Xbox boss: ‘I believe we should always have a handheld, too’

Microsoft’s Xbox chief, Phil Spencer, has been dropping hints a couple of potential Xbox handheld for months now. Earlier this yr he mentioned he was “a giant fan of handhelds,” after liking posts on X that point out the potential for this new {hardware}. Now, in an interview with IGN Spencer says “I believe we should always have a handheld, too.”

It’s the largest trace but that Microsoft is engaged on an Xbox handheld, one thing that’s been long-rumored. “The longer term for us in {hardware} is fairly superior. The work that the staff is doing round totally different type components and other ways to play, I’m extremely enthusiastic about,” mentioned Spencer. “Immediately was concerning the video games… however we can have a time to come back out and discuss extra about platform.”

Pressed on whether or not an Xbox handheld would stream video games or play them regionally, Spencer dropped an extra trace that Microsoft is a real handheld gaming gadget slightly than one thing just like the PlayStation Portal. “I like my ROG Ally, my Lenovo Legion Go, my Steam Deck. I believe having the ability to play video games regionally is absolutely necessary,” mentioned Spencer.

Earlier this yr Spencer talked about wanting a compact Xbox mode on a handheld gaming PC. “I would like to have the ability to boot into the Xbox app in a full display, however in a compact mode,” mentioned Spencer in a Polygon interview. “Like I would like it to really feel just like the sprint of my Xbox after I activate the tv. [Except I want it] on these units.”

I think what Microsoft is engaged on is an Xbox handheld that’s Home windows-based, however that has the power to run Xbox video games and the total Xbox dashboard. On The Vergecast earlier this yr, I mentioned my best for an Xbox handheld. It might run Home windows at its core however by no means expose this to you so it appears and appears like an Xbox console, however if you wish to run Steam video games or Xbox video games, you’ll be able to.