Microsoft has set an official release date for its upcoming Xbox Ally handheld gaming devices, announcing they will launch on October 16. The news was shared during Gamescom 2025. Alongside the hardware announcement, the company introduced a new Handheld Compatibility Program designed to ensure a smooth gaming experience on the new portable systems.
This new initiative draws clear parallels to Valve’s Steam Deck Verified program. Xbox will actively test games to verify their performance and compatibility specifically for the Xbox Ally handhelds. The goal is to allow players to jump into their games immediately without needing to spend time adjusting complex settings.
According to Roanne Sones, CVP of Gaming Devices and Ecosystem at Xbox, the company has already collaborated with numerous game studios to test, optimize, and verify thousands of titles for handheld compatibility.
At launch, users will see new badges directly within their game libraries. Titles that meet the highest standards will be labeled as Handheld Optimized. This badge signifies that a game features default controller inputs, an appropriate resolution for full-screen play on the handheld, and generally offers a seamless experience. Another badge, Mostly Compatible, will indicate that a game is playable but might require some minor in-game setting adjustments for the best possible experience on the device.
Microsoft has committed to continuing this effort by partnering with developers to submit their new and existing titles for this handheld compatibility testing.
Beyond the compatibility badges, games will also receive a Windows Performance Fit indicator. This rating predicts how well a game will run on the specific hardware of the Xbox Ally. There are two designations: Should play great and Should play well. Microsoft clarified that games with the Should play great label are expected to average 60 frames per second or better on the device. Games labeled Should play well are predicted to average 30 frames per second or better. This system uses telemetry-based performance data to set player expectations for performance before they even download a game.
The Xbox Ally handhelds and the full Handheld Compatibility Program are scheduled to go live on October 16.