At gamescom 2025, Xbox made waves with the official announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, two cutting-edge handheld gaming devices set to launch on October 16, 2025, just in time for the holiday season. First revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this year, these devices mark a new chapter in handheld gaming, offering players seamless access to their favourite titles from Xbox, Battle.net, and other top PC storefronts, anytime and anywhere.
The ROG Xbox Ally handhelds will also launch in Australia on October 16, with pricing and pre-order details to be announced in the coming weeks.
Handheld Compatibility Program: A Game-Changer for Gamers
Xbox also introduced the Handheld Compatibility Program, a forward-thinking initiative designed to optimize more games for handheld play. At launch, players will notice two distinct badges “Handheld Optimized” and “Mostly Compatible” clearly labeling compatible games in their libraries. Xbox is working closely with game developers to test, refine, and verify thousands of titles, ensuring a smooth gaming experience with minimal setup. Additionally, a new Windows Performance Fit indicator will offer insights into a game’s expected performance on supported devices, providing players with even greater clarity.
Elevating the Handheld Gaming Experience
The ROG Xbox Ally devices will feature several innovations designed to redefine handheld gaming:
- Advanced Shader Delivery: This technology preloads game shaders during downloads, enabling select titles to launch up to 10 times faster. It enhances performance, reduces battery usage during your first play session, and ensures smoother gameplay from the get-go.
- AI-Powered Features: Coming early next year to the ROG Xbox Ally X, these include Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), a powerful AI tool that upscales lower-resolution games to deliver stunning visuals and improved frame rates, all without requiring changes from developers.
- Highlight Reels: Another AI-driven feature, Highlight Reels automatically captures your best gameplay moments, creating ready-to-share clips of epic boss fights or hard-earned victories for friends and social media.
Expanding the Ecosystem: ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller
Alongside the handheld devices, Xbox also unveiled the ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller. Developed by ASUS under the Designed for Xbox program, this controller boasts a 1000Hz polling rate in PC mode, anti-drift TMR joysticks, and dual-mode triggers for precise, responsive gameplay.
A Standout Gamescom for Xbox
With the announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally devices, groundbreaking AI-powered features, and the Handheld Compatibility Program, Xbox has solidified its commitment to innovation in gaming. Add the ROG Raikiri II controller to the mix, and it’s clear Xbox is setting a bold direction for the future of interactive entertainment. Gamescom 2025 has truly been a standout moment for Xbox!
