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An In-Depth Analysis of Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2024

GOOVER DAILY REPORT July 28, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Evolution of Handheld Gaming Consoles
  3. Comparison of Leading Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2024
  4. Lenovo Legion Go: Detailed Review
  5. Lenovo Legion Go vs. ASUS ROG Ally
  6. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report titled 'An In-Depth Analysis of Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2024' discusses the evolution and current landscape of handheld gaming consoles, providing a detailed comparison of leading models such as the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch OLED, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. It examines technological advancements over the years and evaluates each console's features, pros, and cons. Notably, the report highlights how these devices now offer performance levels comparable to traditional home consoles, thanks to improvements in processors, RAM, display technologies, and connectivity options like WiFi 6E and Bluetooth v5.3. Specific reviews of different consoles, such as Lenovo Legion Go’s innovative detachable controllers and high-resolution display, further provide readers with insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

2. Evolution of Handheld Gaming Consoles

  • 2-1. Historical context and recent advancements

  • The concept of playing video games on the go is nothing new. Over the years, handheld gaming consoles have evolved significantly from the bulky and less capable devices of the 90s. The revolution in the gaming industry, particularly in handheld gaming, gained significant momentum with the release of the Nintendo Switch a few years ago. The success of the Nintendo Switch has prompted major players in the video game industry such as PlayStation, ASUS, and Lenovo to enter the handheld gaming market. These companies have introduced their own handheld consoles, which offer a range of features and capabilities, competing directly with traditional home video game consoles.

  • 2-2. Technological developments over the years

  • Handheld gaming consoles have seen remarkable technological advancements over the years. The introduction of high-performance processors, increased RAM, and advanced display technologies has significantly improved the gaming experience on these devices. For instance, the Steam Deck OLED, powered by a 4-core Zen 2 processor and running on a Linux-based operating system, offers 16GB of RAM and a 7.4-inch 800p HD+ OLED display with HDR. Similarly, the ASUS ROG Ally features an 8-core Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and a 1080p@120Hz display, providing superior processing power and visual performance. Recent models such as the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally even support the latest Wi-Fi 6E for faster downloads and Bluetooth v5.3 connectivity for wireless headsets, pushing the boundaries of what handheld gaming consoles can achieve. These advancements have not only improved the portability of gaming but also enhanced the overall performance, making handheld gaming consoles a viable alternative to home video game consoles.

3. Comparison of Leading Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2024

  • 3-1. Steam Deck

  • The Steam Deck is highly regarded as the best overall handheld gaming console in 2024. It features a powerful 4-core Zen 2 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of built-in storage. Its 7.4-inch OLED display offers 800p HD+ resolution with HDR, providing richer color details and deep blacks. Additionally, it supports MicroSD for expandable storage, WiFi 6E for faster downloads, and Bluetooth v5.3 for wireless headsets. The Steam Deck can output videos up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@120Hz when docked. However, it is relatively pricey, and the dock station is sold separately.

  • 3-2. Nintendo Switch OLED

  • The Nintendo Switch OLED is considered the best budget handheld gaming console. Priced at around $350, it is significantly cheaper than many competitors and provides excellent value. It comes with a dock station, has a built-in NFC sensor, removable side controllers, and supports three gaming modes: handheld, tabletop, and docked. The OLED display offers more vibrant graphics than the original LCD. However, it struggles with many AAA PC games, outputs only up to 1080p@60Hz when docked, and does not support WiFi 6E.

  • 3-3. ASUS ROG Ally

  • The ASUS ROG Ally is noted for being the best deal in handheld gaming PCs. It features a superfast 8-core Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, a 1080p@120Hz display, and is compatible with WiFi 6E. It includes Bluetooth v5.2, a built-in MicroSD slot for expandable storage, and a ROG XG Mobile interface for external GPUs. The ROG Ally handles many AAA games smoothly in 1080p resolution, but it has a less desirable battery life, no built-in trackpads, and the dock with HDMI output is sold separately.

  • 3-4. Lenovo Legion Go

  • The Lenovo Legion Go is a new entrant in the handheld gaming PC market and offers great value with its similar high-performance 8-core Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor found in the ASUS ROG Ally. It features an 8.8-inch QHD+ display, detachable controllers, and supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth v5.2. It also comes with a MicroSD slot for storage expansion and a rear kickstand for tabletop mode. The Legion Go has a higher refresh rate of 144Hz but is noted for poor battery life and bulkier design. Lenovo has not released a dock station yet.

  • 3-5. Retroid Pocket 4 Pro

  • The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is recognized for its portability, easily fitting into a pocket due to its compact and lightweight design. It features a 4.7-inch IPS display with 750p HD+ resolution and runs on MediaTek's Dimensity 1100 chip with Android 11 and 8GB of RAM. It supports MicroSD for expandable storage, Bluetooth v5.2, and WiFi 6E. The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro has a great battery life of up to 15+ hours, but its display can suffer from ghosting issues, and it only supports up to 1080p resolution for external monitors.

4. Lenovo Legion Go: Detailed Review

  • 4-1. Introduction and key features

  • The Lenovo Legion Go is a notable competitor in the handheld gaming market, especially among non-Steam Deck alternatives. Its primary standout feature is its large 8.8-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, offering a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The device uses Windows 11, allowing it to run any Windows-compatible game or program. Additionally, it features detachable controllers, one of which has a trackpad that can be used as a mouse, adding a unique layer of versatility.

  • 4-2. Display and performance analysis

  • According to reviews, the Lenovo Legion Go's display is highly impressive. The 8.8-inch screen drastically outshines its competitors — Steam Deck OLED, Asus ROG Ally, and AyaNeo 2S — with its higher resolution and larger size. The display achieves an average of 476 nits of brightness and covers 151.8% of the sRGB color gamut and 107.5% of the DCI-P3 color space. The 144Hz refresh rate, although more than what current games can utilize, ensures smooth gameplay at 60 frames per second. Performance-wise, the Lenovo Legion Go uses AMD Ryzen Z1 series processors and LPDDR5x RAM, providing a robust gaming experience akin to mid-range gaming laptops.

  • 4-3. Controllers and versatility

  • The Lenovo Legion Go's detachable controllers offer unique functionalities, though they come with some criticisms. The right controller includes an optical sensor that can be used as a pseudo mouse, which reviewers found practical for FPS games despite some limitations. The controllers, although difficult to detach, provide flexibility for different gaming styles. Furthermore, the device has customizable lighting effects, controller mapping, and a robust settings menu, adding to its versatility.

  • 4-4. Comparative analysis with Steam Deck

  • The Lenovo Legion Go and Steam Deck both have their strengths, but the Legion Go stands out with its detachable controllers and superior display. While the Steam Deck OLED boasts a vibrant OLED screen, the Legion Go's larger, higher-resolution display at 144Hz offers a compelling alternative. Additionally, the built-in kickstand and detachable controllers make the Legion Go more flexible for different gaming setups. Although the Steam Deck is better optimized with its SteamOS, the Legion Go's Windows 11 compatibility provides broader access to various gaming platforms.

5. Lenovo Legion Go vs. ASUS ROG Ally

  • 5-1. Comparison of display and performance

  • The Lenovo Legion Go features an 8.8-inch IPS touch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 2560x1600 resolution, and a 144Hz refresh rate, offering up to 500 nits of brightness. It boasts superior color accuracy with 97% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Ally has a 7-inch IPS touch display with a 1920x1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, achieving 80% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Both devices run on Windows 11 and use AMD Ryzen Z1 series processors. However, the Legion Go uses LPDDR5x RAM, which is more efficient in terms of battery and data bandwidth. Despite these differences, both systems generally perform on par with a laptop powered by an Intel i7-10750H paired with a GTX 1650, suitable for running games at medium to low settings.

  • 5-2. Controller design and usability

  • The Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally have different approaches to controller design. The Legion Go offers detachable controllers, akin to what is seen with the Nintendo Switch. These controllers include features such as a trackpad, a mouse wheel on the back, and Hall sensor thumbsticks to avoid stick drift. In FPS mode, the right controller can be used as a mouse, adding to its versatility. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Ally has built-in controllers that cannot be detached, which might make them prone to damage. The ROG Ally controllers lack a touchpad, necessitating the use of thumbsticks or the touchscreen for navigation.

  • 5-3. Operating system and gaming library access

  • Both the Lenovo Legion Go and the ASUS ROG Ally run on Windows 11, granting access to a wide array of PC gaming platforms such as Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and the Epic Games Store. However, Windows 11 is not yet fully optimized for touchscreen use, which can make navigation challenging on both handhelds.

  • 5-4. Pricing and availability

  • As of now, the ASUS ROG Ally is available for purchase starting at $700 for the high-end model with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip and 512GB SSD at Best Buy in the U.S. A lower-end model with the regular Ryzen Z1 and 256GB of storage, starting at $600, is announced but not yet for sale. Meanwhile, the Lenovo Legion Go is not yet available in the market but is anticipated to start at $700 as well. Further configurations for lower-end models are expected but not yet detailed by Lenovo.

6. Conclusion

  • The report's detailed review and comparison of handheld gaming consoles reveal substantial advancements in the industry as of 2024. The Steam Deck stands out for its robust performance, while the Nintendo Switch OLED remains the best budget option. The ASUS ROG Ally is highlighted for its impressive processing power and display, though battery life remains a concern. The Lenovo Legion Go offers a compelling alternative with its large QHD+ display and unique detachable controllers, though it shares similar battery constraints. The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro caters to users needing mobility without significant compromises. The report underscores the importance of these technological improvements and their implications for consumer choices, while recognizing limitations such as battery life and cost. Future developments suggest even greater integration of high-performance components and enhanced versatility, making handheld gaming consoles an increasingly viable alternative to traditional gaming setups. Practical applicability includes recommendations for consumers to evaluate their specific needs and preferences, balancing aspects of performance, portability, and cost when selecting a handheld gaming console.

7. Glossary

  • 7-1. Steam Deck [Product]

  • A popular handheld gaming console known for its robust performance and extensive game library, making it a top choice for gamers.

  • 7-2. Nintendo Switch OLED [Product]

  • An updated version of the original Nintendo Switch, featuring an enhanced OLED display for improved visual experience.

  • 7-3. ASUS ROG Ally [Product]

  • A powerful handheld gaming PC with a smaller form factor, offering portability and strong performance.

  • 7-4. Lenovo Legion Go [Product]

  • A versatile handheld gaming console with a large high-resolution display, detachable controllers, and a built-in kickstand, running on Windows 11 for wide game compatibility.

  • 7-5. Retroid Pocket 4 Pro [Product]

  • A highly portable and lightweight handheld gaming console, catering to users who prioritize mobility without compromising on gaming experience.

8. Source Documents