Exceeding Expectations: Balanced Performance Review
Handheld Gaming Consoles: Can the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 Keep Up?
As the handheld gaming console market continues to grow, manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a small form factor. The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is the latest addition to this lineup, boasting a unique race car-inspired design. But can it keep up with the likes of the Steam Deck OLED and Asus ROG Ally X?
First Impressions
The Nitro Blaze 7 feels surprisingly comfortable in the hand, with grips that conform nicely to your palm and no hot spots on the rounded corners. The joysticks have a solid weight to them, similar to the Steam Deck OLED and ROG Ally X. The triggers are smooth and responsive, with a nice curve to fit your fingers. However, the sticks lack Hall effect sensors, which might be a drawback for some gamers.
A Few Quirks
One notable omission is the lack of back buttons. When asked about this design choice, Acer reps couldn’t provide a clear answer. While I don’t personally use back buttons, I know many gamers who rely on them. The built-in Acer Game Space software also needs some work, with limited options for customizing your gaming experience.
Performance Concerns
The Nitro Blaze 7’s performance is another area of concern. Instead of using the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme mobile processor, Acer opted for the AMD Ryzen 8840HS. While this chip is similar in many ways, it’s unclear why Acer chose it over the more powerful Z1 Extreme. In our demo units, the Nitro Blaze 7 struggled to maintain a steady frame rate in games like Horizon Forbidden West and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Display and Battery Life
The display on the Nitro Blaze 7 is decent, but not particularly impressive. The IPS LCD panel is bright enough for a dim room, but it can’t compete with the visual quality of the Steam Deck OLED or the larger screen with wider color gamut of the Lenovo Legion Go. The 50 Whr battery is average, but not particularly impressive compared to the Ally X’s 80 Whr battery.
Conclusion
The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 has some promising features, but it’s unclear if it can keep up with the competition. With limited customization options, a lack of back buttons, and performance concerns, it’s hard to see the Nitro Blaze 7 as a top contender in the handheld gaming console market. Only time will tell if Acer can address these issues and make the Nitro Blaze 7 a viable option for gamers.
