Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld
MSRP $350.00
“The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld is a well-built, however area of interest system for hardcore cloud gaming fanatics solely.”
Execs
- Wonderful battery life
- Snug design
- Finest cloud gaming apps supported
- Performs cell video games
Cons
- No 4G or 5G
- UI points
- Costly for what it’s
The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld is the primary of a brand new sort of gaming system: a handheld tailor-made particularly to cloud gaming. Streaming video games from the cloud is one thing that individuals can do with a PC, cellphone, or Samsung TV, so there’s a number of stress on this handheld to show why gamers needs to be all for it … particularly after they should purchase a less expensive cell controller just like the Razer Kishi V2 for his or her cellphone.
After going hands-on with the system, it’s positively not with out its deserves. It’s comfy to carry, prioritizes the cloud gaming apps out of all of the app fluff on a typical cellphone, and has wonderful battery life. It’s additionally an unbelievable area of interest product that in all probability gained’t be definitely worth the $300-plus you’ll need to spend on it in case you’re not already all-in on cloud gaming.
The specs on deck
Whereas this may occasionally seem to be a completely authentic piece of technology, it’s actually only a closely modified Android pill constructed to look and play like a Nintendo Change. The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld contains a seven-inch multitouch IPS that shows at a 1920 x 1080 decision with a 60Hz refresh fee. Whereas it’s not pushing the boundaries of cell {hardware}, the display screen and determination are ample for many cloud gaming, which tends to sacrifice decision first.
This system will solely enchantment to essentially the most hardcore cloud gaming followers who don’t need to sit at their console or pc.
The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld has all of the buttons you’d count on from a contemporary controller. Its triggers are a bit small, and its buttons and D-pad really feel softer when pressed than I want, however the controls nonetheless felt very responsive. The textured grips on both sides make it extra comfy to carry than a Nintendo Change Pleasure-Con. The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld additionally helps options like haptic suggestions and 3D gyroscope, although these by no means have been that noticeable or helpful throughout my time with the system.
Working on a Snapdragon 720G with solely 4 GB of RAM, this isn’t essentially the most highly effective {hardware} on the market, even in its worth vary. Nonetheless, that doesn’t matter a lot when it could possibly run the Xbox Sequence X model of a sport like Deathloop easily as a result of the hand-held itself isn’t operating the sport natively. Consequently, one’s web connection will make or break the expertise.
Though my expertise streaming cloud providers on the system was easy, I used to be additionally very restricted in the place I might play it as a Wi-Fi connection or Ethernet connection is required. With no 4G or 5G assist, the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld isn’t a tool I’d need to tackle a visit the place Wi-Fi could also be questionable, so it fails to compete in one other space the place units just like the Nintendo Change thrive.
It’s most helpful at your own home — someplace the place you in all probability have already got a console, cellphone, or TV that may do the identical issues and play the identical video games, maybe even natively. Due to that vital limitation, this system will solely enchantment to essentially the most hardcore cloud gaming followers who don’t need to sit at their console or pc. That’s a disgrace as a result of its cloud gaming apps are good, and it has a big benefit over different gaming handhelds in a key space: battery life.
Switching up the way you play
The Nintendo Change and Steam Deck have notoriously poor battery life, however that isn’t a problem for the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld. I booted up Chivalry II on the Xbox Cloud Gaming app at 100% battery and saved the sport operating. The cost lasted about 11-and-a-half hours, and the system by no means bought very heat. It’s not the fairly 12 hours Logitech guarantees in advertising, however it’s nonetheless wildly spectacular for a gaming handheld and the most effective factor in regards to the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld. Recharging isn’t too shabby both, as you may get it again as much as 100% battery life after about 2 hours and quarter-hour of charging.
The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld is an effective way to expertise cell video games which have controller assist, however aren’t on a system like Nintendo Change.
It has a customized UI created with the assistance of Tencent Video games and runs on a model of the Android 11 OS. Whereas gamers can sync apps from different Android units onto the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld, it has 4 main apps: Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, Steam Hyperlink, and Google Play.
The Xbox Cloud Gaming app lets Xbox Sport Move Final subscribers play choose video games by way of the cloud. The library is already strong with AAA video games like Halo Infinite and Deathloop in addition to nice indies like Unsouled and Echo Technology. In the meantime, Nvidia GeForce Now means that you can stream video games you personal from high-end PCs. I used this to play by a few of 2014’s Thief and had a pleasing expertise enjoying one thing launched when OnLive was nonetheless a factor. Nvidia GeForce Now has secretly develop into probably the greatest cloud gaming providers, because it’s nice for avid gamers who can’t afford high-end PCs.
Should you want your individual PC construct and simply need to sport from a unique a part of your own home, Steam Hyperlink allows you to stream video games operating in your PC. If you wish to use every other cloud gaming or cell apps, you’ll need to obtain them from the Google Play Retailer. The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld is an effective way to expertise cell video games which have controller assist however aren’t on a system like Nintendo Change, even when that’s not what Logitech constructed the system for.
One other space the place the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld shines is enjoying video games like Doom Everlasting, which needed to make some sacrifices with its Nintendo Change port. Right here, you’re enjoying a model of the sport operating on an Xbox Sequence X or a high-end PC whereas getting the identical handheld expertise. I even bought Google Stadia up and operating effectively on the hand-held, so it’s an pleasant approach to expertise that platform’s library in the previous few months of its existence.
The cellphone issue
Whereas I had fun enjoying varied video games on the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld, I couldn’t assist however take into consideration the way it was pointless each time I performed it. I already personal a Razer Kishi V2 and an Android cellphone well-equipped to play cloud video games, and the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld by no means did sufficient to interrupt out of being a novelty system.
If the person expertise have been significantly better than a cellphone, it would’ve gained me over, however the outcomes are combined. The touchscreen is required for keyboards or quantity pads, so you’ll be able to’t even unlock the system with out utilizing the touchscreen, despite the fact that it in any other case options absolutely remappable controls. You possibly can pin apps, however can’t make folders. Except you’ve gotten an iOS or Android system with a poor display screen that may’t use cloud gaming providers, this product isn’t providing something that’s uniquely crucial.
With a present worth of $300 and an eventual $350 price ticket looming over the system, the Wi-Fi-limited Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld squarely sits as a good system that can solely enchantment to hardcore cloud gaming fanatics like myself. At that price ticket, most gamers could be higher off shopping for a Nintendo Change OLED mannequin, saving a bit extra and choosing up a Steam Deck, or spending much less on a Razer Kishi V2 to dabble in cloud gaming on their cellphone.
Cloud play has develop into a really supplementary type of gaming, and in consequence, that is additionally a really supplementary system for cloud avid gamers. If the system already intrigues you, you may get some mileage out of it. However with providers like Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to the Meta Quest, Samsung TVs, and different {hardware} you in all probability already personal, the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld doesn’t do sufficient to show {that a} cloud gaming system like that is crucial. It’s for many who need a fourth or fifth approach to cloud sport in their very own residence.
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