Handheld Gaming Travel Tips for South African Road Trips

Planning a classic South African road trip? Whether you’re cruising the Garden Route or heading up to the Kruger, long hours in the car are part of the deal. But what if you could conquer Elden Ring’s bosses between pit stops? Modern handheld gaming PCs make it possible. Forget draining your phone battery on mediocre games; this is your guide to epic gaming on the go, with essential travel tips for any journey. 🚀

Prep Your Gear: Essential Handheld Gaming Travel Tips

Before you even think about hitting the N1, a little prep goes a long way. The most crucial part of any handheld gaming travel plan is ensuring your gear is ready for the unpredictable nature of a South African road trip. First, get your games downloaded and updated while you have stable Wi-Fi. Holiday destinations, especially in remote areas, often have spotty internet at best. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination only to face a 100GB download. Make sure your device is fully charged and packed securely in a protective case.

Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142

R849.00In Stock

Adata SC735 1TB High-Performance External SSD with USB-C / 1,050MB/s Read & 1,000MB/s Write Speeds / Cable-Free Mobile Phone Compatibility / Gaming Handheld Compatible / Supports Latest Game Consoles / Multi-OS Support / SC735-1000G-CCBK/GY

R2199.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8ARP1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Go / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512B NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83L3004VSA

R13499.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Pro Gaming Controller / Supports Android, iPhone & iPad Mini / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 8” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05460100-R3M1

R4199.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA

R17499.00In Stock

Master Your Power and Storage

Power is king on the road. Your handheld’s battery won’t last the whole trip from Jozi to Cape Town, so a high-capacity power bank is non-negotiable. Look for one with USB-C Power Delivery (PD) to charge your device at a decent speed. A good car charger is also a lifesaver. This simple bit of planning is one of the most important handheld gaming travel tips we can offer, especially with load shedding being a reality at your destination. Don't forget to pack a multi-plug or extension cord for the holiday house… you’ll thank us later.

Choose the Right Games for the Journey

Not all games are created equal for road trip gaming. You’ll want a mix of titles to suit different moods and situations. Epic single-player adventures like Cyberpunk 2077 or sprawling indie gems like Stardew Valley are perfect for long, uninterrupted sessions. These don't require an internet connection, making them ideal for travelling through network dead zones. For shorter bursts of fun while waiting for the rest of the family, have some pick-up-and-play titles ready. The beauty of today's powerful handheld gaming consoles is their versatility to handle everything from AAA blockbusters to retro emulators.

Adata SC735 1TB High-Performance External SSD with USB-C / 1,050MB/s Read & 1,000MB/s Write Speeds / Cable-Free Mobile Phone Compatibility / Gaming Handheld Compatible / Supports Latest Game Consoles / Multi-OS Support / SC735-1000G-CCBK/GY

R2199.00In Stock

MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot Wireless Smart Game Controller for Windows PC, Wired for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One – Rotating Modules, Display Dashboard, Hall-Effect Sticks, Remappable Buttons, Bluetooth / TBS-0120-05

R3199.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA

R17499.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05

R2499.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Gaming Controller / Supports Android and iPhone / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Dual mouse-click back buttons / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-03550100-R3M1

R2999.00In Stock

Optimising Your On-the-Go Library

Think about variety. Having a deep RPG, a fast-paced racer, and a relaxing puzzle game gives you options. Powerful devices like the ASUS ROG Ally can run virtually any PC game you own across Steam, Epic Games, or Xbox Game Pass, so your entire library is at your fingertips. Just remember to set your launchers to offline mode before you lose signal! This is a simple but effective travel tip for seamless handheld gaming.

Comfort and Ergonomics for Long Sessions

Gaming for hours in a car can get uncomfortable. Investing in a good grip case can make a huge difference to your hands and wrists. Also, consider how you’ll be playing. If you’re a passenger, you’re sorted. But if you’re gaming at your destination, a device with flexible options shines. The Lenovo Legion Go, for example, features detachable controllers and a built-in kickstand, allowing you to set it up on a table for a more relaxed, console-like experience. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference after a long day of driving. ✨

Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142

R849.00In Stock

MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Gaming Controller / Supports Android and iPhone / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Dual mouse-click back buttons / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-03550100-R3M1

R2999.00In Stock

Adata SC735 1TB High-Performance External SSD with USB-C / 1,050MB/s Read & 1,000MB/s Write Speeds / Cable-Free Mobile Phone Compatibility / Gaming Handheld Compatible / Supports Latest Game Consoles / Multi-OS Support / SC735-1000G-CCBK/GY

R2199.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05

R2499.00In Stock

SteelSeries Stratus + Wireless Anroid Controller / Android & Chromebook Wireless Gaming Controller / Bluetooth LE + USB-C PC Support / Adjustable Slim Phone Mount Included / 90-Hour Battery Life with Fast Charge (15 min = 12 hrs) / ALPS Thumbsticks with L3/R3 / Hall Effect Magnetic Triggers for Lifetime Precision / 69076

R999.00In Stock

Beyond the Car: Gaming at Your Destination

Your handheld isn’t just for the car ride. It’s your entertainment hub for the whole holiday. Pack a mini-HDMI or USB-C to HDMI cable, and you can connect your device to the TV in your rental for some big-screen gaming. It’s perfect for a rainy day or some co-op fun if you packed extra controllers. As the technology evolves with next-gen options like the MSI Claw, these devices are becoming true all-in-one entertainment solutions, solidifying their spot as a must-have for any tech-savvy traveller in South Africa.