Nintendo might have had everyone’s attention with the Switch 2, but Microsoft apparently decided that was the perfect time to say:
“Hang on… we’ve got something too.” 👀
Xbox has teamed up with ASUS to unveil two new handheld gaming devices – the ROG Xbox Ally and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X.
That’s right. Xbox is heading into the world of portable gaming.
Meet the Xbox Ally
Both handhelds have been designed to feel more like an Xbox in your hands, with redesigned grips, a dedicated Xbox button and an Xbox-focused interface.
They run Windows 11, but Microsoft has worked with ASUS to make the experience much more Xbox-friendly, giving players quick access to their games, apps and settings.
Even better, the devices aren’t limited to the Xbox library.
Players can access games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net and other PC storefronts, giving these little machines a seriously chunky gaming library.
Basically, your gaming backlog just found a way to follow you onto the sofa.
And then there’s the Ally X
The standard ROG Xbox Ally comes with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.
But if that’s not enough horsepower for you, there’s the beefier ROG Xbox Ally X.
That model packs an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB RAM and 1TB of storage.
It also includes Impulse Triggers, bringing one of the familiar Xbox controller features to the handheld.
So yes, Microsoft has basically taken an Xbox controller, a Windows gaming PC and a handheld console and thrown them into a blender.
How do you play?
The Xbox Ally machines aren’t tied to one particular way of gaming.
You can play games natively, use Xbox Cloud Gaming, or even remotely connect to your Xbox console.
That means your Series X|S can stay at home while you sneak off with the handheld.
Very sneaky.
Xbox wants gaming to go everywhere
The handheld announcement is part of Microsoft’s wider push to make Xbox less about one particular box underneath your television and more about an entire gaming ecosystem.
That strategy has continued to evolve, with Xbox now talking about a future “family of devices” for its next generation of hardware.
The big question, of course, is price.
Powerful handheld gaming PCs aren’t exactly pocket money territory, so how Microsoft and ASUS position the Xbox Ally range will be crucial.
But one thing is already clear:
Xbox wants your games to go wherever you do. 🎮🔥
And honestly, we’re not complaining.