-sized, although it could possibly keep a bit too vivid in darker settings. Battery life is excellent: We bought greater than eight hours of juice emulating programs just like the PS2, however that jumped over 20 hours with lighter duties. The machine helps 65W quick charging as properly. Cloud streaming and native Android video games work as they need to, and since the entire thing runs on a flippantly modded model of Google’s OS, its inventory interface ought to really feel acquainted to most.

The bottom Odin 2 has been out and in of inventory, and the Pocket 4 Professional is a genuinely compelling different for $100 much less. However the Odin 2 continues to be a step up in efficiency and total consolation for many who can afford it. If you wish to play the classics or stream trendy video games and not using a hitch, it’s the Android handheld to get.

Show: 3.5-inch LCD, 1,600 x 1,440 decision, VRR 30Hz-62Hz | Chipset: Altera Cyclone V FPGA, Altera Cyclone 10 FPGA | RAM: 3.4MB BRAM, 2x 16MB 16-bit mobile RAM, 64MB 16-bit SDRAM, 256KB 16-bit asynchronous SRAM | Battery: 4,300mAh | Dimensions: 5.86 x 3.46 x 0.86 inches | Weight: 0.61 kilos | OS: Analogue OS

The Analogue Pocket is the final word Recreation Boy. Its vertical design is constructed like a modernized, premium model of Nintendo’s basic handheld, and it could possibly even work with equipment just like the Recreation Boy Digicam. In comparison with the unique, although, the Pocket provides two additional face buttons, a pair of rear triggers, a microSD slot, a USB-C port and a chargeable battery rated for six to 10 hours of playtime. Most importantly, it has a stunning 3.5-inch show that’s each backlit and extremely sharp (615 ppi) however may be set to seem like an previous Recreation Boy panel with totally different filter modes. The machine may also output to a TV with an elective dock.

Not like the retro handhelds talked about above, the Pocket is designed to play precise cartridges, not simply ROM recordsdata. It really works with Recreation Boy, Recreation Boy Colour and Recreation Boy Advance video games via its cartridge slot, whereas video games from the Sega Recreation Gear, TurboGrafx-16, Neo Geo Pocket and Atari Lynx are playable via elective adapters.

Like previous Analogue gadgets, the Pocket makes use of field-programmable gate array (FPGA) motherboards to imitate its goal programs on a {hardware} stage. In observe, this implies the Pocket’s “emulation” of older titles is near-perfect, with a stage of responsiveness and visible faithfulness that software-based emulation can’t match. Pop in a Recreation Boy or GBA cartridge and you may primarily play it as meant. That mentioned, due to a giant post-launch replace and an lively person group, the Pocket may also run ROMs off a microSD card and thus play programs just like the SNES and Sega Genesis.

The Pocket isn’t low cost at $220, and its shoulder buttons aren’t as crisp to press as the superb d-pad or face buttons. Nonetheless, when you’ve got a set of Recreation Boy, Recreation Gear or GBA video games, the Pocket is probably the most elegant option to play them, and it’s solely grow to be extra versatile over time. Its greatest flaw is that it may be exhausting to purchase — anticipate to attend a number of weeks for brand spanking new orders to ship, if not longer.