Handheld Showdown: Steam Deck, Switch 2, ROG Ally — which console gets your vote?

The best handheld gaming consoles took off in a big way after the Steam Deck launched in 2022. Now, major companies like Asus, Lenovo and MSI are fighting to overthrow Valve’s popular device. This is the best time for handheld gaming, and it should get better in the coming years.

Given the popularity of handheld gaming videos on Tom’s Guide’s YouTube channel, we’re launching a new limited series called Handheld Showdown. In Handheld Showdown, my colleague Paul Antill and I compare handheld devices and let you pick which ones move forward in the bracket. Matches include the Lenovo Legion Go S versus the Asus ROG Ally, the original Steam Deck versus the Steam Deck OLED, and more!

Make sure to watch the first episode embedded above and vote for which console moves on! Here are the match-ups you can expect to see and vote on in the coming weeks.

Vote for your favorite handheld gaming consoles now!

Handheld Showdown’s bracket of eight was determined by our audience’s ranks and input from our gaming experts.

Now, we need your help to decide which four will move on to the semi-final round. That will lead us to the final two devices, and of course, the grand champion.

Here are the matches, so please vote for the gaming handheld you think should win in each match-up:

Asus ROG Ally X vs. Nintendo Switch 2

This is arguably the strangest match-up we have, given how these machines serve different audiences. That said, they are both handhelds, and their differences make them ideal for specific people. Do you want a robust gaming library or are you more interested in playing Nintendo games?

Steam Deck OLED vs. Steam Deck LCD

The Steam Deck OLED might seem like the easy winner here since it has a fancier panel, but the original Steam Deck shouldn’t be overlooked since it still provides great value. Choosing between Steam Decks isn’t as easy as it looks!

Lenovo Legion Go S vs. Asus ROG Ally

The Lenovo Legion Go S is the first non-Valve gaming handheld with SteamOS, which certainly gives it a distinct advantage over other devices. However, the original Asus ROG Ally, with its ability to play almost all Windows 11 games, is still a fan-favorite.

Lenovo Legion Go vs. MSI Claw 8 AI+

The Lenovo Legion Go is the most unique Windows handheld in this contest due to its large size and removable controllers. That said, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and its Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU offer better performance than its aging AMD-powered rival.

What happens next?

So those are the match-ups we’ll have for Handheld Showdown!

After you’ve voted, make sure to share this story with the folks in your gaming circles so that the best picks move on. Also, come back next week to vote on the semi-finals round!

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Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

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