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For nearly two decades, speculation has persisted regarding a handheld Xbox console designed to compete with Nintendo and PlayStation.
Now, that speculation has ended with the global release of the ROG Xbox Ally.
The device natively supports Xbox’s Game Pass subscription service, granting members immediate access to a library of hundreds of titles.
Its defining feature is its status as a portable computer running Windows, allowing compatibility with a vast array of existing PC games, provided they don’t require keyboard and mouse input.
The ROG Xbox Ally is capable of running most modern games at reasonable resolutions. However, this technology comes at a price: £499 for the base model, and £799 for the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X.
After a week of hands-on experience, the overall impression is positive, though the hardware does present some drawbacks.
Was it worth the wait?
Unsurprisingly, the device delivers on its promise of feeling like a handheld Xbox.
The integrated controller is comfortable to hold, with solid-feeling thumb sticks. While the face buttons have a slightly plastic feel, the triggers offer a satisfying experience.
These are positive signs, but the key question is how well the games perform.
The initial test involved loading Persona 5 Royal (2019), a game known for its vibrant colour palette, to evaluate the screen’s quality.
The results were impressive.
Technical observers might have expressed reservations about Microsoft’s choice of an LCD display over a top-tier OLED panel.
This means the portable Xbox lacks the best screen technology available, a potentially questionable decision given the device’s price point.
However, LCD technology has improved significantly in recent years. While not offering the most vibrant colours, the display impressed with its rendering of Persona 5’s deep reds.
The game ran smoothly, without noticeable stuttering or freezing, as expected for a title with moderate graphical demands.
It’s important to remember that the experience differs from purchasing a game for the Nintendo Switch 2, where seamless compatibility is generally assured.
The ROG Xbox Ally more closely resembles gaming on a home computer.
Compatibility cannot be guaranteed.
This is a notable drawback, though one familiar to PC gamers.
While marketed as a handheld Xbox, the device also functions as a portable computer running Windows, inheriting both the advantages and disadvantages of PC gaming.
For instance, Baldur’s Gate 3, known for its demanding performance, presented a challenge at higher graphics settings. However, the ability to adjust these settings, a hallmark of PC gaming, allowed for smoother gameplay.
The ROG Xbox Ally performed admirably with modern games that don’t require peak graphical fidelity, which is to be expected at this price point.
Games like Hades II, Blue Prince, and Hollow Knight: Silksong ran without issue.
Older titles also performed well, mirroring the Steam Deck’s launch in 2022. Ironically, the main challenge involved getting some of these games to launch in the first place.
For instance, compatibility issues prevented Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) from functioning correctly.
Fortunately, the device runs Windows 11, providing users with the means to troubleshoot such issues.
The ROG Xbox Ally offers access to a vast library of games, many of which users may already own, thanks to its compatibility with PC titles.
However, the device is clearly designed with Game Pass, Xbox’s subscription service, in mind.
Game Pass grants access to a wealth of classic titles, including Halo, Gears of War, and Fable, alongside modern releases such as Call of Duty.
Many of these games can be streamed over the cloud, eliminating the need for local downloads.
Cloud streaming alleviates the device’s processing demands, enabling impressive graphics from titles like Modern Warfare 3.
Game Pass Ultimate also includes subscription services from EA and Ubisoft, further expanding the available game library.
Despite Game Pass’s prominent integration, it is not a prerequisite.
The system runs Windows 11, ensuring compatibility with virtually any PC game, albeit potentially requiring some configuration.
The landscape has changed significantly since 2001, when the initial rumors surfaced.
Handheld PCs and gaming devices are no longer uncommon.
Nintendo has dominated the market with the Switch, one of the best-selling consoles of all time, and the Switch 2 refines the original’s strengths.
Sony offers the PlayStation Portal, which streams games from a PlayStation 5 or via cloud gaming.
Crucially, Microsoft’s device arrives three and a half years after Valve’s entry into the PC gaming handheld market with the Steam Deck.
The ROG Xbox Ally compares favorably to its rivals, as one would expect given its price.
However, the very feature that distinguishes the Xbox Ally X – its native Windows operating system – also creates its biggest challenges.
While it facilitates certain benefits, such as using Copilot to receive in-game advice, the Windows environment was not designed specifically for a gaming console.
For example, the need to install multiple updates before playing is not ideal.
It lacks a degree of polish one might expect at this price point.
However, the target audience is unlikely to be deterred by this lack of polish, especially as it has little impact on gameplay.
The key question is whether the appeal of Game Pass on the go will justify the cost.
Microsoft has successfully created a device that feels like a handheld Xbox. However, has it arrived too late to the market?
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