While Nintendo and PlayStation have dabbled in portable hardware at different stages of their histories, now is the time for Xbox to. The ROG Xbox Ally and higher capacity ROG Xbox Ally X are now available in 45 countries, developed by collaboration with ASUS and AMD. Microsoft hopes that the devices will position Xbox gaming to be enjoyed on-the-go, with support for local play, console and cloud streaming, and access to Windows PC storefronts within a single portable unit.
Availability varies by retailer and model. In the United States, both handhelds are sold via Xbox.com, with broader global availability through the ASUS eShop and participating retailers. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to speak with their local gaming retailers about availability.
On first boot, the handhelds seek to present an Xbox-focused Full Screen Experience and ergonomics that mirror an Xbox controller. They have also confirmed that a number of games have gone through the Handheld Compatibility program for early play sessions, including big-hitters such as Gears of War: Reloaded, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Hollow Knight: Silksong. Purchasers in select markets receive three months of Xbox Game Pass Premium or PC Game Pass, adding a rotating library of more than 200 games and unlimited cloud gaming where available. With Xbox Play Anywhere, eligible purchases can be played across consoles, Windows PCs and the Ally handhelds with shared progression.
Microsoft and partners plan ongoing updates to performance, battery life and features. In the coming weeks, Default Game Profiles will roll out for select titles to balance frame rate and energy use. Early next year, docking enhancements for both models and AI powered features such as Automatic Super Resolution and highlight reels for Ally X are expected. Several innovations, including enhanced controller navigation, Gaming Copilot Beta, and the aggregated game library in the Xbox app, are already available across Windows devices, with additional improvements like Advanced Shader Delivery designed to benefit all Windows storefronts and games.
