Choosing a handheld gaming system in mid-2025 means weighing Nintendo’s refined hybrid approach, Valve’s PC-like Steam Deck, and the growing roster of Windows-based handhelds, with ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go as the brightest of them. Each of them has their perks and quirks, so the more you know about them, the better.
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo’s successor to the Switch launched on June 5, 2025, priced at $449.99, positioning itself between the Steam Deck LCD and OLED models. It features a 7.9-inch, 1080p LCD display with HDR support and up to 120 Hz refresh in handheld mode, and can upscale to 4K/60 fps when docked. Under the hood, we found a custom Nvidia processor with ARM Cortex A78C CPU cores and an Ampere-based GPU that enables DLSS and ray tracing. Battery life varies depending on game intensity, but it ranges from 2 to 6.5 hours. 
But the strongest part of Nintendo’s new blockbuster it’s the game catalogue it possesses. Super Mario, Kirby, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, Pokemon… the amount of exclusives and the huge fandom behind them it’s the most important factor. If you are a Nintendo fan, there won’t be a better option.
Steam Deck: your PC Library in Your Palm
Valve’s Steam Deck remains a popular choice for those seeking a full PC gaming experience on the go. The standard LCD model starts at $399, making it the cheaper option, while the OLED version rises to $549. Thanks to its great balance between performance, price, and battery life, the LCD model it’s the best version to Discover games at JackpotCity without dropping from 60 fps. 
It’s built around a 6 nm AMD APU combining a quad-core Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU, with 16 GB LPDDR5 memory and various NVMe SSD options up to 1 TB. Expandability via microSD and replaceable SSDs adds longevity, though docking accessories must be purchased separately.
ASUS ROG Ally
The ASUS Rog Ally and its performance-focused ROG Ally X variant bring Windows 11 to handheld gaming. The standard model uses an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD; the Ally X upgrades to Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, with 24 GB RAM, and up to 1 TB storage. In recent deals, the Ally has dropped as low as $448.99, making it more affordable than the Switch 2 at its lowest price. Windows will provide native access to Steam, Epic, Game Pass, and productivity apps, though battery life is way shorter.
Lenovo Legion Go and Other Options
Lenovo’s Legion Go enters the market with detachable controls and an Xbox-style layout, powered by upcoming AMD Ryzen Z2 APUs for improved graphics efficiency and battery life. MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ and the Microsoft-branded ROG Xbox Ally X further diversify choices, targeting cloud gaming and AI-enhanced features. These devices generally cost between $500 and $900, with trade-offs in weight, battery performance, and software polish compared to dedicated consoles and Linux-optimized handhelds.
Wayne is a unique blend of gamer and coder, a character as colorful and complex as the worlds he explores and the programs he crafts. With a sharp wit and a knack for unraveling the most tangled lines of code, he navigates the realms of pixels and Python with equal enthusiasm. His stories aren’t just about victories and bugs; they’re about the journey, the unexpected laughs, and the shared triumphs. Wayne’s approach to gaming and programming isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life that encourages curiosity, persistence, and, above all, finding joy in every keystroke and every quest.
