Not least because the ROG Xbox Ally will also let you download apps for Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store, among other digital shopfronts, and you'll theoretically be able to enjoy games across those libraries seamlessly, though I'm not sure yet whether they'll be marked with the same performance badges as native Xbox games.

Microsoft announced Wednesday during Gamescom 2025 that not only will its Xbox Ally handhelds be released on October 16, but the company is spinning up a new initiative to support optimized gaming on these devices called the Handheld Compatibility Program.

Asus and Xbox have introduced a ROG Ally Certified program that will help players discern what will work on the upcoming handheld, and what won't.

Analyst firm Omdia predicts that the handheld PC market will grow significantly in 2025 with consumers purchasing 2.3 million handhelds in the year.

Still, 2025 is a very different time from 2022. Nintendo is back with a vengeance, and there are more powerful handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally. Even Xbox is looking to get in on the action, so if you’ve not picked up a Steam Deck as of yet, have you missed your chance, especially as rumors swirl of a Steam Deck 2?

( NewsNation) — Global sales of PC gaming handhelds, including Valve’s Steam Deck, are projected to reach 2.3 million units this year, according to new research from Omdia. That would mark a 32% increase from last year, when 1.7 million devices were sold. Omdia forecasts yearly sales will grow to 4.7 million by 2029.

New Omdia research reveals 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds, including the Steam Deck, will be sold globally in 2025. This will represent growth of 32% from 2024, when 1.7 million units were sold. Omdia forecasts 4.