Faster Performance Higher Frame Rates
The Xbox Series X and Series S have dramatically more powerful CPUs than previous-generation consoles didin the neighborhood of four times as powerful as their predecessor in raw speed and the number of cores and threads, to say nothing of seven years worth of efficiency and other improvements. This means faster user interfaces and much faster load times,1 as well as more sophisticated character and game behaviors, and just more stuff on screen at any given moment.
But the biggest improvements are most apparent in frame rates, which should hit 60 frames per second much more often this generation than last. The more frames per second, the more often the controller and the game are communicating. So a new Series X or Series S should feel like it responds faster and more reliably to your inputs. And when games cant maintain consistent frame rates, support for variable refresh rates should help keep those games from feeling unresponsive.
These improvements have come to a number of existing titles originally released for the Xbox One Gears 5, the entirety of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps have all received 120 FPS updates for the Xbox Series X and Series S.
Best Xbox Controller Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series : 15999 Argoscouk
This is the pinnacle of gamepads. The elite controller comes with a set of optional thumb stick pads so you can select the shape and texture you prefer. The pad has adjustable-tension thumbsticks, a rubberised grip for clammy hands and more sensitive triggers to achieve faster reaction times in FPS games.
At the push of a button you can switch between three preset profiles, so your control setup is always correct for the type of game youre playing. A premium Xbox controller for the discerning gamer, it can truly elevate your skills.
Choosing The Right Xbox: Series X Or Series S
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Weve updated this guide to reflect updates to the Xbox Series X and S and recent game releases on both platforms.
After a seven-year run, Microsoft has stopped making the Xbox One, and a new generation of video game consoles is here. The $500 Xbox Series X and the $300 Xbox Series S may both be part of the same generation, but each model targets a different level of speed and graphics performance, and that might make it difficult for you to figure out which one to buyor, if you need to buy one at all.
Youre going to hear a lot about 4K if youre shopping for video games or a TV. It represents the next big step in high-definition video, with 3840×2160 pixelsfour times the resolution of 1080p.
Our pick
Get the Series X if youll use it with a 4K TV , want the absolute best in graphics like raytraced lighting effects, or if you want a disc drive for games and movies.
Buying Options
May be out of stock
*At the time of publishing, the price was $500.
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Xbox Series X Review: Games
On the whole, there aren’t a huge amout of new Xbox Series X games that are exclusive for the console. And neither will there be, as games will also need to be playable on the Xbox Series S, as well as come to Windows 10, and soon Windows 11, PCs.
However, the Xbox Series X and Series S will have upcoming console exclusives in the from of Halo Infinite, Fable 4 and Starfield, as well as a bevy of other titles checkout our recap of the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase at E3 2021 for a full breakdown.
But while you wait for those games there’s a bevy of Xbox Series X and Series S enhanced games to play. The likes of Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 4, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and Destiny 2: Beyond Light and Sea of Thieves will all run better on the Xbox Series X than other Xbox hardware.
Xbox Series X Final Thoughts
The Xbox Series X is an unconventional next-generation console. It’s arriving with thousands of playable games from day one, each of which appears to play better than they ever have on console, but the broad appeal of that offering will likely depend on where your allegiances have been for the last generation.
If you’re returning home to Xbox after seven years with the PS4, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5, and Sea of Thieves might be older titles, but with their optimisation for Xbox Series X, they look and feel as if they could have released yesterday. Similarly, other exclusives that are yet to receive optimisation patches Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Halo 5: Guardians, for example play wonderfully, as do games like Quantum Break and Rare Replay that were initially optimised for One X and are receiving huge free gains on the new hardware. If you’re new into Xbox, there’s plenty here for you to play.
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Xbox Series X Review: Controller
Ever since Microsoft came up with the Xbox 360 controller, Ive been a fan of the Xbox controllers, and the new Xbox Wireless Controller is a neat evolution of its predecessor. Though glance at the peripheral, and youd be hard-pressed to spot any major differences from the Xbox One controller.
But thats not a bad thing, as its a fantastic controller. Small improvements like textured triggers and an improved D-pad take a familiar controller and simply make it better.
The Xbox Wireless Controller has long been one of the most comfortable controllers Ive used, taking the Xbox 360 controller and building upon it. And the same is true with the new controller, though it does have a few extra features.
From a quick glance, the most notable change is the addition of a share button for sharing screenshots and recordings with a simple tap. Youll then notice that the D-pad is a hybrid one: a concave disk that should deliver more precision, particularly if you play traditional beat-em-ups. The finish on the new controller has a more matte look, with the black appearing smokier. The Xbox button is also now all-black.
The new controller fits my hands almost exactly like its predecessor. The triggers are slightly smaller and feel a little more tactile, as do the shoulder buttons. And the joysticks have a firmer, more satisfying click to them than those on the older controller.
Best Xbox Steering Wheel Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive: 8999 Gamecouk
There are more sophisticated and elaborate racing wheels for the Xbox series X but the full-size Hori wheel is built from the ground up to work perfectly with Microsofts next-gen console.
It has a simple design belying superb build quality and durability, and can be clamped to a table for a secure ride. Shifting paddles and turn ratios can all be customised in terms of function and sensitivity, and the wheel comes with a set of foot pedals for a complete racing simulation.
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Which Is The Best Xbox Or Playstation
When it comes to hardware and software, PLAYSTATION is much better than XBOX. PLAYSTATION consoles are very powerful. PlayStation consoles have no problem like a red light. As I mentioned before, the Playstation consoles offer a user-friendly interface.
Best documentaries on hbo maxWhy do people like documentaries on HBO Max? Documentaries provide viewers with a confident and immersive way to be the proverbial fly on the wall, viewing and observing situations they may never know. These movies show life as it is and entertain while studying. They can also be sad, elated, surprised and shocking.How long does it take to watch HBO Max?It will take months to stream everything availab
You Can Still Play Your Old Gamesand Theyll Look Better
If you want to get the new system but dont see many new games youre interested in, virtually all of your old games will work on the new consoles. The Xbox Series X and Series S offer nearly blanket backward compatibility, meaning that your existing libraries of Xbox Onecompatible software will run on the Xbox Series X and Series S. Whats more, every Xbox Onecompatible piece of software will, according to Microsoft , run and look better on these new systems than it did on previous-generation consoles. The Auto HDR feature, which uses an algorithm to tweak a games picture to take advantage of modern televisions ability to show brighter images with better contrast, leads to a beautiful new sense of vibrance in games like Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. There are a few games where this feature results in image quality that looks a little funny, but it can be disabled on a per game basis.
Microsoft also recently introduced FPS Boost, the official term for a proprietary software technique that allows the Xbox Series consoles to effectively double the targeted framerate of backwards compatible games without the need for official patches from the original developer. For some games, this means 60 FPS or thereabouts for the first time on consoles. For others, it means 120 FPS with supported televisions.
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Xbox Series X Black Friday Restocks
Walmart will have the Xbox Series X and Series S in stock for Black Friday starting November 22. You will only be able to purchase the console online during Black Friday week at Walmart. Stock will be limited, but we imagine Walmart will treat Black Friday restocks like other recent restocks–releasing consoles in waves for purchase over multiple days. GameStop will have the Xbox Series X in stock at elect stores on Thanksgiving.
It’s unclear if other retailers will have the Xbox Series X in stock for Black Friday, but it’s a pretty safe bet that most major retailers will feature the Xbox Series X|S in their Black Friday ads.
Xbox Series X Controller
Microsoft is releasing a new controller with the console. The new Xbox Wireless Controller has a refined shape and size. The idea is to make it more accessible following on from the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Theres also a dedicated share button that lets you share screenshots and videos with friends. As well as that theres a new feature called Dynamic Latency input which lets you synchronise input immediately with what is displayed making it more precise and responsive.
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Should I Wait For Xbox Series S
Wait If You Own the Xbox One S
If you already own the Xbox One S, you can probably wait for Xbox Series X. You may want to upgrade to the Xbox One X if you can find a killer deal, or if you need games to load in faster, you may want to buy a SSD for your Xbox One S, but you can likely hold off until late 2020.
Which Is Better Xbox One S Or Ps4
However, when it comes to the premium versions of both consoles, Xbox has an edge. The Xbox One X, Xbox One S, PS4 Pro and standard PS4 all support HDR, though the list of HDR-enabled games varies by console. Winner: PS4. Games look stunning on both systems, but the stock PS4 offers better resolution for many titles.
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Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Reasons to avoid
The Yakuza games have always mixed mature themes with utterly bonkers shenanigans, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon really lets loose in the latter regard.
While you can still expect plenty of hard-hitting plot points during the games lengthy and turbulent story, the entire fighting system has been re-imagined as a turn-based JRPG and it works surprisingly well. Each character can take on various classes, such as becoming a crooning musician or cutesy J-Pop idol, and each has their own abilities in battle. Its certainly a different approach, then, but one that really lets the series freak flag fly.
Foray Into The Web Windows 95 Windows Xp And Xbox
On January 13, 2000, Bill Gates handed over the CEO position to , an old college friend of Gates and employee of the company since 1980, while creating a new position for himself as Chief .:111,228 Various companies including Microsoft formed the in October 1999 to increase security and protect through identifying changes in hardware and software. Critics decried the alliance as a way to enforce indiscriminate restrictions over how consumers use software, and over how computers behave, and as a form of : for example the scenario where a computer is not only secured for its owner, but also secured against its owner as well. On April 3, 2000, a judgment was handed down in the case of , calling the company an “abusive monopoly.” Microsoft later settled with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004. On October 25, 2001, Microsoft released , unifying the mainstream and NT lines of OS under the NT codebase. The company released the later that year, entering the market dominated by and . In March 2004 the brought , citing it abused its dominance with the Windows OS, resulting in a judgment of 497 million and requiring Microsoft to produce new versions of Windows XP without : Windows XP Home Edition N and Windows XP Professional N. In November 2005, the company’s second video game console, the , was released. There were two versions, a basic version for $299.99 and a deluxe version for $399.99.
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Best Wireless Gaming Headset Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen : 12999 Argoscouk
The successor to the bestselling Xbox one X headset, Turtle Beachs second generation stealth 700 wireless headphones deliver seriously impressive sound in a neat package that forgoes some of the garish, primary-coloured trimmings of other gaming headsets.
The rigid design makes them feel sturdy and premium, while the aerogel foam padding keeps your ears comfortable during long play sessions. There are no wires, dongles or base stations required on Xbox series X just synchronise over Bluetooth and youre good to go. Multiple connections mean you can listen to your music or make phones calls while you play.
Is It Worth The Upgrade For Xbox One Owners
If you’re an Xbox One owner who is thinking about upgrading to the Xbox Series X/S controller, you might want to hold off. While it is compatible, I’m not sure the differences are enough to warrant paying $60, especially when they’re included for free with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
What you get with the Series X/S controller is a share button, which makes sharing clips marginally easier. You get superior shoulder buttons, which feel easier to use and more tactile. You get a slightly better weight distribution and a slightly more balanced feel. You’ll also get superior latency, although the difference is negligible, and may require an Xbox Series X or S to fully appreciate.
I would personally recommend simply upgrading your Xbox One to an Xbox Series X or Series S get the new controller rather than buying one outright â unless you specifically need to get a new controller. The previous-gen Xbox One controllers likely won’t be manufactured for much longer anyway, meaning that eventually, these will be the only official Xbox controllers available to buy.
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What About Xbox Series S
Codenamed Project Lockhart, the Xbox Series S, is the cheaper, digital-only alternative to the new Xbox Series X.
The lower-cost console had been rumoured for a while along with the disc-less feature, and faster CPU. Think PS4 Pro without the disc dive. Microsoft has said that Xbox Series X will be part of a family of consoles and it seems they were true to their word.
Not sure which console to buy? Check out our comparison of the PS5 vs Xbox Series X for more info.
New Games No Hardware
Say you dont own an Xbox or a gaming PC, but you do have an Android phone. Does Microsoft have any next-gen gaming options for you? Thanks to game streaming, it does. On September 15th, Microsoft added game streaming to Xbox Games Pass Ultimate, which costs $14.99 a month. The feature, which was known previously as xCloud, could give you a way to play many of the biggest Xbox Series X games without having to own any gaming hardware at all. You can stream them to a device as simple as an Android phone, for example .
Game streaming isnt an entirely new idea Sony launched its PlayStation Now service way back in 2014 to a muted response but Microsoft is taking a much more interesting approach. Rather than focusing on older titles, as Sony did with PlayStation Now, Microsoft says its new games will be available to stream the day they release and lists recent first-party titles like Forza Horizon 4, Gears of War 5, Tell Me Why, The Outer Worlds, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps as being among the 150-plus games available to stream at launch.
Microsoft promises to let you stream major Xbox games straight to your phone.Game streamings future on iPhones is uncertain
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Xbox Game Pass briefly explained: console, PC, xCloud streaming and more
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Quiet As A Whisper But Pretty Toasty
A major upside of the Xbox Series X is how unexpectedly quiet it is. We’ve almost become accustomed to consoles revving up like they’re about to take off when running games that really put them through their paces but the Xbox Series X is the quietest Xbox we’ve had the pleasure of playing on, even if we need more next-gen-specific games to truly make a call on this.
When you’re on the home screen, the console puts out around 30dB of sound that’s about the audio level of a whisper and this changes very little when you actually load up and play games. When playing Sea of Thieves, No Man’s Sky and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, we found the decibels never exceeded 33dB.
That said, when installing a larger update we recorded levels up to 45dB, which is roughly as noisy as a printer in action. Even then, that’s not too loud, and it barely registers over the sound of actually playing a game. This was also the case when playing the next-gen titles we’ve sampled so far.
It’s welcome news for those who don’t want their gameplay interrupted by the whirring of a struggling machine but with this quietness still comes a fair bit of heat. The Xbox Series X is on a par with the Xbox One X when it comes to heat emission, with heat dispersed through the cooling vents at the top, which we advise leaving ample space for. The console itself does get toasty, too, but we didn’t find that this impacted performance when running more intensive next-gen titles.