Xbox Handheld Archives

Winsage

June 16, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: redesigned Windows 11 Start menu, Xbox handheld is here, and more

Microsoft has released Patch Tuesday updates for June 2025, with Windows 10 receiving KB5060533 and Windows 11 receiving KB5060842 and KB5060999. The Windows Insider Program has unveiled several new builds, including a redesigned Start menu in build 26200.5641 and various enhancements in other builds. Microsoft has introduced Copilot Vision with Highlights for Windows, currently available in the U.S. for two applications. A quirky bug in the latest builds causes Windows 11 to play the Windows Vista startup sound. Microsoft Edge received an update in the Dev Channel, while Firefox rolled out version 139.0.4. Microsoft announced enhancements to Outlook and OneDrive for Mac. New Xbox handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, were unveiled, optimized for gaming. Steam's Next Fest allows free trials of hundreds of games until June 16, 2025, and the Epic Games Store is offering Two Point Hospital for free.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Xbox handheld rumoured to be ‘essentially cancelled’ but the new Asus Xbox Ally is actually a preview of all future Xbox consoles, not just handhelds

A recent report suggests that the anticipated Xbox handheld console may be "essentially canceled." The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, recently unveiled, are not true Xbox consoles but PC handhelds using existing PC chips and a new iteration of Windows optimized for gaming. Microsoft has rebranded its gaming division as 'Xbox PC' and acknowledged Steam as a competitor. None of these developments have been officially confirmed.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

PlayStation PC Games Run On The New Xbox Handheld

Asus has unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices, which allow access to Microsoft's library of PC games as well as PlayStation's PC game offerings. These devices run Windows, enabling users to play various titles from Sony, including Days Gone, The Last of Us, Spider-Man, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Helldivers 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and God of War Ragnarök. The devices are expected to support PlayStation remote play from the PS5 and come in two models: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. They feature an "Xbox full-screen experience" and a dedicated Xbox button, along with the Game Bar overlay for easy navigation. Microsoft has paused development on a standalone Xbox handheld but is working on a new Xbox console that may include a handheld device.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Microsoft Finally Gets Into the Handheld Game With ROG Xbox Ally

Microsoft unveiled its new handheld gaming consoles, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, during the Summer Game Fest on June 8. Both models feature a design resembling a pair of controllers attached to a wide screen and are expected to launch this holiday season. They will operate on Windows 11 and allow for gaming through remote play, cloud gaming, or directly on the device, providing access to a wide range of PC games and popular applications. Initial impressions of the consoles have been positive, with reports highlighting their comfortable design and gameplay experience. Microsoft aims to compete with existing handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, and the Ally will debut with popular titles, including Roblox.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

I tested Xbox’s powerful — and heavy

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a handheld console with a 7-inch display, set to launch during the holiday season. It weighs 715 g (1.58 lbs), making it the heaviest handheld on the market. The console operates on Windows and comes pre-loaded with Steam, Battle.net, and Discord. Despite its impressive features and graphics, concerns about its ergonomics and comfort during prolonged use were raised after a short gameplay session. Feedback from other attendees indicated that some found the device comfortable, likening it to an Xbox controller.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Full-screen Xbox handheld UI is coming to all Windows PCs “starting next year”

Valve's Steam Deck and SteamOS primarily support Windows games compatible with the Proton compatibility layer and some native Linux titles. Microsoft and Asus have collaborated on the ROG Xbox Ally, which features a new Xbox-branded interface designed to improve compatibility for PC gamers while resembling SteamOS. This interface will debut on the ROG Xbox Ally and is planned for broader release on other handheld devices next year. Microsoft has been developing a handheld-optimized user interface for Windows since at least 2022, identified during an internal hackathon. The proposed "Windows Handheld Mode" includes a tile-based UI similar to the Xbox interface and aims to enhance touch screen usability. The ROG Xbox Ally's full-screen interface replaces the traditional Windows desktop, conserving RAM and optimizing energy consumption compared to standard Windows devices like the regular ROG Ally, which require additional software to function similarly to SteamOS.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

The First Xbox Handheld Has Been Revealed

Microsoft has announced its entry into the handheld gaming market with the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, developed in collaboration with Asus. The devices support native gaming and cloud streaming. Key features include a larger battery, ergonomic grips, a dedicated Xbox button, and an optimized operating system that reduces Windows 11's idle power consumption by about two-thirds, enhancing battery life and freeing up to 2GB of RAM for gaming performance. Exclusive Windows 11 features will initially be available only on these devices, with plans to extend them to standard ROG Allys by late 2025 and to other handheld gaming PCs in 2026. Specifications: - ROG Xbox Ally: AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 1080p 7” touchscreen, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD (upgradeable), 60Wh battery, 670g weight. - ROG Xbox Ally X: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 1080p 7” touchscreen, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD (upgradeable), 80Wh battery, 715g weight. Both devices can run Windows games from platforms like Xbox, Battle.net, GoG, Ubisoft Connect, and Steam. They are expected to launch during the Holiday season of 2025 in markets including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Xbox Games Showcase 2025 live: All the announcements in real-time

Obsidian Entertainment has announced that The Outer Worlds 2 will feature six companions with their own questlines linked to distinct factions, allowing players to influence their character arcs through gameplay choices. The game is set on Arcadia, a new colony governed by The Protectorate, and will include an enhanced perk system similar to Fallout: New Vegas, allowing for specialized character builds. Players will take on the role of a customizable Sky Marshall, with an emphasis on traits that affect gameplay dynamics. The sequel aims for deeper RPG mechanics and a more complex narrative due to increased development time and resources. The game is scheduled for release on October 29, 2025.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Xbox Seems To Have Officially Renamed Its Platform For PC Games

Xbox is intensifying its commitment to the PC gaming sector, with the term "Xbox PC" being highlighted in recent trailers, including for Gears of War: Reloaded and MIO: Memories in Orbit. The branding shift aligns with their strategy to integrate PC gaming into their ecosystem, supported by initiatives like PC Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere. This change coincides with rumors of an ASUS Xbox handheld device, indicating a focus on harmonizing handheld and PC gaming. The use of "Xbox PC" may become a staple in their marketing, aiming to unify efforts to support PC gaming.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

Microsoft Reportedly “Pulling Back” Development on Xbox Handheld Daily Fix – IGN

Microsoft is reassessing its approach to handheld gaming and may step back from developing a first-party Xbox handheld device, shifting focus to collaborations with third-party manufacturers like ASUS for an Xbox-licensed handheld. Ubisoft teased potential announcements related to the Splinter Cell franchise, following confirmation of a remake of the original game in 2021. Rumors of a Persona 4 remake have surfaced, but it is unclear if the original English voice cast will return. An IGN Live event is scheduled for June 7-8 in Downtown Los Angeles, with tickets available and a promo code for a complimentary ticket.