The Xbox Series X, a console that left many gamers wondering what could have been. Released in 2020 with grand ambitions, this powerful machine was meant to revolutionize the gaming industry with its sheer processing power and innovative features. But did it live up to expectations?

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X marked a significant departure from the turbulent Xbox One era, positioning the company for a future of seamless 4K gaming, cutting-edge ray tracing, and enhanced Game Pass experiences. However, it seems unlikely that this outcome was intended from the start. The PlayStation 5 has outpaced its Microsoft counterparts by a two-to-one margin, echoing the sales rivalry between its predecessor, the PS4, and the Xbox One. Microsoft seems intent on milking every last drop from the aging Xbox console ecosystem.

When I discovered it to be a robust console that exceeded expectations in certain aspects. However, it was evident from the start that Microsoft faced a substantial hurdle with the launch of Xbox: its video game offerings were subpar. Despite significant investment over the past four years, little progress has been made. As Sony and Nintendo consistently demonstrated with their flagship titles, even on aging hardware like the Switch. — Microsoft has stumbled.

That’s a bold move! It is little wonder that Microsoft feels compelled to. When scrutinizing its flagship console closely, one can’t help but feel disappointed.

Do you need to buy an Xbox Series X console?

While typically we’d explore buying decisions at the start of an overview, in this instance, let’s address the question upfront: Is the Xbox Series X for you? For four years, the design has remained relatively unchanged, with the sole exceptions being the $450 model, which lacks a CD drive, and no significant hardware revisions made beyond that. For those skeptical of Xbox’s reliability, I’d venture to say that many gamers would be better served investing their $500 elsewhere.

For newcomers to console gaming seeking to dip their toes into the fashionable scene – whether you’re a parent selecting a gift for your youngster or a lapsed gamer looking to rediscover an old passion – opting for the PlayStation 5 over the Xbox Series X is likely the more sensible choice. The PlayStation console boasts a more extensive library of standout exclusives, features advanced tactile feedback through its innovative DualSense controller, and often offers a more affordable digital option compared to Microsoft’s disc-free Xbox Series X.

If you’re a dedicated Halo enthusiast, the Xbox Series X remains your sole premium console option – although the $300 Series S serves as a viable alternative for secondary TVs, especially during sales. Microsoft unveiled a limited edition $600 2TB external hard drive, dubbed “Galaxy Black”, this year, leaving me to wonder if it’s just a clever marketing ploy or an actual product. Isn’t the PlayStation 5 Pro a whopping $500 more than the standard model, making it a significantly pricier upgrade?

{Hardware}: The top of 2020

While sharing similarities with the PlayStation 5’s hardware specifications, the Xbox Series X is actually driven by a customised 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and a powerful RDNA 2 GPU. The system also features 16GB of GDDR6 RAM, with 10GB operating at a higher bandwidth than the PS5’s memory. While the Collection X’s more powerful GPU initially provided a slight advantage over its Sony counterpart, this disparity ultimately had little tangible impact. While some third-party titles might have performed slightly smoother on Xbox, both consoles struggled to strike a balance between visual consistency and performance.

The Xbox Series X and PS5 forced gamers into an uncomfortable compromise: sacrificing visual fidelity for higher frame rates, or settling for subpar performance in favor of stunning visuals. The primary driver of the upgraded GPU in the PlayStation 5 Pro was to deliver even more impressive performance, as the standard PS5 hardware struggled to keep up.

The Xbox’s lukewarm reception at retail suggests that Microsoft wisely chose not to challenge itself with a mid-cycle refresh. However, it is regrettable that the company is retreating from innovative endeavors, leaving gamers eager for fresh experiences. The newly designed 2TB all-digital Brooklin Collection X could serve as a useful alternative for the lower mannequin. The revised text reads: The revamped controller, dubbed “Sebile,” would have featured enhanced haptic feedback, similar to Sony’s innovative DualSense, and facilitated seamless cloud connectivity for streaming video games directly. Could Microsoft potentially consider introducing a whopping 1TB of storage in its $300 Collection S?

While considering alternative options for upgrading, we opted for the more affordable $450 all-digital WD Black Collection X, which is a slightly cheaper version of the 2TB model that few would actually buy, as well as the $350 1TB model of the Collection S. Are these prices truly justified for a move into the console market if Microsoft’s intention is to make an affordable entry? While some may advocate for a further price cut to outdo Sony, this strategy could ultimately erode the company’s already precarious profit margins. Microsoft is unlikely to tolerate further financial losses on its Xbox division.

In use: A adequate console

Despite its aging hardware, the Xbox Series X still manages to render modern games in impressive visual quality. The game appears to be running smoothly on the Collection X, boasting consistent 60fps performance and offering ray tracing options for enhanced visuals. While operating at 1800p as a substitute for 4K, the image remains remarkably crisp on both my 4K OLED and monitors. While the game does perform significantly better on my RTX 4090-equipped PC, I’m unable to easily play it in my home theatre setting. In line with industry standards, the Xbox Series S is capable of delivering a smooth gaming experience at 60 frames per second, albeit at a resolution of 1080p and utilizing variable-rate shading to optimize performance.

While it’s somewhat disheartening that Microsoft stuck to their tried-and-true Xbox controller design for the Series X, nonetheless. The experience of playing with the PlayStation 5’s innovative DualSense controller left a lasting impression after my review – its haptic feedback features truly revolutionized gameplay. Unlike any console gaming experience I had prior to that. While controller experiences on the Xbox Series X may share similarities with its predecessors, namely the Xbox One and Xbox 360, the nuances in gameplay and performance remain distinct.

Microsoft leveraged its technological prowess to release the Xbox Series X just days ahead of Sony’s PS5, but ultimately, this head start had limited impact on the gaming console’s overall success. The PlayStation 5’s impressive array of notable games is accompanied by a genuinely enhanced gaming experience compared to its predecessor, the PlayStation 4. The presentation was flawed because it was also demonstrated that Sony wasn’t afraid to take bold risks with this innovative technology.

Where are the unique video games?

The long-awaited Indiana Jones game finally emerges from the shadows of mediocrity, marking a notable triumph for Microsoft’s gaming division. Despite the initial advantages, they will eventually fade away – the corporation’s future growth, for instance, will likely occur concurrently with various other factors.

Despite acquiring a plethora of growth expertise through numerous acquisitions, Microsoft has transformed into one of the essential publishers in the gaming industry. Despite proudly boasting a popular cross-platform franchise, this has yet to directly translate into significant Xbox sales.

Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription stands out as the most compelling reason to own an Xbox console. Despite all this, it’s still managed to undergo a unique form of self-improvement this year. The Xbox Game Pass subscription costs $20 per month, offering day-one access to new releases as well as a vast library of video games available to play on both Xbox and PC devices. For just $15 a month, the “Customary” plan offers instant access to a vast library of games, although day-one releases are not included. Alternatively, the more budget-friendly “Core” option costs $10 per month and provides a curated selection of 25 titles, along with multiplayer capabilities.

While the Recreation Go Final plan initially appeared attractive, its appeal has waned in recent times due to aggressive early-access pricing strategies employed by game developers for their newly released titles. Subscribers could have opted for the “Digital Premium” option, a further $35 investment that granted them access to the game three days earlier than the general release date. With the weekend’s timing preceding the sports’ December 9 launch, it’s likely that many eager Recreation Go subscribers took the opportunity to upgrade and enjoy uninterrupted gameplay ahead of schedule. It seems that Microsoft is employing a somewhat underhanded tactic towards its most devoted gaming enthusiasts, despite lacking malevolent intentions.

While Sony’s PlayStation Plus lags behind Xbox’s Recreation Go in terms of launch-day title offerings, it still offers a diverse collection of classic games and reliable cloud streaming capabilities. Initially, I was lukewarm towards the PlayStation Portable, but its potential to access cloud games has significantly enhanced my experience.

Despite being available for several years, Microsoft has surprisingly failed to give significant promotion to its Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming service. Only recently has the capacity started being tested outside the Recreation Go library’s bounds, yet this feature should have been implemented years prior. While the cringe-worthy attempt to raise awareness about Xbox cloud gaming among mainstream gamers may be an unusual move, it’s likely arriving too little, too late?

What’s next for Microsoft?

Microsoft doesn’t have a blank slate in the gaming sector to work with. The corporation has confirmed the reboot of some of its properties for this summer, along with a sneak peek at a fresh endeavour. I’m thrilled to witness Arkane Lyon’s impressive achievement at The Recreation Awards. My enthusiasm is palpable as I eagerly anticipate learning more about their outstanding work. However, all of these video games are sure to be accessible on Windows PCs, with many potentially ported to other consoles as well.

By all accounts, 2025 is poised to be a frenetic year for Xbox, with little chance of reversing its lagging sales performance behind the PlayStation 5. However who cares, proper? Everything might seem like an Xbox if you’re willing to imagine hard enough – or simply access the Game Pass cloud streaming feature on your browser.

Again in February, Microsoft’s confirmation of bringing Xbox titles to other consoles sparked a heated debate. While Microsoft’s venture into hardware aligns somewhat with their software roots, I’m hesitant to conclude that they should fully divest themselves from this area.

With this departure, Sony and Nintendo would be the sole remaining console manufacturers. Sony would successfully establish a near-monopoly on highly effective console hardware and graphically intense video games, at least judging by current trends. Without a robust competitive landscape, innovative stagnation may likely ensue – Sony could potentially plateau as the sole dominant force in the market.

Microsoft may aim to accelerate the development of its next-generation console, potentially capitalizing on an early mover advantage to mitigate potential losses and surpass Sony in the market. If Microsoft were to release hardware that outperformed a PS5 Pro and offered it at a relatively affordable price, it could potentially lure away Sony’s loyal fan base. If it’s truly guaranteed that exclusive content will be readily available for release, then excitement builds significantly.

Microsoft must refocus its Xbox strategy by shifting from elaborate console sales pitches to more tangible, experiential campaigns that connect with gamers’ emotions and interests. Stream Cloud Services Sooner: Sharper Performance, Simpler Entry. Be aware: Your habit of using your phones, tablets, and other devices is likely to show. Revamp the technology to enable cost-effective conversion of any TV into a gaming console, seamlessly transforming your living room into an immersive Xbox experience, while continuing efforts to bring Game Pass apps to all TVs worldwide.

Why not optimize Windows to perform better with external storage devices? With Xbox’s remote play feature, you can seamlessly access and play your favorite games from any location, regardless of the device you’re using. While exploring opportunities in the cleaning products industry, shouldn’t we consider enabling users to transform their Xbox Series X and S consoles into Windows PCs for seamless integration? These techniques are essentially computers already, capable of being miniaturized into compact desktops or robust servers in the future.

In a rapidly evolving gaming landscape, the classic console wars of the past won’t be replicated in their entirety. Microsoft ought to plan accordingly.

Wrap-up

With an Xbox Series X already in your possession or stumbled upon at a remarkably affordable price, you can still enjoy playing Microsoft’s own titles, as well as popular third-party games and everything available on Game Pass. While it’s tempting to choose between the Collection X and PlayStation 5, it’s undeniable that Sony’s console offers better value for money.

While a revamped console from Microsoft could potentially revitalize its gaming division like the Xbox 360 did, it’s crucial for the company to closely examine the strategies of Sony and Nintendo in order to gain a competitive edge. It ultimately boils down to having a surplus of video games that people genuinely want to play. Now that Microsoft is on par with many prominent developers, it may finally be able to address this shortcoming. Staying within the console gaming sphere poses significant risks, but if there’s one company that might make it worthwhile to stay put, it is this particular entity.