ROG is celebrating its 20th anniversary with some big additions. They developed a lineup called X20 that not only looks incredible but also brings new tech advancements. For two items, they went back to two recent successful collaborations and brought them together.
Their two most recent collaborations with Xbox and XReal are coming back in a big way with the ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle. It’s a fitting tribute to ROG, as the design and functionality are something gamers should invest in.
What Comes Inside the ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle
The ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle packaging is sleek and efficient, with a handle that makes it feel more like a briefcase. When opening up the package, the bundle comes in an impressive Pelican case. The case itself is nothing to dismiss, as the Pelican brand is top-notch. It looks like something that the bomb squad would bring in for an emergency.
I wouldn’t bring it while traveling because it’s a little too bulky, but it also has other uses, like keeping everything safe at home or repurposing the case as another storage spot. When opening it up, gamers will find the ROG Xbox Ally X20, XREAL R1 20 AR Glasses, dbrand protective case, custom skin for the handheld, custom joystick grips, and the handheld charger. The dbrand additions are top-notch, as they’re some of the best in the business of protecting your gaming accessories.
The dbrand setup is easy enough, with clear, simple instructions. It’s practical and doesn’t weigh down the handheld or make it feel too bulky. As noted in our ROG Xbox Ally X review, the controller grips are already comfortable, so adding some safety is a nice touch. While the vinyl skin doesn’t offer anything exciting, it’s more of a complement to the ROG, as the gold-and-black design works wonders with the glowing green Xbox symbol on the top left.
The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is the Best Overall Handheld on the Market
The bundle’s main attraction is how great the ROG Xbox Ally X20 is. The ROG Xbox Ally X is still a great handheld, but X20 is a major upgrade thanks to the OLED screen. Comparing the X to the X20 is night and day, thanks to the brightness.
The colors really do shine, with a peak of 1400 nits compared to the X’s 500 nits. I tested the handheld with an assortment of games to see not only how the OLED looks, but how it performs. The game that I kept going back to was Hollow Knight Silksong. During the initial ROG Ally X marketing, Silksong was the main game highlighted, but it’s even more impressive on OLED. The storybook colors displayed when Hornet explores Pharloom are jaw-dropping. Playing on the X20 is a great reminder of why Hollow Knight Silksong is a 10/10 masterpiece.
While Silksong is only a couple of GB, the X20 can also handle huge triple-A games. Since Grand Theft Auto VI is coming out in a couple of weeks, it felt appropriate to play Red Dead Redemption 2. The X20’s improved cooling system is definitely noticeable, as the heat didn’t overwhelm the handheld at all.
Getting to play a massive game like Red Dead Redemption 2 on the go with this display and power is what handheld fans want. If people want the handheld by itself, they can buy it separately for $1300. While not cheap by any means, the X20 is in a lower price range than other handhelds, and it’s more powerful than the OLED Steam Deck to play massive games.
The XReal X20 Glasses Are Great But Lack One Crucial Feature
The other big feature of the ROG Xbox Ally X20 bundle is the XReal R1 X20 glasses. They give players a massive display for gaming and watching. With 240 Hz play and OLED screens, they look incredible on the go.
While some gamers would prefer these glasses lying down in bed, traveling with them is the preferred method. They easily turn a train ride or flight into a gaming setup you can control. The biggest issue isn’t the glasses; it’s the lack of a control dock. A control dock would help connect the glasses to your Switch 2 and other home consoles. On the one hand, it makes sense for ROG to focus solely on their handheld aspect instead of separate products.
But including the control dock would have seriously upped the value of this bundle. What’s more confusing is that even if consumers wanted the control dock, it’s not sold separately. It’s only bundled with the standard ROG XReal R1 glasses, which is baffling.
The ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle is the Ultimate Holiday Gift
The ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle is a wonderful celebration from ROG that feels like the height of luxury. No mistaking that this bundle is expensive, at $2500, but a closer look shows the contents add up to it. The star of the bundle is no doubt the ROG Ally X20, which has become my preferred handheld and one that gamers need to buy, whether with this bundle or solo. While the ROG XReal R1 glasses are incredible, it doesn’t make sense that they wouldn’t include a control dock for them.
If any player is buying this bundle, you know they also have a console like the Switch 2 at their place. Beyond that, everything else in the bundle adds a great extra gift for gamers. While it’s a lofty ask, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 bundle is the ultimate holiday gift for gamers this year.
The ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle is currently available now. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 handheld and the ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 are also sold separately.
This review was written with a review unit of the ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle provided by ASUS in exchange for an honest review.
Story via the original publisher. Read the original article
