Preorders Are Live for Microsoft’s New Xbox Series X and Series S, but Should You Buy? (2024)
It has been a number of years for the reason that Xbox Series X and Series S launch, and whereas the console hasn’t damaged gross sales information, there are a respectable number of them within the wild. It is about time for a refresh, and Microsoft is delivering new all-digital variations of its consoles (say goodbye to the optical drive). They launch on October 15, however you possibly can preorder them right now.
Whether or not you ought to is one other query fully. Microsoft has been fairly open about the truth that the corporate envisions a future the place “every screen is an Xbox.” PC gaming on Home windows—whether or not on gaming laptops or handhelds—is simply as vital to the corporate as the lounge console. You possibly can even stream Xbox video games via a Fire TV stick now. Nonetheless, there are many causes to purchase an Xbox Collection X/S. It is probably the most handy approach to arrange a Microsoft-centric gaming system to play out of your sofa. So, should you’re , here is methods to purchase one.
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What’s Completely different Concerning the New Xbox Consoles?
Much like the recent PS5 Slim, there’s not a lot of a distinction on this mid-cycle refresh of the Xbox; each the Series X and Series S have largely the identical {hardware} below the hood.
However there are a few small modifications. The Xbox Collection X loses the disc drive and will get a white coat of paint. As an unapologetic Xbox Collection S-owner, I just like the white look extra, so it is good to see it out there on the extra highly effective {hardware}. This “all-digital” Xbox Collection X begins at $450, about $50 lower than its predecessor, an honest trade-off should you by no means purchased bodily copies of Xbox games.
The smaller Xbox Collection S by no means had a disc drive, so there isn’t any drive to remove. As a substitute, for this refresh, Microsoft doubled the storage from 512 GB to 1 terabyte. The value has additionally gone up by $50 to $350. Given how large AAA video games can get, this looks as if a no brainer, although it is price noting that you may simply increase the storage of the current Xbox Collection X or Collection S with an expansion card.
Lastly, Microsoft is releasing a particular, limited-edition version of the original Xbox Series X (which has a disc drive) with a singular “Galaxy Black” paint job. This one has a space-like sample of white and inexperienced dots with a beneficiant 2 TB of storage. This mannequin prices $600 and ships when the opposite upgraded consoles drop in mid-October.
Alongside these new consoles, Microsoft is testing a substitute for the Xbox Game Pass for Console tier of its subscription service. The brand new tier, known as Xbox Sport Go Normal, consists of the identical library of console video games in addition to on-line console multiplayer service. The catch is you will not get entry to day-one releases. You may have to attend a short time to play sure video games. Xbox Insiders can check out the brand new tier for $1 per 30 days in the course of the trial interval, however will probably be $15 per 30 days when it formally launches. Microsoft is ready to raise the price of Game Pass Ultimate from $17 to $20 per 30 days beginning in September.
