Microsoft executive boasts PS5 games on new Xbox handheld, but defends existing consoles

An advantage of the ROG Xbox Ally is its ability to play titles from multiple marketplaces. That includes Steam, which unlocks PS4 and PS5 games ported to Windows. During a recent interview, Xbox President Sarah Bond made sure to promote the versatility of the upcoming gaming handheld.

Xbox gaming handhelds and the decline of console exclusivity

At the Tokyo Game Show 2025, Japanese site Game Watch interviewed the executive. One question asked Bond about what other Xbox games may launch on the PS5. Although Bond wouldn’t provide any clues, she did note that the “ROG Xbox Ally can also play PlayStation Studios titles such as Marvel's Spider-Man.”

Xbox and PlayStation already share several formerly exclusive cross-platform games. Still, the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X open up new possibilities. Besides Helldivers 2 and MLB: The Show, Series X and S owners previously needed a PC for a wider selection of PS5 games. Even if Sony adhered to a period of exclusivity, popular titles like Death Stranding and Horizon Zero Dawn arrived on Steam.

While some fans are ready to embrace the new gaming handhelds, others express concern about the state of Xbox consoles. The Xbox Series X|S machines have suffered several price increases. As sales have dwindled, retailers like Costco have stopped stocking the systems. Regardless, Bond isn’t ready to turn the page on the consoles. She insisted that the machines remain “very important hardware” in the Xbox ecosystem.

Considering recent events, analysts and gamers aren’t convinced by Microsoft’s strategy. Some critics question whether the ROG Xbox Ally should even be considered a console. It sports the new Xbox full-screen experience, but otherwise offers few capabilities that aren’t available with existing Windows 11 gaming handhelds. Playing older console-locked Xbox games isn’t possible without emulation or cloud streaming.