Playing games has long been one of the most popular things for people to do in their spare time. This now sees the gaming sector as a top niche within entertainment on a global scale. One of the reasons for this is the variety of ways people can now try their favorite titles.
As well as traditional offline console or PC play, online gaming has really taken off in the last decade. Mobile play has also risen to prominence in recent years and allows people to try games wherever they and whenever they like. Genshin Impact really took the mobile gaming community by surprise when it launched in 2020, and it still has an active fan base.
This isn’t just video games either—online casino games are also available on mobile around the world. Live blackjack games in Canada that work on mobile highlight this, and this is true for many other countries globally.
Handheld consoles offer a slightly different take on mobile gaming but deliver the same level of convenience. Key to getting the most from playing on these devices is choosing games that work well on them. But which games might this be?
1. Elden Ring
This stunning RPG romp can be enjoyed on the Steam Deck and is ideally suited to handheld play. It makes full use of the processing power packed into this console to deliver gorgeous visuals and crisp sound FX.
Trying Elden Ring on the Steam Deck allows players to take the action with them and get fully immersed into the storyline on the move. Playing in this way is especially good for tasks like farming runes, as players are able to do this via handheld wherever they are.
2. God of War
God of War first appeared on Sony’s PS4 and transported Greek hero Kratos into the world of Norse mythology. This proved to be a hit with players and saw the game become one of Sony’s must celebrated releases.
It’s now available to play on the Steam Deck and it allows Valve’s handheld console to shine. It looks amazing and the detailed graphics really help take players deep into the game’s world. The interesting mythological storyline is great for gaming on the move and makes any work break a lot more exciting! The in-game controls are well suited to handheld play and feel intuitive on the Steam Deck.
3. Red Dead Redemption
There’s no doubt that Nintendo’s Switch has really helped handheld games consoles take off again in recent years. Alongside the eye-catching design and powerful tech, the choice of awesome games explains this.
Red Dead Redemption is now available on this console and is a really good fit for handheld play. Although the original game is a little old now, this port still boasts beautiful graphics. This is especially true for textures in the game, which are helped by the advanced texture memory tech in this console.
The open-world design of the game makes it an exciting title to try on handheld, and players will love spending time exploring the terrain. The smaller Switch screen seems to help the game run better but still offers a clear view of the action. For gamers who fancy taking the Wild West with them wherever they go, this is a top choice.
4. Bayonetta 3
When it comes to games well suited to 2025’s popular handheld consoles, Bayonetta 3 on the Switch deserves a mention. The game comes from the people behind Devil May Cry and features a gun-toting witch as the main character!
This action game is so gripping that being able to take it anywhere and play at anytime is a must. The fast-paced thrills feel perfect for the Switch and the console itself delivers a super-smooth gaming experience. The game’s multiple attack systems are easy to operate via the Switch controls and make battling in-game opponents a breeze.
5. Returnal
Sony’s PS Portal has its own share of games that work really well on handheld. Returnal is the pick of the bunch and brings absorbing game mechanics and an eerie atmosphere with it. It was launched back in 2021 and is a third-person shooter with a top-down design. The cool sci-fi theme and innovative time loop-based storyline come across very well on the PS Portal.
One other thing that makes this game so good on handheld is the ability for players to save their progress mid-run. This is a lifesaver when problems with Wi-Fi crop up out of the blue! The clear text and visuals translate well to the smaller handheld screen and make it easy to know what’s going on.
5 Games That Fit Perfectly on Handheld
From gorgeous visuals to super-smooth gaming experiences, the ability to save mid-run, and much more, the games above work superbly on handheld. They show that whatever handheld console people like to play on, this is an awesome way to game.