Hands-On & First Impressions: ROG Xbox Ally

A little while back, Microsoft dropped the news that its much-rumoured handheld gaming device was going to be an Xbox-enhanced variant of the ROG Ally, which is built by Asus. Coming in two forms, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X — in collaboration with Republic of Gamers (ROG) — mark an interesting time for gamers who can indulge in Xbox’s vast array of games and services in a portable, more convenient fashion.

Down to brass tacks: price-wise, the Xbox Ally’s retail price comes in at R13,000 while the Ally X comes in at around R19,000, but that’s neither here nor there.

I was invited to an exclusive pre-launch event hosted by Asus, where I got to hands-on time with the Ally and Ally X. Being able to physically see and handle the console myself was a new experience, and while they weren’t yet set up to play games, I was able to power them on and briefly have a look at the touchscreen and RGB colour features, and feel how the handheld fits in your grip.

What makes these consoles interesting is that they offer you a Microsoft Windows 11 experience with Xbox Game Pass, allowing you to take both your PC and Xbox games with you wherever you may want to go (except maybe in water, stay out of that). Essentially, it’s a technological Frankenstein monster mash-up of a Windows PC and an Xbox console – the touchscreen can activate a keyboard for inputting text when needed, while the side joysticks and buttons let you mash away to beat up whatever monsters you may be fighting (as you would do on a standard Xbox console).

The handheld itself has been designed for optimal comfort, allowing you to hold it for even longer periods of time with less chance of your hands cramping as it fits into the natural curve of your palm. It is lightweight, about the weight of a cellphone, if not slightly lighter, and the analogue sticks and buttons have a pleasant feel to them.

Design-wise, the physical difference between the normal Ally and these Xbox versions is the extended controller-like grips on the left and right sides of the device. It’s definitely more comfortable than the standard Ally, despite being a bit wider.

On top of it looking like an Xbox-stylised Ally, you get some ‘ROG Xbox’ branding down the side of the handheld and a few minor visual tweaks here and there.

The screen has a full HD 120Hz display, allowing you to keep up with fast-paced action in the games you are playing, and each console is also equipped with an AMD graphics card and the company’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip.

The back of the console has a decently sized air vent for the internal fan, preventing the device from overheating, with the latest Ally models being touted as a lot ‘cooler’ than the first iteration.

One thing that may prove problematic is if you want to use a wired headset while playing, it needs to have the auxiliary attachment. Otherwise, the device is equipped with Bluetooth, and you can sync your headset to the console.

At the end of the day, the Ally and Ally X may make gaming more convenient for those who travel, but it’s a nice-to-have, especially if you already have an Xbox console or a PC with access to the Xbox Game Pass. However, many just like playing games in a more ‘comfortable’ position and setting, and for those, it’s a win. Sitting in front of your TV or on your PC (especially if you’ve been working on it the whole day) can feel a bit ‘much’. So, having an alternative gaming medium is something we’re on board with.

The first Asus ROG Ally launched in SA a while back to some good fanfare. We reviewed it and still use it on a daily basis in the MenStuff HQ.

ROG Ally and X Specifications Overview