Microsoft has entered the handheld gaming market with the release of its Xbox Ally devices, which run full Windows 11 and access a wide range of gaming platforms, including Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and Battle.net. This move is part of the company’s strategy to expand its gaming offerings beyond traditional consoles and PCs. The release coincides with the continued popularity of Nintendo’s Switch 2, which has sold over 5.8 million units in seven weeks, indicating the strong demand for handheld gaming devices. The Xbox Ally devices are manufactured by ASUS and come in two models, the standard Xbox Ally and the premium Xbox, which includes advanced hardware specifications. The pricing for the devices has not been announced yet. Microsoft has also introduced a Handheld Compatibility Program that pre-verifies thousands of PC games for portable play, ensuring compatibility across various games. This move is expected to intensify competition in the handheld gaming market, prompting industry experts to predict a significant impact on the sector’s growth and development.