CES 2025 Showcases Handheld Gaming Advancements and New Accessories

CES 2025 highlighted significant developments in handheld gaming, featuring new consoles and accessories alongside whispers of a potential Nintendo Switch successor. Let's delve into the key announcements.

Sony's Midnight Black PS5 Accessory Expansion

Sony expanded its popular Midnight Black PS5 collection with a range of stylish new accessories. These complement the existing DualSense controller and console covers, all boasting a sophisticated dark aesthetic. The new additions 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 general availability set for February 20th, 2025. Regional variations in release dates may apply.

Lenovo Legion Go S: SteamOS on a Handheld

Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go S, a groundbreaking handheld gaming device powered by Valve's SteamOS. Officially licensed, it's the first of its kind, boasting an 8-inch screen with VRR1 support and innovative TrueStrike controllers. Key features include cloud saves for seamless PC-to-handheld transitions and remote play capabilities.

Full Steam ecosystem integration provides access to your library, cloud saves, chat, and more. System updates are handled directly through SteamOS. The SteamOS version launches in May 2025 at $499.99 USD, while a Windows-based version will be available earlier in January 2025, starting at $729.99 USD. Valve also confirmed plans to expand SteamOS compatibility to other handheld devices.

Beyond the Headlines: Other CES 2025 Announcements

While Sony and Lenovo dominated the handheld gaming conversation, other significant announcements were made. Nvidia showcased its new RTX 50-series graphics cards, and Acer unveiled the eco-friendly Aspire Vero 16 laptop.

Speculation surrounding a Nintendo Switch 2 also circulated, though Nintendo remained tight-lipped, leaving the existence and details of such a device unconfirmed. The success of the original Switch, however, suggests that the handheld gaming market remains a hotbed of innovation.