When Lenovo’ Category Manager for Gaming Clifford Chong was presenting the Legion Go on stage at the Legion Asia Pacific Tour 2023 in Singapore, this is what stood out to me. He mentioned how the Legion Go is a “transformer” able to be used in more ways than one. 

In case you didn’t know, the Legion Go is Lenovo’s handheld gaming pc/console. It shares the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor as its primary foe – the ROG Ally. And while at first glance, they seem like the same device, the Legion Go has functional design choices that make it a tad different. All of which point to how the Legion Go transforms into more than just a handheld gaming machine.

Big Screen Handheld 

As a handheld, the Legion Go is pretty familiar. It’s a similar layout to most handhelds out today. You have a screen in the middle sandwiched between the controls. The controls feature the usual thumb sticks (hall effect for zero drift), directional pad, and face buttons. It also has a trackpad-like surface on the right side similar to the one on the Steam Deck. 

But what sets it apart is its 8.8-inch display. Size matters. Legion believes this is the sweet spot, especially since most AAA games that players will likely want to play on a handheld gaming machine are games designed for bigger screens. 

To be more precise, it’s a QHD+ display, supporting up to 1600p resolution and up to 144Hz refresh rate. It’s also a 10-point touchscreen for more interactive uses. That and with the controllers being detachable a la Nintendo Switch is what enables tablet-type use. 

8.8-inch Tablet 

Without the controllers detached, what you’re left with is practically a tablet running on windows. You can opt to hold it like you would any other traditional tablet and enjoy watching on YouTube, Netflix and what not. Or, you can put it up on a desk with the help of its built-in kickstand. 

Oh and yes, the controllers are still usable even when detached. So, really, like a Switch but with your PC Game Library. 

Console and Desktop 

Through a couple of USB-C ports and bluetooth tech, the Legion Go can be expanded into console and desktop-like uses. 

You can connect multiple Bluetooth Controllers and use the USB-C Port to display out to a monitor for that console experience. 

In a similar manner you can use the port or bluetooth again to connect a keyboard and mouse along with a monitor for a desktop-like setup.

This is something you can also do with the ROG Ally, and the Steam Deck but with a little bit more hoopla. 

FPS Mode

But if you’re really only here for the mobile, handheld gaming experience of it all, Legion went the extra mile. You can transform the right-hand side controller to a joystick-like experience which pretty much functions like a mouse. Simply detach the controller, switch to (first-person shooter) FPS  mode via physical-toggle, and connect with the included attachment. 

While in FPS mode, the face buttons will stop functioning. This way, nothing will happen even if you accidentally hit them. You can also take out the thumb stick if it’s sticking out and uncomfortable to use. The shoulder buttons now function like the left and right mouse buttons. 

I played like this for a couple of minutes and it’s a little unnatural. It doesn’t quite feel like a d-pad and mouse experience and might feel a little awkward at first. That said, I still managed to hit targets despite being personally challenged by first-person shooter games. 

If you’re investing time on the Legion Go, there’s a good chance you’ll get used to the feeling of the FPS mode in a few hours or so. 

Legion Glasses

Lenovo Legion’s Clifford Chong with Gian Viterbo of Gadget Pilipinas

Taking the experience even further, Lenovo is also encouraging Legion Go buyers to pair it with Legion Glasses. The wearables offer users a more private screen to play games and consume content. 

What’s it like in actual use? You basically see a screen in front of you no matter where you look. That means being able to play or watch content in whatever position you like. I personally tried playing relaxed on a chair, controllers detached. It’s certainly a new experience overall. 

The Legion Glasses can also be used with other devices as long as the USB-C port has display-out functionality. 

But this isn’t as immersive as VR headsets. And that’s by design. Legion says they want to keep the user aware of their surroundings even while playing. You can even long press a button on the left-hand side of the glasses to dim the display and see your immediate environment. 

Legion Space and gaming feel

Thoughtfully, Lenovo didn’t leave it up to Windows to gain access to your games. They have what they call a Legion Space which is essentially like a Gaming Hub where you can access your games and settings. It has a dedicated button on the left-hand side of the controller. 

We only interacted with it briefly. First impressions suggest it’s a tad smoother than the Armoury Crate SE on the ROG Ally. Jury is still out on this one. 

The same is true for the actual gaming experience. We were able to play both Starfield and Lies of P. Both games were available thanks to the Lenovo x Microsoft partnership. You’ll get 3-months access to Game Pass when you buy Lenovo gaming products. 

Back to the gaming feel, both Starfield and Lies of P ran well with frame drops noticeable probably to those who are actually looking for it. This is while the Legion Go is on performance mode running on 800p. 

Is the Legion Go your GadgetMatch?

Naturally, it’s too early to tell. We’ll make sure to get a review unit for extended play time. If there are specific games you want us to try, let us know on any of our social channels. 

The Legion Go will retail for PhP 49,995 in the Philippines. Pre-order starts on November 15, 2023 with availability beginning in December 2023. Just in time for the holidays. 

The Legion Glasses, meanwhile, will retail for PhP 21,995 with expected availability in Q1 of 2024. 

Pricing in the rest of Southeast Asia to follow.