Best Handheld Gaming Consoles You Can Find in Malaysia (besides the Nintendo Switch)
Handheld gaming consoles are resurging in all their glory, much to the delight of avid gamers longing for a portable solution. While the Nintendo Switch has been a fan favourite throughout the decade, it’s safe to say it has been without solid competition until recently. Valve can take credit for ushering in the modern era of gaming handhelds with the Steam Deck, but that was back in 2022.
Now, in 2025, newer and fiercer contenders have made themselves known in the arena, with more set to come as the year progresses. Whether you’re making the switch (pun very much intended) from Nintendo, or just getting into the gaming handheld scene, you’ve got some powerful options to choose from.
Here are the best handheld gaming consoles you can find in Malaysia – besides the Nintendo Switch.
1) MSI Claw A1M
Price starts at RM3,299 in Malaysia; Launched in March 2024
The MSI Claw A1M might not be the strongest in the Claw series; nevertheless, you can still count on its Intel chipsets to deliver an unrivalled gaming experience. In Malaysia, the Claw A1M comes in two variants, with the series-topping model powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 155H, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD. The other runs on a more than capable Core Ultra 5 processor 135H, with the same 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, but a smaller 512GB SSD.
Through gripping one-on-ones or team battles, the MSI Claw puts you in good stead with its palm-friendly ergonomic contours. This isn’t a result of guesswork. MSI has gone to great lengths to gather feedback from “thousands of sample data collected from around the world”, all to bring you an ergonomic design tailored to all hand sizes.
Beyond that, you’ll have a 7″ IPS panel offering Full HD (1920×1080) resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 100% sRGB coverage to deliver immersive visuals no matter the game.
MSI Claw A1M key features
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Intel Core Ultra 5 135H |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| RAM/Storage | 16GB LPDDR5, Up to 1TB SSD |
| Display | 7″ IPS, FHD (1920×1080), 120Hz, 500 nits, 100% sRGB |
| Battery | 53Wh, with support for 65W charging |
| Control | ABXY buttons, L&R joysticks, L&R triggers, L&R bumpers, D-Pad, View button, Menu button, MSI Center M button, Quick Settings button, Macro button (M1/M2), HD haptics |
| I/O Ports | 1x combo audio jack, 1x Thunderbolt 4 (DP/ PD 3.0), 1x MicroSD card reader |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Weight | 675g |
2) ROG Ally X
Priced at RM4,299 in Malaysia; Launched in July 2024
The first ROG Ally might have had its critics, but the revamped ROG Ally X is a worthy contender in every aspect. It’s evidently more expensive, but rest assured you’ll be getting plenty of top-tier specs to take on the gaming gauntlet.
This is yet another handheld running Windows 11, meaning you can hook it up to an external monitor and essentially run it like a full-fledged PC. The gaming threshold is through the roof thanks to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset. It runs both indie games and AAA titles with ease, including fan favourites such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Grand Theft Auto V, and Cyberpunk 2077.
The Ally X ships with 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. If you need to ramp up your gaming catalogue, the console supports M.2 2280 storage for a seamless upgrade. Additionally, its 80Wh battery is impressive, and is the largest on this list.
ASUS ROG Ally X key features
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| RAM/Storage | 24GB LPDDR5 (12GB*2), 1TB SSD |
| Display | 7″ IPS, FHD (1920×1080), 120Hz, 500 nits, 100% sRGB, Gorilla Glass Victus w/ DXC coating |
| Battery | 80Wh, with support for 65W charging |
| Control | ABXY buttons, L&R joysticks, L&R triggers, L&R bumpers, D-Pad, View button, Menu button, Command Centre button, Armoury Crate button, 2x grip buttons (rear), HD haptics |
| I/O Ports | 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DP / PD), 1x Thunderbolt 4 (DP 1.4 with FreeSync support / PD 3.0), 1x UHS-II microSD card reader |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Weight | 678g |
3) Lenovo Legion Go S
Priced at RM3,299 in Malaysia; Launched in February 2025
The new kid on the block – and arguably one of the most anticipated – is the Lenovo Legion Go S. Like our MSI recommendation, the Legion Go S isn’t the series-topping model, but it still excels in gaming performance with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor in its engine.
An ideal option for blockbuster games, the Legion Go S also has plenty of screen for you to marvel at pretty visuals. The 8″ WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS display supporting a 120Hz refresh rate leaves plenty to be excited about. Not only that, its adjustable trigger, which senses both short and long presses, gives you the edge in first-person shooters and racing games.
FYI, more Lenovo Legion Go models are on the horizon, including a flagship variant featuring the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor. With the product page already up and running on Lenovo Malaysia’s website, we can expect an announcement in the foreseeable future. Until then, stay tuned and we’ll see if it makes the list!
Lenovo Legion Go S key features
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 Go |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| RAM/Storage | 16GB LPDDR5X, 512GB SSD |
| Display | 8″ IPS WUXGA (1920×1200), 120Hz, 500 nits, 100% sRGB |
| Battery | 55.5Wh, with support for 65W charging |
| Control | ABXY buttons, L&R joysticks, L&R triggers, L&R bumpers, D-Pad, View button, Menu button, Legion Space button, Adjustable trigger switch, Y1&Y2 button |
| I/O Ports | 2x USB 4 (DP 1.4, PD 3.0), MicroSD card reader, Headphone/mic combo |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Weight | Starts at 730g |
4) Zotac ZONE
Priced at RM3,899 in Malaysia; Launched in December 2024
How about something a little more ambitious? The Zotac ZONE is an option that’s a little under the radar, but it shouldn’t take away from what it has to offer. A high-performing processor in the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U makes it a great option for a vast catalogue of indie games. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Zotac ZONE’s display is unparalleled, featuring a 7″ AMOLED panel with FHD (1920×1080) resolution and 800 nits of brightness. Plus, its 150% sRGB guarantees richer, more vivid colours that shine when you’re venturing through open-world fantasy maps.
This is also one of the only gaming handhelds that integrate dual trackpads (much like the Steam Deck) to maximize compatibility with PC games and desktop navigation. Plus, it comes with a built-in kickstand!
Couple all this with the 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB SSD, and you’ll have a handheld gaming experience like no other.
Zotac ZONE key features
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 8840U |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| RAM/Storage | 16GB LPDDR5X, 512GB SSD |
| Display | 7″ AMOLED, FHD (1920×1080), 120Hz, 800 nits, 150% sRGB |
| Battery | 48.5Wh, with support for 65W charging |
| Control | ABXY buttons, L&R joysticks, L&R triggers, L&R bumpers, D-Pad, View button, Option button, More button, Home button, ZONE button, 2x programmable grip buttons, 2x trackpads, 2x radial dials |
| I/O Ports | 2x USB 4, MicroSD card reader, 3.5mm stereo analog audio |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Weight | 692g |
More to come…
We mentioned earlier that the flagship Lenovo Legion Go could be making its way to our shores soon. But that’s not the only gaming handheld slated to launch here. Acer, too, looks to be joining in with its series of Nitro Blaze gaming handhelds. Product pages for the Nitro Blaze 7, Blaze 8, and Blaze 11 are already up, but there’s no confirmation of pricing or availability just yet.
Not only that, but Nintendo has also given us a first look at the updated Switch 2, set to launch sometime this year.
We’re certain we’ll see more gaming handhelds in due time. Until then, check back on this page from time to time, and we’ll update you with the latest!
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