Asus ROG Xbox Ally Handhelds Earn Steam Deck Game Certification

Key Takeaways

1. The ROG Xbox Ally series will launch on October 16, 2025, featuring Ryzen Z2 Extreme and Z2 A gaming handhelds.
2. The Xbox Ally with Ryzen Z2 A is designed for 720p gaming, while the Xbox Ally X with Z2 Extreme targets 1080p gaming.
3. The handhelds are expected to run most games at frame rates between 30 FPS and 60 FPS.
4. Microsoft introduced a game certification program similar to the Steam Deck, with various performance tiers.
5. A new “handheld optimized” section will be added to the Xbox home screen to showcase games that meet specific performance criteria.

The ROG Xbox Ally series has finally announced its release date. As we reported earlier, the new Ryzen Z2 Extreme and Z2 A gaming handhelds are set to launch on October 16, 2025. Microsoft has not only showcased the devices again but also provided an in-depth look at them. In their latest video, the company introduced a game certification program that is quite similar to the one used by the Steam Deck.

Gaming Capabilities

In the video, the team explains that the Xbox Ally with the Ryzen Z2 A is designed for 720p gaming, whereas the Xbox Ally X with the Z2 Extreme is aimed at 1080p gaming. Thanks to the powerful iGPUs of these APUs, the gaming handhelds are expected to run most titles at frame rates between 30 FPS and 60 FPS.

Game Certification Program

To help users understand how well games will perform on these handhelds, the ROG Ally X series will feature a game certification program akin to that of the Steam Deck. Microsoft has outlined the various tiers for this certification.

In addition to the game performance certification, Microsoft has also introduced another label: “Handheld optimized.” This label is designated for games that meet specific criteria, such as:

New Features on Xbox Home Screen

Microsoft also notes that there will be a new “handheld optimized” section on the Xbox home screen. This section will display all games that satisfy the specified criteria. For more information about the new tags that will be introduced for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, be sure to check out the video linked below.

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