ROG Xbox Ally Gift Guide: Everything You Need To Know
13.4k
GameSpot Staff
2025-11-19
Here's your guide to the new ROG Xbox Ally handheld PC.
Published on November 19, 2025 at 11:08AM PST
The boom of handheld gaming PCs in recent years has been hard to ignore, as players have shown a deep interest in taking their favorite games on the go just as they play them at home. ASUS introduced the ROG Ally in 2023, helping to establish the handheld gaming category. Today, the company has partnered with Xbox and Windows to deliver the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.
The ROG Xbox Ally is the essential handheld for everyone from the casual player to the avid enthusiast and brings the freedom and versatility of Windows so you can enjoy a PC-quality gaming experience wherever you go. It's a terrific gift idea for the gamer in your life, and here we'll list a few of the reasons why.
The seven-inch screen displays your games at a beautiful Full HD 1080p resolution, while 16 GB of RAM and an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor under the hood makes sure each game you load up runs as smoothly as it would on your Xbox or Windows 11 PC.
The four main face buttons on the device are modeled after the classic Xbox design, and the comfort-focused hand grips on either side of the screen offer your hands plenty of support. If you're worried about hand fatigue, fear not; the device weighs in at just under 1.5 pounds, and because of the ergonomic design, it'll feel even lighter than that.
If you ever want to move from the handheld to a bigger screen, however, the ROG Xbox Ally has a solution; you can pair an external controller to the device using Bluetooth, and then connect the handheld to a TV or monitor in your house using a USB-C cable. In minutes, you can continue your gaming session right where you left off!
The ROG Xbox Ally supports multiple built-in systems to help you navigate the device however you see fit. The customizable Game Bar, for example, has been adapted for the handheld, and is available by either swiping the left side of the screen or by pressing the Xbox button.
Windows 11 brings your gaming to life with the Xbox full screen experience—a new feature optimized specifically for handheld gaming that allows for more memory, higher framerates, and a fully immersive experience. Within the Xbox full screen experience, players can access their aggregated gaming library, offering quick access to games from Xbox, Battle.net, and other leading PC storefronts.
We’re also enhancing your gaming experience this holiday season with advanced shader delivery, which preloads game shaders during download so that select games launch up to 10x faster, run more smoothly, and use less battery on first play. This feature is available for supported titles on the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.
Gaming Copilot (Beta), meanwhile, is an AI-powered companion specially-designed for gaming. With a long-press of the library button, you can start a conversation with Gaming Copilot, ask it questions, and it will offer helpful tips and recommendations. If you're stuck on a difficult part of a game, or if you need a new game to play, Gaming Copilot can help point you in the right direction.
As the ROG Xbox Ally is a partnership between Xbox and ASUS, each device will also have access to the ASUS Command Center. From the Command Center, you can easily set volume and brightness levels, adjust the performance mode of the device, and switch between customizable profiles based on the game you're playing at the moment.
All of these are available on the ROG Xbox Ally as soon as you power on the device, so you'll have plenty of help customizing the handheld to your specifications.
Once the ROG Xbox Ally is set up, you'll need a way to protect it while you're on the go. ASUS has you covered with the ROG Xbox Ally (2-in-1) Premium Carrying Case, which perfectly holds your ROG Xbox Ally while also protecting it from drops and bumps. The case can also act as a stand, letting you play with a comfortable view of the action without holding the device.
If you're going to use the case as a stand, though, you'll need an external controller. The classic Xbox Wireless Controller is a match made in heaven, but ASUS has also developed the ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller, with programmable buttons and an ergonomic grip that will be available soon and work with your ROG Xbox Ally as well.
If you’re looking to upgrade your device’s storage capacity, there are a few options available. Sandisk microSD cards will buff your storage and let you download more games right to the device with 512GB, 1TB, and 2Tb cards all compatible with the ROG Xbox Ally. The Seagate FireCuda 530R and WD_Black SN7100X NVMe SSDs are also options to help you upgrade your storage and specifically designed for handheld gaming PCs.
What's your first game?
Now that your ROG Xbox Ally is ready to play, you'll have to decide what you're going to play first. Right out of the gate, the ROG Xbox Ally delivers plenty of options, as many of the games you already own are available simply by logging into your existing Xbox account.
Discover the latest additions to the Xbox Game Pass library—your perfect starting point for gaming on the ROG Xbox Ally. From blockbuster adventures to fan-favorite indies, these recent additions are ready to deliver unforgettable experiences.
And that’s just the beginning. Every device comes with a three-month subscription of Xbox Game Pass Premium, unlocking a library of hundreds of games across PC, console, and cloud.
Here are some of the most recent additions to the Xbox Game Pass library across different plans, all of which could be the first game you play on your ROG Xbox Ally.
Fortnite Crew – available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Fortnite Crew is now included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Enjoy access to the current Battle Pass, OG Pass, LEGO Pass, Music Pass, and 1,000 V-Bucks every month.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 – available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat. Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series.
Diablo IV – available with Xbox Game Pass Premium, Ultimate and PC Game Pass
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meet memorable characters in a gripping story or explore an expansive end game and shared world with cross-play, cross-progression, and couch co-op on Xbox.
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 delivers the biggest Black Ops experience yet, set in 2035 as the world teeters on the edge of chaos. Dive into an innovative Co-Op Campaign spanning global hotspots and psychological battlegrounds, dominate in Multiplayer with 16 electrifying 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch, and face a new kind of nightmare in Treyarch’s largest Round-Based Zombies map ever. Built on the iconic Black Ops foundation, this entry redefines intensity and scale—now available on Xbox Game Pass.
Requires internet connection (ISP fees apply). Products may not be available in all markets. Images are illustrative. See specification pages for details. Device specifications vary by model and are subject to change.
*Claim within 30 days of device activation. Valid payment method required. Subscription continues automatically at regular monthly price unless cancelled. Subject to xbox.com/subscriptionterms. Eligible existing Essential membership(s) will upgrade to Premium. For existing Ultimate members, the code will convert at a ratio. See xbox.com/code-conversion. Terms and exclusions apply. Game catalog varies over time, by region, device, and plan. xbox.com/gamepass. Game Pass Premium: terms and exclusions apply. Game catalog varies over time, by region, device, and Game Pass plan. xbox.com/gamepass. Xbox Cloud Gaming: Requires Game Pass subscription and supported device (both sold separately). Cloud playable games not included with Game Pass are sold separately, and may be made available with Game Pass in the future. Game catalog varies. Stream directly on Xbox consoles, or with the Xbox app or at xbox.com/play on supported devices. Select regions (xbox.com/regions) and devices at xbox.com/cloud-devices. See cloud gaming catalog (xbox.com/play).
bigMoodEnergy
Dec 02, 04:59 PM
Depends on your taste.
spaghettiCloud
Nov 27, 07:09 AM
In my opinion... i broke it.
snaccmode
Nov 19, 10:48 PM
ttyl That's it, cool.
awkward_giraffe
Nov 19, 08:28 PM
a game for hardcore gamers. Either
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