New devices are being launched to play video games outside the home.
The portable console market has experienced an unexpected resurgence in recent years thanks to a new generation of portable devices with graphical power and a gaming experience increasingly similar to that of consoles.alone after dinner. The undisputed king of this new segment is the switch from Nintendo, a hybrid console that allows you to play both in your living room connected to the television and in the subway car on the way to work.
Since its launch in 2017, Nintendo has sold more than 140 million units, ranking among the three consoles with the highest number of sales in the entire history of the video game industry. It is the first time that a portable console reaches similar figures. The Japanese company plans to announce the successor to the Switch next year.
The success of the Nintendo Switch has pushed manufacturers to take risks with new devices to attract those players who want the flexibility to take their favorite games anywhere without sacrificing graphical quality or playability. Below we have selected half a dozen of the most popular portable consoles on the market.
One of those that has garnered the best reviews is the Steam Deck from Valve. The creator of the popular video game Counter Strike and owner of Steam, one of the largest digital video game distribution platforms, took a risk two and a half years ago with the launch of this hybrid, halfway between a desktop PC – the firm sells an adapter that allows the device to be connected to a monitor- and a portable game console.
Designed for the most demanding players, the main attraction of this machine is its graphic power that allows you to play triple A video games such as Cyberpunk 2077 either Diablo IV. The latest version of the device, which went on the market in November, has a large 7.4-inch Oled screen and a 50 MW battery that allows between three and 12 hours of play. Another argument in its favor is that it is compatible with hundreds of games verified by Steam, which guarantee that they are compatible with the device. Its price ranges between 419 euroswith 256GB of memory, and the 679 euroswith a full 1 terabyte.
Another device that combines the heart of a PC and the appearance of a laptop is the ROG Ally X from Taiwanese PC manufacturer asus. The machine goes on sale today in Spain at a price of 899 euros, somewhat more expensive than its rivals but, in exchange, it offers superior performance and a slightly smaller panel (7 inches) which is appreciated when the games get longer and the hands fall asleep. Its main strong point, beyond the processor, is that it incorporates Windows 11 and is compatible with Steam and Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription gaming platform.
Lenovo It is, like Asus, another personal computer manufacturer that has decided to launch itself into the portable console segment. And he has done it through the device Legion Go. The machine is not cheap (799 euros) but it has plenty of power to play the most demanding video games on the market. It is equipped with a huge 8.8-inch screen and an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, one of the most advanced on the market. Although perhaps what draws users’ attention the most is that, as in the case of the Switch, it allows the side controls to be removed to play comfortably if we plug it into the television.
For users looking for a smaller, more affordable device, the Razer Edge It is an interesting option. The device is not much different from a high-end Android smartphone other than it comes equipped with controls on the sides. It is the first Android-based portable console with the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 processor and its screen is somewhat smaller, 6.8 inches, than its rivals. It is on sale at a discount 375 euros if you buy from the manufacturer’s official store.
Finally, it is worth mentioning the new PlayStation Portal from Sony. It is not a normal portable console but rather a device to be able to use your PS5 remotely. It doesn’t work without the home console, something to keep in mind before buying it. It is light, has an acceptable resolution and is a good option as an alternative to using the PS5 when the living room television is busy. Its price is 219 euros.
