Category: AnnouncementsOctober 30, 2025Xbox October Update: ROG Xbox Ally Available Now, Handheld Compatibility Program, and MoreDean Shimabukuro, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Xbox Services MarketingContents Here’s What’s New: ROG Xbox Ally handhelds now available and Handheld Compatibility Program PC Gaming Updates: Faster download speeds on the Xbox PC app so you jump to your games quicker Xbox Console Updates: Game Hubs updated on all consoles In Case You Missed It: The Outer Worlds 2-themed controllers via Xbox Design Labs, and new Dynamic Backgrounds on console for Battlefield 6, Keeper, The Elder Scrolls Online, and The Outer Worlds 2 Game Additions: Advanced Shader Delivery for ROG Xbox Ally games, Xbox Play Anywhere, Stream Your Own Game, Retro Classics, Mouse and Keyboard and Touch ControlsOver the Summer we’ve introduced a wave of new features and devices designed to make gaming more seamless, personalized, and rewarding – whether you’re at home, on the go, or diving into cloud play. As we move into the Fall, we continue our quest to add improved innovation for our players.First up, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, portable gaming handhelds that deliver premium gaming performance for PC gaming, are now available to purchase. We also launched the Handheld Compatibility Program, making it easier to identify which games are optimized for handheld play.On PC, we’ve improved download speeds and optimized bandwidth usage, making it easier to jump into your games faster and with fewer slowdowns. Game Hubs have been updated on Xbox consoles with new modules that surface Official Club news and Game Pass benefits, so players can stay plugged into publisher updates and unlock more value from their subscriptions.And in case you missed it, new The Outer Worlds 2 controllers are available and Xbox Series X|S consoles have new dynamic backgrounds. Read about these and much more below.Here’s What’s NewROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X – Available NowExperience seamless PC gaming on the go with the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. Whether you’re all-in on performance or just want to jump into the action, the new ROG Xbox Ally handhelds have you covered. The ROG Xbox Ally delivers a smooth PC gaming experience for casual players and enthusiasts alike, while ROG Xbox Ally X is built for those who demand top-tier performance. On both devices, you can get help, insights, and recommendations from Gaming Copilot with the press of a button. These handhelds deliver everything you need to play your way – grab yours now!Handheld Compatibility Program – Helping Players Play SmarterWe’ve introduced the new Handheld Compatibility Program to make it easier for you to identify which games are optimized for handheld play. This update is now visible on product detail pages across all Windows devices and featured in the handheld compatible channel on Home on supported Windows handhelds.To support informed choices, a compatibility notification will appear before installation or purchase if a game is not currently Handheld Optimized, helping you understand how a game will play on handheld. [Back to Top]PC Gaming UpdatesFaster Downloads, Sharper ExperienceWe’ve rolled out updates to the Xbox PC app that improve download speeds so you can jump into your games faster. These changes are available now.We’ve made improvements to the download tool, allowing the app to better optimize your PC’s internet connection. That means fewer slowdowns and smarter bandwidth usage, especially on high-speed networks.This is part of our ongoing commitment to making Xbox on PC faster, more responsive, and tuned to player feedback. We’ll continue listening to feedback and monitoring performance as the rollout expands. [Back to Top]Xbox Console UpdatesOfficial Clubs and Game Pass Benefits UpdateStay plugged into publisher updates and unlock more value with Game Pass. Game Hubs now include two new modules designed to keep you informed and engaged. The first provides the latest news from Official Clubs (where available), while the second highlights any Game Pass in-game benefits tied to the title. These updates have started to roll out and will soon appear alongside existing modules like Your game stats and Available add-ons, making it easier than ever for you to discover what’s new and take advantage of what’s included. [Back to Top]In Case You Missed ItXbox Accessories – The Outer Worlds 2 Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2Step into the sequel with gear that’s ready for the mission. The Outer Worlds 2 Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 bring bold new designs inspired by The Moon Man and the galactic rifts threatening humanity’s survival. These aren’t just controllers; they’re your ultimate weapon in the Arcadia system. Available now through Xbox Design Lab, both options let players gear up with style and purpose.Xbox Console – Dynamic BackgroundsBattlefield 6, Keeper, The Elder Scrolls Online, and The Outer Worlds 2 all introduced new dynamic backgrounds for Xbox Series X|S consoles, allowing you to customize your console and celebrate these exciting new games. [Back to Top]Game AdditionsROG Xbox Ally: Advanced Shader Delivery – Launch Faster, Play Smoother, Game Smarter.We’re making your gaming experience even better with advanced shader delivery – now available for supported titles on ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.This new feature preloads game shaders during download, so select games launch up to 10x faster, run more smoothly, and use less battery on first play.Today, advanced shader delivery is supported on select titles, with more coming soon. Here is the list of current supported games:Ark Survival AscendedAvowedCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Clair Obscur: Expedition 33ControlDead Island 2Deep Rock GalacticFarming Simulator 25ForspokenFinal Fantasy XVIForza Horizon 5Forza Motorsport 5Gears of War: ReloadedGears TacticsGrounded 2Grand Theft Auto V EnhancedLies of PMetro ExodusMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024Monster Hunter RisePersona 3 ReloadResident Evil 2 (2019)Resident Evil 3S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of ChornobylSea of ThievesSniper Elite: ResistanceSouth of MidnightThe Elder Scrolls: Oblivion RemasterNinja Gaiden 4The Callisto ProtocolThe Outer Worlds 2Silent Hill fKeeperHogwarts LegacyXbox Play Anywhere – Buy once, play anywhereOver 1,000 games now support Xbox Play Anywhere, making it easier than ever to switch between PC, console, and supported handhelds, at no extra cost to you. Jump into games like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Silent Hill f now. Your progress travels with you, including saves, add-ons, and achievements. Just sign in with your Xbox account on any device and pick up right where you left off.These are the games added to the Xbox Play Anywhere collection in September:Agatha Christie – Death on the NileAlphadia IIIBaki Hanma: Blood ArenaBio BlockBratz Rhythm & StyleBrews & BastardsCar Mechanic Shop SimulatorCreepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3Dead ResetDeep Rock Galactic SurvivorDeTechtive 2112Detective DotsonDouble DangerousDragon RuinsDreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to PartyEchoes of Light: Child of the BalanceEchoes of the Plum GroveFirefighting Simulator IgniteFormula LegendsFull Throttle ParkingGiant RushGreen Soldiers Heroes: Extreme BikersHanoi Puzzles: Flip MatchHeian City StoryHollow Knight: SilksongHot Stakes Casino – American RouletteHotel BarcelonaInk Enigma: Hidden Object ChallengesKairoboticaKarma: The Dark WorldMeow Moments: Celebrating Beats & BooksMoon MysteryMy Horse StoriesNachtmahrNapoleon Maiden Episode.1 A maiden without the word impossibleNBA BounceNicktoons & The Dice of DestinyNot Not 2 – A Brain ChallengeOtherwarOverpowered 1 – Mars InfestationRomancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the SevenRudolph The Red Nosed ReindeerScar-Lead SalvationSilent Hill fSkyline BowlingSlime Rancher 2Sokocat: Islands – RemasteredSpot Challenge 3DSpotCat vs The Cheddar Mafia In AsiaStylist GirlSwornTheme Park JamTotally Normal Journey: The Interactive MusicalTrain Sim World 6Wander StarsCheck out the full list of available games that players can enjoy anywhere.Stream your own game – Over 1000+ gamesWe’re continuing to grow the Stream your own game collection in Xbox Cloud Gaming. Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can now stream from a library of 1000+ games they own, across supported devices. That includes titles like ARC Raiders and Jurassic World Evolution 3.More games, more flexibility, and more ways to play – wherever you may be.Recently added:ARC RaidersChildren of MortaDanganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair Anniversary EditionDanganronpa V3: Killing Harmony Anniversary EditionFive Nights at Freddy’s: Sister LocationJurassic World Evolution 3King of MeatPinball FX3SongPop PartySyberia – The World BeforeTalisman: Digital EditionThe Jackbox Party Pack 9Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2XIII…and many more!Check out the full list of cloud-playable games available to stream on supported devices here. For more information on Stream your own game, learn more here. [Back to Top]More games added to Retro ClassicsGreat games deserve to stick around, and we’re making sure they do. Xbox and Antstream Arcade are bringing retro favorites to modern devices with Retro Classics available on Game Pass, so players can keep enjoying the classics. With over 1 million players already diving into Retro Classics, here’s a look at the titles that have been recently added to Retro Classics.BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk’s Inception (Amiga)BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk’s Revenge (DOS)Ice HockeyMoonsweeperGame Pass members can join weekly tournaments like the Maze Reaper tournament happening now, take on community challenges and enjoy a growing library of Activision and Blizzard games with the Retro Classics collection set to expand to more than 100 titles over time. Click here for more information on Retro Classics.Xbox adds mouse and keyboard and touch controls for more gamesXbox supports the use of wired USB mice and keyboards for navigation in select games and apps, as well as across Xbox and Windows devices.For players enjoying Xbox games on mobile, Xbox touch controls deliver a controller-free experience for hundreds of titles. Today, there are 130+ games with mouse and keyboard support active on cloud and 230+ games with touch controls available on cloud, giving you more ways to play than ever before.Some games even provide custom control overlays or render their own touch layouts, creating a tailored experience for each title’s unique gameplay. Learn how to set up and customize your touch controls here. [Back to Top]Here are the latest titles added this month:Mouse and keyboard:ABRISS – build to destroyAstro MinerBiz Builder DeluxChess RoyalCozy DesignerCyberTDDolmenjord – Viking IslandsDragon TakersDream Town IslandDungeon Village 2EldgearElemental War ClashForest Golf PlannerGRAPPINHatsune Miku – The Planet of Wonder and Fragments of WishesHexaScape: Cyber DefenseLast Escape: Dead ComplexMayhem HeroesMeow Moments: Celebrating Geeks & AthletesMidnight RemasteredNarcissusPenguin’s RoadPocket HarvestPocket League StoryPost TramaRoofcats Band – Suika StylePool Slide StorySnooker BlitzSokoNatureSpot Challenge Vol. 1The ThaumaturgeTo the SkyTouch:KeeperImmortals of AveumTales of Kenzera: ZAUFor support on setting up devices, see here for more details.Help Shape the Future of XboxStay tuned to Xbox Wire for future updates and the latest and greatest Xbox news. For support related to Xbox updates, visit the official Xbox Support site.We love hearing from the community, whether it’s a new feature idea or feedback on something we can improve upon. Xbox is always evolving, and your input helps shape what’s next. If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. [Back to Top]Happy gaming!.post-template-default .xwsrc-block-content-block .wp-block-column.flex-basis-50.push--25.column--content {flex: 100%;margin-left: 0;}Related Stories for “Xbox October Update: ROG Xbox Ally Available Now, Handheld Compatibility Program, and More”Category: AnnouncementsTurning the Moon into The Moon Man’s Playground with Snapchat for The Outer Worlds 2Category: GamesHalo: Campaign Evolved – Answering the Big Questions About This Ambitious RemakeCategory: GamesBattle in the Heavens: Ninja Gaiden 4 Makes Gaming History in the AirThe post Xbox October Update: ROG Xbox Ally Available Now, Handheld Compatibility Program, and More appeared first on Xbox Wire.