Uncertain Future for Native Xbox Handheld Development

Sure, here it is:

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You know, it’s kinda funny when you think about it. Xbox, right? Big player in the gaming world, yet out of all the big console names, they’re the odd ones out when it comes to handhelds. I mean, PlayStation and Nintendo have been doing it, like, forever. But Xbox? Nope. Nada. Until now, or maybe not? Who even knows at this point. There’s buzz about Microsoft tinkering with not one but two handheld devices. Yeah, you heard me—two. One’s apparently homegrown by Microsoft, and the other by Asus. Weird, right?

So Jez Corden from Windows Central—a dude with the scoop—said something in March about Asus dropping this Xbox handheld, called Project Kennan, later this year. It’s supposed to be like an Xbox-branded ROG Ally, whatever that means. But catch this: it doesn’t even play Xbox games. Only PC games. Weird choice, honestly. Then there’s Microsoft’s version, supposedly set for a joyride alongside the next-gen Xbox around 2027. A dockable thing like the Nintendo Switch. But will it actually happen? Let’s just say, don’t hold your breath.

It’s ironic, really. This Xbox handheld sounded like it could be a hole-filler for Xbox’s lineup. But, oh well, priorities change or whatever. According to Corden, Microsoft shelved it. Now, they’re more into supporting PC handhelds. Microsoft making a handheld? Yeah, there’s chat about it happening in 2028. But if I’m honest, it might vanish into thin air before then, just saying.

I gotta say, Xbox has been riding the bumpy road with the Series X/S. Consistency? Ha, never heard of it. They can’t seem to stick to a game plan. Xbox Series X/S launched in 2020 with all the fanfare of being “the world’s most powerful console” and loaded with promises of killer exclusives. Fast forward, and—oh surprise!—not much of that happened. They nabbed Bethesda in 2021 and swore exclusivity. But there we are, with the PS5 Pro as king of the hill now. And Xbox? No competition. Missed opportunities? Seems like it.

Now here’s a head-scratcher: Xbox exclusives are, like, drifting away. Forza Horizon 5 on a PlayStation? Yep. Gears of War popping up on Nintendo? You bet. Xbox kind of went on a multi-platform spree out of nowhere. Who knows what’s next?

So, looking at Microsoft’s hardware game plan, I don’t buy it sticking around the same for 2028 and on. They’ve flip-flopped too much with the Series X/S stuff. And let’s face it—skepticism is the name of the game here. Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox and this rumored handheld feel more like tales of wishful thinking than an actual reality check at this point. Keeping my expectations low, if I’m honest.