An Xbox executive has suggested the brand wants to offer cloud gaming at a lower price. An exact plan from Microsoft has yet to be announced.

Two years ago we learned, thanks to the FTC, that Microsoft was working on a separate “dedicated” version of Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft Gaming CFO Tim Stuart then hinted, a few months later, that there could be a free version Xbox Cloud Gaming in exchange for ads.

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

With all that said, "wrap up" is a pretty difficult phrase to define here. Microsoft has made an effort to make its software cross-generational since the Xbox One. Announced games will still be compatible with the Xbox Series consoles, and future, unannounced ones likely will, too.

Today, Microsoft has made its release date official, declaring that on October 16 we’ll be able to get hold of both models, with pre-orders due “in the coming weeks.” Despite this, we still don’t have a price for either model. However, rumors about the potential cost continue to appear—see below.

PlayStation has followed suit with Nintendo and Microsoft, upping its console pricing. So how do these gaming systems stack up now?

Right now, Amazon has a 17% discount on the Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller. That means that instead of the usual price of $65, you can get it for just $54 instead. That’s a solid amount of money off, and it makes this excellent controller a bit more affordable. Be quick though, as the deal won’t last for long.

Xbox Game Pass has gotten many people's attention, but is everything as it seems to be? And which is the best to get?