Microsoft seems to be gearing up for a groundbreaking move with their upcoming Xbox handheld console, which could potentially play PlayStation games right out of the box. This revelation adds an intriguing twist as it suggests that Xbox is not just expanding its hardware lineup but also significantly enhancing its software capabilities.
In recent years, the allure of handheld gaming devices has skyrocketed, fueled by popular models like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Asus ROG Ally. Naturally, industry giants Xbox and PlayStation are reportedly keen to join this handheld revolution, with speculations flying around their own respective projects. Microsoft’s Gaming head, Phil Spencer, has hinted at the development of an Xbox handheld, although it’s expected to hit the market in a few years.
What’s truly fascinating about Microsoft’s handheld venture is the possibility of it being capable of running PlayStation games. Tom Warren, a trustworthy Microsoft insider, recently hinted at this on social media. He shared an article about PlayStation’s rumored handheld and responded to a fan’s comment, expressing skepticism about cross-platform capabilities, with the idea that Xbox’s handheld might indeed support PlayStation titles, thanks to Sony publishing games on PC.
The intriguing part is that Microsoft might opt for a version of Windows as the operating system for this device, diverging from the closed ecosystems used in previous consoles. This would, in essence, transform the Xbox handheld into a portable gaming PC, much like the Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go. With Windows on board, it could access a multitude of game storefronts like Steam or GOG, thus allowing it to run any PlayStation first-party games available on these platforms.
Phil Spencer further reinforced this idea during a chat with Bloomberg, sharing his goal to improve the Xbox app’s performance on existing handheld PCs before launching Microsoft’s own device. This strategic direction hints strongly at a Windows-operating handheld, creating an unprecedented scenario where PlayStation games could be played on a competitor’s hardware. However, given the project’s timeline, Microsoft’s plans might still evolve before any official launch.
In essence, Microsoft’s strategy as hinted so far, could potentially reshape the gaming landscape, creating more interconnectivity between traditionally rival platforms. Yet, with the handheld still years away, the gaming world will have to wait to see how these plans unfold.
