Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been tracking early releases from the company, and it’s been interesting to see a mix of previews. They’ve shared some builds from their upcoming 24H2 and 25H2 releases, but also some experimental features that aren’t necessarily tied to any specific version. It gives a good look at what they’re exploring.
The team at Windows Central has had a chance to test both the Xbox Ally X and the standard Xbox Ally. Gaming editor Rebecca Spear reviewed both devices, with input from executive editor Jez Corden. She gave the higher-end Ally X a 4.5 out of 5, highlighting its comfortable design and ability to run demanding games like Final Fantasy 16. The regular Ally received a 4 out of 5, also praised for its comfort, but noted to have performance similar to the Steam Deck and a slightly shorter battery life.
I’m personally excited about the Xbox Ally X, but the price is currently too high for me.
Good news for those looking to buy one – both the Xbox Ally X and the standard Xbox Ally are scheduled to be released in most countries on October 16, 2025.
I got a chance to play a demo of Ambrosia Sky during Summer Game Fest 2025, and I was immediately impressed by the game’s unique world, which Soft Rains is building. I recently played another demo during Steam Next Fest, and it’s even better.
This new version includes several updates, most notably voice acting for the character Dalia. Her voice adds a lot of emotion to an already atmospheric game. It’s often subtle, but very effective, especially because Dalia is usually alone while trying to figure out what happened.
In the earlier demo from June, Dalia had access to many different sprayers, but this demo changes that. It introduces a skill tree that lets you upgrade those sprayers by collecting different types of fruit.
The Xbox app now shows which games work well on handheld devices, and this isn’t just for the Xbox handheld – both the Xbox handheld and other portable gaming devices can use this feature to easily see which games are best for on-the-go play.
Like all good portable gaming PCs, the Xbox Ally has a range of useful accessories. I’ve put together a list of the best accessories I use with my Xbox Ally and Ally X – things like portable power banks, microSD cards, and carrying cases. Honestly, these are great accessories for almost any PC gaming handheld, and I’ve confirmed they also work perfectly with the Lenovo Legion Go, Steam Deck, and the original ASUS ROG Ally.
Recently, dBrand announced a new case called Killswitch for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. It’s officially certified by Xbox and is available for purchase at Best Buy and on dBrand’s website.
The new video features Jens Bergensten, Mojang’s Chief Creative Officer, and Cory Scheviak, a Creative Lead. It’s a fun, short look at how Mojang is currently designing Minecraft, focusing on new features that create a good balance between challenge and benefit.
Battlefield 6 has been a hit with players who enjoy the series’ traditional team roles, impressive vehicles, and wide variety of weapons and equipment. However, the game still has some problems.
Microsoft is still developing its gaming system across different devices, and it’s been a long process. The Xbox PC store has faced a lot of criticism over the years, but it’s slowly getting better. Recently, Microsoft has significantly increased its focus on handheld gaming, and many of the improvements are first appearing on the new Xbox Ally and Ally X devices.
You’ll likely want to increase the storage space quickly, though. The standard Xbox Ally comes with 512GB of internal storage, while the Xbox Ally X offers a larger 1TB.