ROG XBOX ALLY X

ROG & Xbox Push to Close the Gap Between Console & PC Gaming

- 

Manufacturer: ROG & Xbox Type: Handheld Gaming System

MSRP: $999.99 Reviewed By: Dayna Eileen

Handheld gaming devices have seen a sudden resurgence. There are piles of devices at the fingertips of PC gamers, but console gamers have been left out to an extent. Nintendo fans have the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation players have the PlayStation Portal, and now, Xbox gamers have the ROG Xbox Ally series, in my case, the ROG Xbox Ally X.

CGMagazine received both devices in the series, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X from Xbox and ASUS. Having looked at the original Ally when it released (and not loving it), and being a regular user of the ROG Ally X (it's how I do all of my PC gaming), plus being an Xbox gamer through and through, this seemed like the perfect device for me. With a couple of weeks with the device under my belt, I can say that rings pretty true, though there are a few caveats. So let's jump in.

First, I want to discuss what is special about the ROG Xbox Ally X. As I said, both other major consoles have their own version of a handheld (well, Nintendo is a handheld), so it is high time that Xbox had its own version. However, this isn’t exactly an “Xbox handheld”, is it? The ROG Ally series is already a well-established line, and the ROG Xbox Ally X allows you to play games across any PC platform available, including Steam, GOG, Epic Games, Ubisoft Connect, EA and more.

This also includes Xbox's PC app, which lets you access Xbox’s PC games, PC Game Pass, and your own Xbox library. This is where the caveats to the ROG Xbox Ally X start to show. Game Pass is great, albeit more expensive now, and you need a higher tier to unlock PC Game Pass if you're also an Xbox player.