Rediscovering the Joy of Living Room Gaming: A Journey From PS4 to Portable
Oh, my poor PS4. How lonely you must feel now, nestled untouched beneath a layer of dust under my TV stand. After I finally kicked my Destiny habit and transitioned to gaming exclusively on PC, your once-cherished role as a console shifted to merely serving as a glorified streaming box. Even that duty faded when I upgraded to a new smart TV, leaving you to wallow in inactivity except during rare gatherings when guests want to play Jackbox.
I’ve nearly abandoned ‘living room gaming’ altogether, a stark contrast to my childhood spent immersed in almost every home console from the Nintendo 64 to the Sega Dreamcast. Oh, how many hours did I pour into Destiny 2? Let’s not dwell on that.
Going Mobile…
Yet, Asus may have reignited that spark. I acquired the original ROG Ally at its launch in 2023, and it has become a well-loved addition to my household. My partner, who struggled to get into PC gaming, found a pathway with the Ally. Now, we proudly boast over 200 hours on a shared Stardew Valley co-op save. In fact, it seems he has claimed the Ally as his own — I’ve been banished to my desktop more than once when we both want to dive into different games.
Sorry, Switch – I think the ROG Ally’s dock might be taking over your regular space on my TV stand.
(Image credit: Shutterstock, Nintendo)
Despite my years with the ROG Ally, I always regarded it strictly as a handheld device. This perspective shifted when Asus sent me the ROG Bulwark Dock in December. Curious, I considered whether I might prefer it docked more than I ever anticipated.
…and Not So Mobile
As it turns out, I enjoyed the experience tremendously. Armed with one of the best PC controllers—the GameSir Tarantula Pro—setting up the ROG Bulwark with my TV was seamless. Within minutes, my Ally shone on the big screen as I reclined, immersed in the enchanting world of Death’s Door.
If you’ll allow me a brief tangent: Death’s Door is absolutely remarkable, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Seriously, go play it.
Returning to the matter at hand, I was impressed by how effectively the Ally simulated the home console experience, especially once I transitioned into gameplay, despite a few initial clumsiness with Windows 11. Even with my Z1 Extreme model, I achieved smooth performance at 1080p across a variety of games. Plus, it effortlessly slipped back to handheld mode whenever I chose to relocate to bed rather than crank up the thermostat.
Honestly, the Ally is a bit bulky for lengthy gaming sessions in handheld mode – my wrists start to ache a little.
(Image credit: Asus)
These experiences made me realize how much I miss the good old days of gaming on the TV. Perhaps games feel different when played on the same device I work on for eight hours daily. Relaxing on the couch definitely adds a unique vibe; I could even relive the joy of couch co-op with my partner in Split Fiction.
While my home console days may be behind me, and my PS4 will likely continue to collect dust (sorry, Destiny—it’s not me, it’s you), my appreciation for handheld gaming has flourished. It might be time to better separate my work and gaming environments. Plus, with the current rise in computer component prices due to AI, major desktop upgrades seem unlikely—so why not indulge in some cozy couch gaming?
The best PC controllers
For more insights into the evolving landscape of gaming, you can read the full article here.
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
