Microsoft Must Hire the Genius Behind The Unofficial Xbox Handheld Before He Dismantles PlayStation’s Next-Gen Dominance Single-Handedly

SUMMARY

• A talented engineer has created a fully functional portable original Xbox, showcasing impressive technical skills.
• The handheld gaming market is currently dominated by Nintendo Switch and PC options like Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally.
• This unofficial project could potentially inspire Microsoft to develop a next-gen handheld Xbox to compete in the portable gaming space.

In the world of console gaming, the battle between Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation has been raging for decades. With each new generation of consoles, the stakes get higher, and the competition fiercer. But what if the key to Xbox’s future success lies not in the hands of Microsoft’s own engineers, but in the talented tinkering of a lone wolf modder?

It’s time for Microsoft to throw its hat in the handheld ring, too. | Image Credit: Xbox

Enter Redherring32, an X user who has managed to do what many thought impossible: create a fully functional portable original Xbox. And while this DIY marvel isn’t quite the next-gen handheld Xbox fans are clamoring for, it just might be the spark that ignites Microsoft’s entry into the portable gaming market.

A Portable Xbox Like No Other

Phil Spencer would do well to take notice of this talented fan. | Image Credit: Xbox/YouTube

When Redherring32 dropped the bombshell announcement on X, loyalists of the green team must’ve collectively lost their minds. And for good reason:

Let that sink in for a moment. While we’ve seen plenty of DIY portable consoles over the years, this is something entirely different. This mad genius has managed to cram an entire original Xbox into a handheld form factor, complete with modern amenities like USB-C charging and WiFi 6.

But what makes this project truly remarkable is the sheer amount of work and ingenuity that went into it. As Redherring32 explains:

That’s right – this wasn’t just a matter of shoving existing components into a smaller case. Redherring32 had to literally reinvent the wheel, trimming down the Xbox motherboard and designing custom PCBs to make everything fit. It’s the kind of project that would make even the most seasoned engineers at Microsoft break out in a cold sweat.

A Call to Arms for Microsoft

Imagine being able to play all these games (and more) on the go! | Image Credit: Xbox

While the handheld market is currently dominated by the Nintendo Switch, with PC options like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally gaining traction, Microsoft has yet to throw its hat into the ring. But with Redherring32’s project, the Redmond giant might just have stumbled upon its secret weapon.

Imagine if Microsoft were to bring this talented engineer on board and give them the resources to apply this ingenuity to a next-gen handheld version of the Xbox Series S. It could potentially leapfrog the competition and give Microsoft a foothold in a market they’ve long ignored.

Of course, there are still plenty of hurdles to overcome. As Redherring32 notes about their current project:

While full compatibility with the original Xbox library is impressive, Microsoft would need to figure out how to make this concept work with modern Xbox games and services like Game Pass. But given the talent on display here, that doesn’t seem like an insurmountable challenge.

The best part? Redherring32 isn’t keeping this breakthrough to themselves:

This open-source approach could lead to a flood of innovation in the Xbox modding community. And who knows? Maybe it’ll even inspire Microsoft to finally take the plunge into handheld gaming, especially with rumors swirling about a potential Nintendo Switch 2 launch in 2025.

So, Microsoft, if you’re reading this – don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers. Hire Redherring32 before Sony or Nintendo does, and give us the portable Xbox we never knew we needed. The ball’s in your court.

What do you think? Should Microsoft pursue this technology and develop a next-gen handheld Xbox? Let us know in the comments below!

Written by Soumyajit Mukherjee

Articles Published: 257

Soumyajit (ign: LockDown) is a die-hard PC gamer with a passion for competitive FPS games, having played Rainbow Six Siege at a competitive level in the past. Now, when he's not writing or dominating the lobby in Call of Duty, Valorant or even Rocket League, you can catch him in theaters watching the latest comic book films or binge-watching anime and thriller flicks!