Currently, I am constantly fascinated by the space of portable computers and Xbox ally marks a turning point in the future. Trying to combine the sincere, casual nature of Xbox gaming with the raw power of an Asus portable gaming console, there’s a lot to like about it. But you really have to spend $600 or $1,000 to enjoy it ROG Xbox Allygreatest feature? The answer is no, because the up-to-date Armory Crate update will suffice.
One of the biggest benefits of ROG Xbox Ally is that it unifies all the gaming experiences you can load onto your mobile device. From the Steam library to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate downloads, the combination of a better fullscreen experience and Armory Crate improvements is something Microsoft is proud to show off. Fortunately, Asus will be rolling out an Armory Crate update starting Monday, October 13, 2025, according to ROGAllylife, which brings this experience to ROG Ally Z1e and ROG Ally X.
This update also brings the Xbox Game Bar app to Armory Crate. Other features include the option to sync performance modes within the app, dedicated titles for each setting you want to tinker with in the app, and a less intrusive and overall more polished experience. It displays more smoothly over the game, rather than having to launch a sluggish application to display every game currently installed on your laptop. For me, the highlight is the revamped Command Center screen, which makes switching between settings and games faster than ever.
With Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally I’m glad to see these features coming to Asus’ two previous handhelds, as I was initially concerned that they might be hidden away to encourage people to buy Xbox Ally instead. We’ll soon clarify whether this update is compatible with older ROG Ally models pre-Z1e. Either way, you can see my opinion on the upcoming model in my Xbox Ally X preview.
Asus ROG Ally Z1e is my favorite portable console. I jumped ship on the Steam Deck a year after launch not because it’s a bad platform (it’s actually great), but because the games I want to play require more power. Thanks to last year’s Christmas discounts at Argos, Z1e brings me Finals updates wherever I am.
This is even useful when writing on the go, as most of my Gamescom announcements are posted directly from the device. However, the Armory Crate is the console’s fatal weakness. I hate using this tool – until now.
If the high price of Xbox Ally isn’t for you, don’t worry. Be sure to check out our guides to the best gaming tablets or the best Steam Deck alternatives you can get right now.
