When it comes to comparing portable gaming consoles like the Lenovo Legion Go, Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally, and MSI Claw, I’ve had my share of experiences that have left me both impressed and frustrated. After putting each of these devices through their paces, I’m ready to share some real insights into how they handle some of the most demanding games out there, including Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and Atomic Heart.
Setting Up the Tests: My Process
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve tested the performance of these consoles on a variety of AAA games. It’s been quite the task, but I was committed to seeing which one stands out. Some games were an absolute breeze to run on these devices, while others made me question the logic behind their development.
To ensure consistency, I ran all the games on Full HD settings, except for the Steam Deck OLED, where I used its native resolution. I also experimented with different graphics settings to push each console to its limits. And let me tell you, Red Dead Redemption 2 was a monster across the board — it didn’t go easy on any of these devices.
Lenovo Legion Go: A Double-Edged Sword
Let’s start with the Lenovo Legion Go. I bought this device recently, and while it has a lot of potential, it drove me up the wall during some of these tests, particularly with Red Dead Redemption 2. One of the most frustrating issues I faced was trying to get it to run in full-screen mode. Every time I launched the game, the picture would shift off-center, making it nearly unplayable. It turns out that this is related to the screen’s vertical alignment in Lenovo’s software. Switching from Vulkan to DirectX 12 helped smooth things out, but it took a good hour to figure this out.
Another downside with the Lenovo Legion Go is its trackpad. Compared to the Steam Deck, the trackpad on the Legion Go feels sluggish and unresponsive. Tasks like copying files or navigating through menus felt like a chore. The layout just isn’t intuitive, and it constantly made me wish I was using a regular controller instead.
That being said, once I got past the initial setup struggles, the Lenovo Legion Go did show some promise. The screen quality is top-notch, and for most of the games, the visuals were crisp. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Atomic Heart ran smoothly once I dialed down the settings to medium, delivering a decent 40-50 FPS range.
| Game | FPS |
|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 30-40 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 40-50 |
| Atomic Heart | 50 |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | 30 |
ASUS ROG Ally: Small but Mighty
Moving on to the ASUS ROG Ally, this device pleasantly surprised me. While it’s smaller than the Lenovo Legion Go, it handled Red Dead Redemption 2 much better. Unlike the Lenovo, the ROG Ally launched the game in full-screen without a hitch, and there was no need for extra scaling software.
I set the graphics to medium and consistently hit 45-50 FPS, which made the gameplay feel much smoother. The compact size of the ROG Ally also made it more comfortable for longer gaming sessions.
In terms of performance, Cyberpunk 2077 also ran well on the ROG Ally, but it’s worth noting that the FPS dipped into the high 30s during more graphically intense sequences. However, unlike the Lenovo Legion Go, the device never overheated or became excessively noisy. The ASUS ROG Ally is certainly not without its flaws, but for the size and price, it punches above its weight in terms of performance.
| Game | FPS |
|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 45-50 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 35-40 |
| Atomic Heart | 55 |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | 25-27 |
Steam Deck OLED: The Dependable Workhorse
Now, let’s talk about the Steam Deck OLED, the most popular option among portable gamers. There’s a reason people call this device a “workhorse” — it’s consistent. The Steam Deck isn’t the most powerful in terms of raw specs, but it has the best balance of performance, portability, and user experience.
Running Red Dead Redemption 2 on the Steam Deck was a completely different experience compared to the Lenovo Legion Go. Even with the game’s settings dialed down to its native resolution, the Deck delivered smooth gameplay with minimal stutter. The FPS hovered around 40, which is impressive for a device at this price point.
Cyberpunk 2077 also ran impressively on the Steam Deck OLED. While I wasn’t able to push it beyond 40 FPS, the game looked great, and the OLED screen really brought out the game’s vibrant colors. The battery life, however, took a beating during this game — lasting around two and a half hours before I needed to recharge.
| Game | FPS |
|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 40 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 40 |
| Atomic Heart | 60 |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | N/A (crash) |
MSI Claw: A Powerful Yet Flawed Experience
Finally, let’s talk about the MSI Claw. On paper, this should be the most powerful device out of the bunch, but in practice, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. It performed really well with Atomic Heart and Cyberpunk 2077, running at 50-55 FPS on medium settings, and the visuals were outstanding.
However, things took a turn with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Dragon’s Dogma 2. Despite having similar hardware to the other consoles, the Claw struggled to maintain a stable FPS in both games. There were constant drops into the mid-20s, which made the games feel choppy and unplayable at times.
Another issue is the software. The MSI Claw has some quirks, like inconsistent updates for its drivers, which may be why the performance dips more than expected in certain titles.
| Game | FPS |
|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 25-30 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 50-55 |
| Atomic Heart | 50-55 |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | 20-25 |
Conclusion: Which Console Stands Out?
After all this testing, if I had to choose one console to recommend, it would have to be the Steam Deck OLED. It’s not the most powerful, but its consistent performance, comfortable design, and great software make it the most well-rounded option. For anyone looking to balance portability and performance, the Steam Deck OLED wins out.
The ASUS ROG Ally comes in a close second, with its compact size and decent performance, but it falls short in the high-end gaming department when compared to the Steam Deck. Lenovo Legion Go, with its impressive display and unique features, has potential but is hampered by its quirks. And while the MSI Claw packs serious power, it just doesn’t offer the smooth, reliable experience I was hoping for.
If you’re in the market for a new portable gaming console, it’s important to weigh your priorities. Do you want something powerful with a bigger screen like the Lenovo, or do you value a consistent and reliable experience like the Steam Deck offers? For me, reliability trumps all, and that’s why the Steam Deck OLED is my top pick.
