It’s been a few years since the launch of the Xbox Series X and Series S, and while they haven’t shattered sales records, there are still a substantial number of units in circulation.
Now, Microsoft is introducing refreshed, all-digital versions of these consoles (farewell to the optical drive), and they are available for order right now.
However, whether you should buy one is another matter entirely. Microsoft has been clear about its vision for the future, which involves turning “every screen into an Xbox.”
PC gaming on Windows, whether via gaming laptops or handhelds, is just as crucial to the company as the traditional living room console experience.
You can even stream Xbox games through a Fire TV stick. Still, there are plenty of reasons to invest in an Xbox Series X or S.
It remains the easiest way to create a Microsoft-focused gaming setup from the comfort of your couch. If you’re ready to buy one, here’s how.
What’s New with the Xbox Consoles?
The refreshed Xbox Series X and Series S may not have drastically different hardware compared to their predecessors, but they do bring a few notable updates.
The Xbox Series X now comes in an all-digital version, doing away with the disc drive, and sports a sleek white exterior.
For those who never purchased physical copies of Xbox games, this all-digital model starts at $450, a $50 drop from the previous version—making it a reasonable trade-off for those who prefer downloading games.
Meanwhile, the smaller Xbox Series S, which never had a disc drive, remains the same in that respect, but Microsoft has doubled its storage capacity from 512 GB to 1 TB.
This upgrade bumps the price to $350, a $50 increase, but given how large modern AAA games can be, the extra storage is a logical and welcome change.
If you need even more space, you can still expand storage on both the Series X and S using an expansion card.
Microsoft is also launching a limited-edition version of the original Xbox Series X, complete with a disc drive and a unique “Galaxy Black” paint job.
Featuring a space-themed pattern with white and green speckles and an impressive 2 TB of storage, this model will cost $600 and will be released alongside the other new consoles in mid-October.
Additionally, Microsoft has overhauled its Xbox Game Pass subscription. The Xbox Game Pass for Console tier has been replaced by Xbox Game Pass Standard, which offers the same library of console games and online multiplayer services but excludes day-one access to new releases.
This could mean waiting up to 12 months for some games. Xbox Game Pass Standard costs $15 per month, while the all-inclusive Game Pass Ultimate has increased from $17 to $20 monthly.
Accessibility and Controller Options
Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of accessibility with the introduction of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, designed for players with limited mobility.
This new controller offers customizable button mapping and can be paired with 3D-printable thumbstick toppers, allowing users to adjust features like height and width to suit their needs.
The files for these toppers are available for free, letting players print them via any service or printer.
In addition to this, third-party controllers from Byowave and 8Bitdo provide more options for gamers who require adaptive controls. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick will launch in early 2025.
Should You Buy One?
Unlike previous console generations, where mid-cycle refreshes often brought significant performance upgrades, this round of Xbox models stays true to its original design. You won’t see improvements in frame rates, load times, or graphics over the consoles from 2020.
That said, the new options are still worth considering. For those who have fully transitioned to digital gaming, the all-digital Xbox Series X offers a small price reduction and a stylish white design.
And if you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a Series S, the additional storage in the refreshed model could save you from needing to buy an expansion card right away.
At this year’s Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft confirmed that it is already working on the next generation of gaming consoles, though no specific timeline was given.
While it may be a few more years before we see a successor to the Series X/S, this means that buying a new Xbox now will allow you to enjoy the hardware for the foreseeable future without worrying about an imminent upgrade.
