(Credit: Microsoft)
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After a June reveal, Microsoft and Asus have now confirmed that the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will be released in the US on Oct. 16.
The companies have yet to reveal pricing or when either will be available to preorder. The standard ROG Ally cost $699.99 at launch, while the ROG Ally X was $899.99. However, it's unclear if these products will cost the same.
The ROG Xbox Ally X features top-end specs with an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme powering the console, 24GB of LPDDR5X-800 RAM, 1TB of storage, and an 80Wh battery inside. The cheaper ROG Xbox Ally features an AMD Ryzen Z2, 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM, and 512GB of space alongside a 60Wh battery.
Both consoles will let you play Xbox titles and give you access to Game Pass and other services. Microsoft also confirms it has been working on optimizing its top titles for handhelds.
The Microsoft Store will now show two badges to help you distinguish the best games to play. One badge is called Handheld Optimized, which means the game is fully prepared to be played on one of these consoles. Microsoft's announcement says these games will have "default controller inputs, an intuitive text input method, accurate iconography, clear text legibility, and appropriate resolution in full-screen mode."
Although Microsoft has yet to confirm which games will get that label, we know the titles it's using to show off the console. Those include Balatro, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Doom: The Dark Ages, Final Fantasy VII: Remake Intergrade, Gears of War: Reloaded, Hogwarts Legacy, and Lies of P. It's likely these games will be optimized for handhelds.
Microsoft will also use a badge called Mostly Compatible to highlight when a game may need extra work, such as settings tweaks, to get the best experience.
Microsoft is previewing the Asus gadgets at Gamescom in Germany. That may mean we hear more about people's experiences with the consoles in the coming days. Back in June, IGN tested both consoles and said, "It feels like you’re holding an actual controller, so it has the comfort and performance you expect from a proper gaming platform."