ROG Ally X Sells Out Amid Microsoft Gaming Strategy Backlash
▼ Summary
– ASUS’s new ROG Xbox Ally X sold out quickly despite being a powerful but expensive handheld gaming PC alternative to the Steam Deck.
– Microsoft’s Xbox brand is struggling with declining console sales and controversy over a significant price increase for its Game Pass subscription service.
– The Xbox Ally X defaults to a user-friendly interface but still requires navigating Windows updates and lacks seamless integration with the full Xbox game library.
– While the device performs well with demanding games, it is bulkier and less ergonomic than competitors and cannot reliably suspend gameplay like traditional consoles.
– The reviewer found the Xbox Ally X useful only for games the Steam Deck couldn’t handle and noted its value has decreased due to recent Game Pass price hikes.
The new ROG Ally X handheld gaming PC from ASUS has already sold out, creating a significant supply shortage just days after its launch. This surge in demand comes at a peculiar time for Microsoft’s gaming division, which faces growing criticism over recent strategic decisions. Having tested the device extensively, I found it delivers impressive performance that surpasses competitors like the Steam Deck for certain titles, though its premium price point and several compromises prevent it from becoming the definitive mobile gaming solution many hoped for.
Microsoft’s Xbox division currently navigates turbulent waters, with console sales trailing significantly behind PlayStation 5 figures. Recent tariff-induced price increases further dampened consumer enthusiasm for Microsoft’s hardware. The company’s broader strategy to extend the Xbox ecosystem beyond traditional consoles, highlighted by its “This is an Xbox” advertising campaign, positions smartphones, laptops, and smart televisions as viable gaming platforms through Xbox Game Pass. However, this expansion faced backlash when Microsoft announced substantial price increases for its premium Game Pass tier, now costing subscribers $30 monthly. While Microsoft framed this as an enhancement offering more game titles, the announcement coincided with technical issues on Xbox’s membership portal that many attributed to mass subscription cancellations, though the company maintains these were unrelated isolated technical glitches.
The ROG Ally X arrives during this complicated period with premium pricing, $999 for the enhanced model and $599 for the standard version, positioning these devices as intriguing but incomplete solutions rather than groundbreaking innovations. My experience with both the original 2023 ROG Ally and this year’s Ally X revealed devices that essentially function as compact Windows laptops with integrated gaming controls, inheriting both the flexibility and frustrations of PC gaming.
ASUS markets these handhelds as streamlined gaming machines, featuring a “Full Screen Experience” interface that prioritizes recently played titles. The prominent Xbox button facilitates quick switching between applications, settings, and the standard Windows desktop. Despite these conveniences, the Ally X fell short of my expectations for a seamless mobile console. Initial setup required multiple updates and restarts before I could access my Xbox account, and I discovered limited compatibility with my existing Xbox library. Rather than running games natively, the device primarily streams them via WiFi from my Xbox Series S, making it functionally similar to PlayStation Portal rather than a standalone gaming system.
The device excelled with “Xbox on PC” titles, which downloaded and performed admirably. Demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and the new Silent Hill f ran more smoothly on the Ally X than on either the Steam Deck or the previous Ally model. However, the system lacks reliable sleep functionality for active games, preventing the quick play sessions that define traditional handheld gaming.
This power comes with physical tradeoffs. The Ally X feels substantially heavier and thicker than both the Steam Deck and Nintendo’s sleek Switch 2, with its enlarged frame accommodating a larger battery but resulting in controller grips that feel awkward rather than ergonomic during extended use.
As someone fascinated by gaming hardware innovations, I primarily used the Ally X only when my Steam Deck couldn’t handle specific titles. Despite its fluid interface, the device doesn’t lend itself to casual, pick-up-and-play sessions. Its value proposition has further diminished following the Game Pass price increases, though ASUS includes three months of Game Pass Premium with each purchase. While well-funded technology enthusiasts will appreciate the Ally X’s capabilities, it’s unlikely to single-handedly revitalize the Xbox brand or establish a new paradigm for handheld gaming devices.
(Source: npr)
