This isn’t quite what we expected to see last year, but the ROG Xbox Ally still marks a new chapter in the rapidly developing “handheld war.” Microsoft’s announcement of the Ally during its annual Xbox Showcase broadcast on Sunday only came a few days after Nintendo’s release of its latest console,

On paper, the Xbox Series S beats the Switch 2 in terms of raw specs. Yes, that is confusing since Nintendo's handheld can hit 4K 60fps in docked mode while Microsoft's digital-only console targets 1440p, but the former portable relies on Nvidia AI upscaling shenanigans to make that happen.

Wondering just how powerful the Nintendo Switch 2 is in terms of raw computing power? One developer has said it’s closer to the Xbox Series S than the PlayStation 4. In an interview with wccftech, Takuto Edagawa,

The Nintendo Switch 2 may impress with its upgraded internals, including its custom processor from Nvidia, allowing it to play versions of AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 made for the system, but the ROG Xbox Ally can play the same PC titles outright — no special versions needed.

Wild Hearts S developers at Koei Tecmo say the Switch 2 is akin to the 9th generation Xbox Series S in terms of power, not Sony's last-gen PlayStation 4.

The successor to one of Nintendo's most popular pieces of hardware is a refined, premium version of what lots of gamers already loved.

The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a comfortable and enjoyable gaming experience that is let down and held up by the unique quirks of Nintendo. It's a straight upgrade and tailored experience in many ways,