In March 2024, Microsoft’s gaming head honcho, Phil Spencer, pitched an intriguing vision for a future handheld console – one that mimics the classic Xbox experience. But, naturally, the focus wasn’t solely on brand loyalty. Spencer waxed lyrical about seamless access to games and save files, celebrating a streamlined Xbox app interface that would practically teleport the TV gaming experience onto a portable device.
Fast forward to now: the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are here, and surprise! They’re much closer to that vision than mere conjecture.
The Xbox-ish Experience
First and foremost, let’s tackle the elephant in the room. Despite the eye-catching branding, these handhelds are not direct players in the Xbox console game arena; they are essentially glorified handheld PCs. That’s right – those third-party console titles languishing in your library are not going to magically appear on this fancy new gadget. Streaming might be an option, but alas, it’s not as simple as a magical spell.
In a delightful twist, these devices function as handheld Windows PCs, equipped with extra software that helps them feel like they just stepped out of an Xbox dashboard. The showstopper here is the Xbox front end, launching automatically like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, which spares resources for your gaming love affair.
This bright, cheerful interface resembles the Xbox app on a PC: Game Pass, Library, Cloud Gaming – all snuggled in a neat column. And, oh joy, that Library option allows cozy filtering to find every game under the sun, from the ones you own to those available for streaming. The cherry on top? An option called My Apps lets users install all their favorite storefronts like Steam and Epic Games, blending them with the Xbox experience. Because why settle for just one?
So, farewell to the days of switching apps manually. Now, jump back into Steam or the Epic Games Store faster than one can say “Where’s my controller?”
Cloud Gaming: A Surprise Win?
Cloud gaming, once an elusive and disappointing myth, has leveled up faster than a game character on steroids. The Ultimate tier boasts 1440p streaming, and to the surprise of many, connectivity on this handheld is surprisingly stable. There’s something almost shocking about booting up Doom Eternal and actually getting to play it without a meltdown. If the cloud can manage to keep up with fingers flying across those buttons, it earns a thumbs up.
Brilliant Specs and Performance
On the spec front, the Ally X features an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor and a robust 24GB of RAM while its little brother sports a less powerful variant. All these numbers equate to an experience that, generally speaking, is fantastic for most games. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for gaming – though maybe not quite for the latest graphical masterpieces unless some settings are sacrificed.
The Turbo mode, available when plugged in, offers a neat little boost, giving those graphics settings a kick in the pants. Time to push those graphics to their limits, because who doesn’t love a few extra frames per second?
A Capable Companion
With all these gaming bells and whistles, comfort and usability haven’t taken a back seat. The new form factor of the handheld comes with handles that mask its slightly heavier weight. It’s a far cry from the slab-like design of other devices.
While the Ally X isn’t perfect – like the audio quality, which is sufficiently impressive, and let’s not forget the impulse triggers that little details that enhance the immersion – the overall experience feels grand.
But Not Without Its Pitfalls
Even grand technology carries its own baggage. The hefty price tag isn’t just for show; there are a few quirks lurking in the shadows. The lack of extras in the box feels like getting a fancy gift but finding it has no batteries included. A flimsy stand and no HDMI output is just the cherry atop a slightly wilted cake.
Playing offline? Prepare for a hit-or-miss scenario. Many titles won’t care for your offline status, handing you an “Access Denied” sign while you’re trying to have a gaming picnic. And Lord help you if you’re dealing with PC-centric games that require a tether to the internet for any number of reasons.
Final Verdict
In summary, the ROG Xbox Ally X is an impressive piece of technology, albeit one that leaves even the most fervent of gamers wondering about the cost versus the experience. Sure, it’s capable of delivering fantastic performance, but at a steep price point, alternative handhelds lurk nearby quietly reminding players of their affordability and prowess.
The call to arms: weigh gaming habits against financial realities and, ultimately, choose wisely. For those who dabble in both Xbox and PC gaming, the adaptability here could be ideal. But for die-hard Steam fans? This handheld might just be a little too ambitious.
