Xbox Insider Hints at New Handheld Reveal Coming in 2025

Xbox Insider Hints at New Handheld Reveal Coming in 2025

As someone who has been following the gaming industry for over two decades, I must say the rumors about Xbox entering the handheld market are quite intriguing. If we look back at my gaming journey, I remember the excitement of owning a Game Boy and later a Nintendo DS. The prospect of an Xbox portable device, potentially leveraging its powerful Game Pass service, has me reminiscing about those nostalgic days.


Speculation about a portable gaming device from Xbox has been buzzing online for quite some time, but no official word has been given as of yet. It appears there might be an announcement coming in the following year, though. During the latest episode of The Xbox Two podcast, co-host Jez Corden discussed the potential for new hardware from the company. When the possibility of a reveal at The Game Awards next month was mentioned, Corden expressed his doubt that any kind of hardware unveiling will take place before 2025.

In simpler terms, Corden mentioned that he doesn’t expect to see any hardware this year at The Game Awards. However, he believes that next year will be an excellent time for unveiling new hardware, particularly devices small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.

It’s uncertain what an Xbox handheld might look like, but considering its focus on the Game Pass service, it seems likely that this device would prioritize access to this subscription-based game library. Unlike Xbox Cloud Streaming, which allows mobile users to play games, a dedicated handheld device would offer a more immersive gaming experience. It’s unclear whether the handheld will be as portable as the Nintendo Switch or if it will follow the model of PlayStation Portal, allowing players to stream games. The latter option might not be as thrilling, but if the handheld enables users to download Game Pass titles and offers a competitive price, it could prove popular.

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2025 seems to be the year when Nintendo is expected to launch their new console, following the Switch. If Xbox indeed plans to introduce a rival device in the same year, it will certainly be intriguing to observe. Over the past eight years or so, there has been a robust collaboration between these two companies, with games such as Pentiment, Grounded, and Minecraft being released on the Switch, while Microsoft-owned characters like Banjo-Kazooie and Steve featured in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It remains unclear whether this partnership will continue into the era of the next Nintendo console or if we might witness these companies potentially transforming into competitors instead.

During this console generation, the Xbox brand has faced challenges in keeping pace with competitors like PlayStation and Nintendo. The launch of Xbox Series X and Series S consoles hasn’t been as successful in terms of attracting users compared to their rivals. If Microsoft decides to release an Xbox handheld device, it might entice potential new gamers, but may also encounter the same hurdles experienced by the company’s existing platforms. The popularity of devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck has sparked renewed interest in portable gaming, yet an Xbox handheld could find itself in a tough position when vying for market share. For now, it’s advisable to view this speculation with caution until we receive official confirmation from Microsoft.

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2024-11-06 17:40