The gaming landscape might soon witness an exciting twist, as Microsoft’s next Xbox handheld console seems to hold potential for running PlayStation games natively. As the Xbox brand spreads its wings across various hardware types, this anticipated device could push software boundaries significantly.
Over the past few years, portable gaming consoles and PCs have soared in popularity. The success of devices like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Asus ROG Ally has undoubtedly caught the eye of major players such as Xbox and PlayStation. The buzz suggests they’re venturing into the handheld arena, crafting their own portable consoles. Microsoft Gaming’s CEO, Phil Spencer, hinted at such an Xbox handheld being on the drawing board, though it might take a few years to reach gamers’ hands.
Beyond simply introducing a novel hardware option for Xbox, this handheld could spark a groundbreaking shift by allowing PlayStation games to run natively. Esteemed Microsoft insider Tom Warren stirred the pot by tweeting about PlayStation’s rumored handheld. When a user speculated on the potential for both Xbox and PlayStation games on this device, Warren asserted that the Xbox handheld could indeed run PlayStation titles, leveraging Sony’s trend of publishing games on the PC.
Moving along, there’s a thought-provoking prospect that this upcoming Xbox handheld might stray from Microsoft’s traditional closed ecosystem. By possibly operating on a specialized version of Windows, it could transform into a full-fledged handheld PC akin to devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. Such a setup would theoretically enable access to various storefronts, including Steam and Epic Games Store, allowing the download and play of PlayStation’s first-party games available on these platforms.
Phil Spencer, in a recent conversation with Bloomberg, echoed this concept. He expressed a desire to refine the Xbox app experience on existing handheld PCs before launching Microsoft’s own device. Taken together, these hints build a case for Windows potentially being the chosen operating system for this Xbox handheld. Should this scenario unfold, the notion of PlayStation games running on a rival’s hardware could create fascinating dynamics. Yet, it’s worth remembering that these plans are still in the works; changes might occur, especially for a product several years from hitting the market.
