It appears as if the much-anticipated Xbox handheld, codename “Keenan”, has been revealed by its maker, Asus.
Sure, as reported by our friends over at Pure Xbox, Asus has dropped a slick teaser trailer for his or her upcoming ROG-Ally-styled handheld, which is able to carry official Xbox branding, buttons and — we’re assuming — a pleasant new UI that ties it into Microsoft’s house console ecosystem.
It is solely a really brief glimpse, however the trailer (under) does give us have a look at a console that falls very a lot consistent with what we have seen within the final two gaming handhelds from Asus. We’re unsure we have been in a position to make out a number of the rumoured options of the console from this advert, comparable to a devoted Xbox button, just like the one discovered on the console’s controllers. Nevertheless, the very apparent flashes of the traditional Xbox controller buttons go away no thriller about what we’re taking a look at right here.
Extra curiously, throughout a sequence the place a robotic character sits at a pc, we see a bunch of information telling us to count on “extra capability” in addition to a “recent look” and, maybe extra curiously, “sooner speeds” and “marathon stamina”. So, an Ally rocking extra SSD area, RAM, and a greater battery? We’re not foaming on the mouth. You might be.
Word the side-eyed response from the Xbox X account above, acknowledging involvement with none disrespectful nods on the timing of the trailer itself – if someway you’d forgotten, there is a Swap 2 Direct tomorrow. After all, Xbox will not wish to be beginning something greater than a little bit of playful banter with the massive N, as there may very well be any variety of crossovers or partnerships sooner or later between these consoles. But additionally, nicely, as a result of the Swap 2 completely instructions respect.
Nintendo consoles carry that huge shiny Nintendo seal of high quality, and the storied video games that its fanbase need together with it, which is one thing that the snazzy specs on these highly effective new handheld PCs have to be cautious in competing with. For many who aren’t au fait with the ROG Ally, by the way in which, it is some of the straight-up highly effective handhelds at present on the market – you may take a look at a really informative overview of it over at Pure Xbox.
Put all of it collectively and this new console is definitely wanting like a robust new, Xbox-branded substitute for the ROG Ally, and Asus will know that with that branding, and with Recreation Cross and a candy new interface, it is a console that might actually flip the heads of some potential Swap 2 clients. We do not suppose the advert’s timing is coincidence, to illustrate that a lot.
Taking into consideration this console will undoubtedly be packing severe firepower, a slick UI, and prompt entry to Recreation Cross (presumably), and there is no doubt pursuits will likely be piqued, particularly if you happen to’re on a finances and in search of only one handheld going ahead this 12 months. It will definitely be attention-grabbing to see the place Asus lands with the worth tag.
Nevertheless, for the discerning Nintendo fan, we’re unsure simply how a lot this new console truly components into the 12 months’s plans. It isn’t going to interchange any of our present consoles in the way in which the Swap 2 will, that is for positive. We can’t be taking a look at it for large new exclusives, so maybe a direct rivalry might be averted in favour of peaceable instances and delightful crossovers.
What do you consider the most recent Asus console? Would you take into account it a direct challenger to Swap 2, or is it a completely completely different beast that you simply will not be contemplating? Be certain to tell us within the feedback!