Months After Nintendo released the Switch 2, the sequel to the hugely popular handheld, Microsoft is releasing two handheld devices: the Xbox ROG Ally and the more powerful Xbox ROG Ally X.
However, casual players should take into account that an Ally is another beast from Switch 2.
Created jointly by Microsoft and PC maker Asus, these machines have more in common with portable PCs like the Steam Deck, which offer more games and more customization options than a traditional console, but also more complexity.
While they pack the processing power, they also come at a strange time for Xbox faithful, who have seen subscription prices rise and highly anticipated games be canceled amid mass layoffs at Microsoft.
Expensive premium models.
Microsoft sent the Xbox ROG Ally to CBC News for review. It retails for $799, which is $100 more than the Switch 2.
Meanwhile, the more powerful Xbox ROG Ally X will set you back $1,299; this gives you a more powerful processor and memory, as well as one terabyte of storage compared to the Ally's 512 gigabytes. (ROG stands for “Republic of Gamers”, a long-standing line of Asus gaming products.)
WATCH | Xbox ROG Ally trailer:
Traveling gamers should note that the Xbox ROG Ally is not a smaller version of the Xbox Series console that you plug into your TV. It's truly a tiny Windows 11 PC optimized for the Xbox PC showcase.
Most new Xbox games can be played on PC. And because Allys use Windows, you can play PC games from other companies' digital stores, including Epic Games (think Fortnite) or Steam if it runs on Windows 11.
But since it's PC at heart, the ally won't be able to play games that are only available on the Xbox console; you'll have to use Microsoft's cloud streaming service to access them, and the experience can be risky depending on your internet connection.
In Allys, the new “full screen” mode puts games at the forefront instead of the full Windows desktop (unless you want it that way).
It “makes it easier to run games, but it's still a little complex,” said Patrick O'Rourke, editor-in-chief of mobile and gaming site Pocket Lint.
“It’s still not the same as buying an Xbox Series X or S and plugging it in, or a PlayStation 5 or even a Switch.”
Similar to Xbox
To its credit, the Xbox ROG Ally is an impressive piece of hardware. Its screen is gorgeous and bright. The speakers deliver surround sound and music that rivals or surpasses multimedia laptops.
The full-size joysticks, buttons, and grips are virtually identical to a regular Xbox controller. This makes games that require fast action and precision much more comfortable than the Switch 2's smaller-than-average buttons and joysticks.
There are some downsides to this design, however: while the Ally is about the same height and width as the Switch 2, it's much thicker, and its bulkier handles make it much less portable.
However, the Ally is much lighter than its size suggests, so hour-long gaming sessions didn't strain my hands at all. The Ally X is a little heavier due to the larger battery.
Good games on the go?
Microsoft promises this device will provide “seamless PC gaming on the go for casual gamers and enthusiasts alike.”
Using the most recommended games by Microsoft for Ally can yield good results.
Forza Horizon 5the flagship racing game released in 2021 ran as fast and smooth as the tuned cars in the game itself. Fortnite played well on medium settings. Both required a very long startup time, but once the action started, everything went smoothly.
Performance in new games was mixed. Indie games like Hades 2 worked almost perfectly, although I did experience some minor lags and even occasional crashes, which I didn't experience with the same game on Switch 2.
And it had problems with more demanding 2D games. This year Doom: Dark Ages It's almost playable on low settings, but the unstable frame rate and excessive motion blur mean you're better off playing it on a traditional PC or console.
Patrick O'Rourke, editor-in-chief of mobile and gaming site Pocket Lint, reviewed the Ally X and said it easily runs new games like Avowed at a solid 30 to 45 frames per second (30 is about the sweet spot most games aim for to be considered playable).
Mat Piscatella, executive director of video games at US research firm Circana, believes Allys are targeting “the most enthusiastic and least price-sensitive consumers, who represent a very small but powerful group of buyers.”
That market is “getting older and richer than it was even five years ago,” he said, as younger gamers gravitate toward cheap or free games on phones or tablets.
Despite—or perhaps because of—its high-quality design and performance, you probably won't be forced to choose between the Xbox ROG Ally and the Nintendo Switch 2 this holiday season. But this could be the machine that can win in its smaller corner of the enthusiast gaming pie.
