Portable Xbox is Here With a 480p Display, 100W USB-C Charge and Play

In the last couple of months, rumors have spread around that Xbox is looking to build its very own handheld gaming system. Details about this system were unearthed by the industry’s most reliable insiders, and even Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer hinted at the possibility of it. The handheld would be similar to the successful Nintendo Switch.

It’s going to be a long while before this Xbox handheld hits the shelves. However, the community had decided to take matters into their own hands. One incredibly talented gamer has crafted a functional Xbox handheld that can play tons of games without emulation.

Gamer Crafts a Portable Xbox Before Microsoft

One X/Twitter user, by the handle of Redherring32, has offered the gaming community a look at what an Xbox handheld system could look like with a custom model inspired by the original Microsoft console.

The custom handheld is built using a 9-inch 480P display screen, actual Xbox motherboard, and controller. What’s shocking is that it is capable of playing every title from the original console’s library without the help of PC emulation.

To top it all off, this custom handheld also features a USB-C port and pure video and audio. Redherring32 is also planning to bring WiFi 6 for the wireless Xbox Live functionality.

The gaming community is impressed with Redherring32’s creation. He plans to post a full gameplay demo of the handheld playing a title like Halo soon and will open the schematics to the public, so other players can craft their very own handheld.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen gamers transforming old consoles. In the past, passionate Nintendo fans have created custom handhelds that have allowed them to experience classic games on the go.

Xbox Handheld Might Allow You to Play PlayStation Games

Phil Spencer has revealed that the Xbox’s very own handheld is in the works. Even though it’s years away, it might have an ace up its sleeve, which could allow it to triumph over its rivals, Nintendo and Sony. There’s a chance that the handheld console might be able to play PlayStation games natively.

Reliable Microsoft insider Tom Warren posted a link to his report of PlayStation crafting its handheld console, where one player suggested the possibility of it playing both PlayStation and Xbox with Microsoft’s push for multiplatform.

Warren suggested that the upcoming Xbox handheld will have the ability to play all PlayStation games since Sony ports its popular titles onto PC.

Microsoft’s handheld will also run PlayStation games, because Sony puts their games on PC.

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) November 25, 2024

Warren’s response suggests that Microsoft’s handheld project will probably abandon the close software approach the company has opted for all Xbox consoles so far and might bring a special version of Windows.

This will make the handheld basically a full-fledged gaming PC, just like the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally. PCs can use all gaming storefronts, such as Epic Games Store, GOG, and Steam. This would allow Microsoft’s handheld to basically download and play all Sony’s first-party titles that are available on all of these platforms.

Even Spencer played into this idea in his recent interview, stating that he wishes for the Xbox app experience to be enhanced on existing handheld systems before Microsoft comes in with its own iteration. There’s a good chance we could see a Windows operating system for the handheld.

With that said, are you excited for an Xbox handheld? Let us know in the comments below.