The Lenovo Legion Go’s detachable controllers and large 8.8-inch display make it a distinctive Windows gaming handheld, but its performance and battery life depend heavily on the game and power setting. In HotHardware’s February 29, 2024 review, the controls offered useful flexibility after an adjustment period, while demanding games often needed lower resolutions or settings. The review is a dated hands-on account—not a current comparison or price check.
What stands out about the Legion Go’s controllers?
The Legion Go’s two Legion TrueStrike controllers detach from the sides of the handheld. That lets you use the device in more than one way: hold it as a single portable system, separate the controllers for a different grip, or use the right controller as a mouse with its included base. The left controller can provide mapped keyboard-like input. Lenovo lists detachable controllers among the system’s features, with specifications varying by model and region: Lenovo Legion Go specifications.
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HotHardware’s reviewer found the extra control options useful, but noted that they take some getting used to and criticized the D-pad. The mouse mode is a specialized option rather than a replacement for a conventional mouse in every game: how well it suits a particular title depends on its controls and the player’s preferences.
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HotHardware tested a Legion Go with AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 16 GB of soldered LPDDR5X-7500 memory, and a 1 TB M.2 2242 SSD. The review also discusses a 512 GB configuration. Its results show why performance should be judged by game, resolution, graphics settings, and power profile—not by the processor name alone. The figures below are the reviewer’s reported results from February 2024, not guarantees for every software version or configuration.
#1 Best Overall
- ALL GAMES, ALL PLACES, ALL YOURS – Get ready to game on the 8" 120Hz Lenovo PureSight display and launch any title using Legion Space. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor and AMD Radeon graphics deliver incredible gaming performance.
- SEE EVERY DETAIL – Make every scene pop with 500 nits of stunning brightness and 100% sRGB color accuracy. And with 10-point touch support, your interactions are as precise as your aim.
- PLAY YOUR WAY – Play hundreds of high-quality PC games with your complimentary 3 months of PC Game Pass and EA Play. With new games added all the time, there’s always something new to play.
- POWER-UP AND GO – When it comes to gaming on the go, battery life is everything. The Lenovo Legion Go S is built with a robust 55.5Whr battery that delivers the long-lasting power you need for extended play sessions.
- TAKE FULL CONTROL – Get ready to dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers, designed for all-day comfort and precision. With their anti-slip texture, you’ll stay in control during even the most intense battles.
| Game | Reported settings and result | What the result indicates |
|---|---|---|
| Doom Eternal | At 15 W, 1920×1200 and 60 fps; at 9 W, 1280×800 with lower settings was described as workable. At 27 W, the reviewer played at 2560×1600 on medium settings with a frame-rate cap. | The handheld could scale the same game across power and resolution targets; the highest resolution came with a higher power profile and adjusted settings. |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | 1080p on high settings ran well in the 15 W Balanced profile. The reviewer did not achieve smooth play at 2560×1440. | A demanding game may not make practical use of the display’s full resolution. |
| Hades | At 9 W, the reviewer reported 1080p at 60 fps; in Balanced mode, the game exceeded 100 fps at 1600p. | Lighter games can better exploit the high-resolution, high-refresh display. |
| Palworld | The reviewer said reduced resolution and settings were needed, and the game did not run smoothly in the configurations cited. | Not every game became smooth simply by lowering settings. |
| The Witcher III | The reviewer reported smooth play using dynamic resolution in the 15 W profile. | Dynamic resolution can help balance image quality and performance in a demanding game. |
The contrast matters more than any single frame-rate figure: lighter or well-optimized games can look sharp and run at high frame rates, while newer, demanding games may call for lower resolution, reduced graphics settings, or a higher power draw. The Legion Go’s native 2560×1600 resolution and up-to-144 Hz refresh rate are display capabilities, not settings every game can sustain. HotHardware describes an 8.8-inch IPS touchscreen with up to 144 Hz, 500 nits, and 10-point touch; Lenovo notes that specifications can vary by regional model.
How long does the battery last while gaming?
HotHardware reported roughly 2.5 to 4 hours of gameplay at the 15 W Balanced profile, depending on the title. This is the reviewer’s February 2024 result on the tested system, not a guaranteed runtime: a game that pushes the hardware harder can draw more power, while lighter workloads and streaming extended runtime in the review.
Rank #2
- Cutting-Edge Performance: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme with 8 cores, 16 threads, Radeon Graphics, and 16GB LPDDR5x-7500 for seamless multitasking and gaming
- High-Resolution Display: 8.8" WQXGA (2560x1600) IPS touchscreen, 500 nits brightness, 144Hz refresh rate, 97% DCI-P3 color accuracy, with Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Ample Storage & Expansion: 512GB SSD plus M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot for 1TB and microSD card reader for extra storage and future upgrades
- Enhanced Connectivity & Cooling: AMD Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Legion Coldfront cooling, and two USB4 40Gbps ports for fast data transfer and power delivery
The review describes three power profiles: Quiet at 9 W, Balanced at 15 W, and Performance, which the reviewer measured at 27 W sustained. Choosing a lower-power profile can improve endurance, but may require accepting lower frame rates, resolution, or detail in demanding games. Lenovo lists a 49.2 Wh battery; actual runtime varies with workload and settings.
Can the Legion Go stream games?
Streaming offers another way to play games that are demanding to run locally. HotHardware reported that local Steam streaming felt close to native on the reviewer’s home network. The reviewer also used GeForce NOW for demanding games, noting some input latency and that a suitable internet connection mattered. Those experiences do not guarantee the same result on another home network, and cloud services may require separate subscriptions.
Rank #3
- ULTIMATE GAMING IMMERSION: Elevate your gaming experience with the Lenovo Legion Go and enjoy lightning-fast performance and vibrant visuals from anywhere
- UNLEASHED GAMING POWER: Harness the strength of the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and enjoy unmatched processing power for fluid gameplay
- IMMERSIVE VISUAL EXPERIENCE: Dive into gaming like never before with the Legion Go's stunning 8.8" WQXGA touch display that makes every frame come to life with exceptional clarity
- AMPLIFIED STORAGE CAPACITY: Elevate your gaming library with a spacious 512GB SSD storage, giving you ample space for your favorite games and multimedia content
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY HUB: Expand your gaming horizons with this gamepad's versatile array of ports, including two USB4 40Gbps ports
What did the review conclude about value?
Ben Funk’s February 29, 2024 conclusion called the Legion Go the best Windows-based handheld he had tried at that time and recommended the 1 TB model over the 512 GB configuration. The review listed historical prices of $749 for 1 TB and $699 for 512 GB—a $50 difference at publication. Those prices and the comparison are snapshots from 2024, not current quotes or a present-day ranking. Check the price and availability of the specific configuration, and compare current alternatives before buying.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MAX POWER, YOUR RULES – Play your way with the Lenovo Legion Go 2. Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, a vibrant 8.8" 144Hz Lenovo PureSight OLED gaming display, and a massive 74Whr battery, it’s built to push further, game longer, and stay unplugged.
- MAX COOLING, MANUAL CONTROL – The Legion Coldfront thermal system is built to handle serious heat. Increased radiators and fan blade’s surface area improves the airflow without increasing the noise. Upgraded dual heat pipes distribute heat more efficiently to keep your rig powerful and precise.
- UNLOCK MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY – Experience total freedom with the Legion Truestrike controllers. In FPS mode, the right controller can be detached, docked and operated as a mouse, giving you the edge in every firefight.
- SPEED + IMMERSION – The OLED gaming panel combines blazing speed and visual depth in a single, immersive experience. Game without compromise aided by the ultra-fast response rates, perfect blacks, and vivid color.
- BUILT TO OUTLAST – The Legion Go 2 packs 74Whr of serious staying power. That means longer sessions, higher settings, and fewer compromises, whether you're gaming at full performance or tweaking settings on the go.
Rank #4
- MAX POWER, YOUR RULES – Play your way with the Lenovo Legion Go 2. Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, a vibrant 8.8" 144Hz Lenovo PureSight OLED gaming display, and a massive 74Whr battery, it’s built to push further, game longer, and stay unplugged.
- MAX COOLING, MANUAL CONTROL – The Legion Coldfront thermal system is built to handle serious heat. Increased radiators and fan blade’s surface area improves the airflow without increasing the noise. Upgraded dual heat pipes distribute heat more efficiently to keep your rig powerful and precise.
- UNLOCK MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY – Experience total freedom with the Legion Truestrike controllers. In FPS mode, the right controller can be detached, docked and operated as a mouse, giving you the edge in every firefight.
- SPEED + IMMERSION – The OLED gaming panel combines blazing speed and visual depth in a single, immersive experience. Game without compromise aided by the ultra-fast response rates, perfect blacks, and vivid color.
- BUILT TO OUTLAST – The Legion Go 2 packs 74Whr of serious staying power. That means longer sessions, higher settings, and fewer compromises, whether you're gaming at full performance or tweaking settings on the go.
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.
