For nearly two decades, rumours circulated about a handheld Xbox that could take on Nintendo and PlayStation.
Now, it’s real. The ROG Xbox Ally has officially launched worldwide — ending years of speculation.
It comes ready to work with Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers immediate access to hundreds of titles. But its real magic lies beneath the surface: this is a portable Windows PC, meaning most digital PC games you already own will run on it — as long as they don’t require a mouse and keyboard.
Performance-wise, it handles most modern games at solid resolutions. That said, all that power doesn’t come cheap: the base model starts at £499, while the top-tier ROG Xbox Ally X jumps to £799.
After spending a week with it, my verdict is largely positive — though the hardware isn’t without its quirks.
Design and Feel
If you’ve ever held an Xbox controller, the Ally feels instantly familiar. The grips are ergonomic, the joysticks sturdy, and the triggers have a satisfying resistance. The main buttons are a touch plasticky, but overall it’s comfortable for long sessions.
Display and Performance
The first test was Persona 5 Royal — a colourful, stylized game perfect for showcasing the screen. Despite opting for an LCD rather than OLED, the Ally’s display impressed me with its crispness and depth. Persona’s vivid reds popped beautifully; the only downside is that OLED competitors like Nintendo’s Switch 2 might offer richer contrast.
Performance was smooth. Simpler games, like Hollow Knight: Silksong or Hades II, ran effortlessly. But heavier titles told another story. Baldur’s Gate 3, for example, demanded tweaking to maintain a consistent frame rate — lowering graphics settings helped restore fluid gameplay.
Still, that’s the advantage of a Windows-based device: customization. You get the flexibility to adjust performance to your liking, just as you would on a PC.
Game Compatibility
The Ally isn’t a plug-and-play console like a Switch. Because it runs Windows 11, game performance can vary — and not every title launches flawlessly. My biggest issue came with Sonic Adventure 2, which refused to load properly until I manually fixed a compatibility setting.
But when it works, it shines. Whether it’s launching classics from your Steam library or streaming Modern Warfare 3 via the cloud, the experience is smooth and powerful.
Game Pass Integration
Game Pass is clearly the heart of this machine. With access to beloved franchises like Halo, Fable, and Gears of War — plus new releases from EA and Ubisoft via Game Pass Ultimate — there’s never a shortage of options.
The best part? You can stream many of these titles directly from Microsoft’s servers, letting you play the most graphically demanding games without stressing the hardware.
Subscriptions run from £6.99 to £22.99 per month, depending on your tier.
The Competition
It’s not entering an empty market. Nintendo’s Switch continues to dominate, with the Switch 2 refining what already worked. Sony has the PlayStation Portal, and Valve’s Steam Deck remains a juggernaut among PC handhelds.
The Ally’s big differentiator — running full Windows — is both its trump card and its burden. The upside is total software freedom; the downside is Windows itself. System updates, background processes, and occasional bugs can break immersion.
Bringing up Copilot mid-game to ask for hints was delightfully futuristic. Waiting for Windows updates before playing? Not so much.
Verdict
The ROG Xbox Ally delivers on its promise: it truly feels like a handheld Xbox. Its combination of Game Pass integration, versatile PC performance, and excellent ergonomics make it a compelling piece of hardware.
Still, it’s not perfect. Windows quirks and steep pricing may deter casual gamers — particularly when polished alternatives like the Switch 2 or Steam Deck exist.
But for players invested in the Xbox ecosystem and PC gaming alike, the Ally offers something no rival does: Game Pass on the go, with the full power of Windows in your hands.
Has it been worth the wait? For the right gamer — absolutely.
