For a long time, Xbox owners have wondered if Microsoft would enter the handheld gaming market, and now it’s finally happening — kind of. The Logitech G Cloud handheld isn’t a new console per se, but it’s a way to play your Xbox Game Pass library on the go.
Aesthetically, the Cloud Handheld is in line with the Nintendo Switch or Valve Steam Deck, with a 12-inch 1080p touchscreen between the two halves of the Xbox controller. “Handheld devices are the natural next step in our cloud gaming evolution,” says Xbox in its announcement“It’s great to see a world-class hardware leader like Logitech optimizing Xbox cloud gaming for their new device.” Cloud Handheld boasts over 12 hours of battery life and built-in Wi-Fi, both great for extending gaming time to important.
As for what games you can play on the cloud, the answer is in the name: everything the Xbox can pull from the cloud can be played on the portable device. This should work perfectly with Game Pass, which offers subscribers all first-party Xbox games and select third-party titles like Deathloop’s Xbox port on day one. The recently announced Xbox Game Pass Friends and Family program works well here, too, letting people play games on consoles, PCs, and handhelds in the same household.
All this information begs two questions: When will the Logitech G Cloud handheld be released, and how much will it cost? Cloud Handheld will be available on October 17th, and pre-orders are now open at the Microsoft Store. While the final retail price will total $349.99, you can currently pre-order one for a $50 discount, bringing the cost down to $299.99.
It’s worth pointing out that the Logitech G Cloud handheld isn’t limited to Xbox games; it also supports Nvidia GeForce Now. It’s also not the only handheld device Logitech has been developing. Earlier this year, it announced a partnership with Tencent that would bring another gaming device.
