Top Handheld Gaming Consoles of 2025: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and More

Alright, let’s dive into this. Imagine, you’re sitting there, thinking about the Steam Deck, right? Now, if the whole launcher thing has been bugging you, you gotta hear about this Asus ROG Ally. Seriously, it’s like they just took a regular PC, shrunk it down, and made it super portable for all the gaming fun. Zero Linux wizardry needed, which is a relief—trust me.

So, picture this: The world with Steam Deck isn’t just Steam Deck anymore. Bam! Here comes the Asus ROG Ally throwing its hat in the ring. This little machine is a solid challenger, I kid you not, to Valve’s handheld giant. What’s cool? It’s strutting around with Windows 11, and suddenly, the world of gaming opens up in a way the Deck can’t quite match. No more sticking to just Steam—unless you want to, of course.

Now, the Ally kind of flexes its muscles with this AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and AMD Radeon graphics. A mouthful, I know, but it’s like they packed a punch in a portable frame. Even during the moments of intense gaming drama, it stays chill. I have to say, adjusting the game settings here and there made a difference, though. And okay, the screen—just wow. It’s Full HD, which makes everything look, just… chef’s kiss. Lightweight too, so no wrist aches after long hours, thank goodness.

But wait. That ease of play has a slight downside. Feels a bit plasticky, you know? Not necessarily bad, but if you’ve held the Steam Deck, you get what I’m saying—it’s got that premium heft. Also, they kinda skimped on the stand. Flimsy doesn’t even begin to describe it, honestly. And then there’s the battery dilemma: about two hours in game mode. Not brag-worthy, sadly. Though, charge up is quick, so at least there’s that. Best advice? Keep it plugged in when you can.

Couple more teeny hiccups—no case included. Seriously, at 700 bucks, you’d think they’d throw one in? And the back buttons? Felt a bit off. Maybe just me being picky, or maybe you’ll totally get what I mean.

The big question, right? Which one do you go for? Steam Deck or the ROG Ally? You’d think it’s an easy answer, but…not so much. Depends on what you hold dear. More games and raw power? Ally’s your pal. Want something that whispers premium and lasts a bit longer untethered? Deck all the way. Both are total wins in the gaming world, but hey, your call at the end of the day.