CES 2025 Handheld Trends Continue Strong

CES 2025: Handheld Gaming Takes Center Stage

CES 2025 saw a flurry of exciting announcements, with new consoles and accessories dominating the headlines. A particular focus was on handheld gaming, spurred by the continued success of the Nintendo Switch. While a Nintendo Switch 2 remains unconfirmed, rumors of its presence at private showcases circulated.

Sony's Midnight Black PS5 Accessory Lineup

Sony expanded its popular Midnight Black PS5 collection with a range of stylish new accessories. Building on the previously released DualSense controller and console covers, the new additions offer a sophisticated, dark aesthetic.

The new Midnight Black accessories include:

• DualSense Edge wireless controller - $199.99 USD
• PlayStation Elite wireless headset - $149.99 USD
• PlayStation Explore wireless earbuds - $199.99 USD
• PlayStation Portal remote player - $199.99 USD

Pre-orders begin January 16th, 2025, at 10 am local time, with a release date of February 20th, 2025. Regional availability may vary.

Lenovo Legion Go S: SteamOS on the Go

Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go S, a groundbreaking handheld gaming device powered by Valve's SteamOS. Officially licensed by Valve, this device marks a significant step for handheld PC gaming.

The Legion Go S boasts an 8-inch screen with VRR1 support, enhanced TrueStrike controllers, and hall-effect joysticks. Seamless cloud saves and remote play features ensure a smooth transition between PC and handheld gaming. Full access to the Steam ecosystem is included.

The SteamOS version launches in May 2025 at $499.99 USD, while a Windows version will be available earlier in January 2025, starting at $729.99 USD. Valve also announced plans to expand SteamOS support to other handheld devices.

Beyond Sony and Lenovo: Other CES 2025 Highlights

While Sony and Lenovo stole the show with their handheld offerings, other notable announcements included Nvidia's RTX 50-series graphics cards and Acer's eco-friendly Aspire Vero 16 laptop. The continued interest in handheld gaming, fueled by the Switch's success, made it a key theme of CES 2025. However, the lack of an official Nintendo Switch 2 announcement leaves the future of that market somewhat uncertain.