Microsoft and Asus Tried to Lower the Price of the ROG Xbox Ally — What Went Wrong?

Although preorders for the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are moving well across the globe, players’ responses to the pricing have been mixed.

The base model is priced at $599.99, while the X variant carries a $999.99 tag. For many consumers, both prices are steep regardless of the chosen configuration.

According to John Clark of XboxEra, Microsoft and Asus reportedly attempted to lower the price during Gamescom in August. That effort is said to be the reason the price wasn’t announced alongside the release date. Insider Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming confirmed that the idea was discussed “at the time,” but “for some reason it couldn’t be implemented.”

This adds to the criticism aimed at Microsoft, which recently raised prices for all Xbox Series X/S models in the United States. How this will influence long-term demand for handheld consoles remains uncertain, though current interest appears strong.

The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are scheduled to launch on October 16 in 38 countries, with additional regions to be added later.

Source: iXBT.games