Verdict
The Xbox Series X doesn’t win on unique video games, however with regards to options it’s a tremendous little bit of equipment, with highlights together with Quick Resume, Smart Delivery and Xbox Game Pass.
Pros
Sleek and premium designXbox Game Pass gives a shocking stage of worthQuick Resume is a sport changerSSD makes video games and purposes quicker than ever
Cons
User interface and general design may be very acquaintedNot as many high-quality exclusives as PS5 and Switch
4K assist:The Xbox Series X is ready to play video games at as much as a 4K decision, offering extra detailed photos than a Series S.
Ray tracing: Ray tracing permits for extra real looking lighting and shadow results, however does affect efficiency when activated.
Super-speedy SSD:With a blazing quick SSD, video games can load up immediately, whereas Quick Resume lets you change between video games and proceed progress with out saving.
Introduction
Microsoft’s plan for the most recent technology of video games consoles is to not depart anybody behind. It hopes to make sure that a variety of gadgets – no matter what they’re able to graphically – will be capable to entry an enormous library of video games, on-line mates and a rising, service-driven ecosystem.
The Xbox Series X sits on the forefront of this imaginative and prescient, performing as Microsoft’s flagship console for the present technology, and a direct rival to Sony’s PlayStation 5. According to Microsoft it’s essentially the most highly effective video games console ever launched and can act as a benchmark for brand new experiences. If that wasn’t sufficient to tempt you, it additionally absolutely embraces the model’s legacy by means of backwards compatibility.
So, has it been profitable on this mission thus far? Is Microsoft’s gamble on Game Pass being the way forward for its software program distribution technique paying off? And has the console recovered from the shortage of worthwhile exclusives within the early months of launch? I’ve now spent round two and a half years with Microsoft’s flag-flying Xbox, and my opinion has by no means swayed on one factor: the Series X is a monster. It’s able to obscenely quick loading instances, crystal-clear efficiency and a stage of fluidity I’ve by no means seen earlier than.
Microsoft has spent years making an attempt to earn again the gaming id it relinquished with the mediocre launch of Xbox One, and there’s little doubt that the most recent technology of Xbox is a giant enchancment. That mentioned, 2022 was remarkably quiet for Xbox when it comes to first-party video games, and whereas upcoming titles like Bethesda’s space-based RPG, Starfield, ought to imply we spend loads of time with an Xbox pad in our fingers this yr, it’s about time that Microsoft actually began flexing its new-gen muscle tissue.
Let’s break down precisely what makes this console so particular, in addition to enhancements I’d nonetheless prefer to see.
Design and connectivity
Feels like a pure successor to the earlier generationController and color scheme stay very comparableThe console weighs in at 4.46kg
Microsoft has deserted earlier design conventions with the Xbox Series X, choosing one thing extra akin to an workplace desktop PC than a standard gaming console. It’s a courageous departure, and one in all which I’m positively a fan. At first look it might seem needlessly cumbersome, but it surely has slotted underneath my desk, alongside my current TV setup with ease, the sharp corners and distinct profile making it a great match. Nobody goes to name the Series X a looker; at launch it was in comparison with a fridge so many instances that Microsoft ended up really making one. But it isn’t screaming for consideration just like the PS5, and I prefer it that means. One in-your-face video games console is greater than sufficient.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Measuring 301 x 151 x 151mm and weighing 4.46kg, the Series X has a noticeable heft, however one which additionally exudes a level of premium high quality you’ll see in solely top-quality electronics. You might or might not respect the design, however you actually wouldn’t be capable to deny the craftsmanship. Taking sure elements of the Xbox One X blueprint, Microsoft expands upon them right here, sustaining visible motifs that set it other than the much less highly effective Series S.
The energy button sits remoted within the left-hand nook, whereas the eject and sync buttons are seen alongside the disc drive and a single USB 3.1 port on the alternative aspect. Once once more, it’s a minimal but impactful strategy that Microsoft is aiming for, and each side of the Series X oozes this sense of favor. The remaining sides are left utterly clean, except for 4 small nubs that cushion the console if it’s positioned on its aspect. Be warned, it’s additionally a fingerprint magnet.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Be conscious of air flow although; the fan resides on the highest of the unit, indicating {that a} horizontal place is arguably the Series X’s superb. On the rear of the unit you’ll discover the console’s ports alongside the decrease half, with the quantity diminished considerably subsequent to the Xbox One household of machines. Inputs embody an HDMI 2.1 port, 2 USB 3.1 ports, an Ethernet port and a storage growth slot.
Memory growth is dealt with by bespoke SSD drives produced by Microsoft in partnership with Seagate. You’ll require a selected drive pace to deal with titles which are optimised for Series X. They’re costly, however the insertion and elimination of such gadgets is not any more durable than plugging in a PS2 reminiscence card again within the day. It’s far simpler to broaden your Series X storage than doing the identical for the PS5, for which you’ll want a screwdriver and the boldness to tear the factor aside. It’s value allowing for that Seagate’s growth playing cards will hopefully quickly lastly have a rival, with Western Digital launching its personal take. These are anticipated to be cheaper, however we’ve got no affirmation both means on the time of writing.
The controller is a small but worthwhile enchancment over the Xbox One peripheral. It feels extra comfy to carry because of a textured grip throughout the again and alongside the triggers. A share button has additionally been launched, making the act of capturing your epic gamer moments much more easy. Those who use rechargeable battery packs would require a USB-C cable, which is now the usual enter for the controller. Unfortunately, one isn’t included within the field.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Dolby Atmos and HDR are absolutely supported on Xbox Series X, receiving strong implementation within the majority of enhanced video games I’ve examined and searching positively attractive on my Sony X900H LED. Automatic HDR has additionally been integrated into backwards compatibility, making use of the function to titles which had been by no means meant to assist it.
The outcomes might be combined, however are in the end spectacular given it may be unfold throughout three generations of {hardware}. More vibrant colors, real looking lightning and a sharper picture general throughout the vast majority of my library is a stunning little bonus, and can probably solely enhance as Microsoft hones it additional in future updates. On my show I needed to disable Dolby Vision when switching to a 120fps output, which is a worthwhile compromise given the efficiency acquire.
So, what in regards to the omissions? The infrared blaster and HDMI passthrough have been deserted, largely as a result of that is now a devoted video games console, fairly than an “all-in-one media station”, just like the vanilla Xbox One. I’ve welcomed the flat, angular design of the Xbox Series X, which has made inserting cables from behind a relative breeze; fairly than having to fiddle hopelessly at midnight or having to raise the heavy unit out of its resting place.
Overall, the design of the Xbox Series X is prone to be polarising, particularly for many who are used to extra conventional consoles. To me, it’s clear that Microsoft is following a roadmap with this design, constructing creatively on what got here earlier than it to make sure the Series X is seen as its strongest console but. The monolithic nature of its design is purposefully impactful, making it the perfect older sibling to the comparably dinky Xbox Series S.
Specs and know-how
Features an AMD Zen 2 CPU and 12 teraflops of computing powerNVMe SSD permits for quick loading instances and Quick ResumeAble to 120fps and 4K gaming efficiency with the correct show
The Xbox Series X is essentially the most highly effective console Microsoft has ever made, each when it comes to its specs and the tech being employed to push video games from the previous, current and future to new limits. We’re nonetheless but to see the Series X on the absolute peak of its powers, however the perfect titles look incredible, and the console’s genius backwards compatibility tech can remodel gaming experiences that after felt clunky and archaic into one thing that feels futuristic.
First, let’s begin with the foundations. The Xbox Series X is powered by a customized AMD Zen 2 CPU with eight particular person cores working at 3.8GHz, one in all which is devoted fully to working system and consumer interface capabilities. While its format stays largely unchanged, syphoning off such concrete assets to the UI leads to unfound ranges of fluidity. Even with ample quantities of energy, at instances the Xbox One X continued to wrestle with system navigation; conversely, the Series X decimates obstacles with out hesitation.
As for the GPU, Microsoft as soon as once more groups up with AMD, with RDNA 2 structure being applied into the graphics processor. Boasting a powerful 56 compute items with 3,584 cores, it’s able to pushing choose video games as much as a 4K at 120fps efficiency, which is spectacular even when in comparison with the most recent PC gaming {hardware}.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
While the decision ceiling at the moment sits at 4K for gaming, Xbox Series X is in possession of HDMI 2.1 – which, technically, makes 8K output attainable. However, you’ll probably solely see 8K resolutions for media playback on streaming providers corresponding to Netflix and Disney Plus as soon as assist surfaces. You’ll additionally want a top-end telly or monitor to really see the enhancements.
You’re most likely sick of listening to about teraflops as a nonsensical buzzword for essentially the most highly effective consoles available on the market, so I’m delighted to report that Xbox Series X has 12.15 of the suckers. That’s roughly 4 instances greater than the Xbox One X. Given that the aforementioned console continues to be able to pushing trendy blockbusters to native 4K with a good stage of efficiency, it is a frankly astounding specification.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Alongside the almighty teraflops you’ll discover 16GB of GDDR6 reminiscence, 10GB of which is being prioritised to video games themselves, The remaining 6GB goals to deal with computing capabilities, just like the consumer interface. In the longer term, it’s probably that gifted builders will be capable to focus useful resource administration to actually assist this console
The ceiling of efficiency sits at 4K/120fps, however the Series X isn’t able to propelling each sport to this graphical commonplace. Instead, experiences will differ wildly, particularly with backwards suitable earlier technology titles. This is a machine that may play tons of of video games unfold throughout the unique Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One, offering automated efficiency and visible enhancements to the vast majority of them. Several years into this console technology, I nonetheless get a thrill from downloading an previous 360-era favorite and seeing it run as clean as butter.
Graphics and efficiency
Currently has few flagship exclusives to showcase the console Loading instances on multiplatform titles outperform the PS5 Quick Resume is a superb function, permitting immediate switching between video games
To take a look at graphics and efficiency on Xbox Series X, I performed a number of video games by means of native backwards compatibility and people with particular optimisations for the platform. Following the set up of an replace, I’ve but to discover a sport exterior of people who assist Kinect, which received’t play properly with the Series X. It’s merely a case of inserting a disc or putting in the appliance out of your digital library earlier than diving proper in.
The seamless nature of sustaining your current console expertise, however with so many quality-of-life enhancements, is extremely welcome – and that is evident within the loading instances of each sport we examined. Whether or not it has obtained a bespoke replace to assist the console, the Xbox Series X is able to reducing the time it takes to leap into video games considerably, whereas concurrently pushing decision and efficiency. For context, the under metrics discuss with loading from the title display immediately into gameplay.
Backwards compatibility does have its disadvantages, nonetheless. If, prior to now, a title hadn’t obtained an replace to allow assist for the Xbox One X, it might probably look notably tough visually. While it’s clean and satisfying to play, Watch Dogs 2 is a large number of aliasing artefacts and poor draw distances, because it’s working from the technological compromises utilized by the unique Xbox One {hardware}.
Similar complaints might be levelled at video games corresponding to Alien Isolation and Wolfenstein: The New Order, which don’t reap all the advantages of Series X merely on account of their authentic state. This isn’t a deal-breaker, however one thing value making an allowance for for many who plan to dig deep into their current libraries. Those titles with devoted updates are a unique story fully, with Final Fantasy XV being given a second lease of life with dramatically enhanced loading instances and efficiency that’s now locked at 60fps.
It’s an identical story with Monster Hunter World and NieR: Automata, which present that earlier technology titles with unlocked body charges are actually in a position to go a lot additional with out making the Series X break a sweat. Games with locked body charges can’t be modified on Series X, so it’s solely attainable to profit from backwards compatibility to a level earlier than you hit a wall. Nevertheless, getting access to so many video games at your fingertips is a internet constructive, even when they could possibly be pushed additional with a little bit of tinkering.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
As for video games which were optimised particularly for Xbox Series X, I tinkered with the next whereas testing for my evaluate:
Gears 5 Tetris LinkedYakuza: Like a DragonThe TourystWatch Dogs Legion Gears TechniquesOri and the Will of the WispsForza Horizon 4
Exactly what the phrase “optimised” means will differ relying on the title, however you possibly can normally count on improved efficiency, visible constancy and graphical options corresponding to ray tracing and 120fps efficiency that merely weren’t attainable on the earlier technology of consoles. Gears 5 is well essentially the most spectacular instance, taking a third-person shooter that already ran superbly on Xbox One X and enhancing it even additional.
The Coalition has put its personal private contact into a brand new replace that builds on the visible constancy with elevated element throughout its characters and environments. Series X additionally allowed the studio to lower latency in controls, leading to a far smoother expertise general when actively reloading amidst hordes of locusts. The large takeaway is 120fps multiplayer for these with suitable shows, doubling the smoothness of the motion in a really vital means.
Another flagship title is Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a sequence that’s been a PlayStation mainstay since its inception – but it surely’s now hopped into Microsoft’s open arms too. The eccentric RPG might be performed in two modes, one which prioritises efficiency, and one other that amps up the visuals to unprecedented ranges.
Given its standing as a turn-based RPG, the vast majority of my playthrough was spent at 4K/30fps, proud of the decrease stage of efficiency so the luscious cities of Yokohama and Kamurocho may actually shine. But in case you’d fairly play at 60fps at 1440p, the choice is there, and it marks the primary time the engine has achieved such a benchmark on console.
The reflections of streetlights in shallow puddles possess a luminescence on Series X that’s missing in older consoles, whereas the elevated decision permits characters and buildings to pop with aptitude. Aliasing and jagged edges are vastly diminished on each modes, exhibiting that severe effort has gone into making Yakuza shine.
The Xbox Series X/S continues to be the one next-gen console that helps Dolby Vision for gaming and streaming, with Sony but so as to add assist for the superior HDR format. If your TV helps it, Dolby Vision will robotically kick in whenever you boot a supported sport, and normally this leads to higher distinction, colors and brightness in video games.
User expertise
Homescreen is similar as earlier XboxMicrosoft is engaged on an upgradeLags behind PS5 when it comes to navigation pace
The consumer interface for Xbox Series X is just about equivalent to the earlier technology, though the facility of the console permits for every thing to really feel much more cohesive and satisfying throughout moment-to-moment navigation. You can transition between menus and purposes inside seconds, as an alternative of getting to attend for property to load on Xbox One. It’s such a stark distinction, and I discovered it onerous to return when revisiting older {hardware}.
Microsoft nonetheless favours a tile-based dashboard, along with your open and most lately performed video games sitting within the prime row. It’s on no account a foul interface, but it surely’s fairly cluttered, and whether or not you prefer it or not there’ll all the time be a number of adverts displayed on the house display. You can change the background to both a static or dynamic theme, however the abundance of tiles means it’s all the time going to be at the very least partly obstructed, and I do want for the extra minimalist redesign Microsoft has reportedly been engaged on for a while. Still, it’s straightforward to hop into the Game Pass part of the dashboard, and that’s the place I’d think about most individuals shall be spending most of their time searching.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Sharing screenshots and movies has been part of the Xbox ecosystem for a number of years now, and the brand new controller lets you seize them with a contact of a button. It’s seamless, and every thing you’re taking shall be robotically uploaded to Xbox Live for saving and sharing after the actual fact. Or, you are able to do it immediately out of your console.
There are nonetheless a number of extra hoops to leap by means of earlier than sharing a screenshot than I’d like, and the expertise lags behind the PS5 when it comes to general pace – but it surely’s a far cry from what got here earlier than it.
Accessing your video games, partaking with on-line communities and even swapping video games between completely different drives is a breeze, demonstrating the affect of the SSD. Quick Resume is a revolutionary new function that’s modified how I strategy gaming on Xbox platforms.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
It permits you to seamlessly change between a most of six video games virtually immediately, dropping you immediately into the motion with out having to load progress or await an onslaught of logos to go by. I used to be shocked by the fluidity of this function, branding it as witchcraft after Quick Resume was in a position to recall the states for a number of video games after having been unplugged in a single day.
The SSD is caching cases of every sport into its storage, which the Series X is ready to change between instantly. There’s no detrimental affect on efficiency or visuals because of this; you’re merely returning to a sport as if it’s been freshly booted. Certain titles that depend on a relentless web connection don’t assist the function proper now, which is comprehensible, however the truth that the vast majority of experiences each previous and new assist this function out of the field is staggering. I did encounter a number of bugs, most notably being shedding all audio in Yakuza: Like a Dragon upon booting up by way of Quick Resume.
Xbox Series X additionally comes with a 4K Blu-ray participant, which is much extra succesful than what was packaged with the One X and One S. Testing a movie that helps each 4K and HDR, the expertise was clean, responsive and the picture on-screen seemed positively attractive.
Game library
Slim quantity of top of the range exclusivesGame Pass subscription is an absolute cut price
When it involves the Xbox Series X and video games, it’s all about Game Pass. Microsoft’s subscription service stays the perfect in gaming by a long way, even when there haven’t been too many new first-party titles to obtain or stream within the final 18 months or so.
Xbox Game Pass
With a top-tier Game Pass Ultimate plan (£10.99 a month) you have got entry to over 100 rotating video games. Any Microsoft-published sport (together with Bethesda titles) launches on Game Pass day one and stays there, which isn’t a profit Sony at the moment gives on any of its PS Plus tiers. Game Pass Ultimate additionally rolls in an EA Play membership, which features a assortment of EA’s hottest titles, and sometimes time-limited trials for brand new video games.
While all the above undeniably makes for an excellent deal, I need to level out that first-party Xbox video games haven’t precisely been coming in thick and quick lately. The service’s solely standout sport within the second half of 2022 was Pentiment, a superb however extraordinarily area of interest narrative-driven RPG, whereas Redfall was met with plenty of criticism, each for the boring gameplay and 30fps efficiency. Starfield ought to arrive later this yr, however till then there isn’t loads from Microsoft to make you run out and purchase an Xbox.
Redfall
Still, Game Pass has by no means simply been about first-party video games. Microsoft nonetheless frequently lands offers with indie publishers and AAA large hitters alike, whilst you may most likely spend a complete yr enjoying by means of the incredible Persona sequence alone, which is now out there on Game Pass. The way forward for the service is unclear, however proper now, no Xbox Series X proprietor ought to be with out it. And in case you’re enjoying catchup on the previous couple of years, you have got a veritable digital goldmine of Halo Infinite, Psychonauts 2, Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves sitting there ready for you.
Latest offers
Should you purchase it?
You need essentially the most highly effective Xbox ever:
The Xbox Series X crushes all Xbox consoles earlier than it when it comes to uncooked energy, and is technically superior to the PS5, even when this isn’t essentially all the time mirrored by the efficiency of third-party titles.
You don’t want the flagship Xbox expertise:
The Xbox Series X isn’t the one Xbox on the town lately. For significantly much less money you possibly can decide up the Xbox Series S, which lacks true 4K efficiency and the power to play bodily video games, however nonetheless helps options like Quick Resume and Smart Delivery.
Final Thoughts
If I’m utterly trustworthy, the new-gen expertise we had been promised by each Microsoft and Sony hasn’t fairly materialised but. Gamers are nonetheless continuously requested to decide on between silky clean body charges and the very best graphical constancy, when the advertising and marketing main into this technology was very a lot each, uncompromised. Next-gen options like ray tracing are sometimes solely out there in case you’re prepared to sacrifice the 60fps efficiency that may be very onerous to step again from when you get used to it.
That mentioned, the Xbox Series X continues to be an astoundingly good console. What it does with previous video games and loading instances nonetheless seems like wizardry a number of years into the console’s life, whereas options like Dolby Vision are nonetheless Xbox-only advantages within the console house. And whereas the complete fats 4K/60fps goal is usually unattainable, I’m nonetheless frequently blown away by how video games look on this machine.
Game Pass might be nonetheless essentially the most interesting side of the Xbox platform, and I’ve by no means even thought-about cancelling it. But Microsoft is banking on the likes of Starfield to make sure players are proud of the service as we head into the second half of 2023 and past.
How we take a look at
In order to check the Xbox Series X, we performed a variety of video games and in contrast its efficiency to rival consoles such because the PS5.
We’ve additionally made certain to examine the most recent firmware updates and design alterations to verify this evaluate is updated for modern-day patrons.
Tested multipled video games to gauge efficiency.
Compared efficiency to the PS5 and Xbox Series S.
FAQs
Is the Xbox Series X 8K? The Xbox Series X is technically able to 8K output, however that doesn’t imply you’ll be enjoying the subsequent Forza sport in 8K. With so little 8K content material and so few 8K TV house owners on the market, the performance has not but been unlocked on the Series X. Game builders, in the meantime, are nonetheless concentrating on 4K gaming and I don’t see that altering any time quickly, particularly given how tough it’s proving to be for the present consoles to even preserve native 4K visuals alongside excessive body charges. Is the Xbox Series X backwards suitable? Yes. Microsoft has put an enormous quantity of effort into making certain that the majority of the Xbox One, Xbox 360 and authentic Xbox libraries are suitable with the Xbox Series X and S. Not each sport will work on the console, however the overwhelming majority do, and more often than not they robotically look and run higher than they ever did on the older {hardware}. Is Game Pass value it? Game Pass Ultimate isn’t precisely low cost at £11.99 a month, however this provides you entry to greater than 100 video games, both on the console itself or over the cloud on a supported streaming system corresponding to your smartphone or the Steam Deck. Every sport Microsoft publishes is accessible to obtain on Game Pass from day one, and can keep there, which was the corporate’s large promise originally of this technology. The draw back is that third-party video games are finally faraway from the service, so in case you’re midway by means of one thing that immediately leaves Game Pass, you’ll have to buy it from the Microsoft Store to proceed enjoying. What are the cons of the Xbox Series X? Like the PS5, the Xbox Series X may be very costly and isn’t considerably discounted. Most of the console’s video games are additionally playable on the older Xbox One, and thus far we haven’t had many Series X experiences that really feel really next-gen. The console guarantees 4K/60fps gaming, however if you wish to take pleasure in superior lighting options corresponding to ray tracing, you’ll hardly ever have the opportunity to take action with out sacrificing efficiency.
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UK RRP
USA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Release Date
Xbox Series X
£449
$499
AU$749
Diesel
2021
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Jargon buster
GPU
The graphics processing unit is designed to render graphics, which is especially essential for gaming, creating 3D fashions and enhancing video.
SSD
Known as Solid State Drive, it is a quicker type of a reminiscence than a regular onerous drive. Results in quicker loading instances and extra formidable video games.