There may not be any reports of stick drift with the ROG Xbox Ally yet, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be. If you’d rather not end up with joysticks that have a mind of their own, GuliKit revealed its latest TMR Electromagnet Joystick Modules made specifically for your Xbox handheld.
GuliKit said it worked directly with Asus to develop these joystick upgrades, which match the exact dimensions of the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X’s stock sticks. The aftermarket accessories company previously designed a Hall effect joystick upgrade kit for the ROG Ally X, but GuliKit said this mod features electromagnetic joysticks that not only address stick drift but are also more precise, durable, and power-efficient. GuliKit even made the joystick upgrades easy to install since there’s no soldering required, and you can fine-tune the calibration in the handheld’s system settings.
It may feel excessive to spend more money on a gaming handheld that can cost up to $1,000, but neither the ROG Xbox Ally nor Ally X comes with Hall effect or electromagnetic joysticks. GuliKit’s joystick upgrade is already available to US customers on its Amazon storefront for $19.99.
It’s the holiday season, and perhaps you’re planning to give (or receive!) a ROG Xbox Ally or ROG Xbox Ally X. To help get you playing as quickly as possible, we’ve updated our guide to the best way to get started with your brand new handheld.
Congratulations on picking up your new ROG Xbox Ally or ROG Xbox Ally X! Whether you’re a handheld gaming veteran or just getting started, you’ve joined a growing and vibrant community of players who appreciate the flexibility of Windows and the power and ease of use of Xbox in the palm of your hands. While you probably picked up your Xbox Ally to dive right into your favorite games (we share some of our handheld favorites here), you’ll quickly discover that these handhelds offer tremendous flexibility to personalize your gaming experience. To help you hit the ground running, we’ve pulled together some must-know tips to make the most out of your new Xbox Ally.
If you’re just setting your device up, check out the informative guide at Xbox Support for step-by-step instructions. Of note: Don’t skip the option to set up the fingerprint reader; unlocking your Xbox Ally with just a touch is fast and feels a little bit magical. Once setup is complete, you’ll boot up directly into the immersive Xbox full screen experience, a purpose-built gaming experience.
Ready to go? Here’s a few helpful pointers.
Navigating your Xbox Ally
Master the Menus: The Xbox Ally gives you multiple ways to find what you’re looking for— you can use the d-pad, joysticks, shoulder and face buttons to make selections, or simply tap the responsive touchscreen directly. For instance, to reach the all-important Game Bar settings menu, you can press the Xbox button and hit the right bumper, or simply swipe from the left edge of the screen toward the center. Swapping between apps? Long press the Xbox button or swipe up from the bottom to access the Task Switcher, making switching between apps and games seamless.
Get Familiar with Command Center: ASUS Command Center is now integrated into Game Bar, giving you instant access to many advanced features to personalize your experience, both inside and outside of games.
For a more expansive set of advanced settings and customization options, you can also launch the full-featured Armoury Crate SE right from this overlay.
Meet Gaming Copilot (Beta) — Your Personal Sidekick: You can access Gaming Copilot on the Xbox Ally, where it offers recommendations, tips, and insights when you need them. To get started, long press the Command Center button to open the Gaming Copilot widget in Game Bar, and complete the onboarding experience. After that, if you want to check your next achievement or get advice for a tough boss fight without leaving your game, long press the Library button and then release to start your conversation with Gaming Copilot.
Play What You Want
Browse Your Games Library: Now it’s time to find some things to play! Head to the Library by pressing the dedicated Library button above the right thumbstick to find games you already own, as well as those available with Game Pass, and titles playable via the Xbox Cloud Gaming. Note: you can select more than one category at a time; highlighting Owned and Installable allows you to go shopping in your own closet for games that play natively on your Xbox Ally. Looking for something new? You’ll find the Store on the left rail as well.
Access Your Games, From Leading PC Storefronts: With the aggregated gaming library, you can easily add your titles from leading PC storefronts to your library, to see all your games in one place. All you have to do is head to the My Apps tab in your Library, and select the PC storefront you want to install.
If you don’t see your desired launcher, open Edge (also located in My apps), navigate to the store’s website, and download it.
Play Anywhere—Including Offline: Handheld freedom means you’re bound to play in places without WiFi. While many titles work best online, most single-player games run great without a connection. Before you travel, test your games offline, pre-download any updates or DLC, and make sure you’re signed in. For detailed offline setup, see our guide: Play games in offline mode on Windows | Xbox Support. And if you’re flying, don’t forget to switch to airplane mode to save battery and avoid interruptions.
Personalizing your Setup
Play Your Way Using Accessibility Features: With the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, the Xbox experience and Game Bar have been optimized for handheld use, bringing along familiar accessibility features from Xbox consoles and Windows 11 PCs. Most visual, cognitive, and sensory accessibility features can be found by selecting the Profile & Settings icon in the upper left of the screen, selecting Settings, then Accessibility. Input accessibility settings, including on-screen keyboard, input customizations, and the ability to re-map your Xbox Ally’s buttons are found in Armoury Crate SE.
Connect External Controllers: Pair Xbox Wireless Controllers to your Xbox Ally just like you would with a PC. Turn on your controller, hold the Pair button, and look for the connect notification. Missed it? Open the Game Bar, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth > Manage devices, select Add device > Bluetooth, and follow the prompts.
And don’t miss the clever detail: inside the underside of your Xbox Ally box lid, you’ll find a lightweight, sturdy paperboard stand—perfect for holding your Xbox Ally while charging or playing with an external controller without blocking the screen. This pairs well with the next feature:
Docking for the Big Screen: The Xbox Ally–is your perfect gaming companion when you’re on the go, and when you’re at home it provides even more options to play. It’s easy to connect an external monitor or TV for a larger, even more immersive experience . Simply connect your Xbox Ally directly to a monitor or TV or to a dock via the USB-C port,. For optimal performance, it’s best to use “Second Screen Only” to match your TV’s resolution and refresh rate.
Customize the Joystick Ring Lights: The Xbox Ally’s colorful lights surrounding the thumbsticks are one of its defining visual flourishes, but sometimes you may want to dim them for a red-eye flight or if you’re playing in dark room. To adjust them, open Armoury Crate SE and select Lighting to change how they pulse, or turn them off entirely.
Stay up to date: The Xbox Ally you take out of the box is only the starting point. Last month, we shared updates to the ROG Xbox Ally handheld experience, including Default Game Profiles (Preview) which automatically balance frame rate (FPS) and power consumption for 40 supported games, Game Save Sync Indicators, which give you real-time confirmation that your progress is uploaded to the cloud, as well as other improvements to deliver a smoother, faster, and more reliable experience. Xbox and ASUS will continue to add new features and functionality to enhance your experience, which we’ll share over time. To ensure you’ve always got the latest updates, there are two places you’ll want to check from time to time.
Windows OS Update:
Open Game Bar > Settings Widget > More Settings > Open Windows Settings > Windows Update
Install all updates and restart your device when prompted
Update Armoury Crate SE:
Open the Command Center
Select “Open Armoury Crate SE”
Select Update Center > Check for Updates > Update All
We can’t wait to see where your new Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X takes you. Whether you’re enjoying handheld gaming on the couch or setting high scores on the go, these tips will help you get the most out of every session.
The wait is over – ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are officially here! With the launch of ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X today, a new line-up of Designed for Xbox accessories is here to help you play your way. From lightning-fast storage to premium protection, these accessories (sold separately) make it easier than ever to expand your library, safeguard your device, and customize your setup.
Here’s what you can pre-order or pick up today – plus a glimpse at what’s coming soon.
SanDisk microSD Card – Available Now
Take your supported games anywhere with a high-performance microSD card engineered for Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. With up to 2TB of storage, you can carry up to 50 games on the go. Built for speed, this card delivers write speeds up to 140MB/s for fast installs and updates, while read speeds up to 200MB/s offer quick load times for massive open-world titles and high-performance shooters. Rugged and reliable, it’s drop-proof, shock-proof, and X-ray-proof, and backed by a lifetime limited warranty for peace of mind.
The SanDisk microSD 512GB, 1TB and 2TB cards are available for purchase starting at $69.99 USD ERP
Seagate FireCuda 530R SSD – Coming Soon
Push your performance to the limit with the FireCuda 530R SSD, featuring PCIe Gen4 NVMe speeds up to 7,400MB/s for ultra-responsive gaming and content creation. Optimized for handheld and PC gaming, it supports Microsoft DirectStorage for faster load times and comes in a slim M.2 2280 form factor. Built tough with endurance up to 5,050TBW and backed by 3 years of Rescue Services.
The Seagate FireCuda 530R 1TB, 2TB and 4TB SSDs are available for pre-order starting at $94.99 USD ERP.
WD_Black SN7100X NVMe SSD – Coming Soon
Play your Xbox games anywhere with the officially licensed WD_Black SN7100X NVMe SSD for ROG Xbox Ally & Xbox Ally X, and PC. Experience read speeds up to 7,250MB/s and write speeds up to 6,900MB/s (2TB model), plus improved power efficiency for longer sessions. Designed with PCIe Gen4 technology and next-gen TLC 3D NAND, this drive offers capacities up to 4TB for massive libraries and includes a 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial (where available).
Learn more about the WD_Black SN7100X NVMe SSD for ROG Xbox Ally & ROG Xbox Ally X.
ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller – Coming Soon
Elevate your play with the ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller. Packed with anti-drift TMR joysticks, ultra-fast 1000Hz polling for PC, and four programmable rear buttons, it delivers precision and control. Tri-mode connectivity – 2.4GHz RF, Bluetooth, or USB-C – lets you game seamlessly on the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, as well as on PC and Xbox consoles (Xbox with USB-C and 2.4GHz RF). Dual-mode triggers, tactile micro-switch buttons, and an ergonomic grip keep you comfortable, while up to 50 hours of wireless play keeps you going. It also includes a portable protective case, a charging stand, and two detachable joystick caps for added convenience.
Learn more about the ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller.
ROG Xbox Ally (2-in-1) Premium Carrying Case – Available Now
Keep your handheld safe with a hard-shell design, fleece lining, and water-repellent fabric that protects against spills and bumps. Reinforced edges add durability, while a detachable pouch stores your 65W charger. The case even doubles as a portable stand and SD card holder, making it perfect for gaming on the go.
The ROG Xbox Ally (2-n-1) Premium Carrying Case is available for purchase starting at $69.99.
Dbrand Killswitch– Coming Soon
Engineered to survive everything from drops to marathon gaming sessions, the Dbrand Killswitch is a Designed for Xbox-certified case, built for the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. It combines impact-resistant thermoplastics, a slim 2.5mm profile, integrated kickstand, and crush-proof Travel Cover to create the holy grail of handheld gaming cases.
The dbrand Killswitch case for Xbox Ally & AllyX is available to pre-order for $59.95 USD ERP.
ROG 100W Gaming Charger Dock – Available Now
Charge, connect, and display—all in one device. This portable dock powers your Xbox Ally while outputting to a big screen via HDMI and connecting peripherals through dual USB-A ports. With ultra-fast charging and universal compatibility, it’s the ultimate travel companion.
Transform your setup with a versatile 7-in-1 dock featuring HDMI 2.1, USB-C, three USB-A ports, Ethernet, and audio jack—all supporting up to 4K at 144Hz or 8K at 30Hz. With 100W USB-C power delivery, ultra-fast data transfer, and Aura Sync RGB lighting, this dock is built for players who want performance and style.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds for Xbox – Available Now
Game anywhere with crystal-clear sound and ultra-low latency wireless. These buds feature Active Noise Cancellation, Quick-Switch 2.4GHz wireless & Bluetooth 5.3, and over 200 audio presets for Xbox and more on the Arctis Companion App. Enjoy immersive 360° Spatial Audio, 40 hours of total battery life with 10 hours of battery life per charge, and IP55 water/dust resistance—all in a compact, Qi wireless-charging case.
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds for Xbox are available for $199.99 USD ERP.
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Start customizing your Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X experience today with accessories available for pre-order or purchase now. Look for more accessory options coming this holiday season, giving you even more ways to personalize, protect, and power up your handheld. Whether you’re upgrading for yourself or gifting someone special, make handheld gaming unforgettable this year.
Your games, wherever you want—ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are now available for players across 45 countries worldwide, with more on the way.
Developed in partnership with ASUS and AMD, these handhelds put the Xbox experience and the freedom of Windows in your hands, so you can play your way, wherever you go.
At Xbox, we define success by how much time players choose to spend with us—and the Xbox Ally handhelds are designed to make that time more seamless, flexible, and fun than ever before. Your Xbox experience travels with you—your library, your progression, your friends, and your achievements. And for the first time ever, you can play more of your games with Xbox, including those from leading Windows PC storefronts, all in one place. Whether you’re playing locally or streaming from your console or the cloud, it’s all right there, ready when you are.
This launch reflects the efforts of many—from the players who shaped the journey through early feedback, to the game creators who built the games you’ll play today. It’s a celebration of what we can build together.
Ready to jump in? Here’s how to get your Xbox Ally handheld today.
The Wait is Over: Get Your Xbox Ally Handheld Today
We’ve seen incredible excitement from players during pre-orders and availability may vary depending on the retailer and device. In the U.S., you can pick up the Xbox Ally X and Xbox Ally on Xbox.com.
For global availability of both the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, check the ASUS eShop and participating retailers worldwide. To find retailers in your region, head to Xbox.com.
Getting Started
The moment you boot up your Xbox Ally, you’ll see everything you love about Xbox come to life in a new way. From grips that feel like an Xbox controller in your hands, to the new Xbox Full Screen Experience, every detail is designed to feel familiar. To help you unlock the full potential of your handheld, we’ve pulled together a few resources that will make your experience with the Xbox Ally handhelds smooth, fun, and yours:
To make sure you’re ready on day one, we’ve created a Getting Started guide with tips and best practices to walk you through customizing your gaming experience so you can start playing right away. And once you’re in the game, your personal sidekick Gaming Copilot (Beta) is within reach—just long press the library button to ask for recommendations and get help, all without leaving your session. Learn more in the guide.
For your first play session, we’ve rounded up a selection of great gamesto try on your Xbox Ally from our Handheld Compatibility program, including Gears of War: Reloaded, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Hollow Knight: Silksong. Discover what’s waiting for you when you power on—check out the full list now.
With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can play 1000+ games you own seamlessly across Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, including the new Xbox Ally handhelds. Over 55 new titles were added last month, giving you more ways to play wherever you go. To make it even easier to discover new favorites, players in select markets will also receive three months of Xbox Game Pass Premium or PC Game Pass (where available) with the purchase of an Xbox Ally handheld. Premium, which now offers unlimited cloud gaming and access to PC titles, gives you a library of over 200 great games to jump into anytime, anywhere. Learn more at Xbox.com.
We are committed to empowering everyone to play in a way that works for them, including the 425 million players with disabilities across the globe. With the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, the Xbox experience and Game Bar have been optimized for handheld use, bringing along familiar accessibility features from Xbox consoles and Windows 11 PCs. You can check out a list of available accessibility features by visiting Xbox Support.
The Future of Handheld Gaming Starts Now
The Xbox Ally is the latest example of how we’re making gaming better across all of Windows. Together with ASUS, AMD, and Windows, we’re committed to pushing handheld gaming further, guided by your feedback and powered by deep collaboration. That means ongoing improvements to performance, battery life, handheld compatibility, and new features on the Xbox Ally handhelds in the months ahead.
In the coming weeks, Xbox Ally players can look forward to previewing Default Game Profiles, a new feature that balances frame rate and energy use for select titles to give players smooth, enjoyable gameplay while extending battery life. And that’s just the beginning. Early next year, we will also roll out enhancements to the docking experience for both Xbox Ally handhelds, introduce AI-powered features like Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) and highlight reels for the Xbox Ally X, and much more.
What’s most exciting is that many of these innovations are designed to scale across all Windows devices—some are available today, and others are on the way. Features like enhanced controller navigation, Gaming Copilot (Beta), and aggregated gaming library via the Xbox App are already available to all Windows users, while Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) is designed to be usable by all Windows storefronts and games. These innovations, along with performance optimizations made to Windows and driver enhancements from partners like AMD, deliver a smoother, more powerful gaming experience—benefiting players no matter where they play with Windows. The future of handheld gaming is here—and it’s built on the freedom of Windows and powered by Xbox.
On behalf of Team Xbox, thank you for being with us as we embark on this new era of handheld gaming.
The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X arrive tomorrow, October 16 – and if you already play with Xbox on PC, own an Xbox console, have a Game Pass subscription, or play games on other leading PC storefronts, you’ll almost certainly have a gaming library waiting for you as soon as you boot it up.
With the Xbox Ally handhelds, and the aggregated gaming library, thousands of games will be available to play from day one. For extra flexibility, you can play natively, via the cloud (where available), or via Remote Play from your Xbox console anywhere in your home.
But with so much choice, where to begin? Let us provide some suggestions – we’ve put together a (very non-comprehensive) list of some of our favorite games that are Handheld Optimized or Mostly Compatible (learn more about the Handheld Compatibility Program here), giving confidence that games will play well on your handheld. Even better, with the majority of games available as Xbox Play Anywhere titles, a single purchase means you can play with Xbox right away, including your progress and achievements.
This list is made up of games you can play right now, but there’s so much more to come. In the coming months, you’ll be able to use your Xbox Ally to try out the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Ninja Gaiden 4, and many more. If you’re looking for more tips on getting the most out of your new Xbox Ally, we’ve compiled a list here.
Balatro
Playstack Ltd
☆☆☆☆☆ 338
★★★★★
$14.99
$11.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Balatro
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Starting with a standard 52-card deck and trying to assemble the highest scoring poker hands you can, this roguelike deckbuilder quickly spirals into an addictive score chase. Change the number of your cards, add powerful modifiers to your deck, and discover a tableau of game-changing jokers that radically alter your strategy as you reach for exponentially higher scores. With endless mode, multiple difficulty stakes, and special challenges to master, Balatro is a perfect handheld game that will have you squeezing in runs wherever and whenever you can.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
Bethesda Softworks
☆☆☆☆☆ 621
★★★★★
$69.99
$55.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Doom: The Dark Ages
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Game Pass
Launch the Slayer! Step into the blood-stained boots of the Doom Slayer in the critically acclaimed Doom: The Dark Ages. As the super weapon of gods and kings, players shred enemies with devastating medieval-inspired weaponry, take flight atop a fierce Mecha Dragon and pilot a 30-story Atlan mech as they wage war through epic battlefields and never-before-seen realms. And now you can take Doom: The Dark Ages on the go via handheld, so whether you’re commuting or couch surfing, the Slayer’s legend travels with you.
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake
SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
☆☆☆☆☆ 118
★★★★★
$59.99
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere
Square Enix’s HD-2D-ification of the renowned Dragon Quest III not only looks and feels great in 2025, it’s also a perfect game for RPG fans on the go. The turn-based nature of Dragon Quest III means you won’t need to panic during battle if there are interruptions on the bus, or if you need to look away from the screen while playing on the sofa. Plus, the Xbox Ally’s spectacular speakers pair perfectly with a captivating orchestral soundtrack. Once you’ve defeated the villainous Archfiend Baramos and saved the world, look towards the imminently upcoming Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake on October 30 for more portable-friendly HD-2D goodness.
Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 1620
★★★★★
$59.99
$47.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Forza Horizon 5
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Forza Horizon 5 is another perfect choice for the Xbox Ally handhelds, offering fast-paced driving action through impeccable landscapes. Speed through sun-baked dunes, drift by dazzling coastlines and cruise through lush jungles in in the driving seat of some of the world’s greatest cars. Built to offer a smooth, realistic driving experience and the perfect road trip fantasy, Forza Horizon 5 is a gorgeous adventure for both hardcore car lovers and casual drivers alike, offering a thrilling escape, wherever you are in the real world.
Gears of War: Reloaded
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 306
★★★★★
$39.99
$29.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Gears of War: Reloaded
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
This remaster is already a new way to revisit a classic, but what about a new way to do that? With so many memories already tied up in this game, it’s a genuine wonder to do it on a handheld – and Gears of War’s frenetic combat feel instantly at home in the smaller format, short and distinct enough to make that “just one more grub” feeling a legitimate thrill while you’re out and about.
Hogwarts Legacy
Warner Bros. Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 926
★★★★★
$69.99
$55.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Hogwarts Legacy
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Open world games lend themselves wonderfully to handheld play – if you’re offered total freedom, your choice of how to spend your time is also up to you. Hogwarts Legacy, broken down not just by quests, but by day-night cycles, and even school lessons, is perfectly primed to make the most of those quick bursts on an Xbox Ally. Take a break to soar around the open world on a Hippogriff, enjoy a stroll through the Forbidden Forest, or pop by the Room of Requirement to top up your potions – Hogwarts Legacy and Xbox Ally are a perfect fit.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Team Cherry
☆☆☆☆☆ 450
★★★★★
$19.99
$17.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Explore and fight your way through the mysterious bug kingdom of Pharloom as the lethal hunter Hornet, in Hollow Knight: Silksong. This hotly-anticipated sequel to the genre-revitalizing metroidvania, Hollow Knight, is even bigger than its predecessor and dripping with just as much atmosphere and charm. Expand and master Hornet’s acrobatic move-set as you uncover Pharloom’s secrets and face its fierce foes and tricky platforming challenges. The genre has a storied history with handhelds, and Silksong is no different — there’s always another little corner of the map to uncover or tricky arena to clear whenever you pick up and play.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Bethesda Softworks
☆☆☆☆☆ 781
★★★★★
$69.99
$55.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
A globe-trotting adventure might not immediately spring to mind as a perfect handheld game, but MachineGames’ masterful take on the Indiana Jones franchise is replete with hidden puzzles, side-quests, and sequences of pure exploration. It makes for a perfect use of Play Anywhere – tackle some smaller objectives while you’re out and about, reap the rewards, and then switch to your big screen at home to take on the next main story beat.
Minecraft for Windows
Microsoft Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 91
★★★★★
Minecraft
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Game Pass
Minecraft has endured as one of the richest sandboxes ever made, and its array of regular updates combined with the ultimate freedom to build whatever you can dream up makes for a fresh, creative experience every time. Whether you’re on a solo adventure or building with friends online, the only limits in Minecraft are your imagination, and perhaps uncontested access to the living room TV – but on a handheld, you don’t even need to worry about that!
Monster Train 2
Big Fan Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 202
★★★★★
$24.99
$19.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Monster Train 2
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Like the best card games, Monster Train 2 takes a simple concept – a ‘Magic: The Gathering’-like battler set across three vertical rooms – and uses wildly differing mechanics to blow it up into a game of dazzling complexity. With a huge variety of hero cards (each with their own distinct decks) and a constantly gratifying progression system, this has slowly but surely taken up literal days of our playtime since release this year. Its relatively short runs, and constant avenues offering something new to try, make for a natural handheld game.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 430
★★★★★
$29.99
$9.89
Xbox One X Enhanced
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
From Moon Studios, the acclaimed developers behind Ori and the Blind Forest, comes an enchanting sequel that reunites us with the little spirit Ori – joined now by the owlet Ku. The critically acclaimed Ori and the Will of the Wisps was nominated for multiple Game of the Year awards the year it was released, thanks to its tightly crafted platforming, beautiful, orchestrated score, and delightful art design that brought its exotic world to life — it continues to resonate with gamers all these years later.
Persona 4 Golden
SEGA
☆☆☆☆☆ 277
★★★★★
$19.99
$15.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Persona 4 Golden
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
It’s no surprise this flashy Atlus JRPG fares so well on the Xbox Ally – it was originally designed for portable play. Persona 4 Golden delivers everything that’s made the series a global hit: a fast-paced, yet strategic battle system, and a soundtrack that you’ll be humming for… potentially the rest of your life. It’s not all style and no substance; Persona 4 Golden delivers a compelling story that could last you on a trip around the world – and back again.
The Rogue Prince of Persia™
Ubisoft
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
The Rogue Prince of Persia
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Game Pass
In The Rogue Prince of Persia, agility is your greatest asset. In this latest challenging entry in the acclaimed series that continues its return to its platforming roots, you’ll step once again into the shoes of the Prince (and his many acrobatic abilities) to fight back against the evil chief, Nogai, and his army of haunted soldiers. With roguelite elements that allow you to rewind fate, you’ll have to master fluid, acrobatic combat, as well as wall-running parkour abilities, as you explore the kingdom of Clesiphon to right your wrongs – or die trying.
South of Midnight
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 613
★★★★★
$39.99
$31.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
South of Midnight
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Explore the magic and mythos of the Deep South in South of Midnight, a gothic folklore adventure with a fantasy twist. As Hazel, you’ll wield an ancient power known as weaving to fight Haints, mend spirits, and confront your family’s hidden past. With its mesmerizing surroundings, approachable combat and rich levels, this whimsical action-adventure is a perfect story to chew on during a cozy afternoon or a long journey.
Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 3 + 4
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 294
★★★★★
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
The classic two-minute Career Mode runs of Tony Hawk games make this a perfect fit for your Xbox Ally on the go – long enough to let you rack up points, smash S-K-A-T-E challenges, and beat your last score, but short enough that you’ll never miss your next stop. And for longer sessions, it’s the perfect chance to hit Free Skate and go exploring, working out new ways to up the ante next time you go up against the timer.
Vampire Survivors
Poncle
☆☆☆☆☆ 558
★★★★★
$4.99
$3.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Vampire Survivors
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Not many games can say they meaningfully contributed to a new genre but this “reverse bullet hell shooter” has a serious claim. Vampire Survivors builds an entire game out of using just the left thumbstick, pitting your tiny Survivor against thousands of enemies each run – pick up upgrades and weaponry as you go, with your character spewing increasingly apocalyptic firepower over the course of short, action-packed runs. It’s the kind of game you can squeeze into a bus ride, or sit back at home and play for hours on end.
For a list of Handheld Optimized and Mostly Compatible games, see here.
Congratulations on picking up your new ROG Xbox Ally or ROG Xbox Ally X! Whether you’re a handheld gaming veteran or just getting started, you’ve joined a growing and vibrant community of players who appreciate the flexibility of Windows and the power and ease of use of Xbox in the palm of your hands. While you probably picked up your Xbox Ally to dive right into your favorite games (we share some of our handheld favorites here), you’ll quickly discover that these handhelds offer tremendous flexibility to personalize your gaming experience. To help you hit the ground running, we’ve pulled together some must-know tips to make the most out of your new Xbox Ally.
If you’re just setting your device up, check out the informative guide at Xbox Support for step-by-step instructions. Of note: Don’t skip the option to set up the fingerprint reader; unlocking your Xbox Ally with just a touch is fast and feels a little bit magical. Once setup is complete, you’ll boot up directly into the immersive Xbox full screen experience, a purpose-built gaming experience.
Ready to go? Here’s a few helpful pointers.
Navigating your Xbox Ally
Master the Menus: The Xbox Ally gives you multiple ways to find what you’re looking for— you can use the d-pad, joysticks, shoulder and face buttons to make selections, or simply tap the responsive touchscreen directly. For instance, to reach the all-important Game Bar settings menu, you can press the Xbox button and hit the right bumper, or simply swipe from the left edge of the screen toward the center. Swapping between apps? Long press the Xbox button or swipe up from the bottom to access the Task Switcher, making switching between apps and games seamless.
Get Familiar with Command Center: ASUS Command Center is now integrated into Game Bar, giving you instant access to many advanced features to personalize your experience, both inside and outside of games.
For a more expansive set of advanced settings and customization options, you can also launch the full-featured Armoury Crate SE right from this overlay.
Meet Gaming Copilot (Beta) — Your Personal Sidekick: You can access Gaming Copilot on the Xbox Ally, where it offers recommendations, tips, and insights when you need them. To get started, long press the Command Center button to open the Gaming Copilot widget in Game Bar, and complete the onboarding experience. After that, if you want to check your next achievement or get advice for a tough boss fight without leaving your game, long press the Library button and then release to start your conversation with Gaming Copilot.
Play What You Want
Browse Your Games Library: Now it’s time to find some things to play! Head to the Library by pressing the dedicated Library button above the right thumbstick to find games you already own, as well as those available with Game Pass, and titles playable via the Xbox Cloud Gaming. Note: you can select more than one category at a time; highlighting Owned and Installable allows you to go shopping in your own closet for games that play natively on your Xbox Ally. Looking for something new? You’ll find the Store on the left rail as well.
Access Your Games, From Leading PC Storefronts: With the aggregated gaming library, you can easily add your titles from leading PC storefronts to your library, to see all your games in one place. All you have to do is head to the My Apps tab in your Library, and select the PC storefront you want to install.
If you don’t see your desired launcher, open Edge (also located in My apps), navigate to the store’s website, and download it.
Play Anywhere—Including Offline: Handheld freedom means you’re bound to play in places without WiFi. While many titles work best online, most single-player games run great without a connection. Before you travel, test your games offline, pre-download any updates or DLC, and make sure you’re signed in. For detailed offline setup, see our guide: Play games in offline mode on Windows | Xbox Support. And if you’re flying, don’t forget to switch to airplane mode to save battery and avoid interruptions.
Personalizing your Setup
Play Your Way Using Accessibility Features: With the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, the Xbox experience and Game Bar have been optimized for handheld use, bringing along familiar accessibility features from Xbox consoles and Windows 11 PCs. Most visual, cognitive, and sensory accessibility features can be found by selecting the Profile & Settings icon in the upper left of the screen, selecting Settings, then Accessibility. Input accessibility settings, including on-screen keyboard, input customizations, and the ability to re-map your Xbox Ally’s buttons are found in Armoury Crate SE.
Connect External Controllers: Pair Xbox Wireless Controllers to your Xbox Ally just like you would with a PC. Turn on your controller, hold the Pair button, and look for the connect notification. Missed it? Open the Game Bar, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth > Manage devices, select Add device > Bluetooth, and follow the prompts.
And don’t miss the clever detail: inside the underside of your Xbox Ally box lid, you’ll find a lightweight, sturdy paperboard stand—perfect for holding your Xbox Ally while charging or playing with an external controller without blocking the screen. This pairs well with the next feature:
Docking for the Big Screen: The Xbox Ally–is your perfect gaming companion when you’re on the go, and when you’re at home it provides even more options to play. It’s easy to connect an external monitor or TV for a larger, even more immersive experience . Simply connect your Xbox Ally directly to a monitor or TV or to a dock via the USB-C port,. For optimal performance, it’s best to use “Second Screen Only” to match your TV’s resolution and refresh rate.
Customize the Joystick Ring Lights: The Xbox Ally’s colorful lights surrounding the thumbsticks are one of its defining visual flourishes, but sometimes you may want to dim them for a red-eye flight or if you’re playing in dark room. To adjust them, open Armoury Crate SE and select Lighting to change how they pulse, or turn them off entirely.
Stay up to date: The Xbox Ally you take out of the box is only the starting point; Xbox and ASUS will continue to add new features and functionality to enhance your experience. To ensure you’ve always got the latest updates, there are two places you’ll want to check from time to time.
Windows OS Update:
Open Game Bar > Settings Widget > More Settings > Open Windows Settings > Windows Update
Install all updates and restart your device when prompted
Update Armoury Crate SE:
Open the Command Center
Select “Open Armoury Crate SE”
Select Update Center > Check for Updates > Update All
We can’t wait to see where your new Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X takes you. Whether you’re enjoying handheld gaming on the couch or setting high scores on the go, these tips will help you get the most out of every session.
With the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally only a few weeks away on October 16, the fantasy of a portable Xbox is about to be a lot more real. As a recent video from YouTuber James Channel shows, though, with a first-generation Xbox and the right components, you can make your own version of an Xbox handheld right now. Just don’t expect it to be pretty.
James’ “portable monstrosity” strips away the original Xbox’s large plastic casing and thick internal cables and preserves the bare essentials: a motherboard and the console’s disk drive, with a new flash drive and a display from an iPod video accessory. All those components are precariously mounted between the left and right halves of an Xbox controller, for a complete package that seems less easy to hold than ASUS’ current handheld PCs, but only marginally so. It’s a quick and dirty assembly with a surprising amount of super glue — a far cry from the polished Xbox 360 handheld created by YouTuber Millomaker — but it gets the job done.
You can already stream Xbox games to a multitude of screens, or play their PC versions on a growing number of handheld PCs. You don’t need to turn an original Xbox into a portable device, but considering Microsoft and ASUS have yet to announce pricing for their new handhelds, maybe keep this cheaper alternative in your back pocket.
