I'm pretty passionate about gaming handhelds and currently own all the major devices on the market. From my experience, I can tell you that if you're trying to decide between ROG Ally and Legion Go, you really ought to get the ROG Ally.
I love the Legion Go, but ROG Ally offers better performance and is more affordable, especially now that the Z1 version is discounted at only $399.99 at Best Buy ($200 off) while the Z1 Extreme version is only $599.99 at Best Buy ($100 off). From my time with various devices, I also know that the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Legion Go are all good handhelds with their own pros and cons. So, I'll explain why ROG Ally is so great and then go over situations where these other handhelds might be a good fit for you.
Being a gaming handheld enthusiast, I jumped at the chance to do our ROG Ally review and Legion Go review as soon as possible. This means that I conducted the same tests on both devices, played hours of games on both, and got to see how well they performed myself. I wasn't too surprised to see that they performed about the same in benchmark tests, but the actual playing experience was significantly different.
To start things off, both run Windows 11, which means that these are basically small gaming laptops with controllers attached. You can download any program on a gaming desktop or laptop and access any services such as Steam, Battle.net, Epic Games, Xbox Game Pass, and more.
- Legion Go vs ROG Ally
- Best ROG Ally games
- Best ROG Ally battery packs
- Best ROG Ally accessories
Even though Legion Go and the more expensive version of the ROG Ally utilize the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the gameplay is smoother and less choppy on ROG Ally. This is likely at least partially due to the fact that ROG Ally has VRR support (variable refresh rate) while the Legion Go does not. It's also worth noting that the ROG Ally starts at an MSRP of $599.99, which is less expensive than the lowest-priced version of the Legion Go, which has a $699.99 price point.
Regarding comfort, the ROG Ally weighs less and has better ergonomic grips, making it easier to hold. Meanwhile, the larger Legion Go is rather bulky and puts more strain on your wrists due to its weight. Additionally, the large joysticks and buttons are very easy to reach on ROG Ally, whereas some are a little too spread apart on Legion Go, making them harder to use.
Neither handheld is all that great when it comes to battery life. The ROG Ally battery only lasted about an hour and 38 minutes on average whenever I played it, while the Legion Go reached around two hours on average at the same settings. While the Legion Go was slightly better, neither of these battery life lengths is ideal. Because of this, you might want to get an ROG Ally battery pack or play the device while connected to a docking station to let the device run for longer stretches.
The biggest problem with the ROG Ally is its overheating problem, which can cause microSD cards to malfunction. So far, this same issue has not been discovered with the Legion Go. This means that you can't really trust that a microSD card inserted into an ROG Ally will remain in working order. However, there's another easy way to increase ROG Ally storage, which is upgrading the SSD. This is a relatively simple process, and you can check out my guide on how to install WD_BLACK SSD into ROG Ally if you want to learn more.
Another way in which ROG Ally excels above Legion Go is with its companion app. ROG Ally has Armoury Crate, which isn't perfect but can be used to launch games, map buttons, and adjust a vast range of settings so the system plays the way you want it to. Meanwhile, Legion Go's Legion Space isn't outstanding. The game launcher takes you to other game launchers rather than launching games itself, and there are far fewer settings options for customizing the way your handheld plays.
Obviously, the Legion Go's 8.8-inch IPS touchscreen that supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate and resolution of up to 2560 x 1600 is much better than the ROG Ally's 7-inch IPS touchscreen with up to 120Hz and 1920 x 1080p. Regarding color accuracy and contrast, the Legion Go is better, too. However, it's partially due to this fantastic picture quality and size that the Legion Go is so expensive. ROG Ally's screen is plenty vibrant and crisp in your hands, so it's not like it's a bad experience. Plus, having a higher refresh rate isn't helpful since Legion Go tends to play a bit choppy anyway.
So, while I hold that both the Legion Go and ROG Ally are fantastic gaming handhelds in their own right, the affordable pricing, smoother gameplay, and better balancing of the ROG Ally make it the clear winner. However, there might be a use-case scenario where a different handheld might suit your needs better.
What gaming handhelds should I get?
Obviously, the ROG Ally is a great choice, but the Legion Go, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck are also fantastic devices to choose from. I love using each of these handhelds and recommend them for various reasons. Here are the pros and cons of each device.
Legion Go offers a gorgeous screen and doubles as an all-purpose entertainment device
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Steam Deck is simple to use and is great for people that love Linux or mostly play Steam games
Nintendo Switch is more affordable and offers unique games for all ages
ROG Ally & Legion Go FAQs
Is the ROG Ally good?
Yes, the ROG Ally is a fantastic gaming handheld. As with any gaming handheld, ROG Ally's trade-off against gaming laptops and desktops is that graphics and top-tier performance are lowered to accommodate on-the-go capabilities. Still, ROG Ally has impressive performance, graphics, and a good screen for handheld gaming. Battery life isn't great, but that's usually true with gaming handhelds.
How much is ROG Ally?
There are two versions of the ROG Ally. The more powerful one with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip has an MSRP of $699, while the less powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 version sells for $599. You can purchase either version at Best Buy or the ROG website; sometimes, it sells at a discounted price.
How much RAM does ROG Ally have?
Both versions of the ROG Ally provide 16GB of RAM. Memory size and speed are essential for gaming handhelds as they affect how quickly and efficiently the system temporarily stores data. All in all, 16GB is a good amount of RAM and serves the ROG Ally well.
Can ROG Ally run Steam?
Yes. ROG Ally runs Windows 11, meaning it can download and install any program that can go on a gaming laptop, including Steam. You can also access other gaming services like Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games, Battle.net, and more on ROG Ally.
Does Legion Go have HDMI?
No. There is no HDMI port on the Legion Go. However, there are two USB-C 4.0 (DisplayPort 1.4, Power Delivery 3.0), a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack to accommodate your connection needs. You can play Legion Go games on a TV or monitor if connected to a compatible docking station with a USB-C cable.
What games can Legion Go run?
Since Legion Go runs Windows 11, it can download and install any programs or games that a gaming laptop can. This means that, unlike the Steam Deck, it isn't just designed for Steam games. It can basically run any game or access any gaming service you want.
How long does the Legion Go battery last?
On average, the Legion Go battery lasts between one to two hours. If you drop all settings to their lowest options, it can reach up to five hours, depending on the game being played. This isn't great, but it has a similar battery life to many other gaming handhelds out there.
