If the Steam Deck and Kindle had a baby, this is what it might look like
Gaming handhelds are everywhere in 2025, with many boasting specs and technical capabilities that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. Then, there’s the Ink Console. This new device is seemingly inspired by the wave of e-ink devices we’ve seen pop up in recent years, including TCL’s Nxtpaper tablets and phones, and looks like what you might get if you smushed a Steam Deck and a Kindle together. We mean that in a good way. Much like the Playdate from our list of the best retro handhelds, the Ink Console is clearly intended for a specific gaming niche. You won’t be able to play Steam Deck games or stream Xbox Games Pass games on this thing, instead, it’s launching with some black-and-white text adventure exclusives. Not only that, but the team behind the Ink Console is also introducing the You Create Software Development Kit, which, as you can probably assume, gives you the tools to make your own games without needing the skills of a coding whizz kid. Continue reading If the Steam Deck and Kindle had a baby, this is what it might look like MORE FROM POCKET TACTICS: Best portable gaming consoles, Best gaming phones, Best Android phones


Gaming handhelds are everywhere in 2025, with many boasting specs and technical capabilities that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. Then, there’s the Ink Console. This new device is seemingly inspired by the wave of e-ink devices we’ve seen pop up in recent years, including TCL’s Nxtpaper tablets and phones, and looks like what you might get if you smushed a Steam Deck and a Kindle together. We mean that in a good way.
Much like the Playdate from our list of the best retro handhelds, the Ink Console is clearly intended for a specific gaming niche. You won’t be able to play Steam Deck games or stream Xbox Games Pass games on this thing, instead, it’s launching with some black-and-white text adventure exclusives. Not only that, but the team behind the Ink Console is also introducing the You Create Software Development Kit, which, as you can probably assume, gives you the tools to make your own games without needing the skills of a coding whizz kid.
MORE FROM POCKET TACTICS: Best portable gaming consoles, Best gaming phones, Best Android phones