Xbox Ally Lets You Play PlayStation Hits

Microsoft’s foray into handheld gaming just got a lot more interesting. At its Xbox Games Showcase, the company unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, built in partnership with ASUS as Windows-based “PC consolidators.” Beyond Game Pass and native Xbox titles, these devices also grant access to the broader PC gaming ecosystem—Steam, Epic Games, GOG, and even Ubisoft Connect—meaning you can technically play first-party PlayStation releases like God of War and God of War: Ragnarok via their Steam ports.

Under the hood, the standard Ally sports an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB NVMe SSD, and a 60 Wh battery. Its premium sibling, the Ally X, steps up to an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, 24 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, along with an 80 Wh battery for extended sessions. Both models feature a 7-inch 120 Hz Full HD touchscreen with VRR support, contoured Xbox-style grips, and dedicated Xbox buttons for seamless navigation.

Launching during the 2025 holiday season, MSRP details are still pending, though early whispers suggest a range between €599–€799. Preorders and regional rollout plans will be revealed closer to launch. Both devices run Windows 11 with the new Xbox Full Screen Experience, which streamlines game discovery, cloud streaming, and remote play from your home console. You can play Halo Infinite straight from the cloud, jump into your Steam library, or even mirror your PlayStation 5 via Remote Play apps.

This open platform is what enables the cheeky twist: since Sony has released PC versions of its exclusives—God of War (2018) and God of War: Ragnarok—through Steam, Xbox Ally owners can download and play those epic action titles on a portable device for the first time. While performance will depend on settings and battery life, early reports confirm that both handhelds can run these blockbusters smoothly at 720p on the base model and up to 1080p on the Ally X.

Microsoft’s move positions the Xbox Ally line as direct competitors to Valve’s Steam Deck and Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2. By uniting Xbox Game Pass, cloud gaming, console remote play, and full PC flexibility, these handhelds blur the lines between traditionally siloed ecosystems. Critics note that while Sony hasn’t officially endorsed PlayStation remote play on non-PS hardware, the PC ports themselves are fully supported and updated, smoothing out any compatibility quirks.

As holiday 2025 approaches, the Xbox Ally duo promises to reshape portable gaming—offering not just Microsoft and PC titles, but also a backdoor into PlayStation’s most celebrated franchises. For gamers who’ve always wanted a single device to carry every library, Microsoft and ASUS just delivered a bold invitation: all aboard the party.