Xbox Game Pass on phone can give the Switch a run for its money - in the right conditions

From VG247: "Xbox Game Pass works a treat on mobile – and with the Razer Kishi, the experience feels a lot like playing a Nintendo Switch in handheld mode – but a little bit better.

Just a month ago, I wrote about how “playing Xbox Game Pass through xCloud feels like a next-generation experience” – and since then, game pass on mobile has become a regular staple of my video game diet. I’ve done a few more play-throughs of Streets of Rage 4, played a shed load of Halo, and rekindled a love for Forza Horizon 4 while finally getting around to digging into that game’s Lego-themed expansion, something which is a solid combination of my interests."

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

I some wonder if a Surface based Xbox Console would be viable. However, Nintendo has always dominated the handheld market.

[Vits]

The big issue is that the whole Surface line is supposed to be moving on to ARM based systems in the next couple of years. So even if they are developing a compatibility layer (that they most likely are) for games the optimization would be very complex. And developing specifically for the device would likely not be viable.

They could go the route of the small notebook with built-in controllers like the GPD Win and the OneGx1. But those are extremelly expensive and there is not much that could be done to shrink down the cost. So they would likely not sell.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

I was actually thinking of Surface with the chip set of an Xbox Series S, albeit scaled back, in tablet form. It would be expensive, but it would offer greater performance than and Switch. Plus this hypothetical Xbox Surface would be able to play scaled back 9th gen games.

[DarthZoolu]

I had a switch for a while and gave it to my nephew because I got tired the novelty of it after a while because those aren't really the type of games I like to play. I sold my Xbox One S to pre-order the Xbox series X with the plan I could finish a few rpgs in the month and a half I wait. Xcloud has been getting the job done.

[linkuu128]

Complete bullshit. Common, you talk about rpgs, but you say you give away your rpg player, aka nintendo switch?

To play rpgs on cloud, using a pc? Man, heres on n4g loves to throw shade to switch, for no reason .

[DarthZoolu]

Western RPGs playing Wasteland as I type.

[Vits]

They can't really do that because of TDP. The Series S is made to work with about 100 W. Just to put into perspective the Switch works under 15 W. And even a low-end card like GTX 1050 (far below the Series S GPU) still need about about 75 W to function.

In practical terms it wouldn't be viable because there would be no battery life to the device and in a slim form factor it would basically burn. And there is a big limit of how much you can scale back a SoC, so making a mobile version of it would likely not be possible.

The best that could viable to do is a Ryzen 4700U based system. Because that would be something more than capable to running mordern games in low/medium settings 720p/1080p with at least 30 fps. But even that is still a 25 W unit so they would still need a pretty big hulk of a battery.

So when you factor everything from controllers to the thermal solution. What you would be left with is a very expensive device (we are talking $800+). And that is the main reason why all of this portables consoles/PC uses a intel based system. As they have by far the best low TDP SoCs in the market.

[crazyCoconuts]

Thinking of the network conditions that exist where i play on my handheld, i can say assuredly streaming a game will not work in nearly all of those conditions. Exception being at home on my own wi-fi, where i typically play on my big screen.
Plus, for kids, which i think is the main market for Switch, it's a $299 investment or something like that. Getting them a phone w/ unlimited data (even if it did perform well) is gonna cost a lot more per kid, and definitely wouldn't appeal to parents

[Kavorklestein]

But what about the parents who already have phones for their kids and have a family room xbox with 4 controllers? Now all 4 of those kids could potentially have their own screen and/or headphones headset and play all the stuff they want. If that family already had unlimited data, they are basically spending little to nothing.
And for some families it's not about the costs or spending, it's simply the option in itself that makes it appealing.

I definitely think streaming has it's place in the industry, and is not for everyone. But IS going to grow. Absolutely.
And I also think XBOX Game streaming offers the best game selection, controller support/compatibility, best experience overall, with least lag/latency, best price for admission and extra perks like GP ultimate, GWG, and has the most going for it overall.
It's simply the best so far. Bar none.

[ApocalypseShadow]

A lot of "what ifs" and subjective opinion given as fact to sell this comment.

[crazyCoconuts]

4 kids with 4 separate Game Pass subs, right? You currently don't have family plans on game pass / PS Now services. All that $ adds up, so i think a very small population of kids would have parents willing to go that route.

I disagree with your XBox Game streaming simply the best bar none comments when comparing current state, but that's another discussion altogether i guess

[Kavorklestein]

They could pay for 2 subs and gameshare like me and my GF do. That lets her play my game pass games currently.
I haven't tested it but 1 sub could let them all play potentially if they all have the same xbox set as their home xbox? I'm not sure on that, but still. All that as opposed to getting 4 Nintendo switches for portable gaming and it's still a better deal as far as cost no matter how much 2-4 subs cost in the end.
@ Apocalypse
The comment I replied to talked about the cost of family data etc.. which is definitely a "what if" so let's what if till we are blue in the face then and not leave out the what ifs that make it look cost effective. Can't cherry pick for Cons without allowing a little cherry picking for pros too.

Opinions aside, I never said it was a fact. I shouldn't have to say "IMO" for you to understand my opinion in the first place, whether or not you agree.

[TheEnigma313]

Nintendo always has and always will dominate the handheld space. People will always love their exclusives.

[BillyG0AT]

I don't think they'll ever compete with the switch BUT I'd rather play GP games than Switch games if it was in a perfect setting with no lag or anything. Which won't happen.

[Ratchet75]

Once 5g becomes the norm, lags will hopefully become a thing of the past.
Right now gamepass is still lagging even with a 120 mbp/s internet.
Playing gears5 or Halo on a smartphone seems like a dream come true until you realize that aiming has become a nightmare because of the input lags.

[waverider]

all this kind of news at the start of all gens are so funny.... It will all change....

[yomfweeee]

God these Microsoft articles are hilarious nowadays. They have nothing to talk about except GamePass.

Now it thinks xcloud is going to replace Switch, one of the fastest selling consoles ever.

Streaming is still a lackluster experience and nothing close to the real thing. Any game that requires quick reactions will be a bad experience.

[ApocalypseShadow]

The beginning of end of year marketing.

Now streaming is supposedly better than native.

[averagejoe26]

So Nintendo Switch games that need internet connectivity can't be played out and about because you need wifi.

But an entire system based on being connected to the internet is going to beat it?

No. Not until the entire world gets free high speed internet access.

[jznrpg]

And you will still have input lag

[IRetrouk]

As much as I think xcloud is good, its streaming vs hardware.....come on now.

[spicelicka]

It's not meant to compete with the Switch, that wouldn't make sense. It's just meant to provide options and increase gamepass subscriptions.

[Father__Merrin]

No one will compete with Nintendo but with x cloud if you have the connection and stability it could be quite useful

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

Says someone who clearly doesn’t understand why the Switch has the kind of appeal that it does.

[blackblades]

Game pass on android tv aka shield tv be nice.

[UltimateOwnage]

Big emphasis on “Right conditions”. Last time I looked none of the other consoles are giving Nintendo Switch a run for its money. It’s dominating in sales.