One Feature Puts Xbox Ahead in the Handheld Console Battle

In the world of gaming, handheld consoles have carved a significant niche, earning a storied history along the way. Although there were earlier systems, Nintendo’s Game Boy truly revolutionized mobile gaming, broadening the horizons for portable experiences by delivering near-NES quality on the go. Nintendo kept pushing those boundaries with new iterations of the Game Boy and then set an industry standard with the launch of the Nintendo DS in 2006. Meanwhile, PlayStation attempted to rival Nintendo in this arena, but Xbox notably stayed on the sidelines—until now.

After much speculation and rumor-mill frenzy, Phil Spencer recently confirmed in a Bloomberg interview that Xbox is indeed developing its own handheld device. He mentioned it might be a few years before it hits the market, but when it does, there’s one standout feature likely to make it a formidable contender.

The Xbox Handheld Will Have an Ace Up Its Sleeve

The competition for handheld gaming devices is more intense now than ever before. The Nintendo Switch has been going strong for seven years, including its Lite and OLED versions, selling over 140 million units. Despite having less powerful hardware compared to even older PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the Switch’s portability, brand strength, and family-friendly appeal sustain its reign as a leading gaming platform.

Back in 2022, Valve decided to join the handheld fray. Since its debut, the Steam Deck has garnered acclaim as one of the most capable portable gaming systems, deftly handling even the most resource-intensive modern games.

While the landscape of handheld consoles might evolve by the time the Xbox handheld arrives, the key players could remain constant. Next year is slated for the unveiling of the Nintendo Switch’s successor, and Valve has announced plans for a second-generation Steam Deck. These developments suggest that the Xbox handheld will still face significant competition once it launches.

Furthermore, a Bloomberg report recently hinted that PlayStation might also be in the initial stages of crafting a new handheld device. If true, Xbox’s foray into this space will definitely be met with stiff competition.

Xbox Game Pass Could Be the Secret Weapon for Xbox’s Handheld

This past year, Xbox has been redefining its brand to encompass far more than just the console itself—it’s any device capable of running the Xbox app. Xbox Game Pass has spearheaded this strategy, with promotional campaigns showcasing how users can enjoy their subscription across consoles, PCs, mobile phones, and through Cloud streaming.

It’s highly plausible that once Xbox officially unveils its handheld, Xbox Game Pass will be a centerpiece of its market strategy—and rightly so. Making Xbox Game Pass a primary feature of the new handheld could deliver substantial benefits both in the near term and in the long run.

Initially, users of the Xbox handheld would get instant access to a massive library of games at no additional cost, giving them the chance to explore diverse gameplay experiences immediately. Whether players fancy AAA blockbusters or indie gems, the handheld would offer it all from the very start.

Looking further ahead, Xbox Game Pass ensures that handheld users will continuously have new games to discover, revisiting their device regularly. While a potential PlayStation handheld might lean on its PS Plus catalog, Xbox would maintain an advantage since PS Plus doesn’t launch first-party games immediately. This competitive edge is poised to grow stronger, especially as Xbox’s own lineup now encompasses Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision-Blizzard.

For those eager to see what Xbox could bring to the handheld table, there’s certainly much to anticipate.