Retro Dodo
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Gear
  • Games
  • Collect
  • Guides
Retro Dodo
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Gear
  • Games
  • Collect
  • Guides
  • News

Tencent Handheld Planning To Take On The Nintendo Switch

  • March 24, 2021
  • Seb Santabarbara
Tencent Handheld PC Gaming Console

PC gaming fans are readying themselves as a new contender for the portable gaming crown emerges from the shadows – the Tencent Handheld.

This portable powerhouse looks set to take the world by storm, and its strong resemblance to the Nintendo Switch is bound to grab peoples attention and their hard-earned cash.

But what is the Tencent Handheld? Is it legit? Does it cost ten cents?

You want answers, and we’ve got ’em. Find out everything and more below!

Table of Contents

  • First Look At The Tencent Handheld PC Gaming Console!
    • Who Are Tencent?
    • What Is The Tencent Handheld?
    • What Can The Tencent Handheld Do?
    • Key Features
    • Final Thoughts . . .

First Look At The Tencent Handheld PC Gaming Console!

Tencent Handheld - Multiple tiers of the new PC Gaming console from Tencent

Who Are Tencent?

Tencent are a billion-dollar Chinese technology company focusing on console distribution and production, as well as game development.

They’re a name that many Nintendo gamers may have already heard of. It just so happens that they are the company working on the online multiplayer title for iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Unite.

Plus, Tencent are the ones responsible for distributing every Nintendo Switch throughout China since 2019. That’s a humungous deal!

No wonder they’re a billion-dollar company!

So, they’re already in the door with Nintendo; that much is certain. Which makes it all the more fishy when you consider their new console looks very similar to Nintendo’s hybrid hero…

What Is The Tencent Handheld?

At the minute, the Tencent Handheld is a patented idea that eludes to a new console dropping into the Retro Dodo offices very soon.

We first heard about this geometrical-joycon-patterned console back in 2020 and, for a minute, we thought there might be a Christmas miracle dropping underneath our trees.

The patent has just become a reality at the time of writing, and that reality proves that Tencent, the distributors of the Nintendo Switch, are pretty much making their own Nintendo Switch.

Back of the Tencent Handheld from billion-dollar company Tencent

What Can The Tencent Handheld Do?

There are two main differences that we can see. The first one is that the Joycon-style controllers don’t seem to be removable, so the console doesn’t look as though it can be used in table top mode without plugging in an external controller.

The second difference is written plain for everyone to see up on the back of the unit – it’s a PC Console.

We’ve covered lots of promising PC gaming handheld consoles over the past couple of months including the epic Aya Neo, though Tencent look as though they may do good business with this one.

For starters, it boasts a universal style that every Chinese gamer is already used to thanks to their epic distribution tactics with the Switch, and the Windows 10 button stashed away under the nifty D-pad button proves that this is going to be one fast and widely supported machine.

Key Features

The Tencent Handheld is set to have a Type-C interface and a built-in stand. I’m putting two and two together here and saying that it’s going to be dockable, boasting features like the Creoqode Lyra.

That’s just me spitballing, but I’m feeling pretty confident.

I’ve already mentioned the D-pad too, a feature that many Switch gamers wish Nintendo’s dockable demon had.

It’s thought that the console won’t hold cartridges either, with games downloaded onto the consoles memory unit via WiFi.

Final Thoughts . . .

Of course we’re excited; this console looks like an absolute beast. Still, we know a confirmed patent can fall through, so we’re trying (miserably) to keep our excitement under wraps.

This isn’t the first Tencent Handheld that Tencent has tried to get into the mainstream market. Previous patent files across the years never made the cut, but with their success in the Switch market in China, we’re confident this one is going to be heading to online shelves near us very, very soon.

Let us know your thoughts on the Tencent Handheld by joining the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!


This article may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase an item we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support.

Seb Santabarbara
Seb Santabarbara

Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.

You May Also Like
TMNT Quarter Arcades
View Post
  • News

Numskull Is Releasing NEW TMNT Mini Arcade Cabinets

  • May 25, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Sony Project Q
View Post
  • News

Sony Officially Reveals the “Project Q” Handheld

  • May 25, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
McDonald's Tetris Handheld
View Post
  • News

McDonald’s In China Has An Exclusive Tetris Handheld

  • May 26, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
AYN Loki
View Post
  • News

Final Production Models of the AYN Loki Finally Revealed

  • May 23, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Powkiddy RK2023 Pure Black
View Post
  • News

Pre-sale for Powkiddy RK2023 Pure Black Model Open Now

  • May 22, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Lego Pac-Man
View Post
  • News

LEGO Reveals The Pac-Man Arcade Set

  • May 22, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Lego Pac-Man
View Post
  • News

Lego Teases An Upcoming Pac-Man Set

  • May 21, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
Funnyplaying Retro Pixel Pocket
View Post
  • News

Funnyplaying Launches NEW Retro Pixel Pocket Handheld

  • May 20, 2023
  • Anthony Wallace
  • All Psychic Pokemon From Every Pokemon Game
  • 10 Games Like Sonic the Hedgehog To Play In 2023
  • How To Beat Moragia (Death Mountain) In Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom
  • TMNT Quarter Arcades
    Numskull Is Releasing NEW TMNT Mini Arcade Cabinets
  • How To Customise Your Horse in Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom
retro dodo logo
RetroDodo is an online magazine dedicated to showcasing the world's best retro products. We're a team of passionate gamers and nostalgic hunters who want to create a modern, hip hub for all things retro gaming.
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Spotify
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Mail
About Us
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Affiliate Disclosure
Contact
Owned by Click Hill Limited, Bartholomew Way, Corsham, SN130FR, United Kingdom. Company No: 13923009. All rights reserved. Copyright Click Hill Limited 2022.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.