ROG Xbox Ally X first impressions: Was it definitely worth the wait?

Up till now, Xbox was the one main platform overlooked of the gaming handheld area. Valve’s Steam Deck lets gamers play their Steam library on the go. Nintendo has the massively profitable Switch and Switch 2. And Sony just lately made a comeback into the hand-held area — harkening again to the PSP and Vita days — with the disappointing PlayStation Portal.

Now, Microsoft has lastly stepped as much as the plate with the ROG Xbox Ally X, a collaboration between ASUS ROG and Microsoft’s Xbox division. The new Xbox handheld guarantees to allow you to play your Xbox and PC video games on the go, and it even contains a new processor, the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, which affords extra energy than earlier ROG fashions. It’s additionally a whopping $1,000.

So is it value it? Here are my first impressions after unboxing the gaming handheld and spending about half a day taking part in.

How does ROG Xbox Ally X really feel?

While it is powered by Windows 11, you will spend most of your time within the Xbox gaming mode.
Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

Right out of the field, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a bit on the heavier aspect, extra much like the Steam Deck quite than the lighter Switch 2 or PS Portal. Its measurement is similar to the Steam Deck and PS Portal. However, the Switch 2 is superior with its barely extra compact design, particularly when its Joy-Cons are indifferent.

I do love the ergonomics of the ROG Xbox Ally X, although. The built-in grips simulate the texture and luxury of a typical Xbox controller. Previous ROG Ally iterations didn’t have these sorts of grips, in order that makes this a step-up already in that facet.

Clockwise, from high left: ROG Xbox Ally X, Nintendo Switch 2, Playstation Portal, Steam Deck
Credit: George Yang / Mashable

The buttons are completely spaced out and have a satisfying, clicky feeling when pressed. The course pad is great as properly, which makes this gaming handheld an effective way to play platformers. The thumbsticks are barely diagonal from one another, much like an Xbox controller. Overall, the ROG Ally X will really feel very acquainted to avid gamers within the Xbox camp, in a great way. The gadget even has a fingerprint reader, including a layer of safety whereas offering a straightforward option to bounce proper again in and play.

Playing the ROG Xbox Ally X: First impressions

The controls actually really feel like Xbox controllers.
Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

When booting up the Ally X, it wastes no time telling you that it’s primarily a Windows PC handheld. The acquainted blue Windows person interface had me choose a language, set up some updates, after which lastly took me to the Xbox app. It appears strikingly much like the Xbox app on PC. I want the gaming UI was extra distinctive to the Ally X, one thing the Steam Deck does properly, however it’s easy to navigate. However, to date, the Xbox UI suffers from a little bit of lag and is susceptible to freezing. Sometimes, I’d attempt to open up the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass, and the hand-held would stay unresponsive. 

At the menu on the suitable, you’ll see your three main sources of video games: Game Pass, your present library, and Cloud Gaming. Game Pass is Xbox’s signature gaming subscription mannequin, which just lately noticed a value hike. I’m an Ultimate tier subscriber, so I’ve entry to Microsoft’s first-party video games. Through it, I downloaded a number of video games, together with Doom: The Dark Ages, Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I additionally downloaded a number of video games I already personal — Lies of P and Hotel Barcelona — each of that are Play Anywhere video games.

The new Xbox handheld additionally has a touchscreen show.
Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

It’s essential to notice that the one video games that may be straight downloaded are ones obtainable by way of Game Pass and Play Anywhere titles. The latter is a program that lets you purchase a digital sport as soon as by way of Microsoft, and play it on each an Xbox console and a Windows PC. Normally, you’d should should pay twice if you wish to play a sport on completely different platforms, however the Play Anywhere program is a handy and consumer-friendly initiative. Unlike the Steam Deck, you possibly can’t carry your complete library on the go, sadly.

When it involves taking part in video games, I’ve discovered to date that efficiency between titles is wildly inconsistent. Expedition 33 and Avowed had framerate and stuttering points. Expedition 33’s battles require exact timing to dodge enemy assaults, so once I missed button presses as a consequence of these efficiency issues, it negatively impacted my gameplay. Avowed is a real-time motion sport, the place a extra secure framerate would enable me to react sooner.

On the opposite hand, video games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle carried out flawlessly. Doom is the fastest-paced sport out of all the ones I’ve tried on the hand-held to date, and having the ability to kill demons within the palm of my fingers felt immensely gratifying. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s framerate held regular and was buttery clean, making it essentially the most immersive expertise I’ve had but.

The ROG Xbox Ally X launches with 1,000+ titles optimized for the hand-held expertise.
Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

I additionally tried out the Cloud Gaming capabilities for a bit and performed about half-hour of Borderlands 4. With a strong WiFi connection, Borderlands 4 carried out simply fantastic with minimal hiccups. Borderlands 4 isn’t obtainable on Game Pass, and it’s additionally not a Play Anywhere title. If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, utilizing Cloud Gaming is a incredible option to circumvent the ROG Xbox Ally X’s library limitations by letting you straight stream video games out of your Xbox account.

Credit: George Yang / Mashable

Credit: George Yang / Mashable

It looks like the optimization of every sport can be on a case-by-case foundation. In my restricted day one expertise, I’ve discovered that sure video games appear to work higher than others. I’m nonetheless testing it out, nevertheless it’s definitely a succesful handheld from what I’ve performed to date, with a beautiful show and strong ergonomics.

However, does the ROG Xbox Ally X justify its hefty $1,000 price ticket? That stays to be determined, and I’ll reserve judgment till I full my full Xbox Ally X evaluation, once I’ll be again with a extra in-depth reply for Mashable readers.

ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld: By the numbers

Where to purchase the ROG Xbox Ally X

---

---

The new ROG Xbox Ally X launched on Oct. 16 for $999.99. You should buy the hand-held at Best Buy, Microsoft, and ASUS.

This gaming handheld has some spectacular specs:

• Processor: New AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor

• RAM: 24GB

• Storage: 1TB SSD

• Operating System: Windows 11

• Refresh charge: 120Hz

• Ports: Dual USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD

• Display: 1080p LED

• Weight: 1.58 kilos