Lenovo Legion Go review: More than a handheld gaming console

Rating: 3.5/5

The handheld gaming console market has seen an uptick in recent months. Previously dominated by Sony PSP and Nintendo Switch, this space has seen newcomers in the form of Steam Deck (in 2022), Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, challenging the ‘OG players’. Earlier this year, we reviewed Asus ROG Ally and found that despite being a considerably good gaming performer, this Windows-run device needs bit of ironing as the competition grows.
Fast forward to this year, Lenovo launched the Legion Go handheld in India priced at Rs 89,990.It seemed like a high-concept gaming device with detachable controllers that could transform into a mouse. While the idea might seem unconventional, the device’s execution is solid. Legion Go has nifty practical features and is a compelling option for gamers. We used the device for a couple of weeks, here’s what we think about it.

Design and display

One of the striking features of the Lenovo Legion Go is its design and there’s a lot that goes for it here when it comes to resourcefulness. It is comparatively bigger than the competitors and is a well-constructed handheld gaming device. The device feels sturdy and has a premium build quality.

There are detachable controllers that offer a unique level of versatility, for example, one controller can be used as a vertical mouse (in FPS mode). There is a kickstand that is essential for FPS mode – it’s stable and we feel that the inclusion of an extra USB Type-C port is a practical addition to keep the device’s lights on and attack a pair of Lenovo Legion Go Glasses or a screen.

Another impressive feature is the addition of a touchpad. When we couldn’t fully control the cursor via joysticks, the touchpad came in handy for a better level of precision. Having said that, while a touchpad is a neat idea, it is too small for extreme precise control. For games that needed precision, we transformed the controller into a mouse with the help of a base plate (included in the box) to make it a vertical mouse.

However, in this pursuit of versatility, there comes some trade-offs. The controller layout, though innovative, can feel cramped and cluttered. When we held the Legion Go, we practically had a button for each finger, which sometimes felt a little too much. Moreover, it is heavier than the competition, so when we played games for longer duration, our hands got tired.

That’s when the kickstand came in handy, or better, the Lenovo Legion Glasses. Lenovo also sent a pair to complement the gaming console. It is a pair of smart glasses that can help provide a different gaming experience. If you wear spectacles, the lenses can be modified with the prescription power because you cannot use them with your glasses on for an optimal experience.

The Lenovo Legion smart glasses offer plug-and-play functionality wherein we just plugged in the glasses via a USB Type-C port and got a bigger field to play on. The stem has built-in speakers that are loud enough to provide a mild surround sound effect when playing games. For example, while playing FC24, the stadium noise felt realistic and in-stadium.

Moreover, the design of the Lenovo Legion Go is accentuated by RGB lights around the joysticks and power button. The LegionSpace software allowed us to change the pattern as per our liking and enabled us to keep an eye on system performance. We really would have liked more RGB lights because it is a gaming device but having what has been on offer isn’t a deal breaker.
Coming to the display, the Lenovo Legion Go boasts an impressive display. Its large 8.8-inch screen with a high resolution and refresh rate delivers an immersive gaming experience. The vibrant colors and sharp visuals is an improvement over the smaller screens found on the competitors.
It is an IPS touchscreen with 2560×1600 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, which results in sharper visuals and smoother gameplay. With 98.6% of the SRGB colour gamut, it is capable of reproducing a wide range of hues and keeping things vibrant for visual appeal. It is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, easy to clean and responsive. However, it is glossy, which means it reflects much light so a low-light environment is ideal to play the games.

Being a Windows-powered device, it can also be used for reading and surfing, thanks to the trackpad, a large display, detachable controllers and familiar user interface.
Performance
The Legion Go gets an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip under the hood – the same that powers the Asus ROG Ally. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme has 12 CUs up to 2.7 GHz and 8.6 teraflops, and uses AMD RNDA Graphics to handle games. The processor is complemented by a 16GB LPDDR5X RAM (7500Mhz) and 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD.
To keep things cool, the Lenovo Legion Go comes with Lenovo Legion Coldfront Technology which is nothing but a 79-blade liquid crystal polymer fan operating at less than 25dB in Quiet Mode. In Custom Mode, the Legion Go can provide its full 25W TGP for maximum performance.

The ROG Ally delivers a commendable gaming experience. It excels at running older titles and less demanding games as well as manages to handle most graphically intensive releases. Its haptic feedback system is one of its standout features and enhances immersion through subtle vibrations.
For example, when we scored goals on FC 24, the haptic feedback was similar to the Xbox controllers. More demanding games like Forza Horizon 5 and NFS Heat ran smoothly, but it did have some difficulties in maintaining the same level of smoothness when we played games including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Windows 11, while offering versatility, introduced several challenges. It must be noted that the operating system is not optimised for such a small screen so the navigation was a bit cumbersome. While the touchpad provided some relief, we still struggled to get the most out of it. We’d also like to mention the stability issues, such as stuttering and games taking too long to load, or even not launching at all.
A quick restart did the trick for us but these occurrences detract from the overall user experience and highlight the limitations of running a full-fledged operating system on a handheld device.
Battery
The battery life on Lenovo Legion Go pretty much worked like on a Windows-powered PC. We played power-hungry, newer games which depleted the battery much faster as compared to the less demanding games. Moreover, if you opt for performance mode, the games ran smoothly but quickly drained the battery life. On average, we were able to squeeze out nearly two hours of run time on a single charge.
The Lenovo Legion Go packs a 49.2Wh battery which supports Super Rapid Charge technology. Lenovo claims that the battery can charge the battery life to 70% in 30 minutes. We found the claims to be fairly true. Most of the time we had the games on update or on download, so that also affected the charging process. The console got fully charged in about an hour’s time.
Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Go is a fun and versatile handheld gaming console that seems to be a product designed after a lot of brainstorming for practicality, giving it an edge over its competitors. A large, beautiful display, solid construction, great heat management and ability to handle games makes it a compelling package for those looking to buy a Windows-based handheld gaming console.
However, its focus on adaptability has impacted some core elements of the gaming experience, such as software and speaker quality. The one thing that is holding it back is the seamless software experience. A Windows software optimised for handheld gaming could have added to its charm. There are some Lenovo-elements such as LegionSpace provided some respite in handling games and apps.
Its Windows 11 operating system provides flexibility, allowing users to access a vast library of games. Nevertheless, performance inconsistencies can hinder overall enjoyment. Despite these shortcomings, the Lenovo Legion Go remains an appealing option for gamers seeking a handheld device capable of delivering console-quality performance.