Tech Giant Microsoft Enters Handheld Gaming Market with ROG Xbox Ally
Yeah, scrap that corporate bullshit! Microsoft's hopping into the handheld gaming realm, and it's about damn time!
During Summer Game Fest on June 8, Microsoft unveiled their long-awaited move with a slick trailer showcasing the ROG Xbox Ally and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X, essentially two halved controllers strapped to a wide screen. These bad boys are set to drop this holiday season, although details like pricing, accessories, and preorders are still TBA.
We've been feeling Microsoft's pain for a true Xbox handheld, especially considering competitors like Nintendo, Sony, and Valve already have handheld or hybrid consoles under their belt. Microsoft's former focus on "Xbox anywhere" without a portable console option has been a glaring oversight.
The Ally consoles, manufactured alongside ASUS, will provide gameplay through remote play, cloud gaming, or the handheld itself. Both Xboxes sport Windows 11, which, depending on your feelings about the controversial OS, could either be a pro or a con. It'll give players access to PC games, mods, and apps like Discord and Twitch, and even incorporate accessibility features from Xbox. Fans will also be able to play games from Xbox, PC storefronts, Game Pass, and Battle.net, all of which will sync across consoles, PC, and cloud gaming.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming CEO, has openly admitted the company has been learning from Nintendo's Switch success and expressing admiration for handhelds like the Steam Deck, ROG, and Legion Go. In fact, there were even leaks in September 2023 detailing a "hybrid game platform" from Microsoft, expected to hit the market in 2028. Spencer's approval of Xbox handheld tweets fueled further speculation.
It's about power versus portability that truly intrigues us. The latest tech has gradually improved over the past decade, but it's having a console you can play on a plane or even while lounging in bed that feels like the real game-changer. My Xbox Series X has been gathering dust, while my Nintendo Switch is my travel companion of choice. Breakout titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have occasionally drawn me back in, but I, like many other gamers, crave that portable option.
Initial impressions of the Ally handheld have been generally positive, with reviewers praising the sleek design, responsive controls, and crisp gameplay. Critics have noted that the user interface could be more intuitive, but overall, the Xbox handheld seems poised to challenge the Switch 2 and Valve's Steam Deck.
Microsoft is jumping into the market at a time when handheld gamers can already enjoy most major titles. With the Switch 2 already out there, Nintendo has a head start on the holiday season, as well as any potential tariffs or production problems that may arise. However, Microsoft's robust game library, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, The Outerworlds 2, a Persona 4 remake, a Hollow Knight sequel, and the much-anticipated Roblox, could provide the edge it needs, or at least give it a good fight.
- The release of Microsoft's Ally consoles marks their entry into the handheld gaming market, a move that has been eagerly awaited by fans who have long noticed the lack of a portable Xbox option.
- Alongside ASUS, Microsoft is set to launch two consoles, the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, which will deliver gameplay through remote play, cloud gaming, or the handheld itself, offering players access to a wide range of games, mods, and apps like Discord and Twitch.
- Incorporating accessibility features from Xbox, the Ally consoles will also provide access to PC games, mods, and apps, and allow players to sync their games across consoles, PC, and cloud gaming.
- As more companies like Microsoft delve into the handheld gaming market, the battle between power and portability is set to intensify, with gamers seeking a console they can play on-the-go, like the Nintendo Switch, that also offers the latest features and technology, such as AI and cutting-edge apps.
