WaterField Pouch for ROG Ally (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
Review Approach:
Windows handhelds aren't new, but ASUS have been kicking up a storm by offering a great device at an incredibly compelling price. Where I think they fell short, however, is in their official case. It's been designed fairly thoughtfully for the system and can act as a stand while gaming, and keep it protected on the go. On paper I like it. But to me, and maybe others, it just looks ugly; it has a 2010s Adidas bag feel I can't get past. I wanted something better. Something I wouldn't grimace at when I pulled it out of my bag, and something that could still do a good job at keeping the Ally safe. Enter WaterField and the latest iteration of their Pouch.
The Pouch itself isn't all too difficult to explain. You have a ballistic nylon exterior that houses a zipped pocket on the front, and a main zipped compartment to store the Ally itself. The inside of the main compartment is incredibly soft and has an additional padded pouch behind where the console sits. You can use this to store your essentials, but outside of that I appreciate how it enables the Ally to sit largely flush with the case thanks to the pouch sitting between the two hand grips. It's a small detail but it does go to show the effort and detail that goes into adjusting these cases to best fit the specific device. Following on from this, it should be no surprise the Ally fits perfectly and feels incredibly secure when being transported or just thrown onto a sofa while I'm tidying around. The zip comes around the corner of the case, making it easy and natural to put in and take out the system by just holding it by its grip.
Looking to the front compartment, you have a somewhat small place to store wires and other pieces you might want to carry with you. The inner material here is aesthetically pleasing with a gold-patterned lining. It feels sturdy more than it does soft, but that's probably the better choice for a part of the bag that doesn't have direct contact with the device. The compartment itself has an additional pocket within it, allowing for further organisation.
I like the front pocket, but I must confess I don't use it for much. Nor the extra pocket that sits behind the Ally. While you can get wires in here and other essentials you might want to carry, I can't get behind how uneven it makes the case feel. With just the Ally being carried, the case is incredibly sleek and feels great to hold, but with wires in the front or back I just can't say the same. This is the kind of issue you'll find with any smaller case that wants to give you more options, and I do commend the options even if I don't use them. It's not much, but I do at least carry a small cleaning cloth and USB C to USB A adapter with these not having much of a footprint.
While this case is quite lovingly crafted for the Ally, I did find myself using it for other systems when out and about. I tend to only take one device with me, so having a single case shared in this way is really quite a clean solution. The AYANEO 2 fit really nicely with its shape being largely similar, and I was really happy carrying my Switch too. Back when I just used Joy Cons, I'd use my Sefu Bag for the Switch, but since moving to RetroFlag's GameCube-themed grip, it's just too big for the fitted design. Again with thanks to the similar form factor, it's found a home here.
It is worth mentioning that if you do want a case specifically for the Switch or Steam Deck, WaterField have versions of the Pouch designed for them in the same way this one is for the Ally. You might suffer from similar issues as me if transporting the Switch with third party accessories or controllers though, so make sure to look at the dimensions and make sure what you're wanting will fit. With HORI's Split Pad Pro, you might be better off with a case designed for the Steam Deck, for example.
There's really not that much more to say when it comes to the Pouch. WaterField are known for premium cases at usually quite premium prices to match, and this case is exactly what I'd expect from them. At $79 on the official WaterField website, you're ultimately paying double the price of ASUS' official offering. Do I think it's worth it? Absolutely. This is a well-padded case from a company that does cases and does them well. You have a tried and tested design tweaked to meet the needs of the new kid on the block, and if you're wanting the best to throw into your bag, this might just be it.
Verdict
- Great choice of materials inside and out
- Feels incredibly sturdy and premium for a soft case
- Well-designed specifically for the Ally
- Decent storage options for the form factor
- Small form factor of the case makes cables stick out a bit too much if stored alongside the Ally
