A brand new gaming handheld from Samsung takes greater than a few pages out of Nintendo’s e book, but it surely does have a singular gimmick of its personal.
Ever because the Nintendo Switch got here out in 2017, different corporations have been desirous to capitalise on the brand new handheld gaming promote it opened up. Valve’s Steam Deck will be the most notable instance, however you’ve additionally received the likes of the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go.
Sony is rumoured to be getting again into making moveable units, following the launch of its PlayStation Portal, and even Microsoft is serious about making a devoted Xbox handheld.
Now, Samsung has thrown its hat into the ring, with the Samsung Flex Gaming system, which appears to be like close to sufficient an identical to the Switch however boasts a foldable display screen.
Said system is simply an idea system in the intervening time, however Samsung demonstrated a working mannequin earlier this week throughout MWC25 – an annual tradeshow for the cellular communications business – in Barcelona.
As you may see from the picture and a separate video by an attendee, the general design blatantly cribs from the Switch, whereas the folding facet is paying homage to the Game Boy Advance SP and Nintendo DS handhelds.
Neither of these had a foldable display screen, however the similarity is apparent. It even correctly has two indents for the management sticks to snugly match into, when the console’s closed, and there’s directional and face buttons embedded across the edges.
We do should surprise how noticeable the crease within the display screen is when it’s totally flattened out… assuming it may be. The screenshot and video footage solely ever depict it opened at an angle, which may counsel the 7.2-inch OLED display screen will at all times be creased even when enjoying video games; one thing which will show a bit distracting.
There’s no assure Samsung will ever launch the console and it could simply be a proof of idea, from their standpoint.
Seeing different corporations pump out their very own handhelds might persuade Samsung to take its personal shot, however there are indicators the market already peaked in 2023. Plus, the Switch is undeniably dominating the hand held area (even with flagging gross sales), with the Switch 2 anticipated to choose up the reins when it launches later this 12 months.
Speaking of the Switch 2, we’re nearly stunned Nintendo itself didn’t give you the thought of a foldable display screen first, because it sounds just like the type of gimmick it will incorporate into a brand new console.
So far, the Switch 2 is notably missing any type of bizarre gimmick, of the type that has outlined previous Nintendo consoles, which has been some extent of rivalry amongst some.
That stated, its controllers look set to have laptop mouse performance, it’s imagined to be playable even when the wrong way up, and we nonetheless don’t know what that mysterious new button on one of many controllers does.
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