ROG Xbox Ally Handhelds: Great Games to Play Right Away
The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X arrive tomorrow, October 16 – and if you already play with Xbox on PC, own an Xbox console, have a Game Pass subscription, or play games on other leading PC storefronts, you’ll almost certainly have a gaming library waiting for you as soon as you boot it up.
With the Xbox Ally handhelds, and the aggregated gaming library, thousands of games will be available to play from day one. For extra flexibility, you can play natively, via the cloud (where available), or via Remote Play from your Xbox console anywhere in your home.
But with so much choice, where to begin? Let us provide some suggestions – we’ve put together a (very non-comprehensive) list of some of our favorite games that are Handheld Optimized or Mostly Compatible (learn more about the Handheld Compatibility Program here), giving confidence that games will play well on your handheld. Even better, with the majority of games available as Xbox Play Anywhere titles, a single purchase means you can play with Xbox right away, including your progress and achievements.
This list is made up of games you can play right now, but there’s so much more to come. In the coming months, you’ll be able to use your Xbox Ally to try out the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Ninja Gaiden 4, and many more. If you’re looking for more tips on getting the most out of your new Xbox Ally, we’ve compiled a list here.
Balatro
Playstack Ltd
$14.99
$11.99
Balatro
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Starting with a standard 52-card deck and trying to assemble the highest scoring poker hands you can, this roguelike deckbuilder quickly spirals into an addictive score chase. Change the number of your cards, add powerful modifiers to your deck, and discover a tableau of game-changing jokers that radically alter your strategy as you reach for exponentially higher scores. With endless mode, multiple difficulty stakes, and special challenges to master, Balatro is a perfect handheld game that will have you squeezing in runs wherever and whenever you can.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
Bethesda Softworks
$69.99
$55.99
Doom: The Dark Ages
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Game Pass
Launch the Slayer! Step into the blood-stained boots of the Doom Slayer in the critically acclaimed Doom: The Dark Ages. As the super weapon of gods and kings, players shred enemies with devastating medieval-inspired weaponry, take flight atop a fierce Mecha Dragon and pilot a 30-story Atlan mech as they wage war through epic battlefields and never-before-seen realms. And now you can take Doom: The Dark Ages on the go via handheld, so whether you’re commuting or couch surfing, the Slayer’s legend travels with you.
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake
SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere
Square Enix’s HD-2D-ification of the renowned Dragon Quest III not only looks and feels great in 2025, it’s also a perfect game for RPG fans on the go. The turn-based nature of Dragon Quest III means you won’t need to panic during battle if there are interruptions on the bus, or if you need to look away from the screen while playing on the sofa. Plus, the Xbox Ally’s spectacular speakers pair perfectly with a captivating orchestral soundtrack. Once you’ve defeated the villainous Archfiend Baramos and saved the world, look towards the imminently upcoming Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake on October 30 for more portable-friendly HD-2D goodness.
Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
$59.99
$47.99
Forza Horizon 5
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Forza Horizon 5 is another perfect choice for the Xbox Ally handhelds, offering fast-paced driving action through impeccable landscapes. Speed through sun-baked dunes, drift by dazzling coastlines and cruise through lush jungles in in the driving seat of some of the world’s greatest cars. Built to offer a smooth, realistic driving experience and the perfect road trip fantasy, Forza Horizon 5 is a gorgeous adventure for both hardcore car lovers and casual drivers alike, offering a thrilling escape, wherever you are in the real world.
Gears of War: Reloaded
Xbox Game Studios
$39.99
$29.99
Gears of War: Reloaded
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
This remaster is already a new way to revisit a classic, but what about a new way to do that? With so many memories already tied up in this game, it’s a genuine wonder to do it on a handheld – and Gears of War’s frenetic combat feel instantly at home in the smaller format, short and distinct enough to make that “just one more grub” feeling a legitimate thrill while you’re out and about.
Hogwarts Legacy
Warner Bros. Games
$69.99
$55.99
Hogwarts Legacy
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Open world games lend themselves wonderfully to handheld play – if you’re offered total freedom, your choice of how to spend your time is also up to you. Hogwarts Legacy, broken down not just by quests, but by day-night cycles, and even school lessons, is perfectly primed to make the most of those quick bursts on an Xbox Ally. Take a break to soar around the open world on a Hippogriff, enjoy a stroll through the Forbidden Forest, or pop by the Room of Requirement to top up your potions – Hogwarts Legacy and Xbox Ally are a perfect fit.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Team Cherry
$19.99
$17.99
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Explore and fight your way through the mysterious bug kingdom of Pharloom as the lethal hunter Hornet, in Hollow Knight: Silksong. This hotly-anticipated sequel to the genre-revitalizing metroidvania, Hollow Knight, is even bigger than its predecessor and dripping with just as much atmosphere and charm. Expand and master Hornet’s acrobatic move-set as you uncover Pharloom’s secrets and face its fierce foes and tricky platforming challenges. The genre has a storied history with handhelds, and Silksong is no different — there’s always another little corner of the map to uncover or tricky arena to clear whenever you pick up and play.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Bethesda Softworks
$69.99
$55.99
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
A globe-trotting adventure might not immediately spring to mind as a perfect handheld game, but MachineGames’ masterful take on the Indiana Jones franchise is replete with hidden puzzles, side-quests, and sequences of pure exploration. It makes for a perfect use of Play Anywhere – tackle some smaller objectives while you’re out and about, reap the rewards, and then switch to your big screen at home to take on the next main story beat.
Minecraft for Windows
Microsoft Studios
Minecraft
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Game Pass
Minecraft has endured as one of the richest sandboxes ever made, and its array of regular updates combined with the ultimate freedom to build whatever you can dream up makes for a fresh, creative experience every time. Whether you’re on a solo adventure or building with friends online, the only limits in Minecraft are your imagination, and perhaps uncontested access to the living room TV – but on a handheld, you don’t even need to worry about that!
Monster Train 2
Big Fan Games
$24.99
$19.99
Monster Train 2
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Like the best card games, Monster Train 2 takes a simple concept – a ‘Magic: The Gathering’-like battler set across three vertical rooms – and uses wildly differing mechanics to blow it up into a game of dazzling complexity. With a huge variety of hero cards (each with their own distinct decks) and a constantly gratifying progression system, this has slowly but surely taken up literal days of our playtime since release this year. Its relatively short runs, and constant avenues offering something new to try, make for a natural handheld game.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Xbox Game Studios
$29.99
$9.89
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
From Moon Studios, the acclaimed developers behind Ori and the Blind Forest, comes an enchanting sequel that reunites us with the little spirit Ori – joined now by the owlet Ku. The critically acclaimed Ori and the Will of the Wisps was nominated for multiple Game of the Year awards the year it was released, thanks to its tightly crafted platforming, beautiful, orchestrated score, and delightful art design that brought its exotic world to life — it continues to resonate with gamers all these years later.
Persona 4 Golden
SEGA
$19.99
$15.99
Persona 4 Golden
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
It’s no surprise this flashy Atlus JRPG fares so well on the Xbox Ally – it was originally designed for portable play. Persona 4 Golden delivers everything that’s made the series a global hit: a fast-paced, yet strategic battle system, and a soundtrack that you’ll be humming for… potentially the rest of your life. It’s not all style and no substance; Persona 4 Golden delivers a compelling story that could last you on a trip around the world – and back again.
The Rogue Prince of Persia
Ubisoft
The Rogue Prince of Persia
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Game Pass
In The Rogue Prince of Persia, agility is your greatest asset. In this latest challenging entry in the acclaimed series that continues its return to its platforming roots, you’ll step once again into the shoes of the Prince (and his many acrobatic abilities) to fight back against the evil chief, Nogai, and his army of haunted soldiers. With roguelite elements that allow you to rewind fate, you’ll have to master fluid, acrobatic combat, as well as wall-running parkour abilities, as you explore the kingdom of Clesiphon to right your wrongs – or die trying.
South of Midnight
Xbox Game Studios
$39.99
$31.99
South of Midnight
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Explore the magic and mythos of the Deep South in South of Midnight, a gothic folklore adventure with a fantasy twist. As Hazel, you’ll wield an ancient power known as weaving to fight Haints, mend spirits, and confront your family’s hidden past. With its mesmerizing surroundings, approachable combat and rich levels, this whimsical action-adventure is a perfect story to chew on during a cozy afternoon or a long journey.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Activision Publishing Inc.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Mostly Compatible, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
The classic two-minute Career Mode runs of Tony Hawk games make this a perfect fit for your Xbox Ally on the go – long enough to let you rack up points, smash S-K-A-T-E challenges, and beat your last score, but short enough that you’ll never miss your next stop. And for longer sessions, it’s the perfect chance to hit Free Skate and go exploring, working out new ways to up the ante next time you go up against the timer.
Vampire Survivors
Poncle
$4.99
$3.99
Vampire Survivors
Handheld Optimized, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass
Not many games can say they meaningfully contributed to a new genre but this “reverse bullet hell shooter” has a serious claim. Vampire Survivors builds an entire game out of using just the left thumbstick, pitting your tiny Survivor against thousands of enemies each run – pick up upgrades and weaponry as you go, with your character spewing increasingly apocalyptic firepower over the course of short, action-packed runs. It’s the kind of game you can squeeze into a bus ride, or sit back at home and play for hours on end.
For a list of Handheld Optimized and Mostly Compatible games, see here.
For a list of Handheld Optimized games, see here.
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