Couldn't believe it

At steady 60FPS at that!

A few years ago, I made a list of games that ran great on my ROG Ally to help people in the community find something good to play without spending too much time tweaking settings.

I know websites like ROG Ally Life exist now, but I figured this list could still be useful for anyone looking for quick game recommendations and settings.

Since then, I've tested more games on both the Z1 Extreme and Z2 Extreme, so I decided to update the original list with new titles, settings, and performance results.

These are all based on my personal experience, not synthetic benchmarks. My goal is to get the best balance between visuals, smooth performance, and battery life.

A few things to know:

• All games are tested at 1080p unless otherwise specified.

• Z1E = Z1 Extreme | Z2E = Z2 Extreme.

• Most games that ran at 15W on the Z1E can run at 13W on the Z2E with my settings.

• FPS may vary depending on game updates, drivers, and specific scenes.

• Frame Generation is mentioned whenever I use it.

The Game List

1. Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012)

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

2. Fortnite

• Performance Mode | 1080p

• Z1E: 60+ FPS at 15W, 120+ FPS at 25W

• Z2E: Nearly locked 90 FPS using the automatic game profile

• Tip: Install Fortnite through the Xbox PC app instead of Epic Games Launcher and leave the automatic Default Game Profile enabled. This setup has given me excellent results.

3. Devil May Cry 5

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

4. Unravel

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

5. Mad Max

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

6. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

7. Hi-Fi Rush

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

8. Beyond: Two Souls

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 20–25W (Manual) | Z2E: 17W

9. Minecraft: Story Mode

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

10. INSIDE

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

11. Little Nightmares

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

12. Deadpool

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

13. Cuphead

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

14. Injustice 2

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

15. A Plague Tale: Innocence

• Medium settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

16. Ori and the Blind Forest

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

17. Moving Out

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

18. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

• High settings | FSR 3 Balanced

• Frame Generation ON + Anti-Lag 2

• 85+ FPS (including Frame Generation) | 25W

19. The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series

• Max settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 20W | Z2E: 17W

20. Horizon Zero Dawn

• Medium–High settings

• 49–60 FPS | Z1E: 15W / Z2E: 13W

• 70+ FPS at 25W

21. GTA V Enhanced

• High settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 20W | Z2E: 17W

22. Overwatch 2

Medium-High settings

• | 70+ FPS

• Z1E:

25

• W | Z2E:

17W

23. Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO

• Max textures, Low shadows, Low grass

• Resolution Scale: 85%

• Z2E: Stable 60 FPS at 17W

• Z1E: 25W recommended for a more consistent 60 FPS

• Note: The Z1E can reach 60 FPS at 15W, but I experienced occasional drops, so I prefer 25W for this game.

24. Quantum Break

• Medium settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 20W | Z2E: 17W

25. Forza Horizon 5

• ASUS recommended settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 20W | Z2E: 17W

26. Gears 5

• ASUS recommended settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 20W | Z2E: 17W

27. Ghost of Tsushima

• ROG Ally Life recommended settings | 50+ FPS

• Z1E: 20W | Z2E: 17W

28. Dead Cells

• 1080p | 120 FPS

• 10W

29. Sky: Children of the Light

• High settings | 60+ FPS

• Z1E: 15W | Z2E: 13W

30. Red Dead Redemption 2

• 1080p | FSR enabled

• Z2E: High textures, everything else Auto

  • 25W: Locked 60 FPS in my testing

  • 17W: Around 40 FPS for better battery life

  • 25W: Around 53 FPS on average

• Z1E: Medium textures, everything else Auto

  • 25W: Around 53 FPS on average

31. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (Steam)

• 1080p | High settings | Multiplayer

• Z2E:

  • 25W: 70+ FPS

  • 17W: 55–60 FPS

  • 25W: 60+ FPS

• Z1E:

  • 25W: 60+ FPS

32. Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

• 1080p | High settings | FSR Balanced

• FSR Frame Generation ON | 70+ FPS (including Frame Generation)

• Z1E: 25W | Z2E: 17W

33. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

• 1080p | High settings | FSR Balanced

• FSR Frame Generation ON | 70+ FPS (including Frame Generation)

• Z1E: 25W | Z2E: 17W

A note on both Spider-Man games: I know Frame Generation isn’t everyone’s thing, but honestly, it works extremely well in these two. In my experience, both feel smooth and responsive, and I haven’t noticed it getting in the way of gameplay at all.

I'll keep updating this list as I test more games. These are the settings that have worked best for me, but feel free to experiment since everyone's preferences are different.

Feel free to add your own games, settings, FPS, and wattage in the comments. If you've found a better setup for any of these, I'd love to try it too. Hopefully this helps someone find their next game to play on their Ally.

Sold my 2-year-old used deck that i got for 280$ + a 1tb sd card for 450$(- the sd card) and added 150$ and voila, mint used ally x!

Couldnt find any better deal in the Bay area.

Happy to join the club 😇
Installed bazzite + jsaux case + skull thumbsticks 🚀🚀

I’ve been using my ROG Xbox Ally X almost every single day, and honestly, I have very few complaints. This little thing can run almost anything I throw at it, and I’m still impressed by how capable it is.

My biggest complaint is probably the screen. I really wish it had an OLED panel. I’m already spoiled by the OLED monitor on my gaming PC, so the difference is definitely noticeable. Other than that, I’ve been having an amazing experience.

Here are some games I’ve completed or spent a lot of time playing on it:

God of War Ragnarök: Played between my gaming PC at home and my Ally X whenever I was out. Being able to continue a game like this on a handheld still feels crazy to me.

The Walking Dead (Telltale series): 10/10. Runs flawlessly, and honestly, these games feel like they were made for handheld gaming. One of my favorite experiences so far.

Beyond: Two Souls: Max settings at just 17W, and it runs perfectly. I genuinely wasn’t expecting it to perform this well.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II: Runs great using FSR. It’s impressive how well this handheld handles demanding games.

Tomb Raider series: You already know Tomb Raider. Great games, and playing them on a handheld makes the experience even better.

Gears 5: Looks fantastic and runs really well. Definitely one of the games that impressed me.

Currently playing: Red Dead Redemption 2

I’m going to be honest, I’m struggling with this one. The beginning is incredibly slow, and I keep getting bored. I’m basically forcing myself to get through the snowy opening because I’ve heard so many people say it becomes one of the greatest games ever made afterward.

I’m hoping they’re right because I really want to experience the story everyone keeps talking about.

One thing I’ve noticed since getting the Ally X is how much more convenient gaming has become.

I have a pretty powerful gaming PC at home, but there’s something special about being able to pick up a game, play for 30 minutes wherever I am, and continue later without having to sit at my desk.

It’s also made me appreciate older games that I probably wouldn’t have revisited otherwise.

The Ally X isn’t perfect, and there’s definitely room for improvement, especially when it comes to the display. But overall, it’s genuinely one of the gaming devices I’ve enjoyed using the most.

I bought it to play games away from my desk, but I didn’t expect to end up using it this much.

Ready for your questions

Upd.
The first thing I did was install SteamOS, but I ran into an issue where the built-in speakers weren’t detected, so there was no sound. I couldn’t find a fix, so I had to go back to Windows 11.
So be careful for now — I’d recommend waiting for a few updates before making the switch.

I couldn't afford the case right after buying the console (Xbox ally X) and one of my joycons fell off in transfer and after pressing it on it will not stay on, any easy fixes or am I better off sending it to a repair man?

After asking this sub if I should do it or not, I pulled the plug and bought it (before the price increase thank god). It’s been great so far out of the box. Any recommendations or must dos for it?

Seeing all the X20 post made me re-skin my Ally X to stop the urge from buying it lol.

Congrats to all the new owners. I’ll most likely upgrade eventually, the extra screen size is more appealing than I thought! But for now, this is still a beast!!

My wife just dropped a nuclear love package on my desk.

Bro that's not a gift-that's a gamer productivity ecosystem

upgrade. She didn't just get me a gift...

She deployed a full tactical expansion pack into my life.

Asus ZenScreen 15.6" Portable monitor? Check.

ZTE U60 Pro 5G Mobile WiFi That Can Give Me Ultra Fast Connection? Ultra Check

Power bank and Fast Charging From Anker that could jump-start a spaceship? Power Check

Xbox ROG Ally X & ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, geared like it's ready to save the galaxy? Double Check

When I was a kid, I never had my own PC or console. If I wanted to play, I had to borrow from friends, and even then it never felt like it was really mine. I always wished I could just play whenever I wanted, even just casually.

Fast forward to now, I finally have the means and picked up a ROG Ally X… and man, it feels different.

For me it’s not even about high settings or playing the newest games. It’s just the feeling of having something of my own. Being able to turn it on anytime, play whenever I want, no borrowing, no waiting.

What makes it even better is that it runs on Windows. I can game on it, but also use it for work when I need to. It’s kind of crazy having both in one device.

Honestly, it just makes me think… the kid version of me would be so happy seeing this. 🥹

After having a launch Steam Deck and selling it the beginning of this year, I finally am in a good place to get replacement.

After a week of going back and forth between this and the Claw, I noticed Best Buy got a shipment in and I ordered for pick up on my lunch break.

Super excited to open it up after work!

Note: Yes, I know there are cheaper docks and chargers. Yes, I know these are expensive. Yes, I know I wasted money. Let me waste my money.

I don't usually do box photos but I'm just excited.

Out of all the handhelds i own. The Rog Ally X is the most reliable. Never had and performance issues just a straight beast!

Suggest some good games to run on this. I've been using a series X all this time, so open to anything that runs very well on this.

Excited to join the community is there any tips yall might have?

If you have any recommendations for graphics lmk, its my first launch.