Gamescom 2025 Recap: The Future of Gaming Hardware and Accessories
Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gaming celebration, electrified Cologne last week with over 373,000 attendees. The event showcased innovative gaming hardware, including powerful laptops, cutting-edge handheld consoles, advanced controllers, and more. These new products are setting fresh standards for gaming performance, style, and portability—transforming how players play, connect, and compete.
Key Highlights from Gamescom 2025
-
Powerful gaming laptops and handheld devices were on full display.
-
Accessories designed to improve game performance and aesthetics made an impact.
-
ASUS’s ROG Xbox Ally handhelds enable gaming anywhere with strong specs and Xbox ecosystem integration.
-
NVIDIA and ASUS introduced new PC components and cloud gaming solutions that boost performance.
-
Next-gen controllers and headsets enhance comfort and audio fidelity.
-
Upcoming releases like the ROG Xbox Ally X and external GPU docks promise to upgrade gaming setups
Gaming Laptops
Laptops were a major focus during the event. ASUS showcased its full ROG 2025 lineup equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, delivering stunning graphics and smooth gameplay. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, ASUS also unveiled limited-edition themed hardware like the Hatsune Miku Edition—adding personality and style to gaming rigs.
Handheld Gaming Devices
Handhelds stole the spotlight, with ASUS presenting the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X for the first time. Running a Windows 11 customized for Xbox, these handhelds offer a console-like experience on the go, with seamless Xbox Game Pass integration.
| Device | Key Specs | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|
| ROG Xbox Ally | AMD Ryzen Z2 A, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD | Xbox ecosystem optimized UI |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD | Premium specs, desktop-grade power |
| PlayStation Portal | $200, Remote Play only | Streaming, no local games |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | OLED screen, enhanced Joy-Con | Hybrid gaming, backward compatibility |
| Steam Deck OLED | OLED display, extended battery life | Improved display and battery |
| Lenovo Legion Go S | Compact, efficient cooling | Balanced portability and performance |
| MSI Claw 8i Plus | 8-inch display, latest Intel chipset | High-end gaming performance |
The ROG Xbox Ally X impressed with its AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip and 7-inch 120Hz display. Launching October 16, 2025, it will be available first in the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, and China.
PC Components and Cloud Gaming
Beyond laptops and handhelds, ASUS unveiled new high-refresh OLED monitors, a 30th anniversary graphics card, CPU coolers, motherboards, and WiFi 7 routers—all designed to future-proof gaming systems.
Nvidia announced major enhancements to GeForce Now Ultimate, powered by the RTX 5080 Blackwell GPU, enabling streaming at up to 120fps in 5K with only 30 milliseconds of input lag. Features like DLSS 4 and cinematic-quality 10-bit HDR streaming are now available.
Controllers, Headsets, and Peripherals
-
ASUS ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller: Versatile connectivity with 2.4GHz RF, Bluetooth, and USB-C, plus programmable buttons and RGB lighting.
-
GuliKit Series: ES, ES PRO, TT MAX, and TT PRO models with Hyperlink 2 Bluetooth, customizable joysticks, and multi-platform compatibility.
-
JBL Quantum 950 Headset: Award-winning with 50mm drivers, 3D spatial sound, active noise cancellation, and a hot-swappable battery.
-
Beyerdynamic MMX 230: Bluetooth 6.0, 60-hour battery life, noise-canceling mic, and spatial sound.
Gaming keyboards like ASUS Falcata and Pulsar eS HE 70 introduced magnetic Hall Effect switches, rapid trigger technology, and customizable layouts for professional gamers.
Innovations at Gamescom 2025
-
AI-powered handheld gaming: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme CPUs in ROG Xbox Ally handhelds deliver auto super resolution and AI highlight reels.
-
Advanced 5G+ mobile cloud gaming: Collaboration between Deutsche Telekom and Nvidia for ultra-low latency and smooth mobile gameplay on devices like Galaxy S24 Ultra.
These technologies demonstrate the increasing power and mobility of gaming hardware, enabling console-quality experiences anytime, anywhere.
Awards and Highlights
-
Best Trailer: Hollow Knight: Silksong
-
Best Booth (Jury): Ubisoft; (Fan): Pokémon
-
Best Gaming Peripheral: JBL Quantum 950 headset
-
Best Microsoft Xbox Game: Grounded 2
-
Most Epic & Visuals: Resident Evil Requiem
