Xbox unveils its Handheld Compatibility Program

Microsoft announced Wednesday throughout Gamescom 2025 that not solely will its Xbox Ally handhelds be launched on October 16, however the firm is spinning up a new initiative to assist optimized gaming on these units referred to as the Handheld Compatibility Program.

The initiative appears to be just like Valve’s Steam Deck Verified, the place Xbox will take a look at video games to make sure their compatibility with the brand new Xbox Ally handhelds. “We’ve got labored with recreation studios to check, optimize, and confirm 1000’s of video games for handheld compatibility, permitting you to leap into the sport with out having to tweak settings, or requiring solely minor changes,” mentioned Roanne Sones, CVP of Gaming Units and Ecosystem at Xbox.

This system will probably be accessible on launch day and customers will be capable to see handheld compatibility immediately of their recreation libraries. Video games will probably be badged as “Handheld Optimized,” indicating video games with default controller inputs, applicable decision for full-screen play and extra. Video games badged as “Principally Appropriate” might require minor in-game setting changes for an optimum expertise on the Xbox Ally handheld.

Microsoft says it can proceed to accomplice with builders to submit their titles for handheld compatibility testing.

Along with the “Handheld Optimized” badge, video games may also be given a Home windows Efficiency Match indicator of both “Ought to play nice” or “Ought to play effectively.” In an announcement to Engadget, a Microsoft spokesperson mentioned “Home windows Efficiency Match predicts how effectively a recreation will run on a selected gadget utilizing telemetry-based efficiency information, resembling anticipated body charges. For instance, video games that carry the ‘Ought to play nice’ designation ought to common 60FPS or higher on this gadget, whereas video games that carry ‘Ought to play effectively’ label ought to common 30FPS or higher on this gadget.”

Replace, August 20, 6:20 PM ET: This story has been up to date after publish with additional clarification from Microsoft about Efficiency Match.