The Xbox Ally X emerges as a compelling contender in the handheld gaming market, positioning itself as a noteworthy alternative to both the Steam Deck and the anticipated Switch 2. Developed in collaboration with Asus, this new handheld line from Xbox includes the ROG Xbox Ally and the Xbox Ally X. During the recent Summer Game Fest, I had the opportunity to experience the device firsthand, while my colleague Tom Warren delved into its operating system, user interface, and integration with the Xbox app and various third-party game stores.
My focus, however, was on the tactile experience of gaming on the Xbox Ally X, and I found that comfort was its standout feature. Although I was unable to explore the device’s storefronts or test the much-anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong, I did get to play Gears of War: Reloaded, which provided a glimpse into the device’s capabilities.
In terms of weight, the Xbox Ally X felt comparable to the Steam Deck, yet its hand grips, designed to mimic the familiar form of an Xbox controller, transformed it into a delight to hold. My previous experiences with the Steam Deck often left my hands fatigued after extended play, but the Ally X offered a refreshing contrast. Even within a short play session, I noticed a significant difference in comfort, allowing my fingers to remain relaxed and agile.
As I engaged with Gears, the gameplay experience was impressively smooth. Microsoft had set up the remaster of this iconic shooter across various platforms, allowing me to transition from a standard Ally to the Xbox Ally X. While the differences were subtle, I found my performance improved on the Ally X, possibly due to the comfort it provided. My shooting felt more precise, and although I didn’t actively seek out visual differences between the devices, the ergonomic design of the Ally X made any graphical nuances seem secondary to the overall enjoyment of the game.
Regrettably, my exploration was limited to the Gears demonstration, leaving me curious about the home user interface and the ease of navigating between Xbox and Steam games, as well as the functionality of Xbox Play Anywhere titles versus those streamed from an Xbox or through the cloud. Despite these unanswered questions, the comfort and portability of the Xbox Ally X have piqued my interest in this new handheld, suggesting it could become a favored option alongside my Steam Deck, Switch, and PS Portal for on-the-go gaming.
