Xbox handheld that runs PlayStation games? ROG Ally's surprise reveal breaks the internet
Imagine a handheld gaming device that revolutionizes the gaming experience by combining the best of Xbox, Steam, and even PlayStation PC titles—all in one. At the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Microsoft and ASUS unveiled the groundbreaking ROG Xbox Ally and its advanced version, the Ally X.
Powered by Windows 11; these devices offer full access to a wide range of PC games, including popular Xbox Game Pass titles and PlayStation ports like God of War. This launch marks a significant leap in handheld gaming, blurring the lines between console and PC gaming in an innovative, portable form.
What is the ROG Xbox Ally?
So what exactly is this thing? The ROG Xbox Ally is basically an ASUS ROG Ally handheld with an Xbox themed visuals and optimized software. It's not a native Xbox console but a Windows 11 handheld PC designed for gaming.
ROG Xbox Ally specs:
AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor
16 GB RAM
512 GB SSD storage
7-inch 120 Hz touchscreen
FreeSync Premium support
Ally X version upgrades:
Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor
24 GB RAM
Larger battery
Can it play PlayStation games?
Here's the part everyone's buzzing about—because it runs full Windows 11, you can install and play PC versions of PlayStation games, like God of War, Marvel's Spider-Man, and more.
A Microsoft representative even said, "Because these handhelds run Windows, you have access to all the games you can play on Windows PCs." The flexibility is rough: Steam, Epic, Ubisoft, Battle.net—you name it.
What's the gameplay experience like?
One Reddit user said, "I assumed this would be a handheld Xbox, but it says Windows 11 on it. So, it's just a newer ROG Ally with the 'Xbox' name in it?" And honestly, that's a fair thought!
The ROG Xbox Ally isn't a traditional Xbox console. Instead, it's a powerful Windows 11 PC packed into a handheld device. That means you get the freedom of a PC—playing Steam games, Xbox Game Pass titles, and even running apps you'd normally use on a laptop—all on the go. This flexibility opens up a world of gaming possibilities, giving you the freedom to play your favorite games wherever you are.
So, while it carries the Xbox branding and offers a seamless Xbox experience, it's really a Windows gaming powerhouse. This mix gives you a wider library of games and more freedom than a standard handheld console.
Why are Esports fans excited about this move?
The ROG Xbox Ally marks a big shift for Xbox's "platform-agnostic" strategy. Microsoft is moving past traditional console borders toward Xbox Anywhere and Game Pass on all devices.
"This is just the start," said Xbox's CVP at the Showcase, highlighting plans to bring Xbox, PC, and PlayStation libraries under one roof. Add to that fully integrated Windows storefronts, and it's the ultimate gaming Swiss Army knife.
When can you get it, and what will it cost?
The brand is looking at a holiday 2025 release, with prices rumored to range between $599–$999 USD, depending on the model. No official pre-order yet, but keep an eye out if you want to drop serious cash on a handheld that defies platform lines.
The ROG Xbox Ally family isn't a replacement for Steam Deck or Switch, but it is the most flexible handheld Xbox has ever endorsed. Want to play Xbox, PC, and PlayStation PC games on one device?
Think of it like having a mini-PC in your backpack—ready for power gaming, remote play, or your Game Pass queue. It's new, it's bold, and yes, it might just be the device that changes how we play.
To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
A startup was said to be ‘passing off' humans as AI. That's not why it collapsed
Once valued at $1.5 billion, the Microsoft-backed was supposed to make app-building 'as easy as ordering a pizza'. But then, it was alleged that its 'AI' was fake. And eventually, it was said, so were its revenues It is the most ' high-profile ' AI startup collapse in recent times. And a convoluted story ties it to story begins with a startup that said it could help anyone put together an app without any code — in 2016 , long before ChatGPT and Claude made it look so easy. The London and Los Angeles-based startup was founded by a British entrepreneur of Indian origin, Sachin Dev Duggal , and would eventually be known as . And, as the 'ai' in its name indicated, it would use artificial intelligence to turn app-building into what it said would be a process ' as easy as ordering a pizza '.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7: Who is developing upcoming game? Here's release timeline and platforms
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to be the next entry in the long-running game series. While there is no confirmed release date yet, trends suggest a late 2025 launch. The game will be available across major platforms and developed by Treyarch with support from other teams. Release Timeline Call of Duty games have followed a consistent release window for many years. Since 2007, most titles have been released in November, while a few came out in October. This pattern points to a late-year launch for Black Ops 7 in 2025. There has been no confirmed release date, but the October-November window is considered reliable. No Call of Duty game has launched outside of those two months in nearly two decades. Also Read: The Equalizer: Queen Latifah starrer series to leave Netflix US this month. Check exact date to watch before it leaves platform Platforms Despite Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the company has confirmed that future Call of Duty games will remain on multiple platforms. This includes consoles from Sony, Microsoft and PC. Live Events A deal was also signed with Nintendo to bring Call of Duty titles to their future platforms. Although the next Nintendo console, possibly Switch 2, has not been officially revealed, Call of Duty is expected to appear on it when available. Black Ops 7 will be released on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC. This shows continued support for both old and new hardware. Also Read: Karate Kid: Legends: When to watch on Netflix in US and other regions? Details here Treyarch Leads Development Treyarch has been named the lead developer for Black Ops 7. This follows their work on Black Ops 6 and its post-launch content. Insider reports suggest other major studios are working on future entries. Infinity Ward is developing the next Modern Warfare, while Sledgehammer Games is said to be focused on a 2027 project. Other support studios under Activision, including Beenox and High Moon Studios, are likely contributing to Black Ops 7's development. FAQs When will Call of Duty Black Ops 7 be released? Call of Duty Black Ops 7 is expected to release in either October or November 2025, based on past franchise trends. What platforms will Black Ops 7 be available on? Black Ops 7 will launch on Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4, PS5, PC, and possibly future Nintendo hardware. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Apple faces AI, regulatory challenges as it woos developers at annual conference
Apple is facing an unprecedented set of technical and regulatory challenges as some of its key executives are set to take the stage on Monday at the company's annual software developer conference. On the technical side, many of the long-awaited artificial-intelligence features Apple promised at the same conference a year ago have been delayed until next year, even as its rivals such as Alphabet's Google and Microsoft woo developers with a bevvy of new AI features. Those unfulfilled promises included key improvements to Siri, its digital assistant. On the regulatory front, courts in the US and Europe are poised to pull down the lucrative walls around Apple's App Store as even some of the company's former supporters question whether its fees are justified. Those challenges are coming to a head at the same time US president Donald Trump has threatened 25% tariffs on Apple's best-selling iPhone. Apple's shares are down more than 40% since the start of the year, a sharper decline than Google and also lagging the AI-driven gains in Microsoft shares. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Famous Celebrities With Unexpected Degrees Learn More Undo Apple has launched some of the AI features it promised last year, including a set of writing tools and image-generation tools, but it still relies on partners such as ChatGPT creator OpenAI for some of those capabilities. Bloomberg has reported that Apple may open up in-house AI models to developers this year. Also Read: Apple WWDC 2025 Live Updates: Major software-related updates expected at iPhone maker's annual event Live Events But analysts do not believe Apple yet has what technologists call a "multi-modal" model - that is, one capable of understanding imagery, audio and language at the same time - that could power a pair of smart glasses, a category that has become a runaway hit for Meta Platforms. Google said last month it would jump back in to this category, with partners. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Such glasses, which are far lighter and cheaper than Apple's Vision Pro headset, could become useful because they would understand what the user is looking at and could help answer questions about it. While Apple has focused on its $3,500 Vision Pro headset, Google and Meta have seized on the smart glasses as a cheaper way to deploy their AI software prowess against Apple in its stronghold of hardware. Meta Ray-Bans all sell for less than $400. Analysts say Apple needs to answer that challenge but that it is not likely to do so this week. "I'm not trying to replace my phone - this is a complementary thing that gives me more world context, because it's got a camera and it sees what I see, and I can talk to it in natural language," said Ben Bajarin, CEO of technology consultancy Creative Strategies. "Apple is not positioned to do that." To be sure, Apple's rivals are not decisively ahead in smart glasses. Anshel Sag, principal analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy, said Meta's Ray-Bans still lack some features and Google has not yet landed its "Gemini" model in a mass-market pair of glasses yet. "Meta has the undisputed lead, but Google is catching up fast and probably has the best-suited AI for the job," Sag said. "Vision Pro is great, but it's a showroom product that developers can use." But Bob O'Donnell, CEO of TECHnalysis Research, said it remains far from clear that smart glasses will gain wide acceptance. O'Donnell also said it is not certain that Apple is at any particular disadvantage if it partners with a company such as Google, OpenAI or even a smaller firm like Perplexity for core AI technology. So far, O'Donnell said, there is not yet strong evidence that consumers are basing major hardware-purchasing decisions on AI features. "There's an argument to be made that it's OK that (Apple) is behind because, except for the bleeding edge, most people don't care," O'Donnell said.
