The best Game Pass games on the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X

Peanut butter and jelly. Pancakes and syrup. Rocket launchers and plasma rifles. Some things are just a match made in heaven. Today, we have Xbox Game Pass and the ROG Xbox Ally or ROG Xbox Ally X — a perfect pairing that gives you instant access to hundreds of popular titles anywhere you go. Both handhelds even come with 3 months free out of the box. The only question is: what should you play first? We’ve got the answer.

This list features games that play brilliantly on the Ally right out of the box — from gaming handheld compatibility to Xbox Play Anywhere support, these are perfect candidates for on-the-go fun. Many even support new features like Default Game Profiles and Advanced Shader Delivery, ensuring a smooth experience from end to end (not to mention great battery life).

But what truly binds all the titles on this list is that they’re truly spectacular games. Get ready to discover your next obsession.

Forza Horizon 5

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Forza Horizon 5 isn’t just one of the best games for ROG Xbox Ally handhelds — it's one of the best racing games on the market, period. It gives you the freedom to drive around Mexico and pursue activities at your own pace. Soak in Forza Horizon 5’s gorgeous scenery or burn rubber in pulse-pounding races enlivened by the game’s boppin’ assortment of licensed tunes. Either way, you’ll have a grand time speeding around the desert in fast cars. You can play Forza Horizon 5 today on Game Pass Premium and get psyched for the upcoming Forza Horizon 6.

Call of Duty

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No game list is complete without a Call of Duty game, and fans can enjoy all the latest CoD offerings on their ROG Xbox Ally. Call of Duty Warzone, the free-to-play battle royale, is ready for anyone brave enough to dare its elimination-focused gameplay. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Black Ops 6 continue one of the franchise’s zaniest, most beloved sub-series with intense multiplayer action and campaigns alike. Much of the Call of Duty series can be played on Game Pass Premium, and you can play the latest Black Ops 7 on Game Pass Ultimate.

Balatro

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Balatro runs well on any ROG Xbox Ally, there’s no doubt about that. But do you want to risk booting it in the first place? This addictive poker-inspired roguelike will devour your time without hesitation. You’ll play a few poker hands, rack up some points, and think nothing of it. But thirty hours later, you’ll be doing insane mental math using exponents to calculate how a lowly pair of twos can be worth billions more points than four of a kind. If you choose to play Balatro, say hello to fun, and goodbye to the rest of your life. Check it out on Game Pass Premium, if you dare.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor

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Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a game all about — you guessed it — survival. You're one dwarf tasked with taking on unfathomable numbers of aliens, so expect sky-high tension as you battle against endless swarms of enemies. All the while, you'll need to mine riches and upgrade your arsenal to better combat the uncountable opposition. If you love being a badass space dwarf and want to see where the series’ mining-based thrills began, you can also check out the original Deep Rock Galactic. Both DRG games are available on Game Pass Premium.

Hollow Knight

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Anyone who likes hopping around, slashing baddies, and exploring maze-like maps is in for a treat with Hollow Knight. Both it and its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, feature massive maps designed to be studied, explored, and memorized, perfect for aspiring adventurers. The games also feature punishing combat, so gamers who want their reflexes tested have something to look forward to. The complete Voidheart Edition of the original game, complete with all its DLC, is available on Game Pass Premium, while its sequel Silksong is currently available on Game Pass Ultimate.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

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You didn’t think we’d make a list of Game Pass games in 2025 without mentioning Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, did you? If you haven’t already heard, Expedition 33 is a must-play for any RPG fan who wants to experience the genre’s next evolution. The game mixes real-time inputs with turn-based strategy to keep your reflexes and brain on high alert, making for a uniquely engaging gameplay loop. Couple that addictive action with world-class art direction, a beautiful original score, and one of the best cinematic stories of the modern era, and you’re in for some of the finest gaming of this generation. For best performance, play this one on the ROG Xbox Ally X, and be sure to open the Command Center and flip into Turbo mode so you can enjoy the game’s incredible art with the utmost smoothness and clarity. You can find Expedition 33 on Game Pass Ultimate or buy it on the Xbox store — it’s more affordable than an average AAA game despite being one of the best games of the year.

Hi-Fi RUSH

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Hi-Fi Rush is a cartoony third-person beat ‘em up platformer with a big, rhythmic twist: just about everything in the game is synchronized to some sort of musical beat, meaning you'll be bopping your head and mashing buttons in perfect harmony. If that sounds inventive and fun, that’s because it is. Take on hordes of evil robots in this colorful, wacky, one-of-a-kind action-adventure, then wonder why all games don’t feature weaponized guitars. You can play Hi-Fi Rush on Game Pass Premium.

The Gears of War series

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It wouldn’t be Xbox without Gears of War, and thankfully, the Ally is perfect for these action-packed cover shooters. Whether you’re revisiting the remastered original in Gears of War: Reloaded, gunning down swarms in the latest Gears 5, or switching it up in the turn-based Gears Tactics, there’s plenty of Gears of War action to be had on the ROG Xbox Ally. As a franchise known for its grit and gore, expect each and every entry to deliver hardcore, visceral thrills. No other third-person shooter on the market has a chainsaw gun as satisfying as the Gears titles. Most of the series is available on Game Pass Premium, while the newly-remastered Gears of War: Reloaded can be found on Game Pass Ultimate.

Hades

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If you haven’t been in the gaming scene for the past few years, you may have missed the masterpiece that is Hades — and if you have been in the scene but still haven’t played it, what are you waiting for? Greek mythology buffs, roguelite fans, and lovers of fast-paced action will all find a great time in this isometric hack-and-slash. Sure, you’ll die a lot, but with constantly changing levels and new powers on every run, there's plenty to keep things interesting until you eventually become an Olympian-tier force to be reckoned with. This gameplay loop is woven into the narrative such that every action you take feels organically integrated into the overarching adventure, making for a truly seamless, compelling power fantasy. Seriously, go play it now on Game Pass Premium.

The Doom series

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The original Doom helped invent the first-person shooter genre back in 1993, and modern-day gems like Doom Eternal and Doom: The Dark Ages keep reinventing it. Expect loads of gore, demonic foes, and the fastest, most satisfying gunplay around as you mow down opposition to heavy metal music and unleash hell on all who oppose you. You can find Doom Eternal (and many of its predecessors) on Game Pass Premium, while the latest entry can be found on Game Pass Ultimate.

Hogwarts Legacy

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Few open-world games have as much love, care, and budget pumped into them as Hogwarts Legacy. This drop-dead gorgeous adventure is the ultimate way to experience the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Virtually every hall of Hogwarts contains some unique surprise that feels handcrafted and magical, letting you live out your fantasy of attending the school yourself. Learn spells, go to classes, make friends, and fight powerful villains in this supersized love letter to Harry Potter, perfect for fans of all ages. To play it in all its glory, put your ROG Xbox Ally X into Turbo Mode and grab this one on Game Pass Premium.

The Ninja Gaiden series

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Everyone wants to be a ninja, and the Ninja Gaiden series has been making that dream come true for decades  — from the early 2D platforms to more modern 3D entries. The two most recent releases — the remastered Ninja Gaiden 2 Black and the newest Ninja Gaiden 4 — give you two distinct katana-slashing experiences to test your reflexes with. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is perfectly suited for fans of old-school challenges who want to see one of gaming’s most beloved ninja sims get a current-day facelift. Ninja Gaiden 4 is a more modern experience featuring industry-leading flash and pizzazz, ideal for those who want to wall-run and cut down foes in style. No matter which you choose, you’ll get to act out all your ninja fantasies, parkouring and assassinating bad guys with precision and flair. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is available on Game Pass Premium, while Ninja Gaiden 4 is available on Game Pass Ultimate.

Mortal Kombat 11

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Mortal Kombat 11 nails what makes the Mortal Kombat series great: incredibly tight gameplay and over-the-top violence. Dismember limbs, gouge eyes, split spines, and commit all other manners of gorrific violence 'til your bloodlust is satisfied. Featuring a wild cast of characters who all bring unique weapons and abilities to the table, there’s sure to be a fighter that resonates with your particular playstyle. Get your carnage fix across the game’s robust assortment of single-player content and sweat-inducing multiplayer today on Game Pass Premium.

Persona 4 Golden

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Anyone looking for a sweeping adventure to get wrapped up in should check out Persona 4 Golden. It has all the ingredients JRPG fans demand: engaging, addictive combat, endearing characters who love to yap, and a rich story you can sink your teeth into. It’s a game with an abundance of style and personality — a wacky epic worthy of the dozens of hours you’ll put into it. Plus, it has a high-energy, banger soundtrack. Persona 4 Golden runs great even at low power on the ROG Xbox Ally, so open Command Center and choose Silent mode for extra battery life (which you'll need for the extra-lengthy story). Grab it on Game Pass Premium.

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We’ve only scratched the surface of the best Game Pass games for the ROG Xbox Ally. From Bethesda classics like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Fallout 4 to narrative-driven games like South of Midnight and even retro-style beat-em-ups like TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Xbox Game Pass has something for just about anyone.

Here's the full list of PC-compatible games on Game Pass Premium, while this page will show you everything on Game Pass Ultimate. So dive in and see what strikes your fancy. New games are always being added to Game Pass, too, so you never know what your next great gaming discovery will be. And be sure to check out all the other ROG Xbox Ally games we love — you’re bound to find your next favorite title among them.