• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Next generation, gaming moves to the handheld front. Which handheld do you think will do best?

LakeOf9

LakeOf9

Member
  • Steam Deck and its inevitable follow-up;
  • The PS6 handheld (confirmed to exist and coming the same time as the console, next year, by our very own Kepler);
  • The Xbox OEM handhelds;
  • The rest of the PC handhelds;
  • And the Switch 2
Looks like next generation is moving the gaming platform war to the handheld front. I think the PS6 handheld in particular is guaranteed to do extremely well, and will probably take a chunk out of Nintendo's sales, with Japanese and indie support, and because it will be available globally, unlike say, Steam Deck.

I also think the Steam Deck follow up will continue to do well, maybe double the sales the first one got. If Valve can figure out a retail and distribution network for it, then I an legitimately see it doing much better and threatening the Switch 2 meaningfully.

The Xbox handhelds and PC handhelds I think will remain niche, but they all be good options for people within those ecosystems to engage with the games and services.

Switch 2 has obviously done well, and I think it will continue to do reasonably well for itself. But I do think its sales will be impacted once the Sony handheld hits the market. I think the final lifetime sales for both systems may be very very close. Overall though, I think the Switch 2 will be a good, well-selling follow up to the original Switch, at worst the 3DS to the original's DS. Really, the bestselling one should be the Steam Deck, but as I mentioned before, Valve doesn't have a retail and distribution network, so it will remain a niche system relatively.

In any case, the handheld war is coming next gen, and I do think Sony is best positioned for it. What do you think GAF?
 
Switch 2 will destroy any of these in sales, combined. PS6 handheld will be interesting but won't be competitive. Steam Deck continues to be stable but niche.
I still don't see any of the Windows-based handhelds doing well. It's just the worst of multiple worlds ('mobile' performance + Windows + general current hatred for anything Microsoft really, the public has really turned against them).
 
The PS6 handheld (or hybrid) is one of two PS6 units. The other being a traditional home console. For that reason it won't trump the Switch 2 as lots of people go for the big boy PS6 over the hybrid.

Steamdeck 2 will be niche like the original. No way it comes close to Nintendo.

Same with any PC handheld.

Nintendo remains handheld King.
 
There will be no handheld "war". Switch is the primary Nintendo platform. Every other handheld is mainly a secondary platform to PC or PS6. PlayStation re-entering the handheld market doesn't change that.
 
Switch² by A LOT.

Personally I'm holding out for Steam Deck 2 when it comes to handheld PC gaming.

...but will I keep on purchasing new Chinese retro handhelds just because of a new design/feature
youre right GIF

send help
 
I think the Switch 2, and when they make it, the Switch 2 Lite, will dominate. Nintendo has a built up culture of handheld platforms and games, whereas like Topher Topher said, the Steam Deck and Playstation Portable will (probably) always be mostly just a a secondary and not as good way to play PC and Playstation games.
 
My guess is anything beside switch2 and maybe ps6 portable if it doesnt have any weird gimmick will be totally irrelevant.
About having portable device as main gaming platform personally, i live in poor/dangerous hood and ppl get jumped/beat up coz of holding 50usd smartphone here, so i would be forced to use it only at home like stationary console anyways- totally not worth it.
 
Will there be Nvidia ones beside the sw2 coming down the line?... performance could be very interesting. Sales wise sw2, its a good piece of kit for price vs performance in current market.
 
Switch 2 will predominate, but PS6 handheld will resurrect Sony in Japan.

If this generation was about plateauing graphics tech, next-gen is going to be about device ubiquity. Home, handheld, cross-generational.
 
They are all niche compared to switch 2. They have no competition. It's strange. To me a steamdeck has way more value but it's what it is.
 
Do best in what, sales? ...or features and performance? Why does everyone froth over sales targets..,

Steam Deck 2 - probably overall design and performance
PS6 handheld - probably most popular
Xbox - probably most powerful in specs and performance
Switch 2 - probably sales and price (maybe)
 
Last edited:
I'm very interested in the new PlayStation handheld, hopefully Sony don't fumble this one because they usually make good handhelds but fail with the support.
 
LakeOf9 said:
  • Steam Deck and its inevitable follow-up;
  • The PS6 handheld (confirmed to exist and coming the same time as the console, next year, by our very own Kepler);
  • The Xbox OEM handhelds;
  • The rest of the PC handhelds;
  • And the Switch 2
Looks like next generation is moving the gaming platform war to the handheld front. I think the PS6 handheld in particular is guaranteed to do extremely well, and will probably take a chunk out of Nintendo's sales, with Japanese and indie support, and because it will be available globally, unlike say, Steam Deck.

I also think the Steam Deck follow up will continue to do well, maybe double the sales the first one got. If Valve can figure out a retail and distribution network for it, then I an legitimately see it doing much better and threatening the Switch 2 meaningfully.

The Xbox handhelds and PC handhelds I think will remain niche, but they all be good options for people within those ecosystems to engage with the games and services.

Switch 2 has obviously done well, and I think it will continue to do reasonably well for itself. But I do think its sales will be impacted once the Sony handheld hits the market. I think the final lifetime sales for both systems may be very very close. Overall though, I think the Switch 2 will be a good, well-selling follow up to the original Switch, at worst the 3DS to the original's DS. Really, the bestselling one should be the Steam Deck, but as I mentioned before, Valve doesn't have a retail and distribution network, so it will remain a niche system relatively.

In any case, the handheld war is coming next gen, and I do think Sony is best positioned for it. What do you think GAF?
Click to expand...
I really hope a handheld element won't harm performance/hardware specs. Is there any word on this with Sony?
 
Last edited:
Switch 2 will win by virtue of being Nintendo's sole platform next (this) gen. PS6 Portable is part of a larger family of devices.
The rest aren't even part of the conversation.
 
All the gun and ball players will buy the ps6 handheld in addition to the ps6, to play cozy in bed and toilet. so this will be interesting.
 
uncreativename said:
I think the Switch 2, and when they make it, the Switch 2 Lite,
Click to expand...

A Switch 2 lite that sells for £299 or less would make a killing.

I already have a Switch 2, but I would get a lite version on day one. I loved my OG Switch, but the Switch Lite was a far better handheld. Lighter, more comfortable to hold for long periods of time and easier to take me with me traveling.

Honestly, Nintendo have the handheld market locked up. Nobody is getting close to them.
 
nial said:
No chance, it will be at around 35-40m or so.
Click to expand...
You think so?

It'll be at ~20 million as of this March, assuming the best case for PS6 and Portable launching at the end of next year (still not sold on that, but that's not the point of contention here) that's 18 months. You think it'll only sell 15-20 million units in the next 18 months after selling 20 million in the first 9 months? Especially with the Pokopia and inevitable Winds and Waves boost?

To be clear I think lifetime sales for both devices will be very close, but that's because I think Switch 2 sales slow down AFTER PS6P, not before
 
Last edited:
LakeOf9 said:
You think so?

It'll be at ~20 million as of this March, assuming the best case for PS6 and Portable launching at the end of next year (still not sold on that, but that's not the point of contention here) that's 18 months. You think it'll only sell 15-20 million units in the next 18 months after selling 20 million in the first 9 months? Especially with the Pokopia and inevitable Winds and Waves boost?

To be clear I think lifetime sales for both devices will be very close, but that's because I think Switch 2 sales slow down AFTER PS6P, not before
Click to expand...
Considering that momentum has slowed down in the vast majority of markets after such a front-loaded launch, yes? Switch 1 was at a rather similar point of 14M as of 12/31/17, and continued to climb to 39M up to 09/30/19. Granted, I think it could get to 45M by 09/30/27, but I'm not convinced it gets to 50M.
We don't know when W&W is releasing, and I don't believe TPC wants to launch a new generation outside of the holiday season. November 2027 could also potentially be when Nintendo gets a Switch 2 Lite out (would be 2 years and 5 months after original launch, similar to the 2 years and 6 months between original Switch 1 and Lite), and Pokémon generations always release whenever there is an entry-level model available, be it DS Lite, 2DS, or Switch Lite, the latter holding even more significance due to the handheld oriented roots of the franchise.
 
Last edited:
Trick question? Switch 2 is the only option where that's the primary system. All the other options are complementary systems to something else.
 
spons said:
Switch 2 will destroy any of these in sales, combined. PS6 handheld will be interesting but won't be competitive. Steam Deck continues to be stable but niche.
I still don't see any of the Windows-based handhelds doing well. It's just the worst of multiple worlds ('mobile' performance + Windows + general current hatred for anything Microsoft really, the public has really turned against them).
Click to expand...
PS6 handheld will be competitive because it will play PS4/PS5/PS6 games. Unlike the PSP/Vita you won't need teams working on handheld only games.
 
Last edited:
Happily the Nintendo handheld will always dominate...with only the next portable PlayStation having a shot at not being totally irrelevant.
 
SegaSnatcher said:
Unlike the PSP/Vita you won't need teams working on handheld only games.
Click to expand...
Is that really such a good thing, though? Sony probably needs at least some games primarily meant for handheld if they want to compete with Nintendo in the handheld market, because Nintendo has a huge backlog of games meant for handheld, and even a lot of their current games are pretty suitable for it, too.
 
nial said:
Considering that momentum has slowed down in the vast majority of markets after such a front-loaded launch, yes? Switch 1 was at a rather similar point of 14M as of 12/31/17, and continued to climb to 39M up to 09/30/19. Granted, I think it could get to 45M by 09/30/27, but I'm not convinced it gets to 50M.
We don't know when W&W is releasing, and I don't believe TPC wants to launch a new generation outside of the holiday season. November 2027 could also potentially be when Nintendo gets a Switch 2 Lite out (would be 2 years and 5 months after original launch, similar to the 2 years and 6 months between original Switch 1 and Lite), and Pokémon generations always release whenever there is an entry-level model available, be it DS Lite, 2DS, or Switch Lite, the latter holding even more significance due to the handheld oriented roots of the franchise.
Click to expand...
Fair enough! It could happen. I think it's too soon to say momentum slowed when Pokopia seems to have reignited it, but I see where you're coming from.

Well know in a year or so how Nintendo is keeping the Switch 2 going
 
I have a lot of handheld steam deck, rog Xbox ally x and switch 2 and I'm not even sure what console would be the best they all have there strength and weakness
 
Sony has a chance to make the PS6 handheld the console killer. If they get the ergonomics, controls, SCREEN! (better freaking be OLED), and access to the entire PS4/PS5 and PS6 library right, game over.
 
LakeOf9 said:
This is my expectation as we
Click to expand...
If the PS6 handheld has video-out and you can connect to a TV, game-mother-effing over guys. Gimme that entire Playstation library while you're at it. Like these guys have no idea how much money they can make. Handhelds are the future because people are just too busy these days.
 
SardineBreath said:
Sony has a chance to make the PS6 handheld the console killer. If they get the ergonomics, controls, SCREEN! (better freaking be OLED), and access to the entire PS4/PS5 and PS6 library right, game over.
Click to expand...

I think most casual PlayStation players will go with the full living experience, not for a watered down version. Only hardcore gamers will go for both the handheld version and the full console. Especially if they are very close in price, the PS6 Portable won't be sold for less than the Switch 2.
 
SardineBreath said:
Sony has a chance to make the PS6 handheld the console killer. If they get the ergonomics, controls, SCREEN! (better freaking be OLED), and access to the entire PS4/PS5 and PS6 library right, game over.
Click to expand...
So you think Sony wants to destroy it's own console space? To what? Move away from a pretty sure thing to try and move out of their lane and take on Nintendo head on? It's a bold strategy Cotton
 
midnightAI said:
So you think Sony wants to destroy it's own console space? To what? Move away from a pretty sure thing to try and move out of their lane and take on Nintendo head on? It's a bold strategy Cotton
Click to expand...
They've had no issues taking Nintendo head on and winning in the past
 
LakeOf9 said:
You think so?

It'll be at ~20 million as of this March, assuming the best case for PS6 and Portable launching at the end of next year (still not sold on that, but that's not the point of contention here) that's 18 months. You think it'll only sell 15-20 million units in the next 18 months after selling 20 million in the first 9 months? Especially with the Pokopia and inevitable Winds and Waves boost?

To be clear I think lifetime sales for both devices will be very close, but that's because I think Switch 2 sales slow down AFTER PS6P, not before
Click to expand...
Nintendo themselves have commented on sales for switch 2 outside Japan being "slightly weaker than our expectations", where the region locked version is available for far cheaper than the US and Europe etc.

www.techradar.com

Nintendo president says Switch 2 sales were 'slightly weaker' than it expected outside of Japan — 'Domestic hardware sales volume exceeded our expectations'

Nintendo has informed investors that Western hardware sales for the Nintendo Switch 2 were not as strong as they expected by the end of 2025.
www.techradar.com www.techradar.com

And based on available data there were significant drops in sales compared to first year of switch 1 outside of Japan.

"The Game Business understands that Switch 2 sales in the US over the holiday period (November – December) was down by around 35% compared with what the Switch 1 delivered during the same period in 2017, which was when it launched. This follows a separate report from US data tracker Circana, which revealed that US console sales overall had their worst November since 1995. Circana's December figures are due later in the month.

There are also mixed results across Europe. In the UK, Switch 2 sales for the last eight weeks of the year were 16% lower than what Switch 1 managed during the last eight weeks of 2017 (NielsenIQ data)."

www.thegamebusiness.com

Nintendo Switch 2 sales stumble over Christmas

Plus, Nex Playground heads to Europe and Phasmaphobia devs launch publishing arm
www.thegamebusiness.com www.thegamebusiness.com
 
midnightAI said:
So you think Sony wants to destroy it's own console space? To what? Move away from a pretty sure thing to try and move out of their lane and take on Nintendo head on? It's a bold strategy Cotton
Click to expand...
They don't need to axe the PS6 console, sure, let it be an option. But I think Sony underestimates how many people want a proper handheld with not much compromise, something just as good as the console, or good enough. The whole package. I think they'll be quite surprised to see the PS6 handheld doing impressive sales when it releases.
 
Brucey said:
Nintendo themselves have commented on sales for switch 2 outside Japan being "slightly weaker than our expectations", where the region locked version is available for far cheaper than the US and Europe etc.
Click to expand...
I believe that was after they raised like 2 millions their original estimations. So, they estimated something, then upgraded their estimation and then realized they were too bullish.

SardineBreath said:
I think they'll be quite surprised to see the PS6 handheld doing impressive sales when it releases.
Click to expand...
No doubt about that. But the portable won't play bluray disks, all your PS5 physical games won't be playable there. They will be forced to keep a PS5 on their living room, or go with a full PS6 console. Not even an hybrid would work because of the same fact, you start playing your physical game on your living room and then you will have to stream it to your portable screen... just like with Portal. Unless, of course, they forego physical compatibility which I guess players won't take it kindly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Panther Lake handheld PC will cost you ALOT
24
677
Shogmaster replied
  • Poll
When do you think the next 3D Mario will release?
Poll 
38
935
DreamcastSkies replied
Wasn't there a handheld thread?
3
135
MooMilk2929 replied
What game do you think currently has the most toxic gaming base?
2
99
524
Bradamante3D replied
Asus to reveal their next-gen handheld at Computex in June
Rumor Event Hardware  2
59
639
Minsc replied
Top Bottom