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“THIS IS AN XBOX,” Microsoft says. Nothing typifies that statement more than the main Z1 Extreme gaming handhelds: The Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally. Both of them are on sale right now, but which one is right for you?
- ASUS ROG Ally X: Z1 Extreme, 1 TB storage, 1.5-3 hours battery life, 24GB RAM, 7-inch screen with VRR. (20% OFF: $699 at Best Buy).
- ASUS ROG Ally: Z1 Extreme, 512 GB storage, 1-2 hours battery life, 16 GB RAM, 7-inch screen with VRR. (20% OFF: $499 at Best Buy).
- Lenovo Legion Go: Z1 Extreme, 512 GB storage, 1-2 hours battery life, 16 GB RAM, 8.8-inch screen without VRR. (30% OFF: $472.99 at Amazon)
The main differences here revolve around the display and ergonomics. The ASUS ROG Ally (and it’s slightly beefier X cousin) both sport the same Z1 Extreme chip, delivering similar performance between both devices. However, this is a laptop chip in essence. Some games can have performance issues if you push it too hard, which is why the variable refresh rates on the ASUS ROG Ally can help keep frames smooth even on the most intensive, least-optimized modern AAA 3D games. The downside is that the screen is tiny. Most games are optimized for monitors and television sets, meaning that the text and UI elements can appear really tiny on the ASUS ROG Ally. The Lenovo Legion Go by comparison has a much larger display, up to 8.8 inches, and I prefer that personally.
The downside of that of course, is that the 8.8 inch screen makes the Lenovo Legion Go quite bulky. It also has a kick stand, detachable sticks, an extra USB-C port, and a trackpad too, though. That extra bulk is used quite well, making it a more versatile option than the pure gaming chops of the ASUS ROG Ally.
So the rule of thumb is, if you want something large and versatile that could essentially function as a travel laptop with a Bluetooth keyboard attached, the Lenovo Legion Go is a better pick. If you want a pure portable gaming device, the ASUS ROG Ally is a better pick, owing to its lighter weight and VRR display. Either way, both are on sale at the links above, saving you a ton of cash.
Okay, this one isn’t even a Black Friday deal, but I’d be remiss not to show it to all the Xbox fans going shopping for new accessories this holiday season (and all the friends and family members buying for a superfan, too). 8BitDo just announced an Xbox keyboard and mouse that’s an ode to the OG Xbox, and while they’re not actually compatible with Xbox consoles, you can still use the Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse with a Windows PC that you play Xbox games on with Xbox Play Anywhere, PC Game Pass, or Xbox Cloud Gaming (don’t forget that Microsoft puts many Xbox Game Studios titles on platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store, also).
Both the keyboard and mouse are strongly inspired by the design of the original Xbox console, complete with a transparent green chassis and RGB lighting that gives me a wave of nostalgia for the classic Xbox startup screen. You’re also getting Kailh Jellyfish X switches, arrow keys (keyboard) and side buttons (mouse) that match the colors of Xbox’s ABXY controller buttons, and even a dedicated Xbox button that opens the Xbox Game Bar software just like the one on controllers does.
What 8BitDo has created here are some absolute works of art, and notably, they’re available to preorder now. The keyboard is $119.99 at Amazon while the mouse is $59.99 at 8BitDo, and both are scheduled to ship on January 16. — Brendan Lowry, Contributor
⌨️ 8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard Xbox Edition: $119.99 at Amazon
🖱️ 8BitDo Retro R8 Mouse Xbox Edition: $59.99 at 8BitDo
I’m actually a tad annoyed at this one, as this sale price is only a smidge more than what I paid for half the amount of storage. Yes it’s another Xbox expansion card, but it’s my preferred choice, the WD_Black 1TB. Right now it’s only $99 down from $157.99 so you’re saving 37% off retail price which is a considerable discount for this much storage. It’s actually a whole $30 cheaper than the same amount from Seagate and does exactly the same job. Of course the expansion cards like this and the Seagate aren’t the absolute cheapest way to get more storage, but they are the only way you can play your Xbox Series S|X games directly, without any shifting around. Since I got mine I wouldn’t be without it, I just wish I’d actually got the full 1TB that you can right now! — Jennifer Young, Contributor.
💾WD_Black 1TB C50 Expansion card for Xbox 37% off (was $157.99 now $99.00) at Amazon
Of all the Xbox accessories I review throughout the year, the one I’ve tested the most in 2024 is mobile controllers. You might be wondering what they have to do with Xbox — well, Xbox Cloud Gaming, of course! It’s gotten even better recently, especially with the ability to bring your own games into the mix. As a subscriber to Nvidia GeForce Now, I’ve also been using mobile controllers for games like Baldur’s Gate 3, which was an absolute treat on that platform.
My top pick from all the controllers I’ve tested is the GameSir G8 Plus, or its sibling, the G8 Galileo. The main difference between the two is the connection type: the G8 Plus uses Bluetooth, making it perfect for larger or foldable phones, while the G8 Galileo connects via USB-C, so you never have to worry about charging it. Both controllers are incredibly comfortable, with the crucial hall-effect sticks that ensure durability — meaning once you buy one, it’ll last you a lifetime. After all, who wants to buy multiple mobile controllers? — Jennifer Young, Contributor.
☁️🎮 GameSir G8 Plus 20% off (was $79.99 now $63.99) at Amazon
☁️🎮 GameSir G8 Galileo 37% off (was $99.99 now $62.99) at Amazon
My absolute favorite headset of 2024 is currently on sale already at Amazon, which to me is absurd. I was planning to write a post today along the lines of “it’s not actually on sale, but you should buy this anyway,” only for Turtle Beach to swoop in and deny me the pleasure — while saving you 25% in the process.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen-3) is absolutely the KING of Xbox headset value, with best-in-class audio, multiplatform versatility, maximum comfort, and Bluetooth mixing capabilities on top. This is simply a sublime headset that I absolutely cannot recommend enough, and now it’s on sale for half the price of worse-sounding competitors. However Turtle Beach managed to put this together is a mystery, but I’m not complaining. If you’re using an older headset and want to upgrade, make it this one, above all others.
💰Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) 25% off (was $199, now $149) at Amazon
Here’s a simple deal for you, FREE CASH. Ok it’s not exactly free, but if you are going to buy something directly from the Xbox or Microsoft store anyway… you can get yourself some extra credit if you purchase an Xbox gift card at Newegg. There’s a promotion right now for a $100 Xbox gift card with $12 off if you use promo code BFDDY2A282. Thats money you can put straight onto your account, or gift to someone else if you are feeling generous.
Newegg has done this offer before and it was short-lived, so I’d jump on it pronto then maximize your savings by buying ALL THE GAMES in the Xbox Black Friday sales. Backlog? What backlog? — Jennifer Young, Contributor.
💸Xbox $100 Gift Card: was $100 now $88 at Newegg use code BFDDY2A282
It’s no secret Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 needs a few post-launch patches before it’s ready for sim enthusiasts to dive into some long-haul flights, but the 2020 release is still totally functional and works great with my favorite flight sticks. For Xbox gamers, I explained in my VelocityOne Flightstick review that Turtle Beach’s joystick doubles up as a more varied joystick on PC, but it’ll work with console titles with a few tweaks.
Luckily, it’s on sale for $97.49 at Best Buy during Black Friday, and Amazon is price-matching the same deal. If you’re already subscribed to Xbox Game Pass, you can still jump into Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition (from 2020) and take your favorite aircraft to the skies with some real immersion. — Ben Wilson, Senior Editor
🕹️Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Stick: was $129.99 now $97.49 at Best Buy
Black Friday is a great time to get the cheapest deals on Xbox Game Pass, which is your one-stop shop for games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Stalker 2 and soon Indiana Jones just to name a small selection of the 100s of titles available in the Xbox Game Pass library. The absolutely best offer right now is 3 months worth for $27.99 at CD Keys, down from the normal price of $50.
That’s for Game Pass Ultimate, which gives you access to the full library of games and day-one titles and gets you Xbox Cloud Gaming, which has just started rolling out the ability to play your owned games. The standard monthly subscription of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate jumped up to $20 a month recently, so buying a longer subscription like this through a legitimate reseller is a great way to shave off some of the cost. — Jennifer Young, Contributor.
The Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black special edition is not on sale, it’s only just launched so of course it’s not — BUT if you absolutely want one then Best Buy are throwing in a free $75 gift card with your purchase today. So if you’re intent on buying a discless Xbox for $599.99, I implore you to at least head to Best Buy for it to get some extra value.
If I sound somewhat snarky, it’s because I really dislike that this Xbox doesn’t have a disc drive for price, but for those with wholly digital libraries it shouldn’t be a deal breaker. If a disc drive is important though, a better value for you may be the standard Xbox Series X plus a 1TB WD_Black Expansion card for a rock bottom price of $99 at Amazon. However we are still waiting to see any decent deals on the Xbox Series S standard… watch this space! — Jennifer Young, Contributor.
💫Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition: $599.99 plus free $75 gift card at Best Buy
Ok, let’s talk controllers. Do you need a new Xbox controller? If you’re a regular on this site, probably not, like many of us you are probably stacked. But there’s always room for… just one more. Especially when the Black Friday sales are throwing out some absolute bangers like this Ghost Cipher Special Edition for only $42.75 at Lenovo. You’ll need to use a discount code at checkout, and use it on the already reduced price to get another 5% — the code you need is EXTRAFIVE.
If you’re not into messing around with codes, or you simply want a different color, then Walmart is the best place right now with pretty much every color, including both the Cipher controllers for $45.
Now if you just need a new controller, and for some crazy reason don’t really care what it looks like, there are some ridiculously cheap deals right now on the basic black Xbox Series X|S controller, but the cheapest will require you to download an app. Woot, the Amazon outlet, is flogging standard Xbox controllers for only $35 if you purchase within the app thanks to a one-day-only 20% discount across the store. If you’re on Apple, get the Woot app here, and here’s the Android version.
I’m trying to stand firm on not grabbing yet another controller today, but my resolve is being shook by these deals! — Jennifer Young, Contributor
🎮Xbox Wireless Controller Ghost Cipher Special Edition: was $69.99 Now $42.75 at Lenovo
The Xbox Series S toaster is a fun little gadget that adds some gaming flair to a kitchen. It’s priced to be a perfect Secret Santa gift or stocking stuffer (even if you’re shopping for yourself. A discount on the Xbox Series S toaster makes it even more affordable.
The Xbox Series S toaster was inspired by memes about the look of Microsoft’s more affordable current-gen console. Following in the footsteps of the Xbox Series X Mini Fridge and Xbox Compact Fridge, the Xbox Series S toaster leans on the playful side of the Xbox team.
While the Xbox Series S toaster is a playful nod to the unique design of the Xbox Series S, it’s also a nice toaster. It has a self-centering bread guide and a bagel button to fit larger items. An LED light shows a countdown timer as well, so you know exactly when your food will be ready. An anti-jam function, automatic temperature control, and a removable crumb tray round out a solid spec sheet. Those are hardly exclusive features to the Xbox Series S toaster, but they ensure that the gadget is more than just a novelty or a toy.
The Xbox Series S toaster does have one exclusive feature, it can toast the Xbox logo onto a piece of bread.
Still the highest-end model in Microsoft’s range of Xbox consoles, the Xbox Series X now comes in a white colorway with an upgrade to 1TB of storage but drops the disc drive. That means all of your games need to be purchased digitally, but the extra SSD space means less need to uninstall titles to make space for the latest AAA game.
Nevertheless, even without the disc drive, Executive Editor Jez Corden still praises the all-digital Edition in his recently updated Xbox Series X review: “Whether you grab the standard black Xbox Series X or go for the digital-only white Xbox Series X Digital Edition, it’s a box that should still last you several years.”
With the continued success of Xbox Game Pass, any newcomer to Microsoft’s console will have instant access to a gigantic library of day-one releases with their subscription, including blockbuster hits like STALKER 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. I still use my day-one Xbox Series X in black practically every day, and I’ve never bought a single game on disc or even used a 4K UHD blu-ray movie with my console. Still, the option is there if you’re a film buff and have a compatible 4K TV. — Ben Wilson, Senior Editor
🎮Xbox Series X 1TB All-Digital (White) Edition: was $449.99 now $399.99 at Best Buy
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/adn/CODEC5OHEF72EAOVCURMZM6EYY.jpg "Black Friday deals are rolling in for travel and stays in Alaska, and to Outside destinations")
