Why handheld gaming consoles still matter

Pocket-sized gaming is booming again—from classic consoles to powerful handheld PCs— driven by players who want to play without distractions

- Shrey Pacheco

Like most retirees in New Delhi, 64-year-old Sally Rana's day starts off with a quick walk around the nearby park. However, what sets her apart from others is the fact that she carries her PlayStation Portable hand held game console with her on her walk. "I could not play on the phone, but I found this to be better as it is less complicated and is easy for me to take anywhere, she says.

"The others (senior citizens) would rather have me sit with them and gossip, but I would rather do this. I don't want my inner child to die."

On paper, handhelds might seem like a niche category in gaming, especially when compared to home console juggernauts like the Xbox or the PlayStation. But the data tells a different story. Handheld consoles actually claim two spots in the top five bestselling consoles.

Handheld consoles let users play games pretty much anywhere, putting entire virtual worlds right in their pockets

In fact, one might argue that there are three handhelds in the list, as the Nintendo Switch is a hybrid system that is a mix of the two.

Gamers today are truly spoilt for choice, with everything from compact consoles to powerful handheld PCs and smartphones vying for a place in our pockets. Rana, like many millions of people around the globe, perfectly understands the appeal of a handheld gaming console. Unlike standard gaming consoles, handhelds let users play games pretty much anywhere, putting entire virtual worlds right in their pockets without the distractions that smartphones inevitably bring into the picture when they are used for anything from gaming to reading.

This appeal is reflected in the numbers. According to Global Media Insights, the global handheld gaming market was estimated at USD 16.3 billion in 2024, and is expected to grow to USD 37.7 billion in 2034.

It's hard to imagine that all this was reportedly made possible by a bored Japanese businessman.

KINGS AND CHALLENGERS