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

Sure, let’s dive into this. Don’t mind my ramblings—sometimes I just veer off. Here we go.

So, are you thinking about that Steam Deck? You know, the whole limited access issue? Yeah, that’s a thing. But wait—along comes this Asus ROG Ally, like, “Hey, I’m a full-on portable PC!” No need for Linux skills, thank goodness, because who has time for that?

Now, let’s backtrack a sec—Steam Deck was all the rage. And then, bam! Asus throws the ROG Ally into the mix. Suddenly, there’s competition, and it’s kinda awesome. Oh, did I mention it runs on Windows 11? It’s like it just waved at the Steam Deck and said, “Move over, I’ve got launchers to deal with.”

I got lost in the details a bit, but, you know, sometimes things stick out like that. Anyway, the Ally’s compatibility is all about “bring all your games here,” no matter if you got them from Epic, Xbox Game Pass, EA Origin, or wherever. Steam Deck’s stuck in its little box unless you’re some kind of Linux wizard. I’m definitely not. Everything fits without that fancy hacker stuff—my kind of setup.

Then there’s the nitty-gritty—the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme. Sounds like a superhero, right? It pairs with an AMD Radeon graphics card like PB&J. Okay, maybe I’m just hungry—and it plays those intense games smoothly. Also, it doesn’t sound like a jet engine—a quiet surprise!

Now, I must say, the Ally’s screen is a beauty. Full HD LCD—colors pop like nobody’s business. It’s lighter too—my hands were grateful after long gaming sessions. I mean, who wants cramps? Not me.

But, oh boy, here comes the catch—cheap construction. Feels a bit plasticky, like a toy. And that stand? Flimsy at best. Like, did they forget gamers use tables?

Battery life—don’t even get me started. Two hours, maybe three if you’re lucky—how is that enough? Not against the Deck, which, despite its own shortfalls, hangs in there longer. And yeah, quick charging is there, but who likes staring at a charging screen? Plugging in seems the way to go for both, honestly.

Other tidbits? Well, no carrying case with the Ally. At $699.99, come on! And those back buttons—they’re just awkwardly low. But maybe that’s just me being picky. Your experience may vary.

So, Ally or Deck? It’s like choosing a vacation spot. Do you want accessibility and a broad library (go Ally), or are you craving premium feels and smoother travels (Deck)? It’s all about what sings to you. In any case, both are pretty darn cool. They’re like tech marvels in our clumsy human hands. Happy choosing!