Lenovo is making waves in the handheld gaming arena with its latest innovation, the Legion Go.
One of the standout features of the Lenovo Legion Go is undoubtedly its detachable TrueStrike controllers, which bear a resemblance to Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. These controllers are equipped with two joysticks, a directional pad, and an array of face buttons, akin to standard gaming controllers. However, their capabilities go beyond the norm.
The TrueStrike controllers offer a remarkable total of 10 mappable shoulder buttons, comprising two triggers, two bumpers, four rear buttons (two on each controller), along with an additional pair of inputs located on the edges. The right controller even incorporates a front trackpad for on-screen cursor control and a rear-mounted mouse wheel for scrolling. Moreover, each controller features an optical “eye” on its underside, which, when placed within the accompanying stand, transforms the peripheral into a rudimentary gaming mouse.
These Legion TrueStrike controllers raise the bar, surpassing the functionality of the Switch’s Joy-Cons. Additionally, they boast eye-catching RGB lighting around the power button and incorporate “hall effect joysticks” that eliminate the controller drift issue often experienced with the Switch.
Beyond the controllers, the Legion Go offers a range of impressive features. The device boasts an 8.8-inch Lenovo PureSight gaming touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, delivering a Quad HD Plus resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. The display is capable of achieving up to 500 nits of brightness and covers 97 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring stunning visuals.
Under the hood, the Legion Go is powered by an “AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor” paired with an AMD RDNA graphics card, similar to the hardware found in the ROG Ally. It also boasts 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, offering a performance level akin to the ROG Ally. Storage capacity reaches 1TB, expandable by an additional 2TB via micro-SD card.
Given its robust hardware, the Legion Go demands considerable power, supported by a 49.2Wh battery. Lenovo has integrated its proprietary Super Rapid Charge technology, enabling the battery to recharge up to 70 percent in approximately 30 minutes. The device also includes a power bypass mode to safeguard the battery from deterioration and a rear kickstand for convenient prop-up functionality.
The Lenovo Legion Go is scheduled for release on October 31, with prices starting at £699/€799 (approximately $875 USD). While it carries a higher price tag than both the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, its innovative detachable controllers and exceptional display make it a compelling option for avid gamers.
