PS Vita failure still stings after Xbox and Logitech handheld team-up

The PS Vita will be turning in its open grave as Logitech has announced a new G Cloud handheld that has Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Game Pass Support. While it might not match the Steam Deck or the Switch, it is a Vita reminder.

PS Vita owners might be stung by the new Logitech G Cloud handheld that comes with Xbox support after years of handheld neglect from Sony. The old PSP successor hasn't had a new iteration, but Microsoft seems intent on breaking Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Game Pass into the mobile and handheld space while PS Plus remains mostly absent from other hardware.

Is the Logitech G Cloud the Vita of the Xbox realm?

Xbox Game Pass comes to handheld while PS Plus remains on console and PC

Let's get down to business on the actual hardware. The Logitech G Cloud is set to release on October 18th, 2022 in the US and Canada for $349.99 (preorders seem to all come with a $50 discount). It has the traditional Xbox button map with bumpers and triggers, offset joysticks, and haptics, with a 7-inch 16:9 screen in the middle. It runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G and Octacore CPU 2.3 GHz — which is not that strong and would struggle to run high-intensity mobile games, but this thing is made for streaming. There is Google Play and Android 11 installed with alleged 12-hour battery life when playing streamed games.

The major downfall here is that there is no 5G or 4G support, meaning to stream games — as it is advertised to be good for — you will be stuck within the confines of your WiFi signal. That means that the native-game running Steam Deck, which is available for only $399.99 in its lowest configuration, is still the supreme way to play games on the go if you are looking for the latest gaming handheld hardware. Despite the Xbox Cloud Support, the price, and the power, the on-the-go limitations will probably make this a no-go for most players who could comfortably get a suitable phone, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S for around the same price.

PS Vita still rules the roost of the handheld market

So, why the fuss? Well, it's clear Microsoft is at least trying to find a way into the handheld market and is using its pretty remarkable streaming capabilities to do so. Meanwhile, Sony made the legendary PS Vita some 10 years ago — most certainly one of the best handhelds ever made, just check out the best PS Vita games list — but hasn't touched the market action after being burned. Nintendo and Valve have since entered the market very successfully, clearly showing the audience is there for handheld gaming done right.

We all know that Sony should probably find a way in with PS Plus on mobile at least, but its PlayStation Plus PC selection is still limited. The dreams of a dedicated handheld might be dead, but the Sony Backbone One certainly isn't the solution. While the Logitech G Cloud might not be it for Xbox either, it will keep gambling until it finds a portable home for Xbox.

Where does that leave us? In a state of suspended reflection; we just wanted to express our pain at seeing even famously handheld shy Xbox get a piece of the action on hardware barely more powerful than the Vita, while Sony's efforts remain sealed in history as a failure. Get in the comments to tell us your thoughts on this new system! Do you want one? Are you content on phones for gaming on the go? Trophy support is obviously needed, right? Get your thoughts out down there!

PlayStation Vita

Written by Kes Eylers-Stephenson

Editor Kes is our resident expert in PlayStation and other gaming news. He writes about PS5 exclusives like The Last of Us and Horizon, PS Plus news, and his favorite games — The Witcher, Assassin’s Creed, and God of War — before an evening swim.