ASUS director confirms that ROG Ally, a Windows game handheld announced on 4/1, is not a joke

On April 1st, ASUS’s ROG brand released an introductory video on their official YouTube channel for a Windows gaming handheld device called ROG Ally. Many initially dismissed it as an April Fool’s prank. However, the legitimacy of the project was confirmed by Juan Jose Guerrero, ASUS North America’s Senior Marketing Manager, in subsequent official community posts and Best Buy pre-order pages for North America.

Juan Jose Guerrero did not disclose the precise pre-order timeline for the ROG Ally, but it may become available in late April or during Computex 2023, which begins in early June. The promotional images feature both Microsoft Windows 11 and Xbox Game Pass logos (normally requiring Microsoft’s authorization), further substantiating the product’s existence.

ASUS’s entry into the Windows handheld gaming market is not entirely surprising, as other brands like AYANEO and Valve’s Steam Deck have emerged, targeting portable gaming experiences with services like Steam. ASUS’s previous release, the ROG Flow series of 2-in-1 gaming laptops and tablets, suggests an interest in this market.

The ROG Ally sports a white body with a backlit RGB logo, featuring the signature ROG Slash diagonal cut visual design. It runs on the Windows 11 operating system, using a customized processor developed in collaboration with AMD. A dual-fan system ensures optimal operating temperatures, with primary vents positioned on the top and back of the device.

The anticipated interface includes a 7-inch touchscreen, a left-side analog joystick with directional buttons, and right-side controls with another analog joystick. Trigger buttons (L1, L2, R1, and R2) are located on the top, while additional rear buttons serve as auxiliary controls. A front-facing volume and auxiliary function buttons are accompanied by speakers on either side.

The ROG Ally can be used as a handheld gaming device or connected to a TV as a console. A dedicated dock enables connection to a computer monitor, mouse, and keyboard for a desktop gaming experience. Unique to the device is its compatibility with the XG Mobile eGPU external graphics card box, sharing a similar design and PCIe 3.0 x 8 connection with the ROG Flow series. This feature enhances gaming performance and enables the ROG Ally to handle more sophisticated AAA games.

However, the ROG Skadi liquid-cooled refrigerator, also announced by ASUS on April 1st, is likely a mere April Fool’s joke.