Topic: Handheld Gaming with Xbox Game Pass

As we near release - its due next week, here is an updated review after 1 month of use.

I know there are other PC based devices out or coming out, but this seems to be the one to beat.

I don't have a Steam account so don't have a Library of Steam games, but I have been with Xbox since the OG Xbox released so I do have a Library of 'Xbox' games, some of which maybe 'Play Anywhere' games too. I also have no experience with Linux, but used Windows since the 80's so this appeals to me more than Steam Deck. I don't know how easy/difficult it would be to use Game Pass PC on the Steam Deck - so I have my RoG Ally pre-ordered.

Its good to see that updates have already improved the Performance. Battery Life isn't really a concern as I don't tend to play games without being 'near' to Plug Sockets and if I did, there are thousands of 'old' games that won't drain the battery to play.

With the RTX4090 Dock, it could replace my Series X - although it should at the price...

Anyway, as we don't have a topic for Handheld PC Gaming to take advantage of Game Pass Ultimate specifically, play Xbox games locally, not have to rely on Cloud and the 'small' selection of games you can play on Xbox Cloud, I thought this would be a good thread to discuss Hardware and our options as it seems there are numerous options available (or coming soon).

I am wondering if it is possible to play Gamepass PC games offline. I allways thought any GP game required a online connection at all times but two days ago my Xbox was not managing to connect (probably some maintenance on Xbox side) but I was hapilly surprised when the game I was playing launched and kept my progress. Not sure it goes the same for PC.

@BAMozzy I think it is a great thread!

On the topic at hand, I bought a Steam Deck in february, and it is great if you have a Steam Account. I have some games there, mostly retro ones (like the PS2 era Prince of Persia games, Killer7, the Legacy of Kain games, etc.).

I tried to use xCloud on there, and it was...nice, I guess.

But, even if I followed the instructions on MS page about how to use xCloud on the Deck, I think I made something wrong, because I had some issues with the controller input. That, and the fact that my internet connection is very, veeery slow, I couldn't get to an "ideal" scenario where I can play via xCloud on the Steam Deck.

So, I am looking forward to reading your impressions when you get your ASUS ROG Ally and how it plays GP games!

@HarmanSmith The Asus Rog Ally is tempting me. It runs Windows so ready for Xbox Play Anywhere games and for emulators. Emudeck is being developed for Windows, too. It also has a great cooling system.

@HarmanSmith My RoG Ally has just been delivered. I have opened the box and 'held' the unit ONLY - not yet turned the device on as I don't have time to go through the set-up and log in to everything to start any downloading of games to try. I had just enough time to get an idea of the weight, the feel of the unit and the controls.

Coming from an Elite V2 as my 'favourite' controller - with a 'high' right Thumbstick (better for more aiming control), both feel small on the Asus but otherwise seem OK. The grip is a lot flatter too so doesn't fit the hand quite as well, but its not uncomfortable or unusable, just not as bulbous or as sculpted, with a much slimmer profile - inc the Thumbsticks to what I am most 'comfortable' with. The weight is more noticeable at nearly 'double' the weight when I picked it up too but its lighter than a Switch or other Win11 options. My initial impression is it feels 'OK', not 'uncomfortable' but not as 'optimum' as my Elite. I'll get round to testing it for gaming and long term gaming comfort.

I haven't yet received the Official Case - its due this week or early next week and I have also ordered the RoG XG Mobile RTX4090 external GPU. I know its only the Mobile (Laptop) version and limited on Power draw, but it should help when docking my RoG Ally to my 4K TV and boosting games to 4k with the ability to use DLSS3.0 and its RT cores. However, that isn't due for at least another week or so.

I probably won't get much opportunity to set it up and get started until later today at the earliest but my initial impression is that if feels Solid and well made. Not the 'most' comfortable as the 'slim' design doesn't fill the hand as well, but its not 'uncomfortable', nothing digs in despite its angled look. Overall, my first impression is very positive.

I'll update as I test more. I want to see if the 4090 too could deliver Starfield at Series X 4k PQ (or better) but at 60fps+. Even test whether I can get 60fps on Handheld - even if I have to use it plugged in instead of Battery to get the 'best' turbo mode to do it. Obviously I won't know until September, but these are things I want to look at in the near future.