After years of speculation, Microsoft has officially unveiled its first handheld gaming console, the ROG Xbox Ally, marking a significant move into portable gaming. Developed in collaboration with Asus, the new device will be released at the end of 2025, though pricing details remain under wraps.
The ROG Xbox Ally will allow Xbox Game Pass subscribers to access their entire game library on the go, supporting native gameplay, cloud streaming, and remote play from a connected console. It’s the latest step in Microsoft’s push to make its gaming ecosystem more flexible and accessible.
“Whether you’re at home or on the go, your favorite games should follow you,” said Roanne Sones, head of Xbox gaming devices. “These handhelds bring the full freedom and versatility of PC gaming.”
Microsoft’s announcement comes just days after the launch of Nintendo’s Switch 2, a hybrid console capable of both handheld and docked play. The success of the Switch, and more recently Valve’s Steam Deck, appears to have influenced Microsoft’s decision to enter the handheld market now.
Two models of the device are in the works: the ROG Xbox Ally and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X. Both will feature a 7-inch 1080p screen, but differ in specifications. The standard model comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while the “X” version offers 24GB RAM, 1TB of storage, and a higher-capacity battery. Weighing in at 670g and 715g respectively, the devices are heavier than the Switch 2, which weighs just 534g.
Because the device runs on Windows, users will also have access to a wide range of PC games beyond the Xbox ecosystem, including platforms like Steam and EA Play.
Microsoft also used the occasion to unveil several new Game Pass titles. Seventeen new games will launch on Game Pass PC & Ultimate from day one, including Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Outer Worlds 2. The next installment in the Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops 7, was also announced as a day-one Game Pass title. However, notably absent from the list of supported platforms was Nintendo’s Switch 2, despite a prior 10-year deal between Activision and Nintendo.
Fans were also treated to a surprise reveal: a full remake of the critically acclaimed Persona 4, now subtitled Revival. Originally released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, the new version is expected to modernize the classic without a confirmed release date.
As anticipation builds, Microsoft’s long-awaited entry into the handheld gaming space signals a renewed push for Game Pass and portable gaming dominance.
