Some video game peripherals make sense: stuff like extra controllers or headsets. These things both have their uses and could even be called almost indispensible for modern gaming. Then there are extras that one has to question the point of. On the surface, the xScreen appears to be a member of the former category, it’s a screen that you can clip onto your Xbox in order to make it more portable. However, it’s almost certainly actually a member of the latter group.

For about $209, Xbox fans can get the xScreen to take it on the go with them. The question is though, where exactly would you take it that you would need such a screen? Would you play in the car or outside while you’re camping? If so, where would you plug the thing in and how many hours could you realistically expect to get out a battery? Maybe you’re going on vacation and want to take it with you to your hotel. Okay, but couldn’t you just take your HDMI and plug it into the TV instead? Even then, you’re on vacation. Why would you want to drag a video game console with you when you could be enjoying your trip instead?

I actually got a screen like this way back in the day for my GameCube thinking that I’d actually use it while traveling. But…I never did. It was never worth packing, and the stuff I was doing on the trip was always more fun/interesting than whiling away the time playing some video game. I dunno. If you want more details, you can find them at Windows Central. Maybe there’s more to this than what I”m seeing.

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What do you think of portable screens? Is there actually an occasion where you think they’d be useful?

Image is from Xbox promo stuff