Well, no longer do we have to rely on rumors, as the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer, has revealed in a Bloomberg interview that Xbox handheld prototypes are currently being worked on. The caveat is that this hardware is still a few years out.

Microsoft CEO confirms development of handheld Xbox, still in prototype stage. (86 characters) Microsoft aims to replicate Nintendo's handheld success, learning from past failures. (85 characters) Introduction of handheld Xbox may expand market appeal,

Case in point: the Xbox handheld. Rumors of some kind of Microsoft-made competitor to the Game Boy have been floating around since the original Xbox launched more than 20 years ago. And for even longer, anyone who tries to step up to Nintendo on its stomping ground — including Sega, Sony, and Nokia — gets, well, stomped.

If you're familiar with the gaming handheld space, you've likely encountered Anbernic and its many new product releases throughout the year. According to Retro Dodo, Anbernic's latest launch puts the company "in the double digits for releases this year.

Microsoft Gaming Chief, Phil Spencer, has briefly discussed plans for an Xbox handheld that is a "few years out".

Microsoft Gaming boss confirms future plans for a handheld Xbox, but why wait years for hardware when the experience is already here?

Phil Spencer just confirmed that Microsoft wants to release an Xbox handheld. He also said that the company is still working on an Xbox mobile store and exploring more studio acquisitions.