The best gaming handhelds for 2025

Here is a 196-word summary of the key points from the article: The gaming handheld market in 2025 offers a range of options for different needs and budgets. At the high end are powerful x86-based portable PCs like the ASUS ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go, which can play modern games but are bulky and expensive. In the mid-range are "mobile handhelds" like the Retroid Pocket 5 and Logitech G Cloud, which emphasize cloud gaming, emulation, and mobile games for under $400. The Nintendo Switch 2 occupies its own space, providing a unique gaming experience focused on Nintendo's first-party titles. Other niche options include the clamshell Ayaneo Flip DS and the Anbernic retro emulation devices. The market is in flux, with new AMD-powered Windows handhelds on the horizon and potential tariff impacts. While the ASUS ROG Ally X is the current top Windows pick, the upcoming ROG Ally X and Microsoft/ASUS Xbox handhelds could reshape the landscape. Overall, handheld gamers have a growing range of capable and specialized devices to choose from, at varying price points and for different use cases.