Gaming handheld manufacturer Abxylute is selling a new handheld that’s like a mash-up between the Nintendo 3DS’s naked-eye 3D display and a Steam Deck. However, if players want the new Steam Deck-like, they will have to spend nearly $2,000 for the device.
Prior to VR headsets like the Meta Quest becoming more mainstream, 3D saw an increase in popularity, primarily in movies and TV. Nintendo capitalized on this with its unique 3DS handheld, which had a 3D pop-out effect that didn’t require glasses. Most 3D gaming offerings have since shifted to VR, but this new handheld may remind fans of the 3DS days.
New Steam Deck-Like Handheld is in 3D
Abxylute is introducing the Abxylute 3D One, a handheld gaming console with a whopping 11-inch screen, detachable controllers, and a glasses-free 3D display. The system features an Intel Lunar Lake chip, 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and its 11-inch display has a 2560×1600 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate. According to The Verge, the Abxylute 3D One is optimized to “deliver 3D for 50 of the top Steam games,” including Black Myth: Wukong and Hogwarts Legacy. It also includes conversion software to turn images and video into 3D.
The Abxylute 3D One won’t come cheap, as it will go on sale in September or October for “under $1,700.” It reportedly uses eye-tracking to achieve a 3D effect, which is a bit different from the Nintendo 3DS. The removable controllers may make one think of the Nintendo Switch, but these thankfully use hall effect joysticks and triggers, which should help to prevent the dreaded stick drift. It also features twin touchpads, similar to the Steam Deck. Due to its large size and relatively heavy weight at 2.45 pounds, it features a kickstand, so users don’t have to hold the entire system all the time.
The price of the Abxylute 3D One is notably much higher than the Steam Deck or the Nintendo Switch 2, with the Steam Deck ranging from $399 to $649, depending on the model, and the Nintendo Switch 2 base system selling for $449.99. However, if the Abxylute 3D One can deliver the experience it’s promising, the price is fairly understandable. The Steam Deck has a 1280 x 800 resolution on its 7.4-inch screen, while the Switch 2 maxes at 1920×1080 on its 7.9-inch screen, and neither have 3D effects. With more handheld systems that deliver console or PC-like experiences entering the market, the Abxylute 3D One has carved out an interesting niche that could help propel it to popularity.