Xbox Unveils Its Handheld Compatibility Program

Microsoft announced Wednesday during Gamescom 2025 that not only will its Xbox Ally handhelds beryllium released connected October 16, but nan institution is spinning up a new initiative to support optimized gaming connected these devices called nan Handheld Compatibility Program.

The inaugural seems to beryllium akin to Valve's Steam Deck Verified, wherever Xbox will trial games to guarantee their compatibility pinch nan caller Xbox Ally handhelds. "We person worked pinch crippled studios to test, optimize, and verify thousands of games for handheld compatibility, allowing you to jump into nan crippled without having to tweak settings, aliases requiring only insignificant adjustments," said Roanne Sones, CVP of Gaming Devices and Ecosystem astatine Xbox.

The programme will beryllium disposable connected merchandise time and users will beryllium capable to spot handheld compatibility straight successful their crippled libraries. Games will beryllium badged arsenic "Handheld Optimized," indicating games pinch default controller inputs, due solution for full-screen play and more. Games badged arsenic "Mostly Compatible" whitethorn require insignificant in-game mounting adjustments for an optimal acquisition connected nan Xbox Ally handheld.

Microsoft says it will proceed to partner pinch developers to taxable their titles for handheld compatibility testing.

In summation to nan "Handheld Optimized" badge, games will besides beryllium fixed a Windows Performance Fit parameter of either "Should play great" aliases "Should play well." Microsoft says these awesome "compatibility and capacity fit," but really it's anyone's champion conjecture what that intends aliases really it's different from nan Handheld Performance badge. We've reached retired to Microsoft for further specifications and will update if we perceive back.