Microsoft's Xbox Ally Handhelds Priced Up to $1,000

"...I had hoped it was a sign the leaked prices were too high...."

"...I was too optimistic...."

"...Maybe it would send a shockwave through the handheld market like the Steam Deck’s console-like $399 price did in 2021!..."

"...Everything we know about video game consoles is being flipped on its head...."

"...It used to be each console got cheaper and cheaper — but not anymore...."

"...It’s quite possible that the next Xbox will literally be a series of PCs, rather than a traditional console...."

"...Luxuries cost...."

"...In some ways, people can afford less than ever these days, as the prices of food and other basic necessities go up, thanks at least partially to President Donald Trump’s deeply confusing trade war...."

"...But we also live in an era of nostalgia and escapism, in which people want opportunities to retreat from the chaos, tune it out, and try to return to a simpler and happier time...."

"...Historically, gamer outrage has kept console and game prices low...."

"...Just how much might the next Xbox cost, or the next PlayStation, now that the barriers have cracked?..."

"...It might partly depend on how well the Xbox Ally sells...."

"...But I somewhat doubt that “the largest technical leap you will have ever seen in a hardware generation” will wind up being easily affordable...."

"...Last year, Xbox boss Phil Spencer told Bloomberg, “We’re not going to grow the market with $1,000 consoles,” and I think that rings true...."