PlayStation veteran Shuhei Yoshida can’t get enough of his Xbox Ally — Ninja Gaiden 4 included

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Shuhei Yoshida, a long-time employee at PlayStation, recently shared a photo on X (formerly Twitter) of his new Asus ROG Ally X – a portable gaming device made in partnership with Xbox. He’s a well-respected figure in the gaming industry that more people should be aware of.

A veteran PlayStation executive didn’t simply share a picture; he specifically highlighted the Ally X handheld. He showcased both Xbox games – including the well-received Ninja Gaiden 4 – and a PlayStation game running on the device, demonstrating its capabilities.

This isn’t just about showing off a new device. Yoshida openly shared his detailed thoughts on the Xbox Ally X, covering everything from how it looks and feels to the screen and build quality, and whether he’d keep using it long-term.

For those unfamiliar, let’s quickly explain who Yoshida is and why his insights are valuable. We’ll also cover his thoughts on Xbox’s new handheld gaming console.

Shaping PlayStation from the inside: Yoshida’s legacy

As an analyst covering the gaming industry, I’ve always been impressed by Shuhei Yoshida’s career. He joined Sony long before the PlayStation was even a concept, becoming a key part of the original team in 1993 – remarkably, he was their first non-engineer! I understand he was crucial in building relationships with third-party developers, and actually secured titles like Ridge Racer and Tekken for the PlayStation’s 1994 launch. Considering SEGA and Nintendo were the dominant forces back then, his ability to convince developers to take a chance on Sony’s new console was truly instrumental in PlayStation’s early success.

He steadily advanced in his career, managing projects both within the company and externally. He produced several successful games, including Gran Turismo and Ape Escape. By 2000, he was Vice President of Product Development at Sony Computer Entertainment America, and helped the company grow significantly during the very popular PlayStation 2 era.

Yoshida played a vital role both during the challenging PlayStation 3 era and the incredible success of the PlayStation 4. In 2019, he left his position heading PlayStation Studios to dedicate himself to independent games, which included attending gaming events, helping smaller development teams, and promoting their games online.

After 31 years with PlayStation, he stepped down in January 2025, but remains very engaged in the gaming world. Yoshida continues to share his thoughts on new games and technology on X (formerly Twitter), covering everything from major Xbox releases to smaller, independent titles.

Testing Xbox’s Ally X: “Solid and clean” with a few Windows quirks

The launch of the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X has sparked online debate about whether they truly qualify as Xbox devices. While technically Windows PCs, Microsoft promotes and sells them as part of the Xbox family. Even PlayStation’s Yoshida chimed in on the discussion, playfully tweeting, “This is Xbox! (is actually a PC)” on X.

He later clarified that he’s been playing new Xbox games, like Ninja Gaiden 4, on the Xbox Ally X. When asked why he wasn’t playing on a PlayStation 5 Pro, he simply stated it was because he had a Game Pass for PC subscription.

Game Pass has faced some criticism recently because of a price increase, but it remains a great way to play new games and find titles you might not have discovered on your own. For Yoshida, this ease of access is clearly important.

He’s not limited to just Xbox games, though. He also shared a picture of Ghost of Tsushima – a game that used to be exclusive to PlayStation – running on the Xbox Ally X, which is a PC handheld. When asked for his thoughts on the device, Yoshida gave a surprisingly candid review.

The Steam Deck has some drawbacks. While I enjoy the Xbox Game Pass launcher and the device feels good to hold and performs well, the Windows-based Steam experience isn’t ideal. The screen is decent, but the buttons and overall build quality feel a little cheap and plastic.

Shuhei Yoshida on X (Formerly Twitter)

Many other users who’ve tried the Xbox Ally and Ally X have said the same thing: it’s a powerful and versatile device, but Windows isn’t always easy to use on a handheld console. Despite these issues, Yoshida continues to use it every day, stating:

It’s now my favorite portable gaming PC 🙂

Shuhei Yoshida on X (Formerly Twitter)

From PlayStation to Xbox, Yoshida just loves games

It’s tempting to get caught up in online arguments about which gaming console is best and criticize others for their choices. However, people like Yoshida show us that it really doesn’t matter. Gaming is a hobby meant for fun, relaxation, and enjoyment – not a reason to spread negativity or fight over brands.

All gaming platforms have their good and bad points, with some having more issues than others. Even with rising costs, problems with subscriptions, and worries about AI, the gaming world remains a creative and social space. Ultimately, gaming should be about bringing people together, encouraging discussion, inspiring new ideas, and creating lasting memories.

Yoshida gets that. Maybe more of us should, too.

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2025-10-21 18:41