Hold off on clicking 'buy' on that Nintendo Switch — the ROG Ally is the better choice this Black Friday and Cyber Monday

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ROG Ally vs. Switch
Which gaming handheld should I get?
Gaming handheld FAQ

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1. ROG Ally vs. Switch
2. Which handheld to get
3. Gaming handheld FAQ

The Nintendo Switch is the most popular modern gaming handheld by a vast margin — and one of the most popular handhelds of all time. It has more competition than ever before in 2023, though, making what used to be an easy purchase decision more nuanced and complicated. So hold off on clicking that little "buy" button on the Nintendo Switch in your cart, because one of its best competitors may end up being the better gaming handheld for you: the Windows-powered ASUS ROG Ally.

ASUS ROG Ally — AMD Ryzen Z1, 512GB SSD | was $599.99 now $449.99 at Best Buy

ASUS' beastly gaming handheld is aimed squarely at the Steam Deck, but also makes a compelling case over the Nintendo Switch thanks to its overwhelming power, fast and responsive screen, and all the freedom and customization that comes from this design and the use of Windows 11. Right now, it's closer in price to the Switch than ever before.

👀Alternative deal: ASUS ROG Ally — Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 512GB SSD for $619.99 at Best Buy

✅Perfect for: Those who want to play practically every PC game imaginable while on-the-go, on a vivid and responsive 120Hz display

❌Avoid if: You're really just looking to play modern Nintendo Switch games (although you can absolutely emulate countless hundreds of classic titles on the ROG Ally, if you want)

💰Price check: From $499.99 at ASUS

🔍Our experience: Asus ROG Ally review: So close to being the perfect gaming handheld

🤔Why Best Buy? Best Buy is a trusted retailer with in-store pickups, fast standard shipping, lenient return windows, and great customer support. Those with My Best Buy memberships get a lot more benefits like exclusive discounts and offers, 60-day return windows, faster (free) shipping, better device protection, and more. If you want to learn more, check out our in-depth guide on My Best Buy memberships

More great Cyber Monday deals

ASUS ROG Ally versus Nintendo Switch

Image of the ASUS ROG Ally and Nintendo Switch OLED on a green background for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. — Let's pit the ASUS ROG Ally against the Nintendo Switch, and see which comes out on top. (Image credit: Windows Central)

At first glance, it may seem like attempting to compare the ASUS ROG Ally to the Nintendo Switch is a fool's errand, given the obvious (and massive) differences between the two, but the reality is that both of these unique consoles are some of the best gaming handhelds you can buy today. ASUS and Nintendo may have very different ways of building a gaming handheld, but that just makes it more important to ensure you're making the right purchasing decision.

To make this as simple as possible, I'm going to split this comparison into three parts: hardware, software, and games. In all three categories, the ROG Ally and Switch differ in a variety of aspects that may influence which handheld is the best for your needs, and the results here may surprise you. Here's a quick summary of the most important info, but you can keep scrolling for more information.

Price — The Nintendo Switch starts at $199.99 for the stripped back Lite model with 32GB and storage and goes up to $349.99 for the OLED model with 64GB of storage. The ASUS ROG Ally starts at $599.99 (on sale now for $449.99 at Best Buy) for the AMD Ryzen Z1-powered model with 512GB of storage and goes up to $699.99 (on sale now for $619.99 at Best Buy) for the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme-powered model with 512GB of storage
Hardware — The Nintendo Switch is smaller, lighter, and thinner than the ROG Ally, and the removeable Joycons feature advanced motion controls. The ROG Ally is more ergonomic, features more controls, is significantly more powerful, boasts louder speakers, and has a higher resolution and more responsive display
Battery life — The Nintendo Switch OLED boasts approximately 4-5 hours of battery life when gaming. The ASUS ROG Ally struggles to reach much higher than 2 hours of gaming before tapping out
Software — The Nintendo Switch runs a custom OS that is very closed down and specific to the Switch hardware, ensuring compatibility and responsiveness. The ROG Ally runs Windows 11 Home 64-bit, giving users far more freedom and control over the experience at the cost of more issues and awkward scenarios
Games — The Nintendo Switch features a vast library of exclusive Nintendo titles, indie games, and older AAA titles. The ROG Ally dwarfs that library with access to most of PC gaming, including various marketplaces, subscriptions like PC Game Pass, cloud gaming, and emulators

Satisfye ZenGrip Pro on Switch OLED playing Minecraft — There are countless accessories to improve the ergonomics of the Nintendo Switch Joycons... Because they just aren't that comfortable. (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)

More ROG Ally

ROG Ally turned on and on main Windows 11 screen. — (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)

• ASUS ROG Ally review
• Upgrading the ROG Ally SSD
• Best ROG Ally accessories
• Best games for ROG Ally
• Best ROG Ally battery packs
• ROG Ally vs. Steam Deck
• ROG Ally vs. Legion Go

When it comes to hardware, the ROG Ally and Switch are different in everything but general form factor: a small screen set between split controls. The Switch is sleek and slim, and is the smallest out of the biggest mainstream gaming handhelds you can buy today, while the ROG Ally is much larger, being roughly 30% heavier and 50% thicker. Despite the differences, though, the ROG Ally is actually more comfortable in some respects, thanks to the sizeable grips on either side (versus the totally flat Joycons of the Switch) and more ergonomic placement of the controls. You also get some pretty impressive speakers on the ROG Ally and customizable RGB lighting.

Let's talk about those controls, though: the Switch's Joycons are removeable (and replaceable, giving you a degree of customization), and boast an accelerometer and gyroscope for advanced motion controls, which can be used to great effect in some games. However, the Joycons aren't very comfortable to use attached or unattached to the Switch, and are notorious for developing stick drift issues over time. On the other hand, the ROG Ally's controls are built into the headset, mostly mirroring the layout of a standard Xbox controller. You get deeper triggers and better button actions than the Switch, plus some additional customizable buttons on the back for extra control.

Between those controls is the display. Depending on your model, the Switch may have a 6.2-inch, HD 720p IPS LCD display or a 7-inch, HD 720p OLED display. The former is below average compared to other gaming handhelds, but the OLED display on the most expensive model (which is still cheaper than the ROG Ally) is a fantastic screen with great colors. However, the Switch is always limited to 60Hz, and many of its games don't even reach that. The ROG Ally boasts a crisper 7-inch, FHD 1080p IPS LCD display that looks amazing and boasts a 120Hz refresh rate with variable refresh rate (VRR), helping games take better advantage of the ROG Ally's hardware to look as good and play as smooth as possible.

Finally, let's talk about those internals. The Switch is... Okay. The custom NVIDIA Tegra processor has been a solid platform for Nintendo for years now, but it's really showing its age in 2023 with modern AAA games. The ROG Ally is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 (or more powerful Z1 Extreme), which is designed for gaming handhelds and delivers significantly more power to play all the best PC games. The ROG Ally completely blows the Switch out of the water when it comes to sheer power, and is better prepared to play games for years to come without resorting to the cloud streaming that is becoming more common on Switch with more graphically intensive games. It can play more games, with better visuals, higher resolutions, and higher framerates.

ROG Ally and Legion Go outside. — The ROG Ally is certainly bigger than the Switch, but it's not the beefiest gaming handheld out there. (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)

Cyber Monday 2023

Cyber Monday deals at Windows Central — (Image credit: Windows Central)

• Xbox Game Pass and gift cards
• Unbeatable Xbox bundles
• Xbox SSDs and expansion cards
• Best Xbox controller deals
• 700hrs in this game is 3¢ an hour
• Refurb Surface Pro 9 is just $639
• Microsoft Audio Dock is 80% off
• Pick ROG Ally over the Switch
• LG OLED TVs from $550
• The cheapest Xbox exp card
• Amazing keyboard for $28

Hardware-wise, the ROG Ally mostly bests the Nintendo Switch on paper, but that's just one part of the experience. The differences in software are going to be more subjective, depending on your desires in a gaming handheld. The Switch runs an entirely custom OS built just for Nintendo's handheld console — it's responsive and easy to use, perfectly tied to the Switch's hardware and capabilities for a reliable and predictable experience. It's also light on features and gives you very little control over it.

The ASUS ROG Ally runs full-blown Windows 11, with all of its features, freedom, and oddities in tow. You can customize basically every aspect of the ROG Ally's software experience, and the Windows foundation opens the door to run practically any game, application, or program you want without much fuss. The user has a lot of control here, but it's not without imperfections. Windows 11 doesn't work the best on this form factor, so you sometimes have to fight the operating system to do what you want, and even when it works it can be awkward.

While the Switch mirrors other consoles in that when you open a game you expect it to work immediately, the ROG Ally suffers from the same affliction that every other gaming PC does — that things sometimes inexplicably break and you're forced to troubleshoot and fix them. If that happens, we have plenty of guides on common problems in Windows 11 and how to fix them, but some people just don't want to deal with those issues in the first place, even if it means giving up a lot of freedom (I personally game a lot more on my Xbox Series X than my more powerful gaming PC for this reason). Of course, you can just rip Windows 11 off the ROG Ally and replace it with your favorite Linux distro, too, which is not an option you have with the Switch.

ASUS ROG Ally with CODMW3 — Practically any PC game is available to you on the ROG Ally, including Starfield, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Diablo IV, and more... The Switch can't do that. (Image credit: Windows Central)

Finally, let's talk games. The Nintendo Switch and ASUS ROG Ally do share quite a lot of games, but ultimately these platforms are very different. Nintendo develops and publishes a ton of exclusive games only on Switch, such as Mario, Pokémon, Super Smash Bros., Animal Crossing, Zelda, Pikmin, and more. You won't be able to officially buy and play any of these games on the ROG Ally. The Switch is also a fantastic place to play hundreds of amazing indie games, but practically all of those games will be available on the ROG Ally, too.

That's because the ROG Ally has almost unfettered access to all of PC gaming — the largest pool of video games in the world. Sure, downloading Steam, the world's biggest single video games marketplace, is a no-brainer, but you can also download other launchers like GOG, Epic Games, and Battle.net. You can play hundreds of games through the PC Game Pass subscription. You can stream countless games from Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, or any other cloud gaming platform. You can even emulate thousands of classic games, including those from Nintendo's older platforms. There's always that caveat, though, that games in the Nintendo Switch store are more or less guaranteed to play and play well on the Switch, but you absolutely don't have that guarantee on the ROG Ally.

When it comes to games, the ROG Ally has the Switch soundly beat overall. Of course, that depends on how important Nintendo's exclusive franchises are to you. If you need your gaming handheld to be able to play the latest Mario or Zelda games, the ROG Ally simply won't be able to do that for you (legally). That's the power of exclusivity in the gaming world.

So, which is the better handheld? Well, both the ASUS ROG Ally and Nintendo Switch are brilliant in their own ways, and cater to different crowds. I'll finish off by summarizing the main points here to help you make your final decision, and you can keep scrolling for additional information and context.

Recommended battery bank: Anker 25,600mAh Power Bank (87W, four USB ports, 65W wall charger) for ~~$149.99~~ $99.99 at Amazon
Recommended SSD upgrade: WD_BLACK SN770M M.2 2230 (1TB, NVMe PCIe Gen 4x4) for ~~$129.99~~ $79.99 at Best Buy
Recommended docking station: Syntech Mini Dock (6-in-1 w/ Power Delivery) for ~~$49.99~~ $29.99 at Amazon
Recommended screen protector: ivoler Tempered Glass (3-pack) for ~~$6.99~~ $5.91 at Amazon

ASUS ROG Ally — AMD Ryzen Z1, 512GB SSD | was $599.99 now $449.99 at Best Buy

👀Alternative deal: ASUS ROG Ally — Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 512GB SSD for $699.99 $619.99 at Best Buy

Nintendo Switch OLED + Super Smash Bros. Ultimate + 3-months Nintendo Switch Online — 64GB | was $417.97 now $349.99 at Best Buy

The Nintendo Switch is a legendary handheld at this point, with a vast library of great games (including a ton of exclusive Nintendo titles). Performance isn't as good as other handhelds and the console is starting to show its age in this respect with game visuals, but it's still the best handheld for hardcore Nintendo fans and those who don't mind giving up control for consistency.

👀Alternative deal: Nintendo Switch + Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + 3-months Nintendo Switch Online for $367.97 $299.99 at Best Buy

Which gaming handheld should I get?

Gaming handhelds: Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch OLED, and more — The handheld market has never been busier than it is right now. (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)

Right now, there are essentially four major gaming handhelds on the market: the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. The above compares the ROG Ally and Switch at depth, but I'll briefly break down all four devices below.

Steam Deck is for the Linux fans, those on a budget, and gamers who primarily use Steam

Steam Deck | Starting at $399.00 at Steam

Valve's original Steam Deck LCD gaming handheld is designed with SteamOS to play compatible games from your Steam library easily. The screen isn't the best, with only 800p resolution, but the software is straightforward to use and feels a lot like the Steam client you access on PC. Using the program, you can adjust settings, purchase games, or enjoy some older ones. Just remember that a game must be Steam Deck compatible to play it on Steam Deck.

There's also the new Steam Deck OLED, which is mostly the same but offers longer battery life with a much better screen than the original Steam Deck LCD. Thanks to a promotion celebrating the release of this new OLED version, the various configurations of the Steam Deck LCD and the Steam Deck OLED are selling at a discount right now.

Nintendo Switch is great for kids, Nintendo fans, or people on a budget

Nintendo Switch OLED + Super Smash Bros. Ultimate + 3-months Nintendo Switch Online — 64GB | $349.99 at Best Buy

The Nintendo Switch has been the top-selling gaming handheld console for the last six years, and for good reason. It's an excellent device for kids, families, casual gamers, and Nintendo fans, thanks to its tailored library of games. Its performance is far lower than basically any other gaming platform, so these games don't look or play as nice on the Switch, but that trade-off is often worth it for the consistent experience and smaller size.

The Nintendo Switch costs far less than other handheld consoles, too, providing an easy-to-use entryway into the market. You can pick up the standard Switch with an LCD screen for $300, but the OLED model swaps out that screen for a brighter, more vivid, and all-around better display for $350. The smaller and less capable Nintendo Switch Lite is even more affordable at just $200.

👀Alternatives: Nintendo Switch + Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + 3-months Nintendo Switch Online for $299.99 at Best Buy | Nintendo Switch OLED for $349.99 at Best Buy | Nintendo Switch Lite for $199.99 at Best Buy

ROG Ally is the most balanced gaming handheld for those who want to play every game they want

ASUS ROG Ally — AMD Ryzen Z1, 512GB SSD | $449.99 at Best Buy

The first major competitor to the Steam Deck is also one of the best gaming handhelds on the market. The ASUS ROG Ally strikes a great balance between the Steam Deck, Switch, and Legion Go when it comes to size, comfort, performance, and price. It's powerful enough to play almost any PC game with decent performance, and it runs Windows 11 out of the box for the greatest games compatibility.

It is more expensive than a Switch and entry-level Steam Deck, but the trade-off is that aforementioned power and the sheer level of freedom you get. Windows 11 is a little rough on handhelds, though, so using the ROG Ally may be awkward at times. Battery life is also on the low side among gaming handhelds.

👀Alternative: ASUS ROG Ally — Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 512GB SSD for $619.99 at Best Buy

Legion Go is ideal for people who want a versatile entertainment device

Lenovo Legion Go — AMD Z1 Extreme, 512GB SSD | $699.99 at Best Buy

The Legion Go offers the best screen of all the leading gaming handhelds, coming in at 8.8-inches versus the 7-inch displays you find elsewhere. Games look great on the Legion Go, which also boasts a very versatile design with Joycon-like removeable controls and a built-in kickstand. It's large and heavy, of course, but it is still pretty comfortable to use.

Performance-wise, it's around the same as the ROG Ally and utilizes the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor that the more expensive ROG Ally does. However, gameplay on the Legion Go can be a bit more choppy at times, likely due to the lack of VRR support. Overall, though, it's the best gaming handheld for more than just gaming, with the display and versatile design making it a great choice for all kinds of media consumption. It is the most expensive of the gaming handhelds, though.

👀Alternatives: Lenovo Legion Go — 1TBSSD for $749.99 at Best Buy

Gaming handheld FAQ

ROG Ally standing up and Steam Deck lying down. — The Steam Deck and ROG Ally, in cahoots with one another. (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)

When is the best time to buy a gaming handheld?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday is absolutely one of the best times to buy a gaming handheld, at least if you're interested in the Nintendo Switch (with brand-new bundles) or the ASUS ROG Ally (which is currently enjoying its first major sale). Many awesome accessories for these handhelds are also on sale right now, so you can put together a full gaming setup and save a ton of cash.

What is the best gaming handheld?

This really depends on what you're looking for in a gaming device. Nintendo Switch is the best-seller and is ideal for Nintendo fans, kids, and people on a budget. ROG Ally is an excellent PC gaming device that acts like a gaming laptop with controllers attached and offers the freedom to play any game service. Steam Deck is explicitly intended for accessing Steam Deck-compatible games and is ideal for people who primarily play Steam. Meanwhile, the Legion Go offers a fantastic screen with a slightly lower performance than the ROG Ally. Thanks to the picture quality and tabletop mode, it's ideal for people who want the best viewing experience from their handhelds.

What is the best-selling gaming handheld?

Nintendo Switch is the best-selling gaming handheld by far at over 132 million units sold. This is thanks to its lower price and extensive library of exclusive games, many of which are appropriate for all ages. Steam Deck comes next, having sold close to 3 million units. Then ROG Ally has sold over 500,000 units. It's unclear how many Legion Go devices have sold, as it's still relatively new. It's worth noting that the devices that have been out the longest have seen the most sales.

What are the pros and cons of a gaming handheld?

Gaming handhelds allow you to play games anywhere, so you don't have to be stuck at your desk or couch. However, they don't tend to have the best battery life, and performance isn't nearly as good as a gaming laptop or full console. Additionally, each gaming handheld has pros and cons, so you need to look into each device specifically to see if it meets your desires.

Is the ROG Ally better than the Nintendo Switch?

That depends on what you want in a gaming handheld. If you want the most affordable, smallest, and easy-to-use gaming handheld, that'd be the Switch. If you want the most powerful gaming handheld with one of the best, most responsive screens, that'd be the ROG Ally. If you want to play Nintendo's exclusive games, that'd be the Switch. If you want to play basically any PC game, that'd be the ROG Ally.

Can I use ROG Ally as a PC?

Yes. Basically, anything you can do on a computer, you can do on ROG Ally, thanks to the fact that it runs Windows 11. You can browse the internet, open any gaming service, download apps, and more. If you connect the proper accessories to it, you can even type up documents or access other programs.

Can you browse the internet on ROG Ally?

Yes. ROG Ally comes with Windows 11 installed on it, so it comes with the Microsoft Edge web browser already installed. Of course, you can download other browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, and use them instead.

What games are compatible with ROG Ally?

Any PC games you can run on a Windows gaming laptop can run on ROG Ally. However, you must adjust settings in each game to get the best performance out of your titles.