2025 is shaping as much as be a fairly large 12 months for handheld gaming. We’ve already seen the launch of the Lenovo Legion Go S, and by the point you’re studying this, we’d know when the Nintendo Change 2 is arriving. Nonetheless, one of many greatest surprises of the 12 months to this point is the information {that a} contemporary Asus ROG Ally handheld is coming, and it might have one thing of an Xbox twist.
For many who don’t know, the Asus ROG Ally X is the model’s newest transportable PC gaming machine, which occurs to be among the best handheld consoles in the marketplace. Whereas the Steam Deck’s SteamOS working system could be simpler to make use of, the ROG Ally X provides unbelievable efficiency, so we’re excited to see what the gaming juggernaut behind the machine is cooking up for us. Nevertheless, this appears prefer it could possibly be an Asus handheld with a distinction.
Whereas the Xbox connection isn’t that obvious from the Asus teaser trailer, there are two hints that that is the Xbox-branded handheld we reported on earlier this 12 months. The primary is that the remodeling machine within the clip pulls in each the Asus ROG Ally and the ROG Raikiri Professional Xbox controller, seemingly combining them. The second trace is much more on the nostril and comes from a reply from the official Xbox X account to the Asus teaser clip, which is value trying out in the event you haven’t seen it. I’m not at all times an enormous fan of manufacturers considering they’ll meme, however I’ve bought to provide it to whoever’s coping with socials at Xbox.
Sadly, the teaser trailer from Asus didn’t point out when the model’s new gaming handheld might arrive or how a lot it may cost a little, only a fast take a look at the silhouette of the machine. Both approach, it’s a possible future decide for our checklist of one of the best Steam Deck options. It’s additionally value stating that this isn’t the official Xbox handheld Phil Spencer alluded to final 12 months. We’re not anticipating that for some time but, but when that is the primary handheld to launch with an Xbox-style person interface fairly than Home windows 11, it might assist Microsoft cease producers from dropping its software program in favor of SteamOS.
From this level on, we’ll keep watch over each Asus’ and Xbox’s social accounts for any updates on the mysterious handheld. For extra of this 12 months’s most anticipated consoles, try our Nintendo Change 2 information and Lenovo Legion Go 2 information whilst you’re right here. Or, in the event you’d desire one thing a bit of extra nostalgic, see our checklist of one of the best retro handhelds.