No, Xbox has never released a dedicated handheld console.
🕹️ A Quick History: Did Xbox Ever Try to Make a Handheld?
Microsoft has explored the idea of a handheld Xbox many times over the years, but none have made it to market. Here’s what we know:
❌ No Official Xbox Handheld (Yet)
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Unlike Nintendo (Game Boy, Switch) or Sony (PSP, PS Vita), Xbox has always focused on home consoles—from the original Xbox to the Series X/S.
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Microsoft has never released a physical, portable handheld console under the Xbox brand.
🔍 Rumored Projects: “xBoy” and “Xbox Portable”
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In the early 2000s and 2010s, Microsoft internally considered several portable gaming concepts, codenamed things like:
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“xBoy”
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“Xbox Go”
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“Project Mercury”
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Despite prototypes and planning, Microsoft canceled them—mostly due to cost, competition from Nintendo, and a focus on PC and console ecosystems.
📱 Xbox's Modern Handheld Strategy: Cloud, Not Hardware
Instead of building a new handheld, Microsoft now focuses on Xbox Cloud Gaming (part of Game Pass Ultimate), allowing you to play Xbox games on devices you already own:
| Platform | How Xbox Games Work |
|---|---|
| Android Phones & Tablets | Xbox app or browser (streaming) |
| iPhones/iPads | Browser-based streaming |
| Windows PCs & Laptops | Xbox app + Cloud or Game Pass PC |
| Steam Deck & Aya Neo | Xbox Cloud Gaming + PC gaming |
| Smart TVs (select models) | Xbox app for cloud gaming |
You can pair a controller (like the Xbox Wireless Controller or mobile gamepad) and stream AAA games like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Starfield—no console required.
🎯 Final Thought
So, while Xbox has never made a handheld console, it has fully embraced handheld-style play through the cloud. Devices like the Steam Deck, Retroid Pocket 3+, and even smartphones now act as “unofficial Xbox handhelds.”
💡 Looking for an Xbox-compatible handheld?
Check out Gameloopx’s handheld gaming collection — great for Xbox Cloud Gaming and retro gaming on the go!