What Is The Newest Xbox

Xbox Series X Vs Ps: Price Comparison

The Xbox Series X price and PS5 price are identical.

Microsoft’s disc-based Xbox Series X console retails for $499 / £449 / AU$749, while the standard PS5 is also $499 / £449 / AU$749. It makes choosing between an Xbox Series X pre-order or a PS5 pre-order bundles a tough choice.

One of the reasons the PS4 proved the more popular console during the last generation was the fact that it launched at a more attractive price point of $399.99 / £349.99. That was a relative steal compared to the $499 / £429 Xbox One, which at launch had to factor in the cost of its ill-fated Kinect motion tracker. The Kinect was initially hailed as one of the key differentiators between the consoles, but proved unpopular with both developers and gamers, leading to Microsoft slowly phasing it out in an effort to drive the price of the overall package down with later console revisions.

Neither has made that mistake with their new consoles making the top-tier versions identically matched. It’s the digital-only versions then where the real differences become visible.

The digital-only Xbox Series S lands at $299 / £249 / AU$499 while the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition comes in at $399.99 / £359.99 / AU$599.95.

But it’s not a like-for-like comparison. Microsoft’s digital console is weaker than the others it focuses on 1440p resolution instead of 4K, and targets 60/120 fps. With the PS5 Digital Edition, however, it’s exactly the same spec as the standard edition just minus that physical disc tray.

The Games: Microsoft Is Touting Thousands Of Games Spanning Four Generations But The Big Exclusive Just Got Delayed

In the console’e June 2019 announcement video, a Microsoft employee says “hundreds” of people inside and outside of Microsoft are already working on games for Xbox Series X.

The video also revealed “Halo Infinite” as a launch title for the next-gen Xbox console the next major entry in the decades-old “Halo” first-person shooter series.

The game has since been delayed to some time in 2021, and Microsoft has shifted focus to the console’s ability to play “thousands of games spanning four generations.”

The company has also announced a slew of upcoming post-launch games, including new “Forza” and “Fable” games, and “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.”

It’s safe to assume that major first-party game franchises, like “Gears of War,” are in production. Microsoft has said that “15 Xbox Game Studios are developing the largest and most creatively diverse lineup of Xbox exclusive games in our history” for the Xbox Series X.

Outside of Microsoft, at least two major next-gen games are in the works that we already know of: “The Elder Scrolls VI” and “Starfield,” both from Bethesda Softworks.

And beyond that, all the major multiplatform games are headed to the next-gen Xbox: “Call of Duty,” “Assassin’s Creed,” and all the major annual sports games are locks.

Xbox Series X Optimized

Xbox Series X Optimized games should have an icon in your game library denoting that theyre optimized.

A handful of Xbox One games have been optimized for the Xbox Series X. These titles have been upgraded or built with the Xbox Series X in mind, in order to make the most of the consoles power and boy, do they show it.

We tested a few Optimized titles including Gears 5, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, The Falconeer, and Dirt 5, and found that these games boasted minimal loading times, improved stability, and considerably enhanced visuals.

For example, Gears 5 on Xbox Series X boasts ray tracing and 4K at 60fps, making the campaign mode look better than ever before, and load faster. Its immediately more immersive, thanks to more stable frame rates and a lack of loading screen walls. The difference is even more noticeable in Gears 5s multiplayer, which allows for 4K at 120fps, resulting in buttery smooth performance that feels much more responsive and which is critical in online multiplayer. With Dolby Atmos support as well, the game is a brilliant showcase for the Xbox Series Xs unbottled power.

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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.

Xbox Series X Price: Game Bundles

Some of the biggest titles are usually partnered with a new console. This year’s instalments include FIFA 21, Fortnite, Rainbow SixSiege and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, all of which are confirmed for the new console.

We know that Microsoft has teamed up with EA to bring over 60 of EA’s biggest games to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which gives you access to 100+ games stored in the cloud.

Halo Infinite would likely have been the most-wanted launch title, and the most popular bundle, but 343 Industries, the studio in charge of the game, recently announced that they had made the “difficult decision” to delay its release until 2021.

Retailers such as Best Buy are already offering the Xbox Series X and Series S bundled with accessories such as extra wireless controllers and subscriptions to the online gaming platform Xbox Live. Stay tuned, and we’ll bring you more as we get it.

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Xbox And Bethesda Games Showcase At E3 2021 June 13 2021

• Starfield Nov. 11, 2022
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl April 28, 2022
• Back 4 Blood Oct. 12, 2022
• Contraband No release date
• Party Animals 2022
• Somerville 2022
• Halo Infinite Dec. 8, 2021
• A Plague Tale: Requiem 2022
• Slime Rancher 2 2022
• Shredders December 2021
• Atomic Heart No release date
• Replaced 2022
• Among Us 2021
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising 2022
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes 2023
• Age of Empires IV Oct. 28, 2021
• The Outer Worlds 2 No release date
• Forza Horizon 5 Nov. 9, 2021
• Redfall Summer 2022
• Aragami 2 Sept. 17, 2021
• Sable Sept. 23, 2021
• Scorn Fall 2021
• The Anacrusis Fall 2021
• Hello Neighbor 2 2021
• The Gunk December 2021

New Games New Hardware

New hardware needs new games to make the most of it, and Microsoft and its partners have announced a host of games that are coming to its new console. The biggest of these is Halo: Infinite, the latest entry in the long-running sci-fi first-person shooter franchise thats become synonymous with the Xbox brand since its debut way back in 2001.

Unfortunately, Microsoft recently delayed Halo: Infinite, meaning it will now release in 2021, rather than arriving alongside the new console. News of the delay, which Microsoft attributed in part to the pandemic, came after the games visuals were met with criticism after their initial unveiling, prompting developer 343 Industries to admit, We do have work to do to address some of these areas and raise the level of fidelity and overall presentation for the final game.

With other Xbox staples like Fable and Forza Motorsport without release dates, the delay has left third-party publishers to fill in the rest of the launch lineup, including Assassins Creed Valhalla, Dirt 5, Watch Dogs Legion, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Heres a guide to the best launch day games, and heres what the months ahead are looking like in terms of new releases.

Assassins Creed Valhalla is a high-profile launch title for the new consoles.

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Xbox Series X Backwards Compatibility

Xbox Series X is going completely backwards compatible. According to the Microsoft blog post, a section on Xbox Series X backwards compatibility reads:

“Our commitment to compatibility means existing Xbox One games, including backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, look and play better than ever before. Your favorite games, including titles in Xbox Game Pass, benefit from steadier framerates, faster load times and improved resolution and visual fidelity all with no developer work required. Your Xbox One gaming accessories also come forward with you.”

Xbox Series X backwards compatibility impressions: In our testing of the Xbox Series X, we’ve found that its backwards compatibility is the best way to experience games from the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox generations.

Plus, with Xbox Series X’s Smart Delivery feature, for any game that supports the tech, if you buy it on Xbox One, you can then get the Xbox Series X version for free.

“This technology is available for all developers and publishers, and they can choose to use it for titles that will be released on Xbox One first and come to Xbox Series X later”.

Xbox Series X Restock: How To Buy Microsoft’s New Console

If you’re reading this, chances are you haven’t gotten your hands on an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S yet. And you’re far from alone just like with the PS5, finding Microsoft’s newest consoles has been a frustrating lottery of random restocks that sell out mere moments after they go live.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go about your quest for an Xbox Series X alone. We’ve compiled a handy list of the best retailers to check frequently, as well as various tips and tricks that will give you the best shot at adding that shiny new system to your cart.

Here’s everything you need to know about buying an Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S and how to navigate the chaotic world of console shopping like a pro.

• Newegg: Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S

Based on our own tracking over the past several weeks, we’ve found Walmart and Best Buy to be among the most consistent retailers in terms of how often they get the Xbox Series X back in stock. Walmart usually announces its restock times before they go live, which is helpful. We’ve also had success purchasing an Xbox Series S directly from the Microsoft Store.

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Xbox Game Pass Comparison

Suffice it to say, if you dont have the cash to make a big upfront purchase, then Microsoft still wants to get you on board for its next generation of consoles. You wont own any of the games you can play , but thats the trade-off you make.

Microsofts plans for the next generation of gaming are sprawling. Two consoles that are available via subscription and can play a huge chunk of your existing Xbox games, a new roster of games that will be playable on your existing Xbox One, a continuing focus on PC gaming, and a game streaming service mean that, no matter what hardware you own, theres a decent chance youll be able to pay Microsoft to play its games.

Weve written before about how the focus on trying to sell subscriptions rather than premium hardware means that the true next-gen Xbox is the subscription itself, rather than the hardware it plays on. Microsoft is casting its net wide, and it doesnt want any hardware requirements to get in the way of you subscribing.

Sony, meanwhile, is doing what its always done: its making a new console, developing exclusive games for it, and selling it. Its hard to argue too much with the approach when its done so well for the company so far, especially with the PS4.

Update November 12th, 1:30PM ET: Added hands on impressions now that the Xbox Series S and Series X have launched.

Xbox Series X Vs Playstation : Features

As expected from any significant console refresh, Microsoft and Sony focused efforts on delivering flagship performance for their next-generation vision. Both consoles pack custom AMD silicon, based on leading Zen 2 processor architecture, alongside its latest Navi graphics cards. That duo lies at the heart of graphical advancements over Xbox One and PlayStation 4, pushing improved resolutions, frame rates, and overall visual fidelity.

The Xbox Series X is the latest evolution in Microsoft hardware, with an all-black, monolithic design housing stacked internals inside. It’s a chunky box with added volume over previous Xbox One consoles, aiding a new single-fan cooling system, and drawing air up through the console. Sony has debuted a more abstract, two-toned design, wrapped in a white, winged outer casing. The difference is black and white , but positions both as massive consoles compared to their predecessors. And don’t worry both stand vertically and horizontally, ideal for your existing setup.

Early PlayStation 5 prototypes cut a 15 second load time in Marvel’s Spider-Man to just 0.8 seconds.

Microsoft had similar ambitions, committing to an NVMe SSD and GDDR6 RAM, slicing loading, and increasing multitasking capabilities. It demonstrated that with State of Decay 2, cutting a 45 second load time on Xbox One X down to just seven seconds on Xbox Series X. While strong gains on both platforms, Sony’s SSD technology has steadily come out on top.

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Uk: Xbox Series X Order Details

The Xbox Series X costs £449 in the UK, while the all-digital Xbox Series S is £249. Below are links to the major UK shops stocking the Xbox. As its a brand new console, the price should be the same across all stores.

• GAME: Series S in stock
• Currys PC World: Series S in stock
• 4Gadgets : Series S in stock
• BT: Series S in stock
• : Series S in stock
• Box: Series S in stock
• EE: sold out existing customers can keep checking the Add to Plan service
• Argos: Series S in stock
• Smyths Toys : Series S in stock
• Simply Games: Series S in stock
• Shopto: Series S in stock

What Are Their Faves

Pick your favorite types of games to play and well match you with a console that plays your way.

Pick their favorite types of games to play and well match you with a console that plays their way.

Select all that apply.

6 OF 7: HELP US PICK A CONSOLE THAT FITS YOUR GAMING STYLE

6 OF 7: HELP US PICK A CONSOLE THAT FITS THEIR GAMING STYLE

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Playstation Or Xbox: Which Game Console Should You Gift

Our editors independently selected these items because we think you will enjoy them and might like them at these prices. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.

The Microsoft Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have finally and officially launched today we outline some available retailers that have the gaming consoles in stock below but prepare to see stock run out and get replenished regularly over the coming weeks. Below, we’ll help guide anyone looking to buy an Xbox today, as well as anyone unsure between the two gaming consoles.

It’s been seven long years, but Sony and Microsoft are releasing their new game consoles this week: The Playstation 5 and the Xbox Series X, respectively. But between the different models of each edition, their exclusive games and lots of technobabble otherwise, buying a game console is starting to feel as complex as picking a health insurance plan. If you’re looking for a great gift this holiday and one particularly attuned to a gamer but aren’t steeped in the world of video games yourself, here are the things you actually need to know.

One Hugely Important Detail: Smart Delivery Is A New Feature That Enables Game Makers To Sell One Version Of A Game That Works Across Both The Current

When “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” launches this holiday, anyone who buys it will automatically own it on Xbox One as well.

That goes for all of Microsoft’s first-party games and a variety of third-party games.

“We’re making the commitment to use Smart Delivery on all our exclusive Xbox Game Studios titles, including ‘Halo Infinite,'” Xbox leader Phil Spencer wrote in a letter this past February, “Ensuring you only have to purchase a title once in order to play the best available version for whichever Xbox console choose to play on.”

Furthermore, Microsoft is extending this functionality to any game makers publishing on the Xbox Series X. One such third-party studio to embrace the functionality is CD Projekt Red, the team behind one of 2020’s most anticipated new games: “Cyberpunk 2077.”

“Gamers should never be forced to purchase the same game twice or pay for upgrades,” the company announced in early 2020. “Owners of #Cyberpunk2077 for Xbox One will receive the Xbox Series X upgrade for free when available.”

The move breaks with the unfortunate tradition of game makers selling multiple versions of the same game while console generations transition, but it makes more sense than ever given how consumer expectations have evolved with the rise of smartphones and persistent software libraries.

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