TechGamingI tried the Lenovo Legion Go and think gamers will love its 8.8-inch mega-displayThe Windows-based handheld has a massive display, firmly putting it in the ‘XL’ categoryWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechGamingI tried the Lenovo Legion Go and think gamers will love its 8.8-inch mega-displayThe Windows-based handheld has a massive display, firmly putting it in the ‘XL’ categoryWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Windows-based handheld has a massive display, firmly putting it in the ‘XL’ category
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
This week I’ve been rattling around Berlinattending IFA, best known as being Europe’s premier consumer technology show. But one of the most interesting things I’ve seen wasn’t at IFA at all: behind closed doors in a city-centre hotel, Lenovo gave me half an hour to play around with its latest handheld gaming system, the Legion Go.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Not that most gamers looking to buy a Windows-based gaming handheld such as this are really going to compare it to theNintendo Switch. The Legion Go is far more comparable to theAsus ROG Ally, which also runs Windows, or Valve’s Linux-basedSteam Deck, both of which have had their ups and downs with public reception. I’ve liked both models, but each has their share of issues that Lenovo is looking to outshine.
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
My first thoughts when picking up the Legion Go were “this is kind of massive”, but after letting it sit in my hands for some time, actually everything fits into place really nicely. There aren’t unduly small buttons or triggers to be found here and it’s a natural fit.
The controls are extensive too: on the right-hand side is a thumbstick, but also a separate pad (like a mini mousepad controller), plus four Xbox-mapped buttons to make those Gamepass sessions feel natural. The left-hand side has the other thumbstick, plus a traditional d-pad, and a trio of menu/control buttons. Both sides have a trio of rear triggers, too, so there’s lots of detailed control that can be mapped out.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Of particular interest, though, is the built-in kickstand. This is where things do get a little Switch-like, as the stand is akin to the one found on Nintendo’s OLED model, in that it’s infinitely adjustable and feels really rigid when you’ve selected its position. As both the controllers can be detached (also like the Switch), the stand will be useful for different control types.
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One of which is really interesting: inside the Legion Go’s included carry case is an additional plastic ‘puck’ which can be used to slot a controller into to create a vertical mouse. This pre-release version didn’t have magnetic connectivity, but that’ll be made part of the package for the final release. There should also be DPI adjustability according to a Lenovo spokesperson, although I’ve not seen where that’ll be controlled in software. Still, I think hardcore gamers will love this PC-like feature.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
When it comes to raw power the Legion Go is largely level-pegged against its main competition too: there’s an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme inside, paired with 16GB RAM, and utilising AMD’s Radeon 700M series graphics. That’s why this machine needs some thickness to accommodate its cooling, no doubt, which is a fair compromise in my book.
I wasn’t able to dig deep into a Gamepass library, though, and many of the pre-loaded games on the handheld were a little more primitive (Hot Wheels Unleashed, A Short Hike, PowerWash Simulator, Vampire Survivors), so that’ll be the true test in how graphically proficient this machine can be. That it’s an easy access port toXbox Game Pass, however, has obvious appeal. I’d take that over Steam Deck’s library personally.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
But here’s the thing that I think will massively appeal: the Lenovo Legion Go’s asking price starts at €699, or there’s a €799 option for the 1TB storage variant – with no other difference in specification. That’s really competitive against theAsusROG Ally and, in my opinion, you needn’t really spend the extra because there’s a microSD card slot for excesses that you don’t need on a speedy SSD drive.
All in all, then, while the Lenovo Legion Go is a rather large-scale handheld, it’s design fits the brief, it’s screen outshines its immediate competition, it’s got the power and an attractive price point too – and I think it’s ‘XL’ vision will appeal to a certain type of gamer. I look forward to testing it more and really putting that AMD processor to task and seeing how well battery life will last (the GPU runs max 25W, so worst case should be two hours of life per charge).
Today’s best Valve Steam Deck 256GB, Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go dealsValve Steam Deck 256GB$495.51ViewSee all pricesASUS ROG Ally$799.30ViewSee all pricesLenovo Legion Go$649ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Valve Steam Deck 256GB, Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go dealsValve Steam Deck 256GB$495.51ViewSee all pricesASUS ROG Ally$799.30ViewSee all pricesLenovo Legion Go$649ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Valve Steam Deck 256GB, Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go dealsValve Steam Deck 256GB$495.51ViewSee all pricesASUS ROG Ally$799.30ViewSee all pricesLenovo Legion Go$649ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Valve Steam Deck 256GB, Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go deals
Valve Steam Deck 256GB$495.51ViewSee all pricesASUS ROG Ally$799.30ViewSee all pricesLenovo Legion Go$649ViewSee all prices
Valve Steam Deck 256GB$495.51ViewSee all prices
Valve Steam Deck 256GB$495.51ViewSee all prices
Valve Steam Deck 256GB
Valve Steam Deck 256GB
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$495.51
$495.51
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ASUS ROG Ally$799.30ViewSee all prices
ASUS ROG Ally$799.30ViewSee all prices
ASUS ROG Ally
ASUS ROG Ally
$799.30View
$799.30
$799.30
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Lenovo Legion Go$649ViewSee all prices
Lenovo Legion Go$649ViewSee all prices
Lenovo Legion Go
Lenovo Legion Go
$649View
$649
$649
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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