Microsoft has ‘new prototypes’ for handheld Xbox gaming system

The handheld console market has been on the rise since the launch of the Nintendo Switch back in 2017. Things have improved further in the last couple of years thanks to the emergence of handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck. Now, after literal decades of handheld Xbox rumours, it seems Microsoft is finally working on it. 

The idea of an Xbox handheld has been floating around ever since the PSP dominated school playgrounds. With dedicated handheld gaming systems becoming popular once again, Microsoft now appears to be getting serious about the idea. According to Microsoft reporter, Jez Corden, on the Xbox Two Podcast, Microsoft has prototype Xbox handhelds being tested behind closed doors.

These prototype handheld systems are said to be “new prototypes” and are “fully native”, meaning Microsoft isn't planning a ‘cloud-only' handheld device, but rather a system that can run games like Halo, Forza, Starfield and others, natively.

This isn't a new area for Microsoft. The company is constantly prototyping new devices, many of which don't make it to market. One of the more recent public prototypes, known as Xbox Keystone, seemed ready for mass production before Microsoft pulled the plug. It is also possible that Microsoft has made its own in-house prototypes to aid in the development of new software features. Microsoft has already confirmed that it wants to make changes to Windows to work better with emerging handhelds and touch-screen devices.

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KitGuru Says: Having seen this rumour pop up numerous times over the past 20 years, I'm not holding out much hope for a true handheld Xbox. Microsoft's strength has always been in software and services and while Xbox game sales and Game Pass subscriptions might be on the rise, the sales of actual console hardware have not improved much on the previous generation. 

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