The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The best handheld for Metroidvania games depends first on where your games are: choose Nintendo Switch 2 for Nintendo’s library and confirmed handheld support for Hollow Knight: Silksong, Steam Deck OLED for a Steam library and SteamOS features, or ROG Xbox Ally for supported PC games across Xbox and other storefronts. No official evidence establishes one overall winner, so check your specific games and weigh controls, screen, battery estimates, and storage before choosing.
Start with the games and storefronts you use
Metroidvania is a genre, not a single game library. A title’s availability and compatibility can differ by platform, so verify the games you intend to play rather than assuming that every Metroidvania works the same way on each device.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Nintendo Switch 2: Nintendo lists Hollow Knight: Silksong as supported and its handheld mode as supported. This is a clear fit if you want that game on Nintendo’s console platform. Nintendo’s Silksong compatibility page notes that compatibility and play experience may differ on Switch Lite.
- Steam Deck OLED: Steam lists Silksong as a Metroidvania and gives SteamOS + Linux system requirements. Those details do not establish its current Steam Deck Verified status; check the live compatibility entry before buying on that assumption.
- ROG Xbox Ally: ASUS says the Windows 11 handheld can access supported PC titles from Xbox and other stores. Xbox’s handheld compatibility overview identifies games marked handheld optimized and cautions that some may need in-game setting changes for optimal performance.
For a library split across services, list your must-play games and confirm each game’s current availability and compatibility on the relevant store or platform. Store access alone does not guarantee identical performance or setup for every title.
Compare the three handhelds
| Handheld | Platform and game access | Screen | Battery information | Storage expansion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo console library; Nintendo lists Silksong handheld mode as supported. | 7.9-inch LCD; 1920 × 1080; HDR10 and VRR up to 120 Hz, according to Nintendo. | Nintendo estimates approximately 2–6.5 hours and says actual life depends on the game. | microSD Express only for expansion, up to 2 TB. Standard microSD cards can be used only to copy screenshots and video from the original Switch. |
| Steam Deck OLED | SteamOS 3 and Steam library. Steam lists Silksong with SteamOS + Linux system requirements. | 7.4-inch HDR OLED; 1280 × 800; refresh rate up to 90 Hz, according to Valve. | Valve estimates 3–12 hours of gameplay for the OLED model. | High-speed microSD card slot. |
| ASUS ROG Xbox Ally | Windows 11; accesses supported PC titles from Xbox and other stores, according to ASUS. | 7-inch 1080p touchscreen; 120 Hz refresh and FreeSync Premium, according to ASUS. | ASUS lists a 60 Wh battery. Its cited Silksong comparison specifies 720p, a 60 fps cap, low in-game graphics, and Silent mode, but does not state a runtime in the cited passage. | Not stated in the cited ASUS product details. |
These are manufacturer specifications and estimates, not results from a controlled comparison. Screen size, resolution, and refresh rate describe different display characteristics; they do not by themselves establish which screen looks best in a particular game.
#1 Best Overall
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Choose Switch 2 for Nintendo’s console library
Nintendo’s US specifications list a 7.9-inch wide-color-gamut LCD at 1920 × 1080, HDR10, VRR up to 120 Hz, and 256 GB of internal UFS storage. The company estimates approximately 2–6.5 hours of battery life, with actual time depending on the game. Nintendo’s support for Silksong in handheld mode gives genre fans a specific confirmed example, but it is still worth checking the availability of the rest of your library.
For game storage expansion, Switch 2 supports microSD Express cards up to 2 TB. Ordinary microSD cards are limited to copying screenshots and video from the original Switch; they are not a substitute for a microSD Express card for Switch 2 game storage.
Rank #2
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
Choose Steam Deck OLED for a Steam-centered library and extra input options
Valve’s Steam Deck OLED technical specifications list a 7.4-inch, 1280 × 800 HDR OLED display with refresh rates up to 90 Hz, a 50 Wh battery, and estimated gameplay of 3–12 hours. The estimate is broad; it is not a promise of a particular runtime for a given Metroidvania.
Valve also lists two full-size capacitive thumbsticks, two trackpads with haptic feedback, gyro controls, and four assignable rear grip buttons. These provide additional ways to configure input, but whether they suit your hands or preferred control style is personal.
Rank #3
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 2TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
The OLED figures apply to the OLED model. Valve’s separate hardware page describes a 40 Wh battery and approximately 7–8 hours for lighter uses, including smaller 2D games and game streaming; that is a different specification set and should not be treated as the OLED model’s battery estimate. Steam Deck supports microSD expansion, useful if you want more room for an installed library.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose ROG Xbox Ally for Windows and supported games across PC stores
ASUS describes the 2025 ROG Xbox Ally as a Windows 11 handheld that accesses supported PC games from Xbox and other stores. Its product specifications list a 7-inch, 1080p touchscreen with 120 Hz refresh and FreeSync Premium, plus a 60 Wh battery. These are ASUS’s published specifications, not independent comparative findings.
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
ASUS’s cited battery comparison involving Silksong sets out test conditions—720p, a 60 fps limit, low in-game graphics, and Silent operating mode—but does not provide a Silksong runtime in the cited passage. Treat the conditions as context, not as evidence of a specific number of hours. For games you plan to play, check Xbox’s handheld compatibility information and the relevant store; some titles may need in-game setting adjustments.
Quick Recap
How to decide before you buy
- Write down your must-play games. Check which console or storefront offers each one, then verify its current compatibility details on that platform.
- Pick the platform that fits your library. Favor Switch 2 for Nintendo titles and its confirmed Silksong handheld mode; Steam Deck OLED for games in your Steam library and SteamOS; or ROG Xbox Ally if Windows access to supported games from Xbox and other PC stores matters most.
- Consider how you play. If you want extra input options, compare the Deck’s trackpads, gyro, and assignable rear buttons with your preferred controls. If screen specifications matter, compare the published size, panel type, resolution, and refresh rate without treating those numbers as a game-specific image-quality test.
- Plan for unplugged sessions and storage. Battery estimates use different methods and vary with games and settings, so they are not a head-to-head runtime ranking. Check the expansion format before purchasing a card: Steam Deck uses microSD, while Switch 2 requires microSD Express for game storage.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
