Hoping for an Xbox Handheld Reveal at the Microsoft Games Showcase

Alright, so picture this: Microsoft and Xbox have been teasing fans forever about some kind of Steam Deck rival. It’s like they’re playing this endless game of peek-a-boo. You know, you’re staring at your screen, waiting for a sign, any sign. Maybe it’s a new Windows update that makes handhelds feel like you’re playing on a cloud, or perhaps the hotly rumored Asus ROG Ally 2 finally, with those oh-so-essential Xbox guide controls. And guess what? The Xbox Games Showcase is rolling around, so who knows, maybe they’ll finally spill the beans there. No one’s even asking, so the surprise factor would be chef’s kiss.

And then, there’s all this back-and-forth whispered drama with Microsoft — "Are they or aren’t they?" — it’s kind of hilarious, almost soap-opera level. It’s like they’re dangling this super cool Xbox version of the Steam Deck over us like candy over a baby. Leaks flying everywhere — the Asus ROG Ally 2 supposedly primed with Xbox’s signature touch — and then, nothing but crickets. Radio silence, folks.

So, there was this moment — Asus, known for top-tier gaming gear, drops a teaser video. Xbox jumps in, all “oooh, let’s chat” on socials. Quick animation shows off the ROG Ally and an Xbox controller going through a mystery upgrade process, with Asus’s mascot tagging along for the ride. The grand takeaway? A shadowy handheld figure emerges, leading everyone’s imagination deep into dreamland.

And oh, side note — saw some leaked pics of these new ROG Ally handhelds. Juicy stuff, one possibly the Asus ROG Ally 2 in disguise, flaunting that prized Xbox button we’ve been drooling over.

Let’s hop back in time a sec, to March 2024. Xbox, a bit like that friend who can’t keep a secret, accidentally let slip some big news: Steam games integrating into the Xbox app. Oopsie! Add a sprinkle of updates — you’ve got clocks and battery icons now — feels like something big’s brewing.

This Sunday, mark it — Xbox Games Showcase during the Summer Game Fest. Gamers everywhere will have their faces lit by screen glow, eagerly sucked into the buzz about upcoming blockbusters. But seriously, my radar’s all about hardware hype.

Microsoft’s pulling every trick trying to regain their cred with the hard-core crew, especially after folks went bonkers over games like Forza Horizon 5 hopping onto PlayStation. Bet a slick new handheld would nudge us all into forgiveness.

Now, could they splash this sensational news during some tech convention? Sure. But the Showcase is where the eyes of the gaming universe are fixated. Dropping it here? Genius.

We’ve all been in a tizzy over Xbox’s elusive handheld ambitions for what feels like forever, with whispers saying they’ve hit the brakes on a first-party machine. Maybe they’re siding with third-party crew now. Could the legendary Asus/Xbox hybrid, codenamed Project Kennan, see daylight in 2025? Reveal it now, and they’ve got plenty of runway for holiday hype. But hey, time’s the only one with receipts.

If you’re curious about what Project Kennan’s up against, totally give our reviews on Ayaneo 3 or the Asus ROG Ally X a gander. See where those bad boys stand compared to the Steam Deck.

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