ARC Gaming Opens Registrations for Its Made-in-India Handheld Gaming Console

ARC, a new Indian gaming hardware company, has opened waitlist registrations for its first handheld gaming device, marking an early step towards the launch of a locally focused alternative in a category still dominated by imported consoles and PC gaming handhelds.

The company says users who join the ARC waitlist will receive early product updates, launch announcements, access to community initiatives and priority purchase opportunities before the wider public release. Registrations are now live through ARC’s official website, playarc.gg.

Why ARC is Targeting Handheld Gaming in India

India is one of the world’s largest gaming markets by user base, but most of that scale comes from smartphones. Dedicated handheld gaming hardware remains a niche segment, partly because devices such as the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch and other portable gaming machines often reach Indian buyers through imports, limited channels or higher pricing.

ARC is positioning itself around this gap. The company says it wants to build hardware and software around Indian users, rather than simply selling a global device into the country. That focus could matter for pricing, service support, game discovery, payments, ergonomics and community feedback, all of which affect adoption beyond early enthusiasts.

The company has not yet disclosed the final specifications, pricing, launch date or retail availability of the device. For now, the waitlist appears to be designed as both a demand signal and a community-building exercise before ARC moves closer to commercial release.

Beyond the Handheld Gaming Console

ARC says its first product is part of a broader handheld gaming ecosystem that combines custom hardware, a proprietary operating system, integrated software services and a community-driven platform for gamers, creators and developers.

Unlike standard Android or Windows handhelds, ARC aims to deliver a more streamlined gaming experience through its own software. However, questions remain around game compatibility, developer support and long-term software updates.

The company plans to refine the platform with feedback from early adopters. Co-founder Jobin Joseph said the waitlist response shows strong demand for a handheld designed for Indian gamers, while co-founder Kaustubh K. Jadhav said community feedback will help shape the ecosystem ahead of launch. ARC's success will ultimately depend on its hardware specifications, pricing, game library, software experience and after-sales support.