Steam Deck 2 and PS6 Handheld

by Rian

In the beginning of current generation consoles, there were questions as to why Nintendo seems to be fighting a different kind of competition. Gamers generally buy Nintendo consoles for Nintendo-branded games, and currently Nintendo Switch line of products (at the time of writing, Switch 2 has been on the market for half a year). It meant that for gamers seeking specifically Nintendo’s curated game selections and Nintendo’s own offerings, there are no alternatives.

The reason why I bring up Nintendo Switch as an example before discussing two future products not from Nintendo has something to do with where these products are aiming. There is no PS5 handheld, but assuming PS Portal was meant to be, both Steam Deck and PS Portal are successful in own accord. However, in the scale of proper console wars neither of them are making any dents. If there were any uses, it gives us some perspectives. The big boy in the handheld, Nintendo Switch 2, was sold 10.36 million units since June launch; PS5, the hosting console for PS Portal, was sold 84.2 million; PS Portal, 2-3 million or 3% or PS5 owners; and Steam Deck, analysts put it at 7-8 million. To throw any non-Nintendo handheld into the ring roughly equates to throwing them under the bus.

I did have my eyes set on both PS Portal and Steam Deck once and ultimately decided against it, for the nearly the same reasons Outside Xtra has covered it in 2024. Majority of my gaming happens on consoles; I prefer the curated nature and experience of console games. When I am tinkering with a Windows PC, I am doing it for greater benefit beyond the cost of putting in the effort: maintaining the hardware and softwares, squeeze out every fps I can from settings, playing games that are not released on either consoles nor on Mac. The only use case for Steam Deck, PS Portal, much less so, I could think of is when I am on the go — when I am on a plane and remote play is not an option. Again, then it begs the question of smartphones. Many established indie developers are also releasing their games on smartphones. There is no reason to shy away from playing Slaying the Spire on a smartphone, when it clearly works well on the touchscreen.

I believe the root problem of these two devices, and possibly the problems the rumored future products will inherit is the lack of exclusive contents, or for lack of better words, exclusive playabilities. I’m not particularly arguing these devices need exclusive deals like traditional consoles. In fact, there is a greater chance such a device would hinder the platform’s streamlined curation. What I am interested in is the device’s prowess. For example, both ARM laptops and smartphones batteries last at least good 10+ hours. Consumers come to expect longer battery hours on electronics, and handheld is no exception. It may not play AAA games in the finest graphics setting, but it will play and it will be without pesky settings and considerations.

Though I did not write a review for Lies of P, let’s use it as an example. The game runs on any Apple Silicon laptops, including MacBook Air. I wouldn’t say it is the “best” experience, but it is experience nonetheless and it is the gaming average consumers (i.e. do not have a designated gaming setup) would have access to. On M2 MacBook Air, from my experience under high usage, I get 8-10 hours out of it from full charge. With a power bank, no doubt one can make a transatlantic or transpacific flight without worrying about battery. There is something to be said when the battery of supposed handheld console seemingly refuse to compete against smartphones and laptops, the other devices that can also play games.