It’s no Steam Deck, but this gaming handheld looks like a retro Nokia cell phone

PC gaming handhelds come in all shapes and sizes now, but this N97 Elite from Sugar Cubes might be one of the smallest that actually works. Taking inspiration from the classic Nokia N97 sliding cell phone, this clever device drops the full keyboard for simple gaming controls, and while it won't be challenging the Steam Deck for power, it's a fun novelty item that has me very curious. Many of the best handheld gaming PCs have to balance power, practicality, and compatibility. This is where the Steam Deck excels, as it's far from the most powerful handheld on the market, but it makes up for it elsewhere. The N97 Elite, as intriguing as the concept is, would ultimately fall short on all three fronts, but it's a nice trip down memory lane for someone who once bought a very similar phone only to discover how woefully impractical it was. Continue reading It’s no Steam Deck, but this gaming handheld looks like a retro Nokia cell phone MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

Feb 18, 2025 - 21:10
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It’s no Steam Deck, but this gaming handheld looks like a retro Nokia cell phone
It’s no Steam Deck, but this gaming handheld looks like a retro Nokia cell phone

PC gaming handhelds come in all shapes and sizes now, but this N97 Elite from Sugar Cubes might be one of the smallest that actually works. Taking inspiration from the classic Nokia N97 sliding cell phone, this clever device drops the full keyboard for simple gaming controls, and while it won't be challenging the Steam Deck for power, it's a fun novelty item that has me very curious.

Many of the best handheld gaming PCs have to balance power, practicality, and compatibility. This is where the Steam Deck excels, as it's far from the most powerful handheld on the market, but it makes up for it elsewhere. The N97 Elite, as intriguing as the concept is, would ultimately fall short on all three fronts, but it's a nice trip down memory lane for someone who once bought a very similar phone only to discover how woefully impractical it was.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming