Xbox Ally Archives

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

From casual hobby to luxury investment: memory costs hit PC gaming hard

Two years ago, the gaming landscape was improving with affordable video games and devices like the Steam Deck making PC gaming more user-friendly. However, demand for AI data centers has disrupted manufacturing, causing component prices to rise significantly. Microsoft reported a 2.5 times increase in costs for memory and storage, leading to a 20% price hike for the Xbox Series S in the U.S. starting in August. Apple also announced a similar 20% increase on its hardware. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has been launched at a price of ,499 in Australia, offering advanced gaming performance but at a steep cost. The Steam Deck remains a popular option at 9, while the ASUS ROG Ally provides alternatives for Windows users. The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a 1080p, 120Hz screen at a lower cost but lacks many major releases. Valve's Steam Machine was initially expected to start at 9, but due to the component crisis, it now starts at 9 for a 512GB model. DIY PC builds are becoming more accessible, with a recent build costing just over ,000. Consoles from Sony and Microsoft may offer better pricing for components despite recent increases. Cloud streaming services like Nvidia GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass are also emerging as cost-effective options.

Winsage

June 24, 2026

“This is the gaming handheld we’ve been waiting for” — MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review of a masterpiece priced for the few

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is a gaming handheld powered by Intel's Arc G3 Extreme processor, priced at 9.99. It features an 8-inch FHD+ display (1920x1200) with 500 nits brightness and supports variable refresh rates from 48Hz to 120Hz. The device includes Hall-Effect analog sticks, tactile buttons, and dual front speakers with Bluetooth Core 6.0 support. It scored 6,726 on the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark. The 80Whr battery lasts approximately 3.5 hours on demanding games and over five hours on lighter titles. It has Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports for desktop functionality when docked.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Gears of War: E-Day Demands just 12GB RAM and an RTX 2060, Defying PC Players’ Worst Fears

The Coalition is a leading developer of Unreal Engine and is set to release Gears of War: E-Day on October 6, 2026. They have showcased two Unreal Engine 5 demos: Alpha Point in 2021 and The Cavern in 2022. The minimum system requirements for the game include Windows 10 64-bit, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel i7-6850K, 12 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 or AMD Radeon RX 6600, DirectX Version 12, a broadband internet connection, and 130 GB of SSD storage. The recommended specifications are Windows 11 64-bit, AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel i5-11600K, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, DirectX Version 12, a broadband internet connection, and 130 GB of SSD storage. The game will feature borderless/exclusive/windowed display modes, uncapped frame rates, ultrawide support, keyboard and mouse/controller remapping, 4K Ultra HD with HDR10, hardware ray-traced lighting, and full optimization for handheld play. The game will not be available on PlayStation 5.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Dive Into the Depths in Grounded 2’s Into the Abyss Update

The Into the Abyss update for Grounded 2 will launch on August 11, introducing a new area within Brookhollow Park—the pond. Players will explore both the surface and depths of the water, encountering new locations, challenges, and mysteries. New diving suits will enhance underwater capabilities, and players will meet familiar creatures like koi fish and diving bell spiders, along with new threats. The Toe-biter Buggy, an amphibious vehicle, will assist in navigating the pond's terrain. Grounded 2 is available in Game Preview for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, and in Early Access on Steam and PlayStation 5. Players can also access it through Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. The game features survival, crafting, exploration, and allows players to hatch and ride insect companions.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

PC Users Can Grab 18 Free Games This Month, Saving $100s In Total

Amazon Prime subscribers can claim 18 PC games for free through Amazon Luna in June. The available games include: - Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition - Mega Man 11 - ULTRAKILL - Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered - Mafia III: Definitive Edition - XCOM: Chimera Squad Upcoming games include: - Tested on Humans: Escape Room (11 June) - Sin Slayers: Reign of the 8th (11 June) - G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra (11 June) - Paradise Killer (11 June) - Between Time: Escape Room (18 June) - Sugardew Island (18 June) - Wargame Construction Set III: Age of Rifles 1846-1905 (18 June) - Space Grunts 2 (18 June) - Space Grunts: Chrono Shard (25 June) - Please Touch The Artwork (25 June) - Terraforming Mars (25 June) - Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch (25 June) These titles are available as PC codes redeemable on platforms like GOG, the Epic Games Store, or the Amazon Games App.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

007 First Light PC Settings Guide

007 First Light requires a graphics card with at least 12GB of video memory for optimal performance, with 16GB recommended for higher resolutions. The game does not feature graphics presets and defaults to minimum settings in its pre-release build. Achieving a stable 60 fps at 4K resolution is challenging, with frame rates typically around 40-45 fps on lower settings. Upscaling is recommended for smoother gameplay, with GPUs like the RTX 5070 or Radeon 9070 maintaining 60-70 fps at higher quality settings. The game is compatible with the Steam Deck but runs at approximately 30 fps with significant stuttering. Optimal settings for the RTX 5070 and RTX 3060 Ti include specific configurations for transfer function, resolution scaling, texture quality, and other graphical settings to balance image quality and performance. Following these adjustments, the RTX 5070 can achieve an average of 63-70 fps, with frame generation potentially increasing frame rates but also introducing latency. Upscaling is essential for 4K gameplay unless using high-end hardware.

Winsage

May 21, 2026

Winhanced is getting better, but I still use Xbox Mode with my Windows 11 handheld

The ROG Xbox Ally X, branded as a portable Xbox by Microsoft, has a complex update process involving Xbox Mode, Asus' Armory Crate, and Windows 11. Xbox Mode has improved recently, adding features like third-party launcher integration and enhanced stability. Winhanced, a third-party launcher for Windows 11 handhelds, offers a customizable interface and supports cloud gaming, but has reliability issues and struggles with automatic artwork sourcing. Users can save battery life by adjusting settings for Winhanced's sleep/wake feature. Despite its advantages, Winhanced is not yet a reliable alternative to Xbox Mode, which remains the preferred launcher for handheld gaming. Winhanced is developed by a small team and has shown significant improvement, but it still has limitations compared to Xbox Mode.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Today’s Top Deals: $15 Resident Evil PS5 Games, Xbox Core Controller, LEGO Batman for PC, and More

- Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Gold Edition for PS5 is available at its lowest price on Amazon. - Resident Evil 4 is on sale for .99. - Velocity Green Xbox Core Wireless Controller is priced at .99. - Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle is available for 9.99. - 256GB Samsung P9 Express microSD Express Card for Switch 2 is on sale. - LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Deluxe Edition is available at a 12% discount. - 3-piece Samsonite luggage set is priced at 9.99. - 8th-gen Apple iPad Air is available for 9.99. - Acer Swift X RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop is discounted by 0. - ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is available for 9.99. - Pokémon TCG: Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection is available for preorder on Amazon. - Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition for PS5 is priced at .99. - Funko Pop! Comic Cover: Transformers x MTG - Optimus Prime is at its lowest price of .40. - 65” LG EVO C5 OLED TV is available for ,299.99. - Target is offering a buy one, get one 50% off promotion on board games and puzzles.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

The Amazon Memorial Day Sale Takes $100 Off the Popular Asus ROG Xbox Ally Handheld, an Inexpensive and Portable Solution to PC Gaming

Handheld gaming devices have remained affordable despite rising prices for gaming laptops and PCs. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PC is currently available for .99 at Amazon and Best Buy, matching its lowest recorded price during Black Friday. Released in October 2025, it features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A CPU, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The device operates on Windows 11 but launches directly into the Xbox App, enhancing performance. The non-X model has a Ryzen Z2 A processor, offering performance comparable to the Steam Deck's APU, but does not match the capabilities of the higher-end Xbox Ally X model.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

I can’t shake the feeling Xbox’s Project Helix has a major flaw, and Windows K2 might decide its future

In April 2026, Zac Bowden reported on Windows K2, an initiative by Microsoft aimed at improving Windows for gaming, with a focus on surpassing Valve's SteamOS in performance. Project Helix, the next-generation Xbox console platform, will be built on Windows 11 but has faced criticism due to SteamOS outperforming Windows 11 in gaming tests. Users have noted that SteamOS provides a more polished user experience compared to Windows 11, which currently has limitations for gaming handhelds. Windows K2 is intended to address issues such as reducing bloat, enhancing UI responsiveness, and optimizing gaming performance. The success of Windows K2 is seen as crucial for the future of Xbox, as it aims to create a seamless integration between Windows and Xbox products.