ROG Ally ROG Ally

Gaming

ROG Ally Hands-On: Light, white, ready to fight

Handheld gaming goodness

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The ROG Ally is now official. ASUS’s handheld PC gaming console has been a hot topic for gamers leading up to its launch. We’ve had the privilege to try the ROG Ally for a little less than a day and here’s what we think of it so far. 

But first, Unboxing!

Inside the box are: 

  • ROG Ally
  • 65W PD Adapter
  • Proof of purchase, user guide, and warranty 
  • Cardboard stand

Light, white, ready to fight

The ROG Ally tips the scales at 608g. Seems hefty but ASUS did a good job with weight distribution that you don’t really feel it as much. It certainly feels like something you can use for a couple of hours without feeling strain on your hands.

The reason why it’s white is because of the polycarbonate material that they used which is naturally white. ASUS opted not to paint over it to not put on any more unnecessary weight.

The sides curve to the edges to make it easy to hold. You’ll have no trouble reaching the left and right sticks, directional pad, and face buttons. The triggers are also easy to reach but it feels a little tougher to get to the shoulder buttons. Perhaps, it just takes some getting used to.

You also have extra triggers at the bottom of the device. These are also easy to reach and can be assigned any function based on whatever you’re playing. 

As for the buttons themselves, they feel durable and tactile. I could use a little bit more click on the shoulders, but overall, have no complaints. 

Windows + Armoury Crate SE

ROG Ally

The true pain point of this thing is how Windows 11 is not at all optimized for this kind of device. Setting up and signing in to your accounts to get to your games can get a little bit cumbersome.

ASUS’ Armoury Crate software tries to help out with this, but even its “Desktop Mode” for its controllers doesn’t work as well as we hope. Thankfully, the gorgeous 1080p display is touchscreen making it a little easier to navigate the tiny Windows screen that you have to work with. 

Microsoft is reportedly already working on a version of Windows that supports this particular form factor. Anyone trying the ROG Ally right now will tell you that it can’t come soon enough. 

The sooner they can get something like Steam’s Big Picture mode running, the better for every manufacturer looking into making this kind of device. 

All your games, all the time

Speaking of Steam, the ROG Ally does deliver on the promise of making all of your PC games available to you all the time. When you fire it up, Armoury Crate launches right away. From there, you can access both Steam and the Xbox Game Pass Apps right away.

Like Windows, launching and moving around the Xbox Game Pass app isn’t intuitive. Microsoft really has their work cutout for them in developing a Windows Handheld mode. 

What’s interesting is that launching Steam takes you directly to Steam Deck mode. In fact, the app thinks you’re using a Steam Deck, even showing ‘Verified’ tags for games that have been tested to work well on Valve’s own handheld console. 

In our limited time so far, we’ve played Dragon Ball FighterZ and NBA 2K22 on Steam. On Xbox Game Pass, we tried Hi-Fi Rush and Doom Eternal. That’s a couple of hours jumping through four games, but all of them ran well. There was no noticeable screen tearing or hiccups. That’s a testament to both the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Chip as well as the multiple display tech meant to help run games smoothly. 

We’ll have more detailed tests on the review. 

Oh and the front-firing speakers sound great. So good that I didn’t mind watching the “No Return” fancam of LE SSERAFIM Chaewon on it. 🫶🏼

ROG Ally Specs 

Some of it has been leaked, but here’s the actual, official specs of the ROG Ally.  

Model 

RC71L

CPU AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Processor 

  • 4nm 
  • Zen 4/ 6 cores & 12 threads 
  • 22M cache 
  • CPU Clock: up to 4.90 GHz 

AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme Processor 

      • 4nm 
      • Zen 4/ 8 core & 16 threads  
      • 24M cache 
      • CPU Clock: up to 5.10 Ghz 
      • TDP: 9 – 30 watts
GPU With AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Config: 

  • AMD Radeon™ Graphics 
  • RDNA 3 & 4G RAM capacity/ 2.8 Tflops 
  • 4 CU 
  • GPU clock: 2.5GHz 

With AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Config: 

  • AMD Radeon™ Graphics 
  • RDNA3 & 4G RAM capacity / 8.6 TFlops 
  • 12 CU 
  • GPU Clock: 2.7GHz
Panel Full HD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz / 7 ms eDP1.4b, 500 nits, IPS-panel, 100%  sRGB, FreeSync™ Premium, Gorilla® Glass Victus™ and Gorilla® Glass DXC,  10-point Touchscreen 

Gyro support

Memory  16GB (LPDDR5 6400Mhz) dual channel LPDDR5 8GBx2 on board  memory
Audio  2 x 1W speakers with smart amp technology, Dolby Atmos®, Hi-Res Audio,  AI Noise Cancellation
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth  WiFi 6E (802.11ax) / Bluetooth® v5.2 
Storage M.2 NVMe 2230 Gen4x4 SSD 256GB (for Z1 config)  

512GB (for Z1 Extreme config) 

+SD card slot UHS-2

I/O PORT ROG XG Mobile interface (8PCI express lanes) and USB Type-C  combo port (with USB 3.2 Gen2, DP 1.4 support) — (1x)

3.5mm Audio jack — (1x)

Micro SD slot (UHS-II, Micro SD 4.0) — (1x)

Battery  40Wh
Adapter  65W PD adapter, supports pass through charging
Dimensions  280.44 * 111.18 * 21.22 mm

608g

Price and availability 

ROG Ally

The ROG Ally Z1 Extreme retails for US$ 699. The ROG Ally Z1 variant retails for US$ 599. Pre-orders begin on May 11. It will be available for sale worldwide on June 13, 2023. 

Gaming

Nintendo officially announces Ocarina of Time remake

Coming in 2026.

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There are a few titles that an overwheling majority of gamers consider as an absolute must-play for other gamers. One of those titles is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Originally launched for the Nintendo 64, it’s not easy to play the iconic game today. But, later this year, the game is about to get much more accessible. Nintendo has officially announced a remake of Ocarina of Time.

Modern gamers might not realize the effect of the original Ocarina of Time on the RPG genre. Besides adding a third dimension to the then-fledgling Legend of Zelda series, the 1998 game also revolutionized the gaming world by popularizing targeting systems. That, and the refining of the formula in Majora’s Mask, makes Ocarina an essential in gaming history.

During today’s Nintendo Direct, the company capped off the hour-long presentations by announcing a remake of the game. Though the short, short trailer didn’t reveal any gameplay, it did confirm that the remake will retain the original’s more whimsical art style, as opposed to the realism put forth by the Breath of the Wild duology.

It’s not the first re-release for the game, though. In the past, Nintendo released remastered versions of the game for the GameCube and the 3DS. This is, however, the first official remake of the title for a much more modern system.

We didn’t know when the remake will officially launch, but it’s coming out within this year.

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Gaming

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE launches October 2

New aircraft revealed

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Ace Combat 8

Bandai Namco has confirmed that ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE will launch on October 2, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The publisher also announced that early access will be available ahead of launch, although specific dates have yet to be revealed.

Alongside the release date announcement, Bandai Namco shared new details on the game’s aircraft roster, gameplay systems, and key characters that players will encounter throughout its campaign.

The latest entry in the long-running flight combat franchise puts players in the role of an ace pilot fighting for the survival of their homeland. The story centers on themes of identity and duty while featuring large-scale aerial battles across a war-torn world.

More than 30 aircraft at launch

ACE COMBAT 8 will feature over 30 aircraft spanning real-world military jets and original fictional designs created specifically for the game.

Aircraft are divided into four categories: fighters, attack aircraft, multi-role aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft.

Some of the aircraft confirmed so far include the F-14D Super Tomcat fighter jet, the heavily armed A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, the versatile Mirage 2000-5, and the electronic warfare-focused EA-6B Prowler.

All aircraft come equipped with guided missiles and machine guns as standard weapons. Players can also equip special weapons ranging from multi-target missiles and heavy bombs to advanced laser systems.

A new gameplay feature allows players to bring two types of special weapons into missions, offering more flexibility during combat. However, ammunition remains limited, requiring careful resource management throughout each operation.

Bandai Namco also highlighted a new destruction system where falling wreckage from destroyed enemies can occasionally collide with other targets, triggering chain reactions on the battlefield.

Ace Combat 8

Meet Joker Flight

Players take control of Joker Flight captain Jan Cope, known by the legendary callsign “Wings of Theve.” The campaign follows Joker Flight as its members deepen their bonds amid an escalating conflict.

Key squadron members include Ellington Baxter, Tasha Severskaya, and William “Noise” Coster. Players will also encounter Queen Flight leader Kate Evans, carrier XO Jessica Pike, doctor Adelina Santos, and chief mechanic David Jenkins.

Character designs come from Yusuke Kozaki.

During missions, players can choose squadron compositions and issue commands to wingmen. They can also respond to radio communications using a simple yes-or-no system.

ACE COMBAT Online returns

Bandai Namco also shared new details about ACE COMBAT Online, the game’s multiplayer mode. Players create a mercenary pilot avatar before joining online lobbies. There, they can take part in both cooperative and competitive battles with players worldwide.

More information about ACE COMBAT Online will be revealed at a later date.

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE launches on October 2, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Bandai Namco has also confirmed early access ahead of release.

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Gaming

Persona 4 Revival arrives Feb 2027, Persona 6 gets first teaser

Two Persona games revealed

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Persona 6 | Persona 4 Revival

Persona fans have plenty to look forward to. ATLUS has confirmed that Persona 4 Revival will launch on February 18, 2027, while also officially unveiling Persona 6, the next mainline entry in the long-running RPG series.

Both announcements were made during the Xbox Games Showcase. Persona 4 Revival is headed to Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 5, and Steam. Pre-orders are now available through the Microsoft Store.           

Persona 4 Revival is a full remake of Persona 4 Golden. ATLUS says the game features upgraded visuals, a revamped user interface, improved combat systems, enhanced cutscenes, and additional content. The remake aims to serve both returning fans and newcomers experiencing the mystery-filled adventure for the first time.

The story once again takes players to the rural town of Inaba, where a string of murders and disappearances become linked to the mysterious Midnight Channel and a hidden world inside television screens. Players will reunite with familiar characters including the protagonist, Yosuke Hanamura, Chie Satonaka, Yukiko Amagi, and Marie.

ATLUS also revealed several launch DLC packs. This includes Persona-themed costumes, Persona fusion sets based on Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Royal, support items, and additional background music packs.

Limited physical editions will also be available. The Persona 4 Revival Limited Box includes a Shigenori Soejima-designed collector’s box, artbook, T-shirt, phone pouch, costume set, and a physical copy of the game. An Izanagi Edition adds a protagonist and Izanagi figure.

Persona 6 officially revealed

Alongside the remake announcement, ATLUS unveiled Persona 6 with a teaser trailer.

While the company stopped short of announcing a release date, it confirmed that the next mainline Persona title will launch on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation 5, and Steam.

According to ATLUS, Persona 6 will feature an all-new story set in a previously unseen location. The publisher promises new characters, fresh encounters, and the signature blend of social simulation and RPG gameplay that helped define the franchise.

Few additional details were shared, suggesting the game remains early in its marketing cycle.

Persona series reaches 30 million sales

The announcements come as ATLUS celebrates a major milestone for the franchise.

SEGA and ATLUS revealed that the Persona series has now surpassed 30 million units sold worldwide. To mark the occasion, character designer Shigenori Soejima released a commemorative illustration celebrating the series’ 30th anniversary.

With Persona 4 Revival arriving in early 2027 and Persona 6 now officially on the horizon, ATLUS is setting up what could be one of the biggest periods in the franchise’s history.

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