With Sony’s unceremonious exit from the portable gaming scene, it seems Nintendo has the market all to itself. Still, the Switch is not the only option left when it comes to handheld gameplay. We have smartphones, tablets, and devices like the Aya Neo or Steam Deck. Meanwhile, an industrial designer explores a new form factor with the Gaming BOX.
This platform is taking the name seriously with its box-like outline. It draws inspiration from ultra-compact PCs but changes things up a bit. Instead of hooking it up to an external display, Eli Lan is integrating a screen on top of the housing. The Gaming BOX is one odd piece of hardware for the purpose it proposes.
Nevertheless, it’s quirky enough to draw interest from gamers. For instance, the aspect ratio of its display is unconventional, but there might be software optimized specifically for it. Details about the concept are very minimal and there is no mention of the specifications either.
Thankfully, the renders reveal more about the Gaming BOX. Since there are no physical controls except for the knurled metal power button, we believe it uses a capacitive touch interface instead. Perforations line the rear half of the frame and function as vents to keep the components inside cool.
The rear shows a USB-C port, an HDMI port, and a MicroSD slot to expand storage. Judging by the way they’re mounting the display, the speaker grilles should be underneath. If you plan to use peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, or gamepad, Bluetooth connectivity will take care of that. The Gaming BOX can likewise function as a mood board or as a speaker for music playback.
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Images courtesy of Eli Lan
