Logitech G Cloud Handheld Portable Gaming Console with Long-Battery Life, 1080P 7-Inch Touchscreen, Lightweight Design, Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Google Play

Logitech GCloud reviewMy two weeks with the Logitech GCloud has been wonderful.1. Short and Sweet Review:The Logitech GCloud is a great portable gaming handheld if you use services like Xbox Game Pass, Steam Link, GeForce Now, PSPlay, or some google play Android apps (emulators or basic games).The Logitech GCloud is meant for cloud gaming or remote play gaming and should be treated that way. If you want a console that has the games locally, I would recommend a switch or steam deck.The performance on this device for cloud activities is amazing. Xbox Remote Play and Xbox Cloud play are buttery smooth and it’s jarring to me how I can play games this well.Highly recommended.2. Longer, More In Depth Review:Continuing off my shorter review, the GCloud is a great device. Logitech is known for creating mice, keyboards, and other great computer accessories, so when it comes to user experience - they definitely know how to provide a device that just FEELS GOOD.A. The Device Itself:The grips feel like I’m holding an Xbox controller. The triggers feel like Xbox triggers. The analog sticks are rubber and fit on my larger hands nicely. The touch screen is responsive and smooth. The buttons remind me a lot of Nintendo DS/3DS buttons. They aren’t “clicky” like say, a BackBone device, but moreso a smooth button push that feels hollow. The USB-C and headphone jacks are welcome additions at the bottom of the device, and it’s also nice to get a micro sd card slot for expandable memory.The device is also not heavy at all. The GCloud is very light, and feels lighter than my Nintendo switch. The device is also thin. It’s thin in the center, and then bulks up on both sides for the controller aspect. Imagine taking a tablet and putting two halves of an Xbox controller on both sides - but somehow making it feel great and weigh nothing.B. The Operating SystemThe GCloud’s operating system reminds me of the Nintendo Switch. Which is actually a good thing. Using a Nintendo inspired UI makes the Logitech’s OS feel familiar while still feeling independent.When setting up the device, you actually get the choice between the OS being an Android look and feel OR the Logitech Gaming Menu. That was a nice surprise to me because it’s nice that Logitech isn’t blocking out Google or the Google Play Store. You can download google play apps to this thing and sign into google play all out of the box.The operating system is very user friendly and easy to work with. I do recommend updating the device as soon as possible, however. Out of the box, there are some OS quirks that get resolved in an update. Just make sure to update asap.The GCloud’s OS doesn’t seem to allow multitasking. Only one app can be open at a time. Which isn’t a bad thing. The Nintendo Switch is very similar.Overall, the operating system of the GCloud is user friendly and easy to use.C. Performance of Games and Services:The GCloud shines here. Microsoft worked closely with the GCloud in making sure that Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Remote Play work smoothly and efficiently.If you have Xbox Game Pass with Xbox Cloud Gaming, cloud games work very, VERY well. Just make sure you’re on a decent WiFi or similar connection and you’re good to go. I’ve played games like The Sims 4, Hello Neighbor 2, Fortnite, etc and they all work great with little to no issues.Xbox Remote Play is a true star as well. My Xbox is set up in my office, and sometimes I just want to play games on the couch. The GCloud lets me remotely play my Xbox in any room of the house comfortably. This is super convenient. Remote play is amazing.Steam Link works similarly to Xbox remote play and I’m able to play my entire steam library on the go as well. Steam Link on the GCloud lets you enable a mouse cursor mode, and it’s super cool being able to play mouse oriented games on the GCloud.NVidia’s GeForce Now is similar to Xbox cloud gaming but it feels more like a launcher if you have pre-existing connections like epic games, Steam, etc. I haven’t touched it too much.Google Play Store is convenient on this device. I’m able to download and install most mobile games and they run fine for the most part. I love emulators and it is very cool being able to install GBA, SNES, NES emulators with some of my favorite childhood games.The GCloud does a great job functioning as a full fledged Android tablet and gaming device.D. Critiques and Limitations:The GCloud is a cloud device. Any local content is limited unless you have a WiFi connection or some kind of connection to work with. That is also dependent on your interment speed.If you are for whatever reason unable to connect or have a limited speed, then you’re stuck with local apps - and that’s where this device has limitations. Emulators work great. But some apps that are more graphically intense will chug a bit. The graphics card inside isn’t necessarily meant for local intense gaming - so keep that in mind.While I personally haven’t had issues with the hardware, the device does have a limited manufacturer warranty that covers some parts and services. I would definitely read it over just in case you have screen pixel issues or drifting analog sticks. Again I’ve had no issues personally. Logitech does have a good customer support from what I’ve read.The operating system is constantly getting updated which is great. But keep in mind that there are some issues out of the box like volume controls being on max level and remote play not allowing input at all. Again, this gets fixed with software updates and I highly recommend updating before playing anything at all.The asking price of $349/$299 (when on sale) is a bit much for a device like this. For $50 more ($400) you can get a 64gb steam deck or even a Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset. Hell, even a Nintendo Switch!In my personal opinion, a price of about $199 to $249 more suitable for a device like this.I know that Amazon sells their tablets at a loss but makes up for it with software sales and purchases. Logitech doesn’t exactly have that luxury. I think Microsoft should consider partnering up with Logitech and make this a flagship portable Xbox console, maybe then Logitech might be able to price this more competitively.E. Overall Thoughts:The Logitech GCloud has changed the way I see gaming. I love that the device lets me remote into my PC and consoles and lets me play anywhere. I love cloud gaming. I love the Android google play availability.I find myself grabbing my GCloud more than my Nintendo Switch. I’ve used Game Pass way more than I’ve ever used it because of my GCloud.I do recommend this device because it really is an experience. BUT keep the limitations in mind before purchasing.Amazing device and I hope That Logitech continues to support and update it. This could totally be Microsoft’s Flagship “Switch” if they play their cards right.Thanks for reading!

Ok, so, I hear you Mr. or Ms. Potential Buyer: "Why would I want this when I can stream or emulate games on my phone?" or maybe you're saying "How is this better than another handheld like the Steam Deck or Android-based emulator consoles?"So here's what it comes down to, in a nutshell: The Logitech G-Cloud is a lightweight device that specializes in cloud gaming and game streaming from your home console or PC, has a very nice 1080p screen, pre-mapped controls for most services, a comfortable grip, and incredible battery life. It also happens to be able to emulate anything up to PS1 pretty well, and can manage DC, Wii, GC, and DS pretty darn well, too.Make no mistake, though: This thing is designed for cloud gaming, and it excels at it. Of course, your mileage may vary based on your WiFi connection and location in the world/US relative to the servers you're connecting to. If you're in Hawaii or Alaska, don't expect miracles. If you're in Gluberfrankenborg, Middle-of-Nowhere, again... You'll probably be disappointed. However, if you live near a major city in the continental United States, you'll be very happy with the performance.What I will say is don't get this as an emulation device. Yes, it's fine. It works as well as some of the emulation consoles from 2019. But the dedicated emulation consoles have gotten better since then, and can handle up to PS2, Switch, and other more challenging consoles. If emulation is your primary interest, you'll just be happier with something else with a newer chipset.However, if you're looking to play your Xbox Cloud games on the go, or stream games from your home console, this is the best choice. Yes, better than the Steam Deck. I have both, and while the Steam Deck can be finagled into working with Xbox Game Pass / Xbox Cloud, it's still a much-heavier device, it's still a roundabout path to get to those functions, and the battery life is still MUCH worse than the G-Cloud for the same features. The battery life and lightweight feel of the G-Cloud is just a better experience for Cloud gaming. The Steam Deck is great for playing games ON the device, from its own storage, but you don't need any of that with cloud gaming, so you're really just lugging around extra weight you're not using. And don't get me wrong: I love my Steam Deck, but when it comes to continuing a game on Xbox Game Pass, or streaming from my console, the G-Cloud is a much better experience and will last a lot longer on the road.The screen is gorgeous. No, it's not OLED, but it's still vibrant and has well-balanced colors, blacks, and brightness. The controls are excellent. If you're used to the Xbox controller, you'll be used to this. Sound is very good, suitable for gaming or movies.So really, the big boondoggle here is the price. Logitech was nuts to release at the price they did. So I'm going to put this delicately but honestly: If you can get this device for under 300 buckaroonies, it's worth it. Honestly, it should be priced closer to 250 dollarinos. If ALL you want and need is a really nice device to stream Game Pass games, I'd say 250 is a good price point where you won't feel ripped off, but you'll probably be feeling a bit sore about spending the original MSRP of 350. Shop around. Consider refurb or renewed.Oh, and I promised to compare to a mobile phone with a game controller. So here it is: I have several nice game controllers for my phone, both the Bluetooth type, and the direct USB-C connections (Backbone, X-2 Pro, Razer, etc.) and while that does work in a pinch, the fact is that any time you use your phone to stream cloud gaming, you're draining battery and your phone's battery isn't as robust as the G-Cloud's. And I don't know about you, but I need my phone for other things, and don't like running the battery down on a gaming session. And if you're emulating, the phone battery is taxed even more. On top of all that, you're still carrying around something about the same size and weight as the G-Cloud, and then tying up your phone when for the same size and weight you could have a dedicated device that has the controller built-in and pre-mapped, not to mention having a big 1080p screen.All in all, I consider it a good purchase if you're a Game Pass member. An OK purchase for streaming Steam games. I can't speak to PlayStation as I don't own one, but if you're into emulation it's no slouch, either. It does what they advertise it to do, and anyone dinging it for not doing things they don't advertise (i.e. everything except Cloud Gaming) is being unfair. Logitech sells this as a game streaming device (thus the name, G-CLOUD) and so I'm judging it primarily as that, and in that, it does a great job. Five Stars.