TechGaming24 hours with the Asus ROG Ally: Gaming on the go just got goodFor gamers looking for a hardcore, portable solution, this is going to ROG your worldWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechGaming24 hours with the Asus ROG Ally: Gaming on the go just got goodFor gamers looking for a hardcore, portable solution, this is going to ROG your worldWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
For gamers looking for a hardcore, portable solution, this is going to ROG your world
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
One of my favourite tech products ever is the PSP. I remember as a kid, having the original model, and being able to get a pretty decentPlayStationexperience on the move. But we’ve come a long way since then.
Nowadays, hardcore gaming setups look more like a console from the Starship Enterprise draped in RGB lighting. They’re powerful computing monsters with copious amounts of power for running CPU- and GPU-intensive games without losing quality.
Now, with theAsus ROG Ally, that kind of power is distilled into a handheld package. Of course, it’s not the first time we’ve seen this kind of thing. TheNintendo Switchis an incredibly popular handheld gaming device, while theSteam Deckwas the first attempt at a portable device capable of full-on PC gaming.
The ROG Ally, though, looks set to dominate the field. It packs a mean spec sheet, which dwarfs the competition – my colleague quipped that it makes the Steam Deck look like a calculator. I’ve had the pleasure of using the Ally for the last 24 hours, and this is what I think so far.
Asus ROG Ally: Price and Release Date
TheAsusROG Ally was officially unveiled on the 11th of May 2023, after several weeks of information being released. The device was available to pre-order straight away on the ROG site, with Currys also carrying the device in the UK. Their pre-order window doesn’t begin until the 16th of May, though.
The Asus ROG Ally is priced at £699 in the UK.
Asus ROG Ally: Design
First things first, this is a gorgeous device. It really effectively balances looking gamer-centric with generally looking sleek and impressive. It’s also been well engineered to feel comfortable in use, and I can report that it’s paid off. The sculpted ends feel great in the hand, and it’s lightweight enough to never cause fatigue on longer sessions.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
It is big though – much larger than I expected. That’s to be expected when you’ve got a whopping 7-inch display, though. It’s certainly not cumbersome, either.
The control layout features a left and right joystick, withXboxstyle ABXY buttons on the right and a D-pad on the left. There are bumpers and triggers on the left and right, too, with a extra bumper on each side on the back of the device. The screen is also fully touchscreen, if you have any games that work in that format.
Asus ROG Ally: Performance
First impressions of the ROG Ally are strong. After what felt like an eternity downloading a handful of titles to test it with, I jumped into a few favourites to see how it held up.
I kicked things off with a session onFootball Manager. Okay, it’s not the most exciting or intensive game for this kind of platform, but it’s the one I’m most familiar with. General impressions were good. It’s a little clunky trying to play without a mouse and keyboard, but it’s nothing that a quick remap couldn’t fix.
In Desktop mode, the right joystick is used to move the cursor and pressing the joystick acts as a left click. I mapped the other joystick to right click, and added scrolling on the D-pad, with a bumper to press the space bar. All of the remapping was effortless on the device menu.
Next up, I pulled upGrand Theft Auto V. This was much more intensive than the previous title, and I braced myself for a less than stellar experience. To my surprise, though, it was faultless.
No drop-outs or lagging were found here, with a consistent frame rate that made the whole thing feel like I was playing on aPS5or a proper PC setup. Haptics also made this game feel great, with realistic vibrations feeding back what was happening on screen.
In fact, the only slight niggle was on the software side. The device offers both Controller and Desktop modes for gaming, allowing you to either use the joysticks and ABXY buttons or the cursor, depending on which was more suited to your title of choice.
When playing this game, the system struggled with cutscenes, changing between the two control modes and leaving you unable to move your character after the scene ends. It’s a quick fix, but it’s still annoying, and something that can hopefully be rectified or improved in a software patch.
Asus ROG Ally: Early Verdict
As mentioned earlier, I’ve only had the pleasure of 24 hours in the ROG Ally’s company, so I haven’t yet been able to dive into the full scope of its capabilities. But my early impression is a positive one.
Overall, the system is fully capable of playing intensive titles with a proper console-esque experience. That’s no mean feat, and something that should definitely be praised.
It’s comfortable, easy to use and fully immersive, too. Expect a fuller review in the coming days, once I’ve had a chance to really dig into it.
Today’s best ASUS ROG Ally deals$499.99View$499.99View$803.82ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best ASUS ROG Ally deals$499.99View$499.99View$803.82ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best ASUS ROG Ally deals
$499.99View$499.99View$803.82View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
$803.82View
$803.82View
$803.82View
$803.82
$803.82
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSasusplaystation
TOPICS
How to watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and what to expectWe should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
We should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
A fitness expert says you only need this three minute mobility routine to improve your posture – so I tried itWas three minutes really enough to ease stiffness in my shoulders, neck and hips?
Was three minutes really enough to ease stiffness in my shoulders, neck and hips?
I’m finally playing a game that makes my PS5 Pro feel worth itKingdom Come: Deliverance II is a visual powerhouse
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a visual powerhouse
Forget your steam decks, Asus just updated its powerful gaming tabletThe Asus ROG Flow Z13 gets a big update for 2025, making it the ultimate gaming all-in-one
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 gets a big update for 2025, making it the ultimate gaming all-in-one
PS Portal gets a stealthy upgrade, now I’m finally going to have to buy oneThe handheld now comes in a stunning black
The handheld now comes in a stunning black
Should I buy the PS5 Pro? Six weeks into ownership, here’s my honest opinionIt’s a complicated question, and I’ve got thoughts
It’s a complicated question, and I’ve got thoughts
Nintendo Switch 2 could end the console wars forever, claim expertsEither Sony or Microsoft could be forced to withdraw
Either Sony or Microsoft could be forced to withdraw
PSVR2 just got a game-changing update, but Sony’s keeping quiet about itHand tracking will change the way you play, but Sony’s hardly mentioned it
Hand tracking will change the way you play, but Sony’s hardly mentioned it
I sold my PS5 to upgrade to the PS5 Pro and it might have been a mistakeDo I regret it? Ask me again in six months…
Do I regret it? Ask me again in six months…
PlayStation Portal just got a game-changing free updateTurns it into one of the best gaming handhelds around
Turns it into one of the best gaming handhelds around
