Leg^oneⁿ Legion Go, a Windows 11-powered gaming handheld, challenges the Steam Deck. With its 8.8-inch, 144Hz display and AMD Ryzen 1 Extreme processor, it boasts impressive specs. The device feels premium due to Lenovo's history with gaming laptops and desktops, but the presence of Windows 11 complicates its use as a straightforward gaming console.

Legion Go's design mirrors the Nintendo Switch, featuring a thin bezel, stand, and detachable controllers. It's slightly larger and more complex than the Switch. Despite its size, it's surprisingly lightweight and balanced, making it comfortable to hold and use. It's constructed of durable plastic with a sleek, smooth finish, and never feels like it could slip from your grasp.

Legion Go features two USB-C ports, a microSD slot, and a headphone jack. The built-in hardshell case has a cutout for the bottom USB-C port, allowing you to charge the device while it's enclosed, a convenient feature.

The 8.8-inch display is a standout feature, significantly larger than competitors' 7-inch screens, and with a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, DOOM Eternal, and Marvel's Spider-Man look fantastic on this sizable screen. The display, not OLED, offers good contrast between dark and bright elements, bright colors, and fine detail in the graphics.

Legion Go's performance matches that of the high-end ROG Ally, with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage. However, optimal performance requires tweaking settings. The device struggles to run games at 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and high frame rates. Adjusting the resolution to 1,280 x 800 and setting the TDP to 30W enables acceptable frame rates of 30-45 fps. At 1,200p, frame rates can reach 70 fps on a 7-inch screen but not on the 8.8-inch display.

Windows 11, while providing compatibility with any Windows-compatible game or program, can be cumbersome to use with controllers. The Legion Space launcher makes it easy to navigate, but most Windows programs require touch controls. A setup menu offers customization options, including performance mode, display resolution, refresh rate, and controller mapping.

The controllers are detachable, allowing the right controller to be used as a mouse. The layout includes standard gamepad features and additional buttons for unique functionality. FPS mode enables the controller to be placed on the controller base, functioning like a mouse. However, the optical eye's precision is questionable, and using the controller in this mode feels awkward and unnatural.

The game library includes thousands of PC games, thanks to the Windows 11 compatibility. The library is organized in the Library folder for easy access. The device also supports games from Steam and beyond, similar to the ROG Ally and AyaNeo 2S.

Legion Go's battery life is disappointing, lasting around 4 hours with screen brightness at 150 nits and reducing to 1 hour 51 minutes during graphics-intensive tasks. The device's performance, while comparable to the ROG Ally, doesn't significantly outperform the Steam Deck, especially on the larger 8.8-inch screen.

Despite its unique features and potential for PC gamers, Legion Go doesn't offer a seamless gaming experience, particularly when using the Legion Space launcher for non-game applications. The controller's use as a pseudo-mouse is interesting but not practical. For most users, the Steam Deck OLED is a better choice, offering superior display quality, better game optimization, and a user-friendly interface. Even the high-end Steam Deck OLED is more affordable than Legion Go.

For PC gamers seeking a Windows 11-powered handheld with unique features, Legion Go is a solid choice. It stands out as one of the best Windows 11 handheld devices on the market.