I missed having Xbox Remote Play on my ROG Ally — but then I found my Steam Deck can do it even better

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For over a year now, I’ve been raving about the game-changing experience of using the ROG Ally X for Xbox Remote Play in my handheld setup. Recently, I gave the Steam Deck’s equivalent app a spin, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the ROG Ally X for me.

I chose not to proceed with it for two reasons. First, it was a paid application, which made me hesitant. Second, I ultimately decided to purchase an ROG Ally instead.

After my ROG Ally stopped working, I found myself yearning for Xbox Remote Play once more. So, I revisited the situation, downloaded the Steam Deck app, and fully immersed myself in it. Now, I can’t help but wonder why I didn’t make the switch sooner, because on the Steam Deck with this app, it’s just fantastic.

XBPlay is a phenomenal app to use on the Steam Deck

XBPlay is a paid application that won’t break the bank, offering a free trial period so you can test it out before making a purchase. While it wasn’t specifically designed for the Steam Deck, you’ll notice it was initially built with keyboard and mouse in mind, with some menus reflecting this. However, it functions smoothly whether you use the trackpads or the touchscreen.

On the Steam Deck, there are several adjustable settings, but not all are beneficial. The most significant enhancement lies in enhancing the visual clarity, however, you can’t utilize FSR because, generally speaking, your Xbox’s native resolution will surpass that of the Steam Deck’s screen. Unless you have a strong dislike for yourself, this is the case.

You could utilize a sharpener instead, which noticeably outperforms the built-in remote play offered by Windows natively on the ROG Ally, in my opinion. Additionally, XBPlay provides an option to compare the performance side by side with and without the sharpener applied. On my network, it’s evident that this enhancement yields a significant improvement.

Despite some initial issues with sharpening, I believe the functionality is generally more dependable. Whenever I’ve utilized Xbox Remote Play with its built-in feature, I’ve encountered troubles with network buffering and diminished visual sharpness. My network isn’t particularly advanced, but it’s equipped with Wi-Fi 6E mesh that covers the entire house.

After three weeks of intensive use, XBPlay hasn’t encountered any issues yet. Apart from occasional hiccups, its performance seems more stable and clear. I no longer possess an ROG Ally, but when testing remote play from a Windows laptop in the same house, XBPlay on my Steam Deck consistently outperforms it.

It’s quite surprising, really, since the Wi-Fi performance in the Steam Deck is actually inferior to that of the ROG Ally or my regular laptops. Despite my attempts, I haven’t been able to figure out why a non-native solution works better. Honestly, I think I need a little more brainpower for that one!

XBPlay is excellent, and I find myself strongly considering utilizing it instead of the native remote play feature on my Windows devices.

Cloud gaming deserves recognition as well, since XBPlay excels at this function. Unlike other services that merely open a web page, XBPlay integrates the games within its own user interface and launches them from there.

XBPlay is great because it enables you to incorporate Xbox cloud games into your Steam collection. This integration will display appropriate artwork and create a shortcut in the non-Steam section of your library on the Steam Deck. From there, you can launch the game just as you would any other title.

It’s just another little touch that makes it such a great app to use.

I use a handheld for remote play more now than ever before

The Steam Deck, a portable device that I adore, is truly amazing. However, it has limitations in terms of power, and as games generally become more complex over time, it’s starting to show its age. When I’m away from home or playing less demanding games, using it locally works well. Yet, as games grow more demanding, I find myself relying more on remote play.

In this scorching short British summer, it’s particularly convenient to avoid spending excess time in the office. Rather than overheating while gaming at my desktop or Xbox, I can now relax on the living room sofa, which is significantly cooler. From there, I can enjoy gaming using my Steam Deck without a sweat!

Recently, I’ve been spending more time playing games not saved on my Steam Deck than those that are. However, I can’t switch to devices like the Logitech G Cloud or Razer Edge because I occasionally venture outside. Yet, I can still enjoy Spider-Man on a Steam Deck.

With the employment of XBPlay, I am now missing out on just one characteristic on my portable Windows device – Xbox Game Pass. However, at least I can stream Game Pass games when I’m in my residential area.

Currently, you have an opportunity to purchase XBPlay from Steam at a price of $6.99. Despite not having fully explored all its features, I can confidently say that, in terms of essential functions alone, this app is one of the best investments I’ve made for my Steam Deck.

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2025-06-26 16:39