The Asus ROG Ally is a handheld Windows 11 gaming PC designed to give you “real PC gaming” in a portable form. One of the first questions most buyers ask is simple:
Can the ROG Ally play Steam games?
The short answer is yes. The ROG Ally runs full Windows, so it can install and play Steam games just like a regular gaming laptop or desktop. But there are important details about performance, controls, storage and settings that you should understand to get the best experience.
1. Why the ROG Ally Works So Well With Steam
The ROG Ally isn’t using a console OS or a locked-down store; it runs Windows 11 Home. That means the standard desktop Steam client works exactly the same way it does on a PC:
- You download and install Steam for Windows.
- Log in with your existing Steam account.
- Download your games and play them on the Ally.
There’s no need for compatibility layers or Proton (like on the Steam Deck), because games are running in their native Windows version. Technically, if a game runs on a mid-range Windows gaming laptop, it can usually run on the ROG Ally — with settings adjusted to fit handheld hardware.
2. Types of Steam Games the ROG Ally Can Play
2.1 AAA Blockbuster Games
The ROG Ally’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU and RDNA graphics are powerful enough to run modern AAA titles from Steam, including:
- Open-world games (RPGs, action-adventure)
- Racing games
- Shooter campaigns and co-op games
For big, demanding titles you’ll usually aim for:
- Resolution: 1280×720 (720p) to 1600×900 (900p)
- Graphics preset: Low to Medium
- Upscaling: FSR or in-game resolution scaling where available
- Power mode: Performance or Turbo when plugged in
With those settings, many AAA Steam games are very playable on the Ally, often in the 30–60 FPS range depending on the title.
2.2 Competitive & Esports Games
Steam is full of esports and competitive titles that run extremely well on the ROG Ally, such as:
- Hero shooters and tactical shooters
- Battle royale games (where available on Steam)
- MOBAs, arena fighters and sports titles
Because these games are heavily optimized, you can typically target:
- Resolution: 720p–900p
- Preset: Competitive/Low for maximum FPS
- Frame rate: 60 FPS or higher, taking advantage of the 120 Hz display
For players who mainly care about online competitive games, the Ally works very well as a portable Steam esports device.
2.3 Indie & 2D Titles
Many of the most popular Steam games are actually indie and 2D titles, which are perfect for the ROG Ally:
- Pixel-art platformers and metroidvanias
- Roguelikes and deck-builders
- Management, simulation and story-driven indie games
These titles often run at:
- Resolution: 1920×1080 (native panel resolution)
- Settings: High or Max
- Power: Silent or low TDP modes
That means quiet fans, longer battery life and a great handheld experience — perfect for using the Ally as an “indie machine” for your Steam backlog.
2.4 Retro PC & Classic Steam Games
Steam is also home to countless classic PC games: older FPS titles, RTS games, CRPGs and remastered collections. These tend to be very light on hardware, so the Ally can run them easily at 1080p and high settings.
In many cases, the limiting factor will be controls rather than performance (for example, older games designed only for mouse and keyboard). In those situations, you can either:
- Play docked with mouse and keyboard.
- Use Steam Input or third-party tools to map keyboard/mouse controls to the Ally’s gamepad.
3. Installing and Running Steam on the ROG Ally
Getting Steam running on the Ally is straightforward:
- Connect to Wi-Fi and run through Windows 11’s initial setup.
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser or any browser you prefer.
- Go to store.steampowered.com and download the Windows Steam installer.
- Run the installer, log into your Steam account, and you’re ready to download games.
You can then pin Steam to the Start menu, taskbar, or add it into Armoury Crate SE so it appears in your game library alongside non-Steam titles.
4. Controller Support and Steam Input
The ROG Ally’s built-in controls are detected by Windows as an Xbox-style controller. On Steam, that means:
- Most modern games will recognize the Ally’s controls automatically.
- Steam’s Big Picture mode can give you a console-like interface.
- Steam Input lets you customize controller layouts per game.
With Steam Input, you can:
- Remap buttons and sticks.
- Use gyro aiming if you like motion controls.
- Create community or personal layouts for games that don’t have native controller support.
If you run into a game that feels awkward with the default controls, try launching it through Big Picture mode and customizing the layout — or search for community templates tailored for handheld devices.
5. Limitations: When Steam Games Don’t Work Perfectly
Although the ROG Ally plays most Steam games well, there are some limitations to be aware of.
5.1 Very Demanding AAA Games
The Ally’s APU is powerful for a handheld, but not on the same level as a high-end desktop GPU. The newest, most demanding AAA Steam games may require:
- 720p resolution or lower
- Low graphics presets
- Upscaling to maintain 30 FPS
These games can still be playable, but you must be ready to compromise on image quality, especially if you want higher frame rates.
5.2 Anti-Cheat & Compatibility Issues
A small number of Steam games may have issues due to:
- Aggressive anti-cheat systems that behave unpredictably if you’ve modified Windows or drivers.
- Very old games with outdated DRM or 16-bit installers that don’t play nicely with modern Windows 11.
These cases are rare, but they’re part of why no PC — handheld or desktop — can honestly claim to run every Steam game perfectly.
5.3 Storage Space
Steam libraries grow quickly. The Ally’s internal SSD (often 512 GB) fills up fast when:
- Modern AAA games are 80–150 GB each.
- You install multiple big titles at the same time.
You can upgrade the internal M.2 2230 SSD and add a microSD card, but practically, you’ll often need to manage your installed Steam games, rotating titles in and out depending on what you’re playing.
6. Steam Big Picture, Deck-Style Experience and the Ally
If you like the Steam Deck’s console-like interface, you can come close on the ROG Ally by:
- Using Steam’s Big Picture mode as your primary launcher.
- Mapping the Ally’s controls (via Armoury Crate SE) so you can navigate Big Picture with the gamepad.
- Setting Windows to log in automatically and launching Steam at startup.
This doesn’t turn your Ally into a Steam Deck; it’s still Windows underneath, with all its pros and cons. But it does make the Steam experience more living-room friendly and controller-driven, which is ideal in handheld mode.
7. Practical Tips for a Better Steam Experience on the Ally
- Use game-specific performance profiles: Set different TDP and fan profiles per game (Silent for indie, Performance for AAA).
- Lower resolution before lowering everything else: 720p on a 7-inch display still looks good and helps frame rates a lot.
- Experiment with FSR and in-game upscaling: Many modern Steam games include these features; they’re perfect for handhelds.
- Back up your save data: Where possible, rely on Steam Cloud so you can safely reinstall or swap drives later.
8. Final Answer: Yes — With the Right Expectations
So, can the ROG Ally play Steam games? Absolutely.
The Ally is effectively a compact Windows gaming PC with built-in controls and a 1080p 120 Hz screen. It can install and run the vast majority of Steam titles, from indie hits and retro classics to modern AAA blockbusters, provided you adjust resolution and settings to match its handheld hardware.
It won’t max out every new game at ultra settings, and a handful of titles may have quirks due to anti-cheat or legacy DRM. But for most players, the practical reality is simple: if your favorite games are on Steam and run on a typical gaming laptop, the Asus ROG Ally is a very capable, portable way to enjoy them almost anywhere.