What the portable Xbox needs to move beyond being seen as just a handheld Windows PC.

Xbox have been hinting at a portable device of their own for what feels like forever, but things do seem to be edging closer to reality — a recent report suggests that before truly going it alone, Microsoft will be working with another PC hardware maker on creating a handheld — and it's due to arrive before the year is out.

So, with an Xbox-branded portable on the horizon, what does it need to offer in a world of the Steam Deck, Ally, and Legion Go?

Kyle Orland, writing at Ars Technica, has shared some thoughts on what features Microsoft's upcoming hardware play needs to bring to the table. Be it a custom UI (not just something half-baked on top of Windows), rich backward compatibility, and even a similar 'Deck Verified' program for software harmony. All solid suggestions. I was nodding along throughout, especially when he mentioned one of my all time favourites:

"If Microsoft can give us a way to play Geometry Wars 2 on the go without having to deal with finicky third-party emulators, we'll be eternally grateful"

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It needs to be more than just stock Windows with a coat of paint.

Ars TechnicaKyle Orland