Pending its full test (in preparation), the ROG Ally will officially reveal all its secrets on May 11, the date chosen by Asus to detail the launch of its first portable video game console (under Windows 11). Arriving at Presse-citron a few days ago, this same ROG Ally obviously displays similarities with Valve’s Steam Deck, but also seems to be walking on the toes of a certain Nintendo, and its Switch.
Asus ROG Ally : la Nintendo Switch du “turfu” ?
A few days ago, we were invited by Asus to try the ROG Ally portable console. A nomadic gaming machine, under Windows 11, whose promise is to bring together in one place the favorite ecosystems of players. Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, Steam, GOG, Prime Gaming, GeForce Now, PS Plus, Luna… All these beautiful people can find their place within the Asus ROG Ally. Many of you are wondering about the size (and orientation) of this upcoming console compared to the Nintendo Switch, here are some answers and some comparative images with a Switch OLED model.
We tested the console that all gamers dream of (ROG ALLY) ? #asus #rogally #steamdeck #switch #gaming #steam #pc #video games #test #pressecitron pic.twitter.com/4CMIyrYC7p
— Presse-citron (@pressecitron) April 25, 2023
Obviously, due to its “PC” orientation, the Asus ROG Ally is in no way intended to compete directly with the Nintendo console. Its real competitor is Valve’s Steam Deck, or even the future Logitech G Cloud, the three machines being compatible with Steam games. Also, many are considering buying this ROG Ally in addition to their Nintendo Switch.
Both machines have a 7″ screen, a very similar button layout, including asymmetric sticks, with however a “real” directional cross for the ROG Ally © Lemon Squeezer
And for good reason, if the Nintendo Switch is limited to Nintendo games and certain third-party publishers, the ROG Ally is able to run almost all the other games on the market, including the biggest AAA ones.
Larger than the Nintendo Switch, the ROG Ally is adorned with “triggers”, like on an Xbox controller. On the top, we find the power button, the volume control, the USB-C socket and the XG Mobile port, not to mention a microSD port and a jack socket. Two fans are also responsible for rejecting the internal heat to the top of the machine. © Lemon squeezer
You can thus play your favorite Nintendo games on Switch, and enjoy more technically impressive titles, on ROG Ally, the machine being able to run titles like Death Stranding, Elden Ring, Star Wars Fallen Order / Jedi Survivor or even Cyberpunk 2077, natively as in streaming, and with a display quality far superior to the Nintendo console.
At the bottom of the Nintendo Switch, the USB-C port, but no connection under the ROG Ally. © Lemon squeezer
No OLED screen for the ROG Ally no, but a 7″ IPS touch panel of excellent quality despite everything, and which allows you to display an image in Full HD 1080p (compared to 720p for the Switch), with the added possibility of to climb to 120 Hz. Also note that the ROG Ally has a small directional cross, quite compact, very similar to that of a certain… Game Gear.
No removable foot for the Asus ROG Ally, which is however supplied with a small accessory to keep the console in “tabletop” mode. Convenient ! © Lemon squeezer
Admittedly, in terms of handling, the ROG Ally is more imposing than the Nintendo Switch. Thicker, wider, heavier (608 grams at Asus against 420 grams at Nintendo), the ROG Ally is a real mini-PC under Windows 11, with a technical sheet very (very) much higher than the Nintendo console.
Despite everything, the ergonomics are very pleasant, with a well thought-out design at the level of the “handles” (vibrating moreover), without forgetting a feeling that is also very pleasant, very Xboxien, at the different buttons. In this regard, the ROG Ally has two additional buttons on the back, which the user can configure as he wishes. Nice.
© Lemon squeezer
A console complementary to the Nintendo Switch?
As mentioned above, ROG Ally has no intention of replacing your Nintendo Switch, and aims more to complement the hybrid experience offered by Nintendo, by offering a new range of games not available on Switch, and of a quality very (very) vastly superior technique. It can also be complementary to a PS5 and/or an Xbox Series, making it playable “on the go” the majority of AAA games available on both consoles.
© Lemon squeezer
Impossible indeed not to feel a crazy pleasure (and even a certain amazement) concerning the fact of playing Death Stranding or Elden Ring, on a “console portable“, while maintaining such playing comfort and visual quality.
Drink tea from a Mega Man mug while playing Death Stranding, ex-exclusive PlayStation, on a portable console signed Asus, all from Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass ?
KAMOULOX!!!#DeathStranding #ASUSROGALLY #ROGAlly pic.twitter.com/8qJiUrCB2r
— Stéphane Ficca (@StephaneFicca) May 4, 2023
Obviously, in addition to its size and its power, it will also be necessary to judge this ROG Ally on its practical side on a daily basis, on the integration of the Windows 11 environment and what this implies (for good or bad), but also on its autonomy, a point that already raises many concerns among players.
© Lemon squeezer
All of this will obviously be discussed in detail in the full test of this Asus ROG Ally console, which will be available very soon in the columns of Presse-citron. In a few days, the manufacturer will also detail its official launch, with its availability date, but also the price of this machine which is already the dream of many gamers. So stay connected!
