13 Portable Console Innovations Changing How We Play Anywhere

11. AAA Power in Your Palm: Steam Deck, Ayaneo, ROG Ally

Just when everyone thought portable gaming meant scaling back, enter the new wave of palm-sized powerhouses. Valve’s Steam Deck, the sleek Ayaneo, and the ROG Ally put true PC-level specs in handhelds, supporting everything from indie darlings to huge blockbusters with all the bells and whistles (sometimes even mods!). Gamers who once felt chained to their desktops can now pull off wild combo streaks or marathon sessions wherever they want—no compromise on frame rates or visual flair. Even indie circles are buzzing about these all-in-one devices, which just might be the biggest leap since the Game Boy’s original “play anywhere” promise.