Xbox in handheld version? Former Microsoft head: "There is absolutely no reason to buy this."

Microsoft wants to enter the market of portable consoles, but their new equipment may already be dead on arrival. The first opinions? Mixed. A former co-creator of the original Xbox didn't spare the project any criticism. The new handheld Xbox… which is, in fact, a ROG Ally with a Microsoft logo

During a recent showcase, Microsoft presented something that was meant to be an answer to the growing popularity of Steam Deck and ROG Ally. However, instead of a revolution, we got rebranding. The new handheld Xbox is essentially a modified ROG Ally running Windows 11, not any specially designed console system.

On paper, it looks like a "PC in handheld form." In practice? Laura Fryer, former manager of the Xbox team, stated bluntly: “There is absolutely no reason to buy this equipment. Xbox as hardware does not exist – that department is dead.”

Lack of classic games, high price, questionable sense

The criticism did not come from nowhere. The console does not support classic titles from Xbox or Xbox 360 – forget about Ninja Gaiden Black, Halo 3 or Sonic Unleashed. The handheld only runs games from the Xbox Play Anywhere programme – that is, exactly the same titles that can be launched on a regular PC with Windows.

On top of that, there is the starting price: around 599 euros. For many gamers, it might be more cost-effective to buy a normal laptop, Switch 2 or... a Steam Deck, which offers a more stable system, cheaper games and community support.

Even the industry says "no"

Laura Fryer is not alone in her assessment. Earlier, Mike Ybarra, the former president of Blizzard Entertainment, called on Microsoft to focus on what really matters – games – instead of "unnecessary hardware".

Microsoft has been walking a fine line in terms of image for months – layoffs in the Xbox division, studio closures, an uncertain future for the Gears and Halo series. Now they are adding hardware that, as Fryer notes, brings absolutely nothing new to the table.

Who is it for?

For now, it seems that the new Xbox handheld will be a device for a handful of fans who mainly play on PC anyway and want something to take away. But if someone is looking for a true console experience in mobile form – Microsoft most likely has nothing to offer them.

Is this just a misstep, or a sign of a larger identity problem with the Xbox brand? Time will tell.

Source: ithardware.pl