One Feature Could Put Xbox Ahead in the Handheld Console Competition

Handheld gaming devices have always been a significant part of gaming history, with many consoles paving the way, but nothing quite captured the market as Nintendo’s Game Boy did. Introduced as a portable platform providing near-console-level experiences, the Game Boy was revolutionary. Nintendo continued to dominate this arena with subsequent versions and set a new industry standard when they launched the Nintendo DS in 2006. PlayStation attempted to challenge Nintendo in the handheld market, but Xbox has yet to venture into this space—at least until now.

Amidst a whirlwind of speculation, in a recent chat with Bloomberg, Phil Spencer confirmed that Xbox is indeed working on a handheld device. He pointed out that it might be a while before it hits the market, but there’s one standout feature that promises to differentiate it from any competitors when it finally arrives.

The handheld console market is bustling like never before. The Nintendo Switch, nearing its seventh anniversary, along with the Lite and OLED variants, has sold over 140 million units globally. Despite its less powerful hardware compared to even the prior generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the Switch’s portable design, brand reputation, and all-ages appeal have established it as a leading force in gaming for nearly ten years.

Then came Valve, attempting to carve out its handheld niche in 2022 with the Steam Deck. In the two years since, it has garnered acclaim as a top-tier handheld device, capable of tackling modern, complex games with minimal limitations.

By the time the Xbox handheld reaches consumers, the landscape might look somewhat similar, with a few potential tweaks. Nintendo’s successors to the Switch are expected to be announced soon, and Valve has already confirmed development on the next-gen Steam Deck. Thus, the competition for Xbox might resemble the current market scene.

Moreover, Bloomberg recently reported that PlayStation is toying with the concept of a new handheld console. If this pans out, Xbox will find itself amidst stiff competition when it launches its handheld.

One potential ace up Xbox’s sleeve is the Xbox Game Pass. Over the past year, Xbox has shifted its messaging, suggesting that Xbox isn’t just about the console; it’s about accessing Xbox wherever the app is—from Xbox to PC, mobile, and more—all powered by Cloud streaming.

It seems likely that Xbox Game Pass will play a pivotal role as a selling point for their upcoming handheld. There are several reasons for this strategy. In the short term, users will gain access to an extensive library of hundreds of games at no extra cost, allowing them to experience the device’s full capabilities with access to a multitude of AAA and Indie games from day one.

Long-term, Xbox Game Pass ensures that handheld gamers have an ever-evolving selection of games to explore. While a future PlayStation handheld might tempt gamers with access to its PS Plus titles, Game Pass holds a distinct advantage. Unlike PS Plus, which doesn’t release first-party titles immediately, Game Pass offers them on launch day. And with Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision-Blizzard under its belt, Xbox’s lineup only grows stronger.

More on this: What we’d love to see from an Xbox Handheld Console.