Starting this week, Best Buy is slashing $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, bringing the price down to just $449.99. This is the lowest price I've seen for a brand new unit, even beating Black Friday deals. Along with the discount, you'll receive a free official ROG Ally travel case, a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a two-month Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. If you're looking for a top-notch gaming handheld that isn't locked into Steam's ecosystem, the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a fantastic choice.
$649.99 save 31% $449.99 at Best Buy
The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a Windows 11-based gaming handheld PC, representing the higher-end model of the Asus ROG Ally series. It's powered by an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, equipped with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The device features a 7-inch screen with a crisp 1080p resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Unlike its main competitor, the Steam Deck, which runs on a Linux-based Steam OS, the ROG Ally operates on Windows 11. This compatibility with Windows makes it an ideal choice for gamers who want to access a variety of game launchers such as Steam, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and more. This versatility is a significant advantage for those who enjoy games not readily available or difficult to install on the Steam Deck.
In our Asus ROG Ally review, Robert Anderson noted, "The Asus ROG Ally truly feels like the portable Xbox Game Pass machine that many fans have been clamoring for. While it has its drawbacks, including a frustrating user experience, poor battery life, and the absence of Steam Deck-style touchpads, the handheld is incredibly fun to use when it's running smoothly. With its stunning 1080p screen, which is bright and perfect for on-the-go gaming, combined with its powerful specs and competitive price, it might just be the Steam Deck competitor we've been waiting for."
It's worth noting that with CES 2025 behind us, the handheld gaming PC market is set to see increased competition. The more compact and updated Lenovo Legion Go S has been announced and is now available for preorder. The Windows 11 version with a Z2 Go chip and 32GB of RAM will launch in January 2025, starting at $729. A more budget-friendly version, also with the Z2 Go chip but with 16GB of RAM, will be available in May 2025, offering a choice between Windows 11 and SteamOS for $599. Additionally, the Asus ROG Ally X, released in 2024, offers an all-around better gaming experience, though at a $300 higher price point.
IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of collective experience in uncovering the best discounts across gaming, tech, and various other categories. We prioritize transparency and value, ensuring our readers are only directed to deals that are genuinely worthwhile from brands we trust and have firsthand experience with. For more insight into our process, you can review our deals standards here, or follow the latest deals we uncover on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.