The ASUS ROG Ally is a handheld Windows gaming PC. It doesn’t use a closed console store like a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation – instead, it runs full Windows 11, just like a regular gaming laptop.
So when people ask, “Do you have to pay for games on ASUS ROG Ally?”, what they really want to know is: do you need special paid games just for the Ally, or can you use free games, Game Pass and your existing library?
The short answer is: you don’t pay ASUS for games. You install games from the same places as any Windows PC – some are paid, some are free, and some are included in subscriptions.
1. The ROG Ally is a PC, not a closed console
The most important thing to understand is that the ROG Ally is basically a small gaming PC with a built-in controller. It runs Windows 11, so you can install:
- Steam
- Epic Games Store
- GOG Galaxy
- Xbox app (PC Game Pass)
- EA app, Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net
- Launchers for other PC platforms and cloud services
That means you pay for games (or don’t pay) the same way you would on a normal Windows gaming laptop. ASUS does not charge a separate “ROG Ally game fee” or require a special store.
2. Paid games: one-time purchases
Most PC games you play on the ROG Ally will be standard paid titles that you buy once from a store, for example:
- Buying a new AAA game on Steam
- Purchasing an indie game on the Epic Games Store
- Buying a DRM-free classic on GOG
Once you’ve bought the game on your account, you can install it on the ROG Ally (and on your other PCs), as long as you log into the same store account. You don’t pay extra just because it’s a handheld.
So yes, many games on the ROG Ally are paid games – but you pay the game publishers or platforms, not ASUS, exactly like a regular computer.
3. Free-to-play games: no purchase needed
You don’t have to spend money to play on the ROG Ally. There are many free-to-play games you can install and enjoy without paying up front, for example:
- Popular battle royale and hero shooters
- MOBA and card games
- Many multiplayer co-op and casual titles
Most of them make money through:
- Optional cosmetics (skins, emotes, battle passes)
- Extra content, expansions or season passes
You can download these games directly from Steam, the Xbox app or other PC launchers on your ROG Ally. Whether you spend money inside them is completely up to you.
4. Subscription services (Game Pass and others)
Another big category is subscription gaming. On the ROG Ally, you can use services like:
- PC Game Pass via the Xbox app
- Other PC subscription libraries (where available in your region)
- Cloud gaming subscriptions (for streaming, not local installs)
With a subscription:
- You pay a monthly or yearly fee.
- You get access to a library of games to download and play as long as your subscription is active.
- When your subscription ends, you lose access to those games (unless you buy them separately).
This is similar to Netflix for games. You’re not paying for each individual title, but you are paying a recurring fee to keep access. On the ROG Ally, this works just like it does on a gaming laptop or desktop.
5. Cloud gaming: sometimes free, sometimes paid
Because the ROG Ally is a full Windows device with Wi-Fi, you can also use cloud gaming services (where available in your country). In this case:
- The game runs on a remote server, not on the Ally itself.
- Your ROG Ally simply streams the video and sends your inputs back.
Some cloud services use:
- A subscription model (pay monthly, get access to a catalog).
- A bring your own games model (you pay for the game on Steam/Epic/etc., then stream it from the cloud).
This technically lets you play very demanding games on the Ally even if the hardware would struggle to run them locally. But again, you pay the cloud service or the game store, not ASUS directly.
6. Emulation and your own game library
Many people also use the ROG Ally for emulation and retro gaming. Legally, you should only emulate games you actually own, and you need to follow copyright laws in your country.
From a payment perspective, there are a few possibilities:
- You already own the original games and are not buying anything new.
- You pay for legal re-releases or collections of classic games on Steam/GOG, then run them on the Ally.
- You might buy front-end software or specific emulators if they are paid apps (many are free, some are not).
Again, the ROG Ally itself doesn’t charge you a fee for this. You’re just using it like a small Windows PC that runs your favorite software.
7. Pre-installed content: do you get any free games?
Depending on the region and promotion, your ROG Ally might come with:
- Trial subscriptions (for example, a limited period of a game service)
- Launcher shortcuts or pre-installed software
These offers change over time, and they’re more like bonus deals than permanent features. Even if you get some free time or free games initially, you’ll usually need to pay if you want to keep using the subscription after the trial ends.
It’s always a good idea to check the box, receipt or ASUS promo page for your region to see if any free trials are currently included.
8. Do you ever pay ASUS directly for games?
In normal use, no.
You pay:
- Game stores (Steam, Epic, GOG, etc.) for individual games.
- Subscription providers for Game Pass or other services.
- Cloud providers if you use cloud gaming.
ASUS charges you for the hardware (the ROG Ally console itself), not for each game you install on it. There’s no “ROG Ally tax” on your games.
9. Practical examples: how a new user might play
Here are a few typical scenarios:
Scenario 1: The budget player
- Buys the ROG Ally.
- Installs Steam and the Xbox app.
- Plays free-to-play games plus free promos and demos.
- Total: pays nothing extra for games if they stick to free content.
Scenario 2: The subscription-focused player
- Buys the ROG Ally.
- Subscribes to a PC game subscription service.
- Downloads a rotating library of AAA and indie games.
- Total: pays monthly or yearly, but doesn’t buy many individual games.
Scenario 3: The traditional PC gamer
- Buys the ROG Ally.
- Logs into their existing Steam/Epic/GOG accounts.
- Installs games they already bought over the years.
- Total: pays nothing new for those games, just reuses their existing library.
10. Final answer: do you have to pay for games on ASUS ROG Ally?
The ASUS ROG Ally itself does not require you to pay for games in any special way. It’s simply a powerful handheld Windows PC. You can:
- Play paid games you buy on Steam, Epic, GOG and other stores.
- Enjoy free-to-play games and demos without spending anything.
- Use subscription services if you like the “all-you-can-play” model.
- Reuse your existing PC game library by logging into your usual accounts.
So, you don’t have to pay for games in the sense of a mandatory fee, but you will pay for games, subscriptions or DLC if you choose to – exactly like on any other Windows gaming PC.
If you’re happy playing free-to-play titles and occasional promos, you can absolutely enjoy the ROG Ally without constantly buying new games. If you love building a big library of AAA releases and indie gems, you’ll pay for those games the same way you already do on your desktop or laptop.