I’m trying to decide between the Steam Deck, ROG Ally X, and Odin 2 Portal for a handheld gaming device in 2025. Originally, I was set on the Steam Deck, but then the ROG Ally X caught my eye because of its power. Then I stumbled upon the Odin 2 Portal, which added more to consider. I’m mainly focused on emulation performance, especially PS2 games. I’m hesitant to buy the Steam Deck or ROG Ally X right now because I keep wondering if a new Steam Deck model will be announced soon. What’s your take on which is best for PS2 emulation? Does the Steam Deck OLED handle it well compared to the Odin 2 and ROG Ally? Should I just go ahead and grab the Steam Deck?
3 Answers
If you’re considering the Odin 2, just keep in mind that importing it means you don’t get any real warranty or support. If it arrives broken, you’re likely out of luck and that $300 might as well be gone. Also, PS2 emulation on Android (which is what Odin runs) generally isn’t as efficient or smooth compared to the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, which are PC-based. The Ally X and Steam Deck handle PS2 emulation about equally well at this point.
I’ve only used the Steam Deck, and it runs PS2 emulation really smoothly using software like EmuDeck. So far, I haven’t seen any solid signs that a new Steam Deck version is coming soon, and frankly, the current model handles everything I throw at it pretty well. It’s got excellent community support, lots of tweaks available, and SteamOS is made for it. If you’re the patient type, the Steam Deck right now is a solid buy. You might want to check sites like ProtonDB to see how your favorite games perform on it.
The ROG Ally X is a Windows handheld, which is great for compatibility and software freedom. But Windows isn’t really optimized for small 7-inch handheld screens, so the experience might be a bit clunky compared to SteamOS on the Steam Deck. The Steam Deck is big and a bit bulkier, but it’s tailored for handheld gaming and works super smoothly. Plus, SteamOS is designed specifically for handheld use, which gives it an edge in user experience and optimization.
Thanks for the insight! Didn’t realize Windows might feel awkward on a smaller screen like that. That’s super helpful to know as I try to picture actual use.