ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X: The long-awaited Xbox handheld is almost here

Late last week, I attended an ASUS preview event for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. I spent a little over an hour with both devices, focusing mainly on the ROG Xbox Ally X. These handhelds truly feel like the long-awaited Xbox handheld that fans have been clamoring for over the years.

With so many handheld devices currently supported in the console ecosystem, choosing another one can be tough—especially with the Switch 2, PlayStation Portal, and Steam Deck all vying for attention. Even the original Switch still boasts a vast library of games, and many gamers feel hesitant to invest in the Switch 2 until more exclusives are released for Nintendo’s latest console.

Handheld consoles have been my main gaming system since I was young. However, over time, many handhelds haven’t been designed optimally for long gaming sessions without causing aching hands or sweaty palms. Holding the ROG Xbox Ally X felt incredibly natural. Its contours and shaping fit perfectly—as if they had taken an Xbox Wireless Controller’s grips and attached them directly to the ROG Ally.

Having tried the Steam Deck before, I initially liked its handling, but I was concerned about cramping or hand fatigue due to its grip shape. I remember frequently needing to switch hands every few minutes because it was just too unwieldy. In contrast, the ROG Xbox Ally X felt comfortable and ergonomic.

The first game I tried on the ROG Xbox Ally was Hades. Although I hadn’t played it before, it ran extremely smoothly. I was able to keep up easily with enemies, projectiles, and environmental hazards throughout each room I completed.

On the ROG Xbox Ally, there were a few games available including Hades, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Balatro, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4—mostly less graphically intensive titles. I attempted to boot up Hollow Knight: Silksong but unfortunately, Wi-Fi issues at the event prevented it from running. This was a shame, as with over 80 hours logged in Silksong, it would have been a great opportunity to compare its performance to the Nintendo Switch 2.

I then moved over to the ROG Xbox Ally X, which had more graphically demanding games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Doom initially suffered from stuttering and lag, but after tweaking settings like disabling ray tracing and path tracing, it ran excellently.

I’m not one to obsess over frames per second or graphical settings, but it was impressive to see a recent Doom title running at 120 FPS in my hands with such steadiness. Even though my eyes probably wouldn’t have noticed a difference compared to 60 FPS, it’s a testament to the console’s power. For context, I once played Pokémon Unite for hundreds of hours before realizing I was running it at 30 FPS, not 60 like many others.

In Expedition 33, I explored as quickly as possible to find combat scenarios. After skipping dialogue and roaming for a few minutes, I encountered an early one-on-one fight. Since many players have reported trouble with the game’s counter mechanic, I wanted to test its timing on the handheld.

Handheld consoles sometimes make timing mechanics like counters or parries more difficult, but after getting used to the controls, I executed counters with precision—even landing a triple counter during a barrage of enemy attacks. The timing was tight, but I was able to read the enemy’s openings seamlessly.

The ROG Xbox Ally X truly shines in its lightweight design, handling, grip, contours, and grooves—all of which make it comfortable for extended play sessions. Its large battery life further supports this, making it a massive practical upgrade over the original ROG Ally.

Additionally, it can be connected to a large television screen, though at the event, I only had the chance to experience it in handheld mode.

Overall, the ROG Xbox Ally X feels like a thoughtful and well-executed handheld that could finally satisfy Xbox fans looking for a premium portable gaming experience.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146353/rog-xbox-ally-preview

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