Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld evaluate

Cloud gaming has democratized the way in which we play video video games — as a substitute of getting to shell out a whole bunch (or 1000’s) on a elaborate console or PC, you’ll be able to simply stream the newest blockbusters to the cellphone, laptop computer or pill you already personal. However what if there was a tool designed particularly for cloud gaming, combining the high-quality design of a Nintendo Swap with the pliability to play 1000’s of various video games with out lengthy downloads and pesky updates? That’s the place the Logitech G Cloud is available in.

Logitech’s distinctive handheld is a good way to play the troves of titles on companies like Xbox Sport Cross, Amazon Luna and Nvidia GeForce Now, providing snug, responsive controls, a colourful display screen and good battery life. It’s additionally a full-blown Android machine, making it good for downloading video games from the Play Retailer or binging on films in mattress.

However with a value that goes as excessive as $350 — and with so many different methods to play video games from the cloud — is the Logitech G Cloud truly price it? Right here’s what I feel after a number of weeks and lots of hours of gaming.

If there’s one space the place the Logitech G Cloud succeeds unequivocally, it’s the design. Logitech’s transportable gaming machine seems like a hybrid of the Nintendo Swap and Valve Steam Deck, borrowing the identical smooth measurement as the previous whereas adopting the extra substantial, console-like controls of the latter. Its {smooth} directional pad, satisfyingly deep triggers and enormous face buttons supply extra consolation and precision than what you’ll discover on Nintendo’s console, whereas its compact and acquainted structure make it simpler to get used to than the considerably awkward, lumbering Steam Deck. This can be a light-weight machine that merely appears and feels nice, and one which was largely snug to make use of all through lengthy hours of taking part in every part from frenetic motion video games to high-speed racers.

The G Cloud’s nice design is complemented by its intuitive software program, which is a customized model of Android 11 that gives the identical sort of controller-friendly interface you’d discover on a standard console. Apps like Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now and Steam Hyperlink come preinstalled (as do the usual suite of Google companies like Chrome and YouTube), and also you’ve bought full entry to the Google Play Retailer for including as many Android video games and apps as you’d like.

There are lots of commonplace however nonetheless helpful options right here, comparable to the power to carry down the house button to shortly regulate brightness and quantity, in addition to a devoted Logitech button that opens the primary menu in many of the system’s appropriate cloud gaming apps. You too can totally remap each button on the machine, which is a pleasant boon for accessibility, and easily nice for people who like utilizing unconventional management schemes.

An excellent console is ineffective with out nice video games, and thankfully, the G Cloud has entry to tons of ‘em. Logitech’s handheld enables you to faucet into the a whole bunch of video games obtainable on cloud companies, stream video games out of your PC by way of Steam Hyperlink, and obtain and play the a whole bunch of 1000’s of titles obtainable on the Google Play Retailer. That every one provides as much as a close to countless buffet of video games starting from enormous blockbusters to must-play indies, lots of which you will personal or be subscribed to already.

The G Cloud is primarily constructed to be used with recreation streaming companies like Xbox Sport Cross, Nvidia GeForce Now and Amazon Luna, and also you’ll get pleasure from an enormous choice should you’re subscribed to even simply one among them. Xbox Sport Cross Final is the subscription I’d level most G Cloud house owners to, as you get entry to a whole bunch of video games — together with Microsoft’s whole first-party catalog (which implies the entire Halo, Forza and Gears of Conflict video games) in addition to tons of huge hits from franchises like Star Wars, Madden and Battlefield for $15 a month. Amazon Luna works equally, providing a strong choice headlined by large names like Resident Evil, Management and Murderer’s Creed at varied value tiers (together with free video games for Prime members).

Nvidia GeForce Now could be a little bit of a distinct beast, permitting you to stream video games you personal from marketplaces like Steam, Epic Video games Retailer and Ubisoft — although you can too entry a very good quantity of free-to-play video games comparable to Fortnite and Rocket League. Consider it as a strong PC within the cloud that you just deliver your individual video games to. The service itself has a free tier, although you’ll must pay $10 to $20 a month if you’d like advantages like higher graphics and longer play periods.

Don’t really feel like paying a month-to-month subscription? The G Cloud additionally works with the Xbox, PlayStation Distant Play and Steam Hyperlink apps, permitting you to stream no matter video games you will have put in in your console or PC. There’s additionally the trove of free and paid video games obtainable within the Google Play Retailer, together with hits like Genshin Influence and Asphalt 9: Legends. You actually have a ton of flexibility right here whether or not you’re seeking to stream your current recreation assortment remotely or simply need a Netflix-style subscription, although of us who’re already invested in one of many above ecosystems will get probably the most out of the G Cloud.

I spent nearly all of my time with G Cloud in, effectively, the cloud, and when every part labored, it felt magical. From zip-lining throughout an enormous battlefield in Halo Infinite to slicing down troves of demons in Vampire Survivors, there have been moments when the system’s wonderful controls and {smooth} efficiency made me neglect that I used to be streaming these video games from the web. The hand held’s Snapdragon 720G processor additionally proved a lot highly effective for enjoying the newest Android video games regionally, as titles like Diablo Immortal and Rocket League Sideswipe ran with no hitch and labored immediately with the system’s built-in controls.

Video games had a pleasant colourful pop to them on the machine’s 7-inch 1080p show (full with a smooth-enough 60Hz refresh fee), and the built-in audio system have been completely loud sufficient to listen to the motion clearly. Logitech claims that you just’ll get greater than 12 hours of battery life out of the G Cloud, which traces up with the truth that I barely needed to cost it.

I did run into some hiccups with each cloud-based and Android video games that I’ll get extra into beneath, however in the end, it’s exhausting to not marvel on the sheer quantity of video games the G Cloud can play — particularly since they run fairly effectively more often than not.

As I discussed above, taking part in video games on the Logitech G Cloud feels nice — when every part works. Similar to on any cloud gaming machine (be it your cellphone, laptop computer and even TV), your recreation streaming expertise is in the end on the mercy of no matter Wi-Fi community you’re related to. At the same time as somebody who will get first rate speeds at residence, I had combined outcomes — for each buttery {smooth} Fortnite session, there was a spherical of Mortal Kombat the place I may barely get my combos off, or a laggy Want for Velocity Race the place I struggled to make sharp turns. A recreation like Steel: Hellsinger, which is all about attacking enemies to the beat of music, was just about unimaginable to play optimally.

And whereas most Android video games labored effectively out of the field, titles like Name of Responsibility: Cellular didn’t acknowledge the G Cloud’s built-in controls — forcing me awkwardly to thumb across the recreation’s on-screen contact inputs. Additionally, this method isn’t ideally suited for enjoying vertically oriented video games like Mario Kart Tour or Marvel Snap, as you’ll have to carry it at a clumsy angle as you swipe away on the display screen. Lastly, there’s no mobile assist, which means that except you’re taking part in downloaded Android titles, you received’t get a lot use out of the G Cloud once you’re outdoors of a Wi-Fi community.

None of these items are dealbreakers, however they’re price maintaining in thoughts — particularly contemplating how a lot the G Cloud prices.

The Logitech G Cloud prices $350, although it’s at the moment on sale for $300 by means of the vacations. Both means, it’s very dear for a system whose predominant objective is to stream video games from the cloud — one thing you’ll be able to already do on just about any machine you personal. The $100 Spine One, which turns your cellphone right into a mini gaming console with its intuitive snap-on controls, offers an analogous expertise for a fraction of the value. This type of setup has its drawbacks (you’ll be taking part in on a smaller display screen, draining your cellphone’s battery and should must take care of distracting notifications), however it’s additionally rather more reasonably priced.

For simply $50 greater than the value of the G Cloud, you’ll be able to choose up a $399 Valve Steam Deck, which is a real transportable gaming PC that may run 1000’s of Steam Deck video games regionally — to not point out the entire large cloud gaming companies by way of an internet browser. It’s greater, bulkier, and also you’ll realistically need to spring for the $529 model that has a sooner 256GB SSD drive, however the Steam Deck gives the higher expertise for PC avid gamers who need to play on the go along with minimal compromises. And in contrast to most different handhelds, it even comes with a carrying case!

There’s additionally no ignoring the truth that the G Cloud prices the identical because the Nintendo Swap OLED, which, for our cash, is the most effective transportable console you should purchase. It has a superior OLED show, a incredible number of each Nintendo and third-party video games you could play offline, and a flexible design that may connect with your TV, function a handheld or be propped up in tabletop mode — full with removable controllers — for impromptu recreation periods. You’re getting a a lot totally different recreation choice (the Swap isn’t for you should you don’t like Nintendo video games), however I feel it’s the higher total machine for the cash. You could possibly additionally forgo the shiny OLED display screen and get the cheaper $300 Nintendo Swap, or save much more on the handheld-only Swap Lite.

Show	7-inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS LCD touchscreen	7-inch, 1280 x 800 IPS LCD touchscreen	7-inch, 1280 x 720 OLED touchscreen
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G	Customized AMD APU	Nvidia Tegra X1
Storage	64GB (expandable by way of microSD)	64GB / 256GB / 512GB (expandable by way of microSD)	64GB (expandable by way of microSD)
Battery life (rated)	12 hours	2 to eight hours	4.5 to 9 hours
Dimension and weight	10.11 x 4.61 x 1.3 inches, 1 pound	11.7 x 4.6 x 1.9 inches, 1.47 kilos	9.5 x 4 x 0.55 inches, 0.93 kilos
Value	$300	From $399	$350

Taken by itself, the Logitech G Cloud is an excellent handheld console for enjoying cloud-based and Android video games. It feels incredible, has entry to tons of video games and delivers nice efficiency in the correct situations. Certain, you’ll be able to connect an affordable controller to your cellphone and have an analogous expertise, however you’ll must consistently snap it on and off — and take care of a draining battery and annoying notifications. The G Cloud is choose up and play, and distraction-free.

Nonetheless, even at its present low cost value of $300, the G Cloud is difficult to totally advocate to anybody that isn’t a real cloud or cellular gaming fanatic. At its finest, it’s a less expensive and extra compact Steam Deck various, supplying you with entry to a plethora of PC and console video games from each your individual library in addition to any streaming companies you pay for. However the G Cloud is just too costly for what it does, and till a extra vital value drop occurs, most individuals are higher off getting the excellent $100 Spine One for his or her cellphone or going all the way in which with the extra sturdy $399 Steam Deck.