New footage and several new video games were shown at the annual D23 Expo. Rick Damigella reports.
There’s been a welcome revival of portable game systems lately. Even though phones and tablets do a fine job of playing great portable games, dedicated devices can provide unique features, exclusive games or extra power to do things your phone can’t.
The Nintendo Switch has been the best and most affordable portable game system for years and continues to be CNET’s top pick. But new handheld consoles from Valve and Analogue are bridging the gap between PC gaming and retro game cartridges, respectively.
Here’s a look at three of CNET’s 2022 picks for handheld gaming consoles.
Best handheld console
Nintendo Switch, starting at $200
Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch is 5 years old now, but Nintendo has indicated that no true successor is coming right now. A Pro model has been rumored for a while, but in the meantime the existing Switch remains extremely capable, full of great games and pretty affordable considering its handheld/TV-connected dual function.
But which one to choose? The $350 OLED-screened Switch is our recommended pick. The more vivid and larger display looks fantastic, its rear kickstand works better for tabletop gaming, and both of these upgrades are worth the extra $50 above the original Switch (or the V2 version) price.
At $300, the original Switch works similarly and is also still fine.
The smaller, handheld-only Switch Lite is a great value pick at $200 for anyone who just wants a basic portable game system, but it lacks any ability to connect to a TV, and its controllers don’t detach.
Best newcomer
Valve Steam Deck, starting at $400
Valve’s Steam Deck. (Dan Ackerman/CNET/TNS)
Valve’s big and powerful Steam Deck is a marvel: It can play a wide variety of PC games surprisingly well and is the dream portable for any hardcore Steam fan or anyone who has a big library of PC games. The Steam Deck can get expensive for the larger storage tiers, but for what it’s capable of, it’s not a bad deal. Wait times on preorders are still pushed out by some months, but more people seem to be getting theirs. The ability to play PC games or stream cloud-based games, and to connect to a monitor, keyboard or other accessories, puts the Steam Deck in a class of its own.
Best for old games
Analogue Pocket, $220
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