Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone that can be used to play games anytime and anywhere. However, mobile games are not for everyone since many AAA games cannot be played on smartphones. Handheld gaming consoles are not only convenient but also provide an immersive experience that is on another level than mobile games. This is why handheld gaming consoles have been so popular.
Nintendo has dominated the handheld gaming console market since the Switch was launched in 2017. Gamers can enjoy every game on the Nintendo platform, but the specifications of the Switch were not able to match Triple-A games. Valve released the Steam Deck in 2021 so that gamers can finally play Triple-A masterpieces. Afterward, Ayaneo, Logitech, and ASUS also joined the handheld gaming console market.
Potential Risks of Handheld Gaming Consoles
The latest handheld consoles each have their unique characteristics. Hardware specifications and performance are a lot more powerful than previous generations. There are also lots of expansion options and can be simultaneously connected to many accessories and devices. Although the specifications of these products are high-end, there are still plenty of issues that affect the user experience. Allion’s gaming consulting team analyzed our previous test projects and after looking at the usage scenarios and customer feedback, we summarized the most common issues below.
- After running a high-performance game for a while, the console starts to overheat
- Loud fan noise
- Some games are not compatible
- Poor battery life and slow charging speeds
- Short product life
Problem 1 – Overheating
Since handheld gaming consoles have high-end processors and are small in size, temperature and heat dissipation issues are very common, especially when playing Triple-A games that need lots of processing power. High temperatures can cause damage to the hardware or even burn the user.
Problem 2 – Fan Noise
Fan noise is closely related to Problem 1. For these products, the fan will run at high speeds to cool down the device. If the noise is too loud, it can affect the gaming experience.
Problem 3 – Game Compatibility
Not all games can run smoothly on all consoles. Even if the hardware is powerful, there are still many games that can encounter compatibility issues. Taking the Steam Deck as an example, it’s equipped with the Linux-based SteamOS. Games that run smoothly on the PC can have different compatibility issues when played in the Steam Deck. The compatibility levels of Steam Deck games are classified as verified, payable, unsupported, and unknown. These compatibility issues may affect button inputs, screen display, smoothness of gameplay, and more. In serious cases, the game can be impossible to play normally.
Problem 4 – Battery Life and Charging Speeds
When playing Triple-A games, the battery life can be very short when the console is performing at a high level. If the console is not connected to a power supply, you will not be able to play it for more than 2 hours, making it impossible to have a good gaming experience. When charging speeds are not fast enough, the charging times may even exceed your playing time. To enjoy Triple-A games for longer periods, the power supply must be connected, making it inconvenient and negatively affecting the gaming experience.
Problem 5 – Product Life
Since handheld gaming consoles are often used on the move, vibrations and impacts can reduce the product life of these products and damage the brand image. Handheld gaming consoles must conduct product life tests during product development and trial stages to improve quality and reliability.
If these issues can be discovered early on in the process, costs can be effectively reduced. Allion can help you save time and reduce costs in the product development process. Our gaming consulting team can assist your team in enjoying a faster, easier, and better service experience.
Faster, Easier, Better: The Most Trusted Gaming Product Ecosystem Testing Consultant
Allion can provide relevant service solutions to meet our clients’ needs and respond to their issues. We can effectively improve overall product quality, reduce the number of customer complaints, reduce the number of returns, and customize dedicated verification testing plans for each client, providing the best consulting services and solutions for each client, helping them eliminate most issues they encounter, and accelerating product development.
- Customized Testing and Consulting Services
- Compatibility Test
- Functionality Test
- User Experience Test
- Reliability Test & Product Life Cycle Test
- Charging Test
- Professional debugging Support
Faster：
Allion can provide clients with fast and accurate evaluations that effectively shorten schedules for certifications. With thousands of gaming-relevant devices for testing, we have the most complete testing equipment in our laboratories, providing the best quality control for our clients.
- Quickly build an e-sports-related testing laboratory
- Quickly design development verification strategies
- Quickly obtain certification planning
Easier：
By implementing AI and automation solutions, Allion ensures that every test is “qualitative, quantitative, and reproducible”, helping our clients to improve product performance more efficiently.
- Less labor-intensive testing methods
- Time-saving and cost-effective testing solutions
- More accurate test results
Better：
Allion has professional teams with decades of experience who have deep knowledge of user experience certifications and user scenario testing, ensuring the performance of our client’s products. We have been long-term partners with international manufacturers. Allion can provide your consumers with the best user experience within different ecosystems.
- Professional issue isolation
- Professional debugging support
If you have any requirements or questions, please contact us.