In an unexpected turn of events, one fortunate European gamer got their hands on the ROG Ally X handheld console a full two weeks before its official release, all thanks to an Amazon France shipping error. Microsoft had opened preorders for both the ROG Xbox Ally X and the standard ROG Xbox Ally on September 25th, with some retailers quickly selling out.
The lucky individual, known as TechnicalFun77 on Reddit, initially shared their detailed first impressions, which were overwhelmingly positive, before inexplicably deleting their account.
“It’s a good console,” TechnicalFun77 remarked, praising its “very good ergonomics” and “controlled weight,” making it a “pretty nice handheld.” They also highlighted the Armory Crate’s highly responsive full-screen experience, smooth menu navigation, and impressive battery life, even at higher wattage (17-25w). A standout feature was its remarkably quiet operation and excellent cooling under heavy load. The audio quality also left a strong impression: “One of the main strengths is the sound of the device. It feels like the sounds are going all around my head, I almost don’t need headphones.”
In a follow-up, the user mentioned that the ROG Xbox Ally’s joysticks closely resemble those of the Xbox One. However, the sleep/resume function, while improved over standard Windows, was noted as “quite inconsistent” when compared to the Steam Deck.
The ROG Xbox Ally X is priced at $1,000 USD, while the standard ROG Xbox Ally is available for $600. Preorders are still open at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Asus, with the official release date set for October 16th.
In related news, Microsoft will be increasing its Xbox console prices in the US on Friday, October 3rd. The Xbox Series S will see a bump from $380 to $400, and the Xbox Series X 1TB model will go from $600 to $650.