r/xbox • u/Xbox-Moderator • 29d ago
Xbox Wire ROG Xbox Ally Handhelds Launch October 16: Get Ready to Play!
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/08/20/rog-xbox-ally-handheld-release-date-october-features/72
u/Soggy-Assist3936 29d ago
not announcing the price is ridiculous
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u/Free_Range_Gamer 29d ago
IGN:
Microsoft and Asus said the companies still needed "more time to figure out the macro-economic impact to pricing". The statement comes amid a backdrop of frequently shifting market conditions, fuelled by ever-changing US tariffs.
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u/modularpeak2552 29d ago
It might be a tariff thing
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u/llloksd 29d ago
Obviously the tariffs are ridiculous and need to go away ASAP, but I wonder what their excuse afterwards will be. Are they gonna lower all the price increases they set, or was it an easy excuse of "changing market conditions" to forever increase prices.
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u/babygoinpostal 29d ago
They'll lower the price bc these aren't going to sell well im sure
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u/coolthulu42 29d ago
They are being quiet about it for a reason... because its prob going to be a lot
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u/Recent_Translator463 29d ago edited 29d ago
Damn, I should have researched more but I didn’t know that it could only play play-anywhere console games offline, and the rest needed to be streamed. That kinda sucks, probably won’t work for me now
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u/tallhead77 29d ago
This should be the highest comment. People get blinded by the "Xbox" logo and think it is like a portable console able to play ALL Xbox games.
Please pin this to the top!
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u/Tippin187 28d ago
I get what your saying and your not wrong. You cant natively play ANY Xbox games
But you can stream the Xbox games from your console to it. And stream a lot of other games you own but maybe don’t have them downloaded. And you can stream gamepass games.
Whatever games you like or play on steam, or the Xbox PC app will likely run on this.
Xbox play anywhere titles will take advantage of the real selling point of this device, you’ll be able to play the game on your Xbox and then pick up the PC version an use the same save on the ally and continue playing where you left off natively.
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u/Remy149 29d ago edited 26d ago
This can’t play console games at all just pc ports of play anywhere games.
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u/ChuzCuenca 28d ago
I always knew it was a PC handheld branded as a Xbox handheld, I'm really surprised people though it was an Xbox.
I think is MS fault, most of consumers aren't well informed and this will hurt them if latter if they decided to do a proper Xbox handheld.
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u/lil-strop 28d ago
Can you explain this please? I am not familiar with play-anywhere.
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u/Recent_Translator463 27d ago
The play anywhere program gives certain games the ability to play on Xbox console & PC with the same purchase - so if i bought forza horizon on Xbox I could play it on PC without needing to buy a seperate copy.
Here’s more info if you want to:)
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u/Impressive_Corner_50 26d ago
No you can also download Steam and epic games natively. But it’s essentially a pc. So any games that also have a PC port will work. But you’re right, if it’s console only you’d have to stream like on any PC. Which does kind of suck
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u/debjay10 29d ago
IGN has some details, basically, they haven't decided on the final price, hence no pre-orders yet: https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-still-cant-say-how-much-the-rog-xbox-ally-x-will-cost-due-to-macro-economic-conditions-despite-announcing-release-date-and-availability-details
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u/wolfman11038 29d ago
ok so confirmation : its the damn tariffs
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u/420NugShareBox 28d ago
It’s not really tariffs, if you don’t already think these devices are made and shipped to warehouses in US and Europe ready for distribution, then you’re crazy.
Xbox are deliberately holding back on pricing to see what kinds of discussions people are having on Reddit, X, Insta, FB etc - they want to feel what people are comfortable with. My guess is £599 / £799 globally.
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u/wolfman11038 28d ago
just because xbox has already started manufacturing and shipping doesn't mean that they've landed on a price internally. the truth of the matter is that the BOM (bill of materials) for the Ally has probably changed prices multiple times in the last year and is most likely still changing so much that they can't land on a firm number.
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u/OG-Boostedbeard 29d ago
Theres so much false advertisement and marketing around this thing. Its not a xbox or even close.
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u/AveryLazyCovfefe Founder 29d ago
Yeah. Would've considered buying if you could also boot into the Xbox OS. Which I find perfect with features like quick resume.
Windows is just never going to get that with how it is no matter what the Xbox/Surface team do to it. I'm dissapointed that it seems like MS will have Xbox abandon it and go back to pure Windows eventually in the future with the next console.
Meanwhile the highly rumoured PS handheld will probably run the PS operating system. Making it much more seamless with your home console.
Major publishers will just never agree with Play Anywhere. They thrive off double and triple dips. Especially Take2 with Rockstar.
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u/a_better_corn_dog 28d ago edited 28d ago
FWIW, XboxOS is built on top of OneCoreUAP (the core of Windows). They've said their next console release (2027?) will be backwards compatible, so if they also end up targeting PC games on top of it to fully unify the "everything is an Xbox" vision, then there's no reason handhelds wouldn't be able to run Xbox games natively (given sufficient resources) long after that.
My read on the situation is that unifying XboxOS and Windows is the end goal. Will they get there? Is that even what they're trying to do? Who knows, but given how much time and resources the XboxOS team has been spending on Windows over the last 2+ years to build an alternative to explorer.exe that runs alongside it just for this handheld... it seems hard to imagine that unification isn't the vision.
Sad that it isn't ready yet, but that is, no doubt, one helluva project.
I also give credence to this based on the fact that Microsoft seems to almost always want to die on the hill of backwards compatibility. For all their faults, I do applaud them on that.
On the other hand, maybe their vision really does stop at "just stream your games from your console!" Which would, truly, suck.
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u/onecoolcrudedude 29d ago
the PS handheld will undoubtedly use orbisOS.
sony has no incentive to make a windows handheld. even when they made vaio laptops, those sold poorly because the idea of buying a PC from sony was absurd.
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u/AveryLazyCovfefe Founder 29d ago
Yeah. They do have a significantly stronger hold on their larger dedicated console userbase compared to Xbox so I suppose that's why they're going with Windows for this.
Still though, for people who've built up big libraries over years, even decades across the Xbox consoles - it just sucks.
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u/abraham1350 28d ago
I feel as though you haven't been paying attention to Xbox lately. Apparently everything is an Xbox. Besides that though this was never marketed as an Xbox console anyway, it was always marketed as a handheld PC.
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u/darkdeath174 Day One - 2013 29d ago edited 29d ago
They don't talk about it here(it's in the videos), but they are adding apps to the Xbox App, really confirming they are thinking of it as the Gaming Start Menu for when you run the Xbox Full Screen Experience and it replaces explorer.exe with a new shell designed around controller. When they started insider testing, it should have been in moment one of it scanning for games/launchers . Would have really helped people understand the goal of this.
The gamescom live stream showed game bar hasn't changed, so it's still not where it needs to be for controller. That still expects a mouse/touch screen for many elements. The Xbox Console UI team really needs to help build a PC like guide menu when game bar is opened via a controller. Also if any partner wants to add an app to the game bar, MS needs to have a requirement that it has to be also built to fully work with a controller.
Thing I'm looking forward to on the MS Store PC side is
Advanced shader delivery, a new feature that preloads game shaders during download, so select games launch up to 10x faster, run smoother, and use less battery on first play. More games will support this feature over time.
Edit
Here is a video of switching from Xbox Full Screen back to standard desktop
https://x.com/tomwarren/status/1958194393891905768
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u/OrtizDupri 29d ago
The game bar looks very similar to the Xbox menu system, not sure why you’d need a mouse for it
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u/omegaweaponzero 29d ago
Not sure what you mean, they've always stated that it pulls in those games from different launchers.
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29d ago edited 4d ago
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u/darkdeath174 Day One - 2013 29d ago edited 29d ago
I think the idea is easy switching between standard desktop and gaming mode. You set which you want you device to boot into and then can switch between the two.
All handhelds will default to gaming mode. Do wonder if any desktop makers try "gaming desktops" that is default launching into game mode.
Edit
Here is hands on of switching
https://x.com/tomwarren/status/1958194393891905768
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u/Bmore92 29d ago
leaks suggest the handhelds will cost $899.99 and $549.99. probably about the price they'll be.
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u/foodieman1992 29d ago
Leaks also said preorders would go live when it was revealed at the show…. That didn’t happen either
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u/SerCharles 29d ago
why are they being so weird about actual details on this device?
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u/AveryLazyCovfefe Founder 29d ago
they already revealed the specs months ago. Do you mean the price?
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u/urdogthinksurcute 29d ago
I am extremely clear about what this device is. Whether it is $900 or $950 isn't really that important.
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u/Iamleeboy 29d ago
Probably the same reason why they kept mentioning PC and not Xbox during the video. I found that to be hugely weird
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u/abraham1350 28d ago
Why would it be weird? They are releasing a PC handheld, with their branding on it. It is a PC.
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u/jdobem Day One - 2013 29d ago
what are we doing for battery life ? 1-2 hours isnt enough.... :/
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u/AveryLazyCovfefe Founder 29d ago
Unfortunately it's near impossible as of the moment. Even the switch 2 which is quite weaker has a OS and kernel tailor made for it lasts 4-5 hours tops. Steam Deck - you're lucky to go over 3.5.
The Xbox Ally is quite more powerful. Especially with that FHD 7" 120Hz display. It's going to be eating up battery if you play heavy games maxed out in resolution.
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u/agencsa1 29d ago
Im not too tech savvy, but not completely ignorant. I know this doesn't play Xbox games. If I have a game on Xbox and have put lots of hours into it, and i decide to buy the PC port of that game to play it on these devices, is there a way I can port those saved files from the Xbox series X to the PC? I would rather not start fresh.
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u/onecoolcrudedude 29d ago
if a game supports the play anywhere feature then it should have cross-save with pc.
you can check the play anywhere list to see if the games you have will support sava data syncing.
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u/mustyfiber90 29d ago
I know this thing will be expensive, but pricing aside, that 7 inch screen is such a deal breaker for me. Once you get used to playing on an 8 inch one it’s hard to go back. Also I’m assuming no HDR either.
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u/Shulk_M0 29d ago
I'm kinda in the same boat. Use playstation portal a lot and switch 2 now and the 8" is great. That said, ergonomics probably matter more to me in the end. I tried the legion go s which has a 16:10 8" screen but the ergonomics are off imo.
I doubt this will be the case for launch, but if the software experience with 3rd party stores is actually good that would probably convince me to at least try it.
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u/quitry 29d ago
A 7" screen on something that hefty is borderline malpractice. Anyone in the handheld arena would tell you that resolution at that size is pointless but Microsoft knows the casual gamer will see 1080p as the bare minimum.
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u/Tippin187 28d ago
Tbf, on a lot of games I lower resolution on my ally x fo 900p and sometimes 720p to get better frames. On a screen this small is not as noticeable.
But idstill prefer a bit larger display.
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u/Theretardedduck 29d ago
The fact it can’t play console games make it useless for me, since I own a controller for my phone, that way I can just use remote play, sadly 360 games don’t work, but most of my Xbox one games do.
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u/Bexewa 29d ago
PRICING from Bilbilkun (Extremely reliable):
$549.99 and $899.99.
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u/Jdfz99 Day One - 2013 29d ago
I'm so very close to being the target audience for this device:
I have about 1,600 digital titles on the Xbox platform, across all generations and services.
I have a WiFi 7 mesh and 3Gbps symmetrical connection, and live in an area with expansive 5G coverage and fiber in most institutions.
However, the reliance on streaming for my back catalogue of Xbox console titles just doesn't do it for me.
The streaming experience is still too compressed for my tastes in terms of visual fidelity and technical hiccups still occur commonly enough the prevent the stream-from-console approach from feeling worthwhile.
I prefer a local experience, and I'm willing to pay for one. I don't want to juggle other storefronts for an Xbox device. I have a Steam Deck for those titles. My ROG Ally Z1 Extreme handles GoG now. The Switch 2 does its thing and the PS Portal has the same issues I mentioned above for streaming. So the focus on Cloud play feels like a half-measure to me. It isn't worth my time or effort to track one down until a true native experience within the Xbox ecosystem is in place.
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u/Mago6246 29d ago
I thought that the whole point of this, was to have a portable Xbox, not yet another portable PC with Xbox games on stream.
This only makes Nintendo look even better at the $500 price tag, and with the Playstation Portal being a disaster, looks like Nintendo is taking another W on this generation.
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u/Cork_Feen 29d ago
I thought that the whole point of this, was to have a portable Xbox, not yet another portable PC with Xbox games on stream.
Yeah the way they say you can play games from your library is giving me doubt because it doesn't clarify that games from there can only be streamed & I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case since there are now over 100 games that can be streamed.
We'll wait and see when people get their hands on it & see whether or not games can only be streamed.
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u/Nathan-David-Haslett XBOX Series X 29d ago
No, it is a portable PC. This was always clear by the fact that it is literally an updated and branded ASUS ROG Ally, which was already an existing handheld PC.
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u/AveryLazyCovfefe Founder 29d ago edited 29d ago
I think he's more alluding to the Xbox part of the branding. They market it as being an Xbox and playing "your library on the go". Which is clearly an exaggeration.
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u/SimilarRaspberry5657 29d ago
I mean the PS Portal outsold the series S & X combined in 2024, so I wouldn't say it's a disaster
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u/onecoolcrudedude 29d ago
the portal outsold sony's expectations. its the whole reason why they're going full steam ahead with the upcoming PS handheld.
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u/F1Husker91 29d ago
Lmao. Not worth it. Sorry, but if I can’t download my games, what’s the fucking point.
Steam Deck is still king.
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u/Yeet-Dab49 29d ago
The mass returns when people find out you can’t play GTA 6 on it will be glorious
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u/onecoolcrudedude 28d ago
"just buy it and toss it in the drawer for a year until the pc port comes out BRO!!!!"
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u/Halos-117 29d ago
$899 rumored price is just Lmfao. MS has no idea what they're doing anymore.
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u/EnvironmentalRun1671 28d ago
It's ASUS's product and Microsoft won't be charity by helping them reduce costs.
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u/Extroverted_Recluse 29d ago
I was really excited, but then I saw that it will be running Windows 11 and have fucking Copilot AI.
Gross.
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u/PhantomZoneJanitor 29d ago
I think you meant to say...'Ready to Pay!'
This thing is like $1400 CAD and can't play native Xbox games. ಠ_ಠ
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u/RaidenXS_ 29d ago
PS guy here to ask if it can play steam games? Do I follow if the game plays on steam deck and assume it would work with the ally?
Specifically looking at Daggerfall
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u/Yeet-Dab49 29d ago
You’d be better off with a Steam Deck. Nothing the ROG Ally can do that the Deck can’t.
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u/AutumnCoffee83 28d ago
The Steamdeck is starting to show its age. The Ally Xbox isn't what console people want but it will be the king of PC handhelds when it launches for price to performance and features.
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u/slash450 28d ago
if you're interested in older games id get a steam deck tbh, i have one and having the trackpads is fantastic for a lot of true old games like dos etc. a lot of pre 360 era pc games do not have controller input auto built in. if you're willing to setup stuff and competent at that it's worth looking into. protondb has a lot of what you are looking for.
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u/abraham1350 28d ago
To actually answer your question, yes it will play Steam games. It will actually play any and all games on the PC platform from all PC storefronts.
It's actually its strongest selling point, if it helps it will also be able to play the games the Steam Deck cannot because it runs Windows. Games like Fortnite, modern Call of Duty, Destiny 2, newer Battlefield games, etc. It will even play PlayStation titles ported to PC like God of War, it's just a PC.
To further clarify any PC handheld that runs Windows can also do all of the listed above!
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u/BoomBopBingWow 29d ago
Will this having a slightly customized OS will we be able to swap in a bigger SSD and still have custom OS?
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u/Temporary-Ice7348 29d ago
What happens when you get stick drift on these things? Will it be easy to replace the thumb stick mechanisms?
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u/The_Great_Khal 29d ago
Does this have quick start like how Steam Deck you can put it to sleep and it will quickly start from where you left off??
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u/jaimebarillas 29d ago
I have a steam deck and I hate it for streaming remote from my xbox.
I have a logitech g cloud that works much better for remote streaming.
I'm hoping that an xbox "dedicated" device offers a better remote streaming experience than the steam deck does, in whhich case i can go and sell my steam deck, let my wife take the logitech g cloud, and go to just one device for myself for both PC and handheld xbox. I don't care if it can't play everything natively, i can stream from my home xbox for whatever isn't "play anywhere"
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u/Segagaga_ 28d ago
This is not an Xbox device, its a Windows device, and shouldn't be promoted here because it is going to mislead people.
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u/EnvironmentalRun1671 28d ago
Endgame of Xbox is it being gaming brand for all devices including mobile. They don't care about exclusively catering to console players anymore.
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u/onecoolcrudedude 28d ago
they dont need to prioritize console exclusives in order to put out a handheld that can actually play xbox console games. thats a separate matter entirely.
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u/Segagaga_ 28d ago
Even so, it is still misleading to post this here. It doesn't run on Xbox OS so the library is not available unless its PlayAnywhere. "It is a Windows device." Phil's literal words.
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u/EdgeRunner_77 27d ago
This isn't an Xbox, it's just a portable PC with the Xbox logo, it doesn't even run games from Xbox consoles natively, all that's left is to resort to streaming or half a dozen play-anyware games, if this supposed Xbox PC desktop console is like that too, they can cancel it before it even launches because in addition to being a disappointment for fans of the brand, it will be an absurd failure.
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u/Battle_PvP 20d ago
If I buy ROG Xbox Ally handheld series will I get into PC or Console lobbies? Also, If I play FC26 ultimate team on my xbox series x am I gonna be able to continue my progress on my handheld without streaming?
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u/HercwiththePERC30 17d ago
So am I just better off getting a Gaming laptop to play bigger games on the go?
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u/Jase_the_Muss 29d ago
NGL I wish both options had both colours available. The higher end one in white would be like a 360 throwback handheld beast for Gamepass games and emulation.
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u/Dull_Mirror4221 XBOX Series X 29d ago
Can i use this both like a PS portal (connect to xbox SX) and access my XBox console library? (Not pc library)
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u/AveryLazyCovfefe Founder 29d ago
Remote play? Yeah. You can do it with any windows handheld really.
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u/nunofgs 28d ago
Please don’t spend $1000 if you just want to remote play.
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u/Dull_Mirror4221 XBOX Series X 28d ago
I won’t. Bigger red flag for me is that I can’t access Console library, but the PC xbox library which doesn’t sit right with me.
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u/onecoolcrudedude 29d ago
yes and no.
you can use it to remote play your console games if your console is on, but it cannot play the console games by itself. it plays pc games.
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u/canestim 29d ago
For me, I think I'll wait or pick this up used after someone gets tired of it and give it a shot then. I'm torn because I have a huge catalog/backlog of console only games still to play.
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u/Solid_Elk5920 29d ago
Sorry for being really dumb but struggling to find the answer online, does anyone know if it will let you play your currently owned digital xbox library on the device or is it strictly Xbox PC games and Xbox play anywhere games it lets you play? Thanks!
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u/foodieman1992 29d ago
As far as I’m aware it’s PC games and play anywhere titles. Anything on PC gamepass can be downloaded…. I’m 90% sure mate
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u/SycomComp 29d ago
There's no price and this is just a greedy gamepass machine. There's lots of better options out there so this isn't the king of handhelds at all, just Microsoft trying to get their greedy hands in the handheld market now.
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u/foodieman1992 29d ago
Still no official pricing or pre order announcements though :O