Ultrawide monitors have always been my weakness, and for years I’ve managed to resist the pull of handheld gaming PCs, even as devices like the Steam Deck turned the form factor into a phenomenon. But a recent custom project from a modder might finally be the one that breaks my resolve. This bizarrely perfect creation feels like it was built specifically with me in mind: a 32:9 handheld gaming PC with Switch-style detachable controllers. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for my wallet), it’s not something you can actually buy.
The build comes from a YouTube video posted by creator “𝙉𝙄𝙏𝕋ℝ𝐗,” who claims the device is running on AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme. If true, that would be remarkable, since the chip is barely out in the wild and typically locked away inside premium handhelds like MSI’s Claw A8 BZ2EM. That makes the demo footage more than a little suspicious — the first game shown is Asphalt 9, which happens to run just fine on mobile phones, meaning it doesn’t necessarily prove that the hardware inside is what’s being claimed. Given how rare and expensive the Z2 Extreme is, it would require tearing down a brand-new device worth well over $1,000, which feels like a stretch for a hobby project.
Looking closely, the main housing seems to be a custom shell wrapped around an ultrawide touchscreen panel, with enough space behind it to stash the internal hardware of either a handheld console or perhaps even a small mobile device. From a technical standpoint, it’s a clever setup — but also one that’s easy to fake for a proof-of-concept video. Having spent the early 2010s writing about phones during the height of the Android boom, I’ve seen countless flashy “prototype” videos that never held up under scrutiny, so skepticism comes naturally.
Authentic or not, though, I love the ambition. The idea of putting a 32:9 display in a handheld is both ridiculous and inspired, even if it makes the already questionable portability of devices like the Steam Deck look sensible by comparison. The practical challenges are obvious: ultra-wide resolutions past 21:9 already break compatibility with plenty of PC games, not to mention the issues of scaling, weight, and battery life. Still, the sheer audacity deserves recognition. To borrow the old Pontiac slogan, this project proves that in the minds of some enthusiasts, “wider is better.”
