If you’ve read many of my recent gaming reviews, you’ll notice that there’s often one reference that’s peppered throughout them. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In fact, if you’ve ever had the misfortune of getting caught in a conversation with me, you’ll find I reference it approximately every 6.5 seconds. It was my frontrunner for Game of the Year 2025 by a clear furlong.

And yet despite my enduring love for it, a recent acquisition has totally changed the way I play the game. When toying around with the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox controller for review, I found it totally changed the way I play the game and, honestly, helped me enjoy it a whole lot more. I’d been missing something since the very beginning of the game, and the high-end, premium controller helped me realise why.

So what was it about picking up one of the best Xbox controllers out there that proved such a game-changer?

Despair Obscur

It’s not hard to explain why I’ve enjoyed Expedition 33 so much. The heyday of turn-based role-playing games (RPGs) came during my youth, when my brain was at its squishiest and most impressionable. I know we’re only supposed to care about action RPGs and Soulslikes these days, but Expedition 33 is a love letter to many of the games that sparked my adoration of RPGs, while having enough modern innovations to feel truly forward-looking.

Yet I have a confession to make. Despite how much I love the game, I’ve been harboring a dark, shameful secret that cuts to the core of my identity. While I never wanted to admit this publicly, I feel like I can no longer hide it… I kinda suck at it.

Don’t get me wrong. I hold my own in battles. My builds are relatively effective, I have a good lot of synergies worked out with my skills, and I can usually ace most of the quicktime events (QTEs). The vast majority of opponents fall at my feet, and I can master a lot of the bosses after a few humiliating deaths. So what’s the issue?

In a word: parrying. Ever since I started playing, I’d always felt something was slightly off with the parrying and counter mechanics – I could pull them off regularly enough to be satisfying and to bring many enemies to their knees. However, I often felt like I was missing something.

The window felt unforgiving at the best of times, and every time I came across new enemies, I’d spend most of the encounters with them learning their timings before they largely disappeared from play. I wanted to excel, but often found I got by on a painful process of repeating counters until I had the rhythm down. Later in the game, this sensation was only compounded – certain bosses required almost flawless countering, and the introduction of Verso’s Perfection ranks meant coasting was no longer an option.

I know, I know… get gud, right? But despite all the practice I got, I never quite built up the fluency I needed. And advice online didn’t seem to work for me: listening out for aural cues or the way the screen zooms in just before an attack didn’t help me hit the window with enough regularity. My younger co-workers didn’t seem to have any issues with it, convincing me my issue was more likely with my middle-aged brain. The old girl just ain’t as fast as she used to be.

But, as it turned out, the issue wasn’t with my wetware. It was with my hardware.

He’s got control again

Ridiculous as it is, I don’t actually spend a lot of money on gaming accessories. Despite owning a mid-weight gaming PC, an Xbox Series X, and a Steam Deck, when it comes to choosing between games and accessories, I’ll choose games every time. As a result, I’ve got a Steam library full of uncompleted games, and yet I’ve always used my PC with the cheapest controller I could get my hands on. Yes, I know: I can literally hear your eyes rolling from here.

Fortunately, TechRadar Gaming’s managing editor has been dragging me kicking and screaming into the 2020s one accessory review at a time. And it was as a part of this gradual reeducation process that I recently tested out a new pro controller for Xbox and PC: the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Controller.

When I test any gaming accessory, I’ll always try it out with as wide a range of genres as possible. So, naturally, one of the first titles I fired up was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Suddenly, something was different. Instead of getting slashed to ribbons by the Obscurs I was facing, I started deflecting their blows like a spider at the peak of his Olympic fencing career. The crack-thin parry window suddenly felt like an enormous floor-to-ceiling window, and hitting it became a far-less stressful experience. Verso finally went from an, at best, straight-C student to regularly unleashing his most powerful attacks.

I’d never previously considered that a more pro-level pad could make this much of a difference. But take a quick glance at the Raikiri II’s design and feature-set, and it’s easy to see why it’s been so transformative for my gameplay.

The most obvious is its triggers. Not only is the Raikiri II one of the few console controllers so far to have introduced Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors to its triggers – promising even more sensitivity and longevity than Hall effect sensors – but using Asus’s Gear Link software, you can set the sensitivity window for each trigger independently. By far the biggest game changer as far as Expedition 33 is concerned, though, is their micro-switch setting, a digital setting with minimal travel that makes it easier to hammer that parry trigger much faster.

But that’s not the only trick the Raikiri II has up its sleeve here. It’s also a blindingly fast controller, full stop. Thanks to its 1000Hz polling rate, it will pick up any trigger pull or button click within 1ms. On top of this, it has a seriously low input lag of just 2.32ms when hooked up in wired mode or 3.53ms when connected via its 2.4GHz wireless mode – meaning that the gains you’re getting out of faster triggers aren’t swallowed up by lag on the digital side.

And it’s not only been transformative for playing Expedition 33. Tweaking its left thumbstick curves on the Gear Link software made keeping up with the frenetic pace of Doom easier, while lengthening the sensitivity window for the accelerator on Forza Horizon 5 gave me slightly more granular control of my speed as I hurtled around the streets of Guanajuato. As important as speed, that increased level of sensitivity can be transformative for certain titles.

So while I’m not suggesting that all your woes in gaming can be solved with a magic bullet, I’ve definitely noticed how a more pro-level pad has given me more of an edge in certain titles. I may not be able to guarantee that’s why you’re finding the timing tricky in games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but it’s definitely worth considering if you’ve followed all other advice to no avail. Because sometimes that extra edge and precision can make all the difference.

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless: one-minute review

The Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is a controller compatible with both Xbox Series X|S and PC. It’s an unabashedly premium product at $189.99 / £199 / AU$349 but, for that price, it’s wonderfully responsive, beautifully designed and comes with a good array of accessories.

First off, the Raikiri II feels beautifully well built. It feels solid and substantial, yet it’s ergonomically designed. Elements like the rear buttons are perfectly placed under your fingertips to make them easy to access without shifting your grasp, while its textured grips meant it never once slipped in my hands. Its RGB lighting is also tastefully done, just subtle enough to not detract from its sleek appearance and coming with plenty of customizable options.

Both the thumbsticks and shoulder triggers are staggeringly accurate, thanks to Asus’s decision to use TMR sensors in each of them. Not only do I relish not having to worry about the dreaded stick drift anymore but I found them astoundingly precise, giving me spot-on control over everything from acceleration in racing games to aiming in FPSes. The fact that the shoulder triggers can be toggled to using micro-switches is just the icing on the cake – smashing parries out against the Paintress in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has never felt so satisfying to me.

This awesome sensitivity and precision is further supported by the Raikiri II’s blisteringly fast connectivity, which rivals that of many of the best Xbox controllers. Not only does it offer an absurdly rapid 1,000Hz polling rate but its 2.4GHz wireless connection and USB-C connectivity each trim input latencies down to just 3.5ms and 2.3ms. Naturally, it also offers Bluetooth connectivity but, honestly, I found the former options so fast that I’d opt for those every time.

Thanks to Asus’s Gear Link software, you can also customize a lot of the Raikiri II’s functionality. On top of basic options like button remapping, you can also set discreet response curves and deadzones for each thumbstick, as well as start and end points for each of the shoulder triggers. There’s also the option to tweak how intense the controller’s rumble settings are and map the pad’s four rear buttons to various functions.

While you can save all of these settings to one of five profiles, this does come with a pretty serious caveat. When playing on Xbox, you can only switch between them using the Gear Link software, meaning hooking it up to your laptop or desktop each time. To me, this feels like a pretty major oversight – can you really class this Raikiri II’s Xbox edition, if a key part of the functionality is inaccessible to Xbox gamers?

This one misstep aside though, the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is a seriously impressive controller. While I think PC gamers will get even more out of it than those on Xbox, it’s still a fantastically responsive pad on either platform, offering some features I’ve not seen on many other products, like those TMR triggers. Yes, it’s relatively pricey at $189.99 / £199 / AU$349 but, if you’re looking for a trailblazing premium controller, it’s a great option.

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: price and availability

• Launched December 10, 2025
• Retails for $189.99 / £199 / AU$349
• Offers a lot of accessories for that price

Having launched on December 10, 2025, the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless is available now. You can pick it up for $189.99 / £199 / AU$349, putting it firmly up the premium end of the Xbox controller market.

In return for that spend, though, you get a whole heap of functionality, plus a range of connectivity options: Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz wireless dongle or wired USB-C connectivity. On top of this, it also comes with a carry case, USB-C cable, charging dock and replacement thumbsticks, so it’s a very decent package for the price.

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: specs

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: design and features

• Long-lasting TMR sticks
• Excellent dual-mode triggers
• Attractive, ergonomic design

Over the years, I’ve built up quite the grisly mausoleum of dead controllers, both Xbox and otherwise. Eventually, the dreaded stick drift has claimed every single one. So it’s a relief to know that won’t happen with the ROG Raikiri II’s drift-resistant thumbsticks.

Asus has opted for TMR sticks here, which it says are not only more accurate but consume less power than Hall-effect alternatives. While it’s difficult to assess what kind of longevity you’ll get out of them, from the second I held the ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless in my hands, the thumbsticks felt incredibly responsive and enabled me to make surgically precise movements in a variety of games.

But perhaps even more than the Raikiri II’s thumbsticks, I really fell for its dual-mode shoulder triggers. When set to their micro-switch triggers, I found they were lightning fast to activate, making them perfect for hammering the trigger in FPS games. Meanwhile, their full-range TMR sensor mode is a real rarity on console controllers – we’ve certainly not tested many with that functionality here at TechRadar Gaming – and it gave me really wonderfully precise control for games like Forza Horizon 5.

At first, I found the clicky feedback of the micro-switch face buttons took a little getting used to, as I’m more familiar with the spongy softness of the Xbox Wireless Controller buttons. But once I’d adapted to their novel feel, I was fully converted – they activate seriously quickly and offer such an immediate response that you know almost instantly when you’ve hit your target.

Its extra rear shortcut buttons are perfectly placed, sitting right under where your middle and ring fingers naturally grab the pad. And they’re wonderfully versatile. Not only are they great if you want to set up extra macros in game but being able to set a couple as shortcuts for the shoulder buttons saved me ever having to switch my grip during sessions of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which reduced my response times in game significantly.

When it comes to looks, the controller styles itself after the recent Xbox ROG Ally X, riffing off design elements like its subtle decal. It also mimics its textured grips, which I definitely found made it easier to keep hold of the pad without them ever feeling rough. In fact, its matt plastic build always feels pleasantly tactile to the touch, while the whole device feels just substantial enough to avoid flimsy or hollow.

And while I know that for some people RGB lighting on a controller is an unnecessary gimmick, I have to admit that I’m completely suckered in by the ROG Raikiri II’s lighting. Partly this is because it’s relatively subtle and restrained, limiting itself to a strip down either side and the central ROG button, and it’s fully customizable, allowing you to decide quite how much you want to lean into full-blown esports styling.

Finally, the ROG Raikiri II has an impressive range of connectivity options. On top of Bluetooth, it also has 2.4GHz wireless connectivity via a dongle and a USB-C wired connection. These latter two are particularly impressive, offering an 1,000Hz polling rate and trimming input latencies to just 3.5ms and 2.3ms respectively, meaning you should easily get the drop on most of your enemies in game.

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: performance

• Blisteringly fast response times
• Brilliantly customisable
• Custom profiles can’t be changed on Xbox

With its 1,000Hz polling rate in PC mode, it’s safe to say I was expecting the Raikiri II to respond to inputs rapidly. And it did not disappoint. Even when playing fast-paced FPSes like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, I couldn’t detect the least hint of lag over its low-latency 2.4GHz RF connectivity or USB-C cable.

But it’s not only its connectivity that make for lightning fast gaming – those dual-mode shoulder triggers are a literal game-changer. When I first tried them out while playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the difference compared to my previous budget controller was immediately appreciable. Especially when using them in their micro-switch trigger mode, I suddenly found myself going from fumbling three-quarters of parries to nailing them 80% of the time. Those triggers respond fast and I certainly found it had a palpable impact on my game play.

And with Asus’s Gear Link software you can tweak things even further to get the kind of performance you need for each game you’re playing and save them to one of five customized profiles. You can access this tool by hooking up the Raikiri II to your PC and accessing it in your browser.

This method does come with an unfortunate wrinkle, however. As it's browser-based, there’s no way to access it on the fly from your Xbox and the controller doesn’t offer any way to switch between profiles as you play. That means you can only ever access one tuning at a time on your console before you need to return to a PC to switch things up – which is a weird choice to make for a controller that literally has ‘Xbox’ in the name.

Honestly, that’s a bit of a shame as, otherwise, the Gear Link software offers really granular control over the responsiveness of your controller. For example, I was able to set one of my profiles with very quick response and shallow range for its triggers, making it really easy to fan the hammer when trying to gun down opponents on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Conversely, for Forza Horizon 5, I set the right trigger to activate over its full range, giving me really precise control over the throttle so I could better manage my speed during cornering.

And that’s just the beginning. You can also set independent custom curves for each of the TMR thumbsticks, enabling you to tweak how fast they respond the further they’re moved, as well as set the size of their deadzones. While playing Doom, I set the left stick to have a rapid curve and kept the right one set as linear – as a result, I was able to close the gap between Doom Guy and all those demons far quicker, without having the camera whip round too violently.

The Gear Link software also unlocks a bunch of other customization options. You can change the intensity of the controller’s vibration haptics, which I imagine is very useful for people who have sensory processing problems or find it difficult to grip on to a controller that’s vibrating too fiercely.

It also unlocks some aesthetic tweaks for that RGB lighting. You have the option to set each zone up separately, whether you want it in solid color, breathing, reacting to button presses or color cycling. My personal go-to though? It definitely has to be battery mode, which allows you to set the lighting to specific colors for different battery levels – I can now get a precise sense of how much juice my pad has left at just a glance, which is a lifesaver.

Overall, I found the performance of the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless to be seriously impressive. Don’t get me wrong: there are some odd choices along the way, especially the lack of a hotswap button for saved profiles on the Xbox. But if you’re not flipping through different genres at the drop of a hat or you’re playing on PC, it's an incredibly responsive controller with a great level of customizability.

Should I buy the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review: also consider

How I tested the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless

• Tested it over two weeks
• Used it on both Xbox and PC
• Created multiple custom profiles

I tested the Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless over a period of several weeks. I tried it out on both the Xbox Series X and on PC and tried it out on a wide range of genres, from RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, FPSes like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and racing games like Forza Horizon 5.

Not only did I try the Raikiri II using all three connection methods – 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth and wired – but I used the Asus's Gear Link software to tweak all of its available settings. That included creating multiple profiles with varying trigger ranges, thumbstick curves and button assignments.

In terms of my testing experience, not only am I TechRadar's reviews editor, with experience of reviewing a wide array of gadgets, but I've been gaming for 35 years. That's across a wide range of platforms, including PC, consoles and gaming handhelds, meaning I've got loads of experience in gaming across a wide range of genres.

• First reviewed: February 2026
• Read more about how we test

If you're wondering where to buy the new Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, then we're here to help.

All three of the new consolevariants are now out in the wild having released officially on October 15 (with some select countries following slightly later on October 29).

In brief, the main advancements and differences with these variants are boosts to storage on the Series S and Galaxy Black Series X models, and the offer of an all-digital, disc-less experience on the powerful Series X (in white for the first time).

You can see the key details below and the best places to place your pre-order for each, and we'll add more links and details when further listings appear.

Where to buy and pre-order the new Xbox Series X and S consoles

Where to buy and pre-order the new Xbox Series X and S consoles

Where to buy and pre-order the new Xbox Series X and S consoles

If you've been waiting for a new, different edition of the Xbox Series X console that's a bit special, or something that has a larger SSD for more games, then now is a great time to pre-order and jump in.

You might also like...

• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle preview: shaping up to be a whip-cracking adventure
• The best Xbox Game Pass deals going right now
• A spread of the latest best Xbox game deals running now

Following what was a pretty awesome show stocked-full of exciting games at the Xbox Games Showcase, there’s never been a better time to get onboard the Xbox console wagon. That’s especially true since Amazon has slashed the price of the more powerful Series X to just AU$639 – one of the lowest prices we’ve ever seen. 

And if the upcoming onslaught of games coming to the Xbox isn’t already enough to whet your whistle, don’t forget you can also subscribe to access to Xbox Game Pass, which we regard as being an incredible games subscription service. For just AU$18.95 each month – you can try it for two weeks for just AU$1 – Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to the best Xbox Game Pass games library that includes: Minecraft, Forza Horizon V, Fallout 4,  The Callisto Protocol, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Starfield and more. Game Pass Ultimatecosts just NZ$21.95p/m in New Zealand, though that tasty little 14-day trial doesn't seem to be available.

Of course while providing access to the best games of 2024, the Xbox Series X is also the most overqualified media streaming device on the market. Not only can the Xbox Series X take care of all your movie streaming needs via its vast support for streaming apps, and play the best Xbox games, but it’s also a fantastic Blu-ray player, capable of supporting Ultra HD Blu-ray discs for when you really want to bring the cinema experience into your home – just make sure you have one of the best TVs to support 4K content. Whether you're an avid gamer or not, the Xbox Series X is ready to be your main source of entertainment. 

If you'd rather wait for the best product rather than the best deal, Microsoft recently announced new Xbox Series console models. This includes a 'robot white' Xbox Series X, new digital-only Xbox Series S in the same colourway and a 2TB Xbox Series X in a new 'galaxy black' colourway. If you're not necessarily loyal to Sony or Microsoft, the PS5 Pro is all-but guaranteed to release later this year.

With a huge new slate of games coming to the Xbox, a massive library of games available through Game Pass and an awesome array of Xbox Exclusives, though we've already seen Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush come to PlayStation, this deal couldn't be coming at a better time for buyers.

You might also like...

• Sticking to PlayStation? Save on more from Sony with our coupons.
• Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X? We'll help you figure out which one's for you.
• Keep track of the latest Xbox news and deals with our Xbox coverage.

It’s good news and bad news for prospective Final Fantasy 14 players on Xbox Series X|S. The open beta for the beloved massively multiplayer online role-playing game finally has a confirmed start date, but it’s simultaneously been confirmed that players will be required to have an Xbox Game Pass subscription in order to play the full release later down the line.

First thing’s first, the beta start date. New players can dive into the Free Trial version of Final Fantasy 14 (which allows you to experience A Realm Reborn, Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70, without playtime restrictions), from Wednesday, February 21 at 3am ET / 12am PT / 8am GMT / 7pm AEDT. This matches the estimated start date given by director and producer Naoki Yoshida (also known as Yoshi-P) during the Final Fantasy 14 in-person Fan Fest event last month, so it’s not too much of a surprise. 

However, the emphasis here is on ‘new players.’ In a news post on the Final Fantasy 14 website announcing the start date, it was confirmed that those who’ve previously used the Free Trial on another platform, or have a Final Fantasy 14 license registered to their Square Enix account already won’t be able to join in. They’ve instead been asked to wait for the full release, which will come “immediately” after the open beta concludes (although no indication has been given as to when this will be). 

Anyone who wants to play Final Fantasy 14’s Free Trial on Xbox, "including the open beta test," will be able to play regardless of whether they have an active Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription or not. However, the full release will require an active Game Pass subscription. This is quite surprising given that on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, players aren’t required to have an active PlayStation Plus subscription of any kind in order to play, and no extra fees are required on PC, either. 

All this considered, it appears that Xbox Series X|S will be the most expensive platform to play Final Fantasy 14 on if you count the additional cost incurred by the Xbox Game Pass subscription. Be sure to keep this in mind before deciding whether you want to dive in yourself. 

For more games like Final Fantasy 14, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best MMORPGs, as well as the best MMOs. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 players on Xbox, rejoice. Game director and CEO of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, has confirmed that the root of the problem causing save files to occasionally go missing on Xbox Series X|S has been found, and a fix is on the way. 

In a Twitter / X post published today (January 9), Vincke shared the patch notes for Baldur’s Gate 3’s latest hotfix, number 16, which promises fixes to several crashes and bugs. While the missing Xbox save file issue hasn’t been ironed out in this hotfix, Vincke stated that it’s “incoming.”

“Sizeable hotfix to kick off the new year. Also got good news from Xbox - they found the firmware issue that could cause save games to go missing, and a fix is incoming,” he wrote. “In the end, all will be well.”

In case you were unfamiliar, the missing save file issue has affected unlucky players since the Series X|S launch of Baldur’s Gate 3 last month. Larian and Microsoft have continued investigating the issue, and midway through December, Larian’s director of publishing, Michael Douse, announced that reports of the problem were down 75%. 

To help avoid the issue, players were previously advised to close the game fully when they’re finished playing, and keep their Xbox console connected to power. They can also take advantage of a workaround by creating a Larian account and activating cross-saves, which will automatically upload their last five saves to Larian’s servers. These can then be accessed even if the bug occurs by reactivating cross-save functionality in the options screen. 

Vincke didn’t announce exactly when the fix will be rolled out, but rest assured that it’s on the way, and it should allow Xbox players to dive into their adventure with peace of mind. 

For more games like Baldur’s Gate 3, be sure to check out our lists of the best RPGs and best story games.

Anyone who’s been anticipating the release of Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox Series X|S doesn’t have much longer to wait, as director and producer Naoki Yoshida (aka Yoshi-P) has confirmed that the open beta will begin next month. 

It was first announced last July that the hit massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) would be coming to Xbox consoles, at which point it was given a “spring 2024” release window, effectively placing it tentatively between the months of March to June. Now though, during the Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival 2024, which took place in Tokyo over the weekend, Yoshida narrowed this down even earlier to February.

“As far as Xbox goes, we will be beginning the open beta test in February. Our current plan is to begin open beta around the 21st, plans could still change a few days in either direction, but that’s what we’re aiming for,” he said. “I really hope that a lot of Xbox players will get started right from beta and join us in [Final Fantasy] 14, and I look forward to meeting a lot of Xbox players as Warriors of Light in-game.”

Last year, it was announced (via Xbox Wire) that the Xbox Series X version of Final Fantasy 14 will include 4K support, but “both consoles will enjoy fast loading times.” At the time, it was also stated that Series X|S players will be able to try out the copypasta-famous Expanded Free Trial, which will allow them to play through A Realm Reborn, Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70, without any playtime restrictions. 

In other Final Fantasy 14 news, during the Fan Festival it was also confirmed that the Pictomancer job (essentially, class) is coming to the game’s upcoming Dawntrail expansion. Placed in the caster DPS (damage per second) role, players will be able to cast spells using a paintbrush. 

Dawntrail still doesn’t have an exact release date beyond its 'summer 2024' window, meaning it could launch anytime between June and August. Yoshida stated: "Unfortunately, though we do have an internal date that we are targeting, we are adjusting the schedule, making sure it's fine-tuned as much as it possibly can be before announcing, so we will not be sharing that today.” Explaining this, he said that he doesn’t want the expansion to get delayed like Endwalker previously did.

Find some fantastic recommendations for more games like Final Fantasy 14 with our lists of the best MMORPGs, as well as the best MMOs. 

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Xbox Series X|S version is apparently still experiencing some save data issues, but players have been reassured that they now seem to be much rarer following a recent firmware update. 

In case you were unfamiliar, not long after the Xbox Series X|S version of Baldur's Gate 3 released at The Game Awards on December 7, some fans reported issues with their save files disappearing following a crash. Larian Studios and Microsoft have been investigating the matter since - Xbox users were advised to keep their consoles connected to power even when switched off, and close their game entirely when they’re done playing.

On Saturday (December 16), Larian Studios’ director of publishing, Michael Douse, shared on Twitter / X that the save issues are still “lingering” with new reports coming in from players, despite the fact that “the most recent firmware should have solved it.” However, “reports since Thursday’s update are down over 75%.”

“We’re in a holding pattern at the moment, since it’s firmware side,” Douse wrote. “Do keep your Xbox connected to the internet as much as you can.

“If I lost my saves I would not be ok with that. So I get it,” he continued. “I just want you to know that people are actively looking at it. Hopefully we hear more soon.”

He reiterated the previous advice of closing the game fully and keeping consoles connected to power in order to prevent the issue from happening in the first place, noting that “statistically you shouldn’t have any issues.”

In other news, last week, Baldur’s Gate 3’s director and the CEO of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, revealed that it was decided “from the get-go” that the enormous role-playing game wouldn’t be available to play via Xbox Game Pass. He told IGN: “We are in the business of making a game that has a beginning, middle, and an end. We made a big game, so I think there's a fair price to be paid for that, and I think that that is okay.”

For more games like Baldur’s Gate 3, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best RPGs, as well as the best story games.

At long last, the wait is over - Larian Studios has officially revealed the release date for the Xbox Series X|S version of Baldur’s Gate 3, and players will be able to dive into the action…immediately.

 Well isn’t this a nice surprise? It’s been stated a few times by the developers that Baldur’s Gate 3 would be hitting Xbox’s current-gen consoles by the end of the year, but I’m not sure if anyone was expecting it to happen right here, right now. Prospective players are now able to download a digital version of the enormous role-playing game, so the only thing stopping them from diving in is the increasingly large file size; and the hours they’ll inevitably spend on the character creation screen, of course. 

While Baldur’s Gate 3 released on PC in August and PlayStation 5 a month later, the developers faced difficulties during development trying to get the split-screen co-op feature working on Xbox Series S. In August, Larian boss Swen Vincke revealed that the Series S version will no longer feature split-screen at launch, but the official Xbox Twitter account clarified that it will continue to work alongside the developers to “explore the addition” in a post-launch capacity. This could be the first game to flout Microsoft's version parity requirement for games launching on the Xbox Series S and X

For those who’ve been hanging on for a physical version of Baldur’s Gate 3, the physical deluxe edition for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC is set to ship in Q1 2024, complete with a whole load of extra bonuses such as a soundtrack and map. It won’t be a limited-run product, so there’s no need to worry about buying from scalpers at an inflated price. 

If you love Baldur’s Gate 3, you can find some more amazing game recommendations on our lists of the best story games, as well as the best RPGs.

Well, it finally happened, the Xbox Series X games console has had its price slashed on Amazon, ahead of Black Friday, with the 1TB gaming machine drop to AU$649. It’s not too often we see discounts on Microsoft’s gaming powerhouse – we have seen plenty of great deals on the PlayStation since its launch – so if you’ve been holding off, now could be the time to buy. 

If you want to get a game with the Xbox Series X to start playing immediately, Amazon also has a bundle that includes the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 title for AU$733. Admittedly, it’s not the greatest Call of Duty title to ever be released – we gave it just two stars in our Modern Warfare 3 review – but considering the price of the console plus the game is less than you’ll pay for a standalone console at most other Australia retailers right now, it could still be worth your consideration. 

The Xbox Series X can do pretty much anything you would want or expect a current-generation console to do, and in some areas, it has a leg up over its closest Sony-branded rival. Most notably, the Xbox is technically more powerful than the PS5 and it supports Dolby Vision via streaming apps. 

If you’ve previously owned either console’s predecessors, then you’ll likely be somewhat loyal, but it is worth pointing out that – in our opinion at least – the Xbox does lag behind a little when it comes to exclusive gaming titles. The Xbox gets titles including Halo and Forza, mind you, which could be enough of a draw for many gamers. There’s also Xbox Games Pass to talk about, which is a fantastic cloud-gaming streaming service that can be played on a multitude of devices when you’re away from home. 

It’s a terrific console, and now that it’s hit its lowest Aussie price – which we can’t guarantee will go any lower on Black Friday itself – it could be worth snapping up before stock runs out. 

Ark: Survival Ascended - the Unreal Engine 5 remake of the 2017 action-survival game Ark: Survival Evolved - has been hit with a last-minute delay on Xbox Series X|S after it was initially scheduled to release today (November 14).

The news was announced yesterday evening (November 13) on the official Ark Twitter account. There, the team wrote: “Xbox and Windows Survivors, the game is still going through the certification process and will not be releasing on Tuesday. 

“We are expecting it to release it later this week, but, we'll update with a more precise time when we have it.”

Since that post, no further information has been provided. It’s less than two weeks since the initial Xbox release date was announced in the first place. At the time, developer Studio Wildcard stated that it would launch with crossplay for the PC version, which launched in early access in October, as well as official servers for the different modes with boosted rates in order for players to catch up with those who’ve been playing in early access.

It was also stated at the time that the release date for the PS5 version is yet to be finalized, but the team expected that it would launch at the end of November. At the time of writing, it’s not known if this version is going to be pushed back, too, but when it launches, players can expect to see more official servers with even greater boosted rates to help them get up to speed with players who started before them on other platforms.

Black Friday is almost here, and Black Friday gaming deals are already available at various retailers. If you want to check out some of the best discounts, you can check out our Black Friday Xbox Series X deals hub, as well as our Black Friday video game deals roundup for offers on various huge current-gen games.

Larian Studios' CEO and the director of Baldur's Gate 3, Swen Vincke, has revealed that the RPG will be launching on Xbox Series X|S before December, as the team is “actually very close” to having the game ready.

Last week, Vincke confirmed that “we’ve found a solution that allows us to bring Baldur’s Gate 3 to Xbox players this year”, after the title’s release on the two consoles was initially pushed back due to technical hurdles. It was also revealed that the Xbox Series S version will no longer include split-screen co-op at launch.

In a new interview with IGN, Vincke revealed that now this solution has been found, “it shouldn’t take that long” to get the enormous RPG out and in Xbox users’ hands: "It's 2023. And 2023 is narrowing, so it's already pretty precise in my book,” Vincke said. “Between September and November... So, as fast as we can honestly.”

Before Larian Studios’ full focus is put on the Xbox release, however, the team is going to keep its center of attention on the upcoming PS5 version, and then shift over to patches for the game on PC. However, Vincke clarified that “the Xbox Series X version was already in good shape last time I looked at it”. 

“There's a bunch of stuff that needs to happen to finalize it,” he explained. “But I think from a content point of view and from a technical point of view, we're actually very close.”

He continued: “It was running already before, so it shouldn't take that long. It doesn't mean that we are not going to try to make it work also in split-screen, because I mean as I said, the team continues to optimize for all platforms because we really want to hit 60fps across the board on everything.”

For now, fans will just have to stay tuned to see exactly when Baldur’s Gate 3 will be released for Series X|S, but by the sound of it, we won’t be waiting much longer. 

For more upcoming games, be sure to have a look at our list of new Xbox Series X games. If you’re looking for some game recommendations, you can also check out our selection of the best RPGs.

Microsoft's head of gaming Phil Spencer has said there are no plans for an Xbox Series X|S mid-gen refresh, confirming the company is still focused on current hardware. 

During an interview with IGN at Gamescom 2023, Spencer was asked if there's any news on a mid-gen refresh for current-gen consoles, to which he simply replied "No," before adding that "we're at the end of the beginning" of the console generation for Xbox Series X|S and that the team is focused on increasing the storage for Xbox Series S.

The same topic was broached in a separate interview with Eurogamer, and Spencer reiterated his statements by saying that he didn't see a reason for mid-gen refreshes right now, pointing out that it can cause issues for developers and the platforms they target, and that "it starts to feel a lot more like PC...".

"I definitely think that when we do hardware, it should have a reason to exist that is demonstrably different than what came before," Spencer said. 

"I think that's important. Gen 10 - now you get more of my religion on this - I think what happens for us as an industry - and other people with other platform affinities are going to argue with me about this - but sometimes you feel really great about the price performance of the console early in the generation. 

"And then later in the generation, we look at what's happening on a PC. And we say, 'how come our consoles can't do that?' And the reason is, because when you plan for a console, you start two or three years before you launch it, and you kind of lock-in to a hardware spec. And then that's the spec you're gonna have for five, six, seven years. And because the pricing of consoles have gone up, it's closer to PC than it's probably ever been in terms of price and performance."

Microsoft recently announced that the digital Xbox 360 store will be closing in July 2024 meaning a ton of games that don't have a new home on current-gen consoles or PC could be lost forever. When asked about his stance on game preservation, Spencer said that he "would love to find solutions" but there are no plans right now. 

If you're looking for something to play, check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games you can play right now, and for storage solutions check out our guide to the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs which covers both Series consoles.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has said players will need to play the first few hours of Starfield before it "blows up in terms of its epic scale."

Starfield is only two weeks away and as Bethesda gears up for the launch of perhaps its most anticipated game of all time, there's still a lot players don't know about the upcoming sci-fi RPG.

The spacefaring adventure game will be massive in scale, with reportedly over 1,000 planets to explore in an open galaxy, with free space travel, character customization, and a tailored experience based on the players' choices. 

We already know it will be a grand game - the biggest Bethesda has ever made - but according to Phil Spencer, the beginning of the game can be a little slow and players should expect the action to hit after a few hours of playtime. 

"It's a big game, and I'll be the first to admit the first three to four hours are a little bit hunt-and-peck, figure out 'what am I actually doing?' Then you get onto sidequests or something, and the game just blows up in terms of its epic scale," said Spencer in an interview with IGN at Gamescom 2023.

Starfield is set to launch on September 6 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, but early access will start on September 1 for those who purchased the Premium or Constellation editions of the game. 

It was announced last week that the game had officially gone gold, so users can preload the game right now ahead of its official release. This also applies to those who have pre-ordered the game digitally or are planning to play it via Xbox Game Pass. 

To get ready for the launch, here's everything you need to know about Starfield - including story and setting, trailers, gameplay features, and more. 

For more, check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games, as well as our essential guide to every upcoming game launching in 2023 for PC and consoles. 

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has discussed the ongoing Activision Blizzard deal, saying that the acquisition is about "mobile capability."

In an interview with Eurogamer at Gamescom 2023, Spencer explained that Xbox is actively looking to have a mobile presence and that the main reason behind its $68.7bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard is due to the company's mobile presence. 

"The reason we're in the acquisition discussion with Activision Blizzard King is around their mobile capability," Spencer said. "Because it's just something we don't have. We obviously already have Call of Duty on our platform, we already have Diablo on our platform. So it's not about new games that Xbox players don't have access to today.

"It is about a capability on mobile, and some broader ambitions that we have on the largest gaming platform, which is mobile phones."

Spencer was asked about the possibility of the deal falling through, but he explained that he doesn't think in terms of a "plan B" and that "Any kind of other plan for us would continue to be about: how do we find relevance in the mobile space?..."

He added that he knows people think about Activision in the console and PC space but that it's actually dominating in the mobile space, which is in Microsoft's interest. 

"So any other plan would still be about [that]," Spencer said. "We think that for Xbox to continue to thrive, we need to have some relevant place in the whole province."

Despite winning its case against the Federal Trade Commission, earlier this month, Microsoft sent a final report to the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in an effort to overturn the watchdog's block on the company's plan to acquire Activision Blizzard. 

The company later announced new plans to sell off game streaming rights to Ubisoft intended to directly "address the CMA's concerns."

Check out our list of the best Xbox Series X games if you're looking for something new, as well as the best Xbox deals of August 2023. 

Microsoft has unveiled the first of the official Xbox Series X console wraps which includes a Starfield variant. Pre-orders are now available in the US and the UK from $44.99 / £39.99.  

While the Xbox Series X is a powerful console, the bland expanses of its four big black sides are just ripe for creativity. After nearly three years on the market, Microsoft has officially showcased new Xbox Series X console wraps, all to give the system a much-needed new look - with the Starfield design an ideal companion for the Starfield Xbox controller and the Starfield Wireless Headset. 

Monique Chatterjee, Senior Design Director at Xbox, writes: "We know gamers want to be able to customize their consoles and show support for their favorite games, and we are delivering an option that’s more affordable and more sustainable than purchasing a special edition or limited edition console". She continues: "With the launch of Series X Console Wraps, you can customize the console you already have".

It's important that these skins do not impact the performance of the console, and it appears that a concerted effort has been made by Microsoft here. "The wraps were designed specifically for Series X and have a custom, precision fit.  Every detail was taken into consideration to ensure your console performance is preserved– vents are all clear, and small feet were added to the bottom of the wraps to ensure air can flow freely through the console". 

Aside from the Starfield console wrap, there are two other options with the Arctic Camo and the Mineral Camo, both of which have matching Xbox Wireless Controller designs. What's exciting about these wraps compared to third-party sticker sets is that they come as one solid piece and are fastened by velcro on each connecting side to sit snug into the system without having to worry about air bubbles or fiddly alignments. 

Pre-order Xbox console wraps

Get the full experience with the best monitors for Xbox Series X and the best Xbox controllers. We also strongly recommend the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs to make room for some of the best Xbox Series X games.

The WD Black C50 is a very welcome addition to the Xbox expansion card space. Previously dominated by Seagate, who used to be the only manufacturer in town when it came to Xbox Series X|S-ready SSDs, Western Digital’s bespoke solution for the Series consoles impresses in many ways.

The WD Black C50 combines affordability and reliability into one neat package. Expect blazing-fast transfer speeds for your money, with the card being particularly impressive when transferring files between itself and the Xbox Series X’s or Xbox Series S’s internal storage. If you need to move the best Xbox Series X games over to take over to a friend’s house, for example, the C50 excels here by transferring large files impressively quickly.

The biggest lamentation I have with the C50, though, is its relatively small capacity. There are only two configurations available, maxing out at just 1TB. While future revisions may explore higher capacities, what we have right now with the C50 is merely serviceable, at least in comparison to the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card which offers a larger 2TB model.

WD Black C50 - price and availability

The WD Black C50’s two configurations are available right now with the 512GB unit coming in at an attractive $79.99 / £89.99. I’d recommend going for the 1TB model, however, which retails for $149.99 / £149.99, purchasable from Western Digital’s official website or online retailers including Amazon and Best Buy. 

WD Black C50 - design and features

You’d be able to spot the WD Black C50 a mile off if you’re familiar with Western Digital’s all-black, industrial aesthetic. The card itself is impressively small – about the size of a Nintendo DS cartridge – and only as thick as a pack of gum. Build quality is reassuringly sturdy, too, featuring a rugged casing that should easily withstand years of wear and tear.

Much like Seagate’s option, the WD Black C50 slots neatly into your Xbox Series X|S console via the dedicated expansion card port. It’s a no-fuss setup, too; slot in the card for the first time to undergo a brief formatting phase, and, from then onwards, the card’s good to go.

My only major gripe with the C50 is its capacity configurations. The two models listed above are, at present, the only ones available for purchase. There’s, unfortunately, no 2TB or above configuration available to buy, which is a shame given it’s arriving three years into the generation and new-gen libraries are bigger than ever.

WD Black C50 - performance

The WD Black C50 has impressive transfer speeds when moving files over from the Xbox Series X’s internal storage to the expansion card. Fortnite (45GB) for example, transferred to the C50 in just 1 minute and 18 seconds. Meanwhile, larger titles like Wild Hearts (80GB) moved over in 2 minutes and 4 seconds.

Expect transfers from the card back to internal storage to take, on average, about a minute longer. In Fortnite’s case, the move back to internal storage took 2 minutes and 17 seconds, whereas Wild Hearts took exactly 3 minutes.

One thing to note is that in my testing, I found the C50 to have slightly slower boot times for games than ones installed on internal storage. Forza Horizon 5 went from boot-up to in-game in 59 seconds. The C50 managed the same in 1 minute and 9 seconds, so roughly ten seconds off the pace. It’s something you probably won’t notice unless you’re timing it yourself, but certainly worth noting if you’re planning to move your favorite games over to the card.

You’ll be dealing with a bit of a trade-off with the C50, then. While transfer speeds to the card are fantastic, the marginally slower boot times may become irksome if you regularly play larger games like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, or Halo Infinite. Still, it’s not much of a dealbreaker, and the C50 also supports X|S enhanced titles as well as Xbox’s Quick Resume feature, meaning you won’t need to reboot your favorite titles much at all, outside of scheduled updates. 

Should I buy the WD Black C50?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the WD Black C50

In testing the WD Black C50, we made sure to transfer games of various sizes to get a good feel of how long the process takes. We also compared boot times between it and the console’s internal storage to check for any differences in how long each takes to  load your favorite games. 

Overall, we found the card to be comparable in performance to the internal storage of the Xbox Series X|S consoles, with impressively quick transfer speeds when compared to competing models. 

Interested in other storage options for Xbox Series X|S? Have a look at our best Xbox Series X hard drive and SSDs guide to learn all about storage capacity upgrades for your console.

Turn 10 has confirmed that Forza Motorsport won't launch with three specific features, in part due to the "heavy investment" of the game's graphics. 

During a recent Forza Monthly broadcast, creative director Chris Esaki revealed that the team has decided to not include split-screen, AI competitors, and spectator mode on the release of Forza Motorsport (via Eurogamer).

When talking about spectator mode and AI races, Esaki explained that they won't be included in Feature Multiplayer because they don't fit the mode's rules, saying, "Having players come into a Feature Multiplayer event, and taking players slots, and then spectating, it's not really the racing that we had intended.

"Similarly, racing with AI in Feature Multiplayer, with all its potential impacts on your safety rating, also didn't make a whole lot of sense to have."

Split-screen in particular is another legacy feature that has been implemented in the series prior, but won't be in the upcoming game on release, the main reason being the game's graphical limitations.

"And since we're on the topic of some legacy features that aren't in at launch," Esaki said, "our heavy investment in pushing our new graphical features and our complete overhaul of the rendering engine, unfortunately, made split-screen really difficult to implement, and it's also not going to be in for launch."

It's unclear at this time whether Turn 10 intends on adding these missing features down the road, but the use of the words 'for launch' does definitely leave the door open.

Forza Motorsport is set to arrive on October 10 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Game Pass on day one. Microsoft has confirmed that the game will be making an appearance alongside Starfield at Gamescom 2023, but unfortunately, neither will be available to play. 

To gear up for the upcoming release, here's everything you need to know about Forza Motorsport, complete with trailers, gameplay, and more. You can also check out the best Xbox Game Pass games available to play right now.

Microsoft has just rolled out an overhauled homepage and dashboard for the Xbox Series X which sees some of the largest improvements since the console's launch. 

The Xbox Series X home update was announced in a blog post on the Xbox website which goes into detail about the new changes that have arrived. The biggest difference between this homepage and the prior one has been the goal of streamlining the experience to make browsing through apps easier than before. This has ushered in the new "quick access menu" which has been implemented as a shortcut to your game library, the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, search, and settings. 

Further changes include the ability to further customize your Xbox homepage with a more simplified layout showcasing your recently played games and media at the bottom of the screen so they are easier to jump back into. It also means more room for any personalized custom backgrounds to be on display instead of the previously cluttered design of the past, which was heavily based on the older Xbox One UI.

Further improvements have also been made to the game discovery feature, too. This means it should be easier for the algorithm to detect the types of titles you enjoy playing and accurately recommend more of the best Xbox Series X games. This extends to media available on your streaming services of choice for both media and music as well.

The Xbox Series X received a UI visual update back in March, however, the changes implemented then were ultimately underwhelming. While that one focused on small quality-of-life tweaks, today's overhaul finally sees an end to the cluttered main home screen after nearly three years of the new console generation being available. 

Ivy Krislov, Senior Product Manager Lead at Xbox Experiences writes: "When we first showed Xbox Insiders what we were working on we heard your feedback clearly – you wanted more room to show off custom backgrounds or game art, quicker navigation options, and more personalization". He continues with: "Over the last 8 months since initial release, we’ve implemented changes to meet those requests and have a new Home that feels fresh, puts the focus on your games and apps, and creates space for beautiful backgrounds." 

The new update will be arriving for all Xbox consoles over the next few weeks, with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S likely to receive it first. It's possible that Xbox One users may be waiting longer than current-generation gamers. 

You can make the most of the action with one of the best Xbox controllers paired with one of the best Xbox Series X headsets and one of the best monitors for Xbox Series X.

Level up your Xbox experience with one of the best monitors for Xbox Series X. A dedicated gaming monitor can be a worthy alternative to one of the best gaming TVs, offering a sharper picture or high-end features like a blazing fast refresh rate or support for VRR.

If you're looking to make the most of the capabilities of the Xbox Series X, then a high-spec gaming monitor is one of the best upgrades you can get. When shopping for a new display, including the best gaming monitors or best PS5 monitors, you should generally pin down a few must-have features that you want from your screen.

There are loads of models to choose from today, all with their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so knowing what you need in advance can really help narrow down your options.

The best monitors for Xbox Series X in 2026

Best overall monitor for Xbox Series X

The Gigabyte M32UC is our top pick for the best monitor for Xbox Series X in 2024. This recommendation mostly comes down to the bargain price of this display. At $799 / £681 (about AU$1,093) this is significantly cheaper than a comparable TV or many other monitors that boast a similar feature set. Here you're getting a full 4K UHD display combined with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate and HDR. Better yet, the display is an immersive curved design - rare for this price range.

In our testing, we found that there was a little tinkering that needed to be done in the display settings in order to make the HDR really pop. A few minutes after getting everything tweaked to our liking, however, we were blown away by the visual fidelity of top titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5. Simply put, the Gigabyte M32UC makes your Xbox games look amazing.

Unfortunately, the built-in speakers, while a commendable inclusion, are one area which isn't exactly going to rival a gaming TV. We recommend pairing this panel with something from our list of the best soundbars or best stereo speakers for a better experience.

• Read more: Gigabyte M32UC review

Best budget monitor for Xbox Series X

The Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q is our pick for the best budget monitor for Xbox Series X. One of the most affordable 4K gaming monitors on the market, offers high-end specs for a fraction of their usual price. It’s a spacious 28-inch display, with an impressively versatile base that allows for plenty of adjustments. It can tilt, swivel, and pivot with support for both horizontal and portrait viewing offering more movement than even a lot of more premium displays. The built-in speakers are also surprisingly adept and should be perfectly sufficient for most games.

Although the 60Hz refresh rate is lower than the maximum 120Hz refresh rate supported by the Xbox Series X, motion is still perfectly smooth and we think that it’s a worthwhile sacrifice given the low price and how well this display performs in other areas - namely, its impressive vivid colors. Unfortunately, the 4ms response time leaves a lot more to be desired, causing slight stuttering in intense AAA games which is worth bearing in mind if you could potentially afford other options. This is also one of the only monitors on this list which does not feature full VESA-certified HDR, instead opting for the inferior HDR10.

• Read more: Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q review

The best premium monitor for Xbox Series X

The Alienware AW3225QF is probably the best high-spec monitor for any kind of gaming that money can buy right now, and that's why it's our pick for the best premium monitor for the Xbox Series X.

The monitor channels and features all the latest and greatest in monitor tech to offer an uncompromising, visually spectacular screen that will make your Xbox games truly shine. This is due in no small part to some seriously staggering headline specs: a 32-inch curved4K QD-OLED panel from Samsung Display, blistering fast refresh and response times, all the ports you could need, a range of HDR settings, and a premium Alienware design to boot.

The Alienware AW3225QF excelled in our testing: colors, contrasts, and highlights are wonderfully vibrant, in-game action is buttery smooth, and the image quality is astounding, while the HDR options on offer are super too, offering plenty of flexibility to get the right settings for your games and preferences.

It's even more perfect for those with a PC in the same setup, as that will unlock a host of other features beyond the Xbox Series X such as G-Sync and FreeSync capability, and the screen's 240Hz refresh rate, but even when not on PC, all of the above combines superbly and goes a long way to justify the monitor's high price of admission.

• Read more: Alienware AW3225QF review

Best big screen monitor for Xbox Series X

If you're after an Xbox Series X monitor that truly rivals the size of TV, the Acer Predator CG7 is the best solution for those who can afford it. This is a gigantic 43-inch display which, while cheaper than a similar spec TV, certainly doesn't come cheap. Expect to spend around $1,199.99 / £1,166.80 (roughly AU$1,800) for this model.

In our testing, we found very little to fault with the Acer Predator CG7 from a performance standpoint. Every single game we threw at it, from the frantic firefights of Halo Infinite to the driving action of Forza Horizon 5, looked incredibly sharp and crisp. We also particularly appreciate the abundance of ports here, as the monitor boasts two HDMI 2.1 ports and four USB-3.2 ports.

What's more, the Acer Predator CG7 can mounted on a wall in addition to its included stand meaning that it could be the perfect addition to a living room setup.

• Read more: Acer Predator CG7 review

Best HDR monitor for Xbox Series X

If you're after the very best colors for your Xbox Series X games, then the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U should be on your radar. While some monitors and gaming TVs use an inferior, simulated form of HDR, you're getting the real deal here with full HDR10 support. This means colors in your games will look brighter and more life-like.

Priced at $1,100 / £1,000 / AU$1,699 the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U has a truly premium price tag. It is, however, frequently subject to steep sales so consider keeping an eye out for a bargain. In our testing, we found that the Quantum Dot technology, the 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time made for an experience that few other panels can match even in 2024.

Another major highlight of the Gigabyte Aorus FV43U are the excellent speakers that adorn each side. This stereo setup can truly rival some of the best TVs, saving you money that would otherwise need to be invested in a soundbar or separate speakers. If you're in the market for a big and beautiful display and can afford to shop at the high end of the price scale, you can't go wrong here.

• Read more: Gigabyte Aorus FV43U review

The best 1440p monitor for Xbox Series X

If you're looking for a 1440p Xbox monitor then the Inzone M10S could be it. In fact, if you're looking fo an Xbox monitor that's great for esports or online play, or looking for one that offers OLED excellence, then this could also be the monitor youy've been looking for.

While Sony's Inzone range has always been PlayStation-adjacent, there's no doubting the brand's screen and display prowess and that, manifested in their gaming monitors, makes the M10S a superb 1440p monitor for Xbox Series X.

If you want a screen that can offer reliably excellent and enjyoable performance for both comptitive online play, and solo single-player gaming then the M10S has all the features to do just that: it's blazin-fast refresh rate and reponse times can cater to the former, and the brilliant OLED panel with brilliant HDR will present the latter fabulously too.

In our testing, we found the monitor excelled as both a great console monitor and PC gaming monitor, but also one for work too, and while it is a premium monitor (list prices are $1,099.99 / £1,199) and some competitors might offer similarly-specced screens for abit less, the M10S absolutely justifies its price tag and is a great choice for Xbox gamers looking for a 1440p panel.

• Read more: Sony Inzone M10S review

Also tested...

We've tested a whole host of gaming monitors that would be great options for Xbox - there are just too many to cram into one distilled list. As a result, here are as look at some of the others we've tested to give you some more options if you're looking for something else.

How to choose the best monitor for Xbox Series X

As part of the wider gaming monitor market, looking for the best monitor for Xbox Series X monitor can be a little overwhelming when you start from scratch. However, focusing on a few key elements and decisions in the buying process will help you out enormously. The below isn't an exhaustive list, but these few key factors will help you narrow your search down nicely.

Specs
The most important element of a monitor in terms of what it can offer you is its specs. The top two specs to consider will be resolution and refresh rate - and then tally these against what is most important to you in gaming. Is it visual fidelity? Then lean toward 4K monitors with lower refresh rates. Is it getting the smoothest 120Hz pictures possible from your Xbox Series X? Then prioritize refresh rate. Is it both? Lucky you, you have quite a healthy budget (which is good!). For example, I value 4K resolutions more as I prefer soaking up every single detail - and I also play more third-person story and adventure games rather than fast-paced shooters. Think about those key specs and the games you play and you'll quickly narrow your search down.

Budget
Perhaps the most important one of all. Unless you have a truly outrageous budget (and if you do, kudos to you), it's probably unrealistic to enter the Xbox monitor market thinking you'll be able to get the biggest, baddest one going. As a result, just think ruthlessly about your budget - maybe allowing for a bit of stretch. Then tie budget into other factors: can you trade off specs against one another to lower the cost of the monitor for you? Could you go smaller to bring the price down? And remember, you could always look to sales events, such as Prime Day or Black Friday, to help save you cash too.

Size
There's only so much we can take in with our eyes, so think carefully about monitor size and placement to aid your search. If you're going to be putting this very close to you on a desk setup - perhaps using it for work too - then a massive screen might not be the best bet. If you have some more room to go for then a 32-inch beauty might just be the ticket.

Compatibility and flexibility
Are you going to be using multiple devices with this monitor? More pointedly are you going to be teaming it with a PC or other gaming platform? If so, you've at least got to make sure you have all the right amount of connections. But you'll also need to make sure that the monitor has specs that match the needs of the other devices. For example, if you have a great graphics card for PC gaming, you may want a monitor that goes higher in refresh rate or larger in resolution for that realm of gaming.

How we test the best monitors for Xbox Series X in 2024

We ground all of our choices for the best monitors for Xbox Series X on a variety of factors. Most importantly, we make sure to rigorously test each product hands-on, so that you can always be sure that our recommendations are accurate and trustworthy.

We look at aspects like image quality, refresh rate, size, price and extra features like HDR and VRR to establish a monitor's overall performance. We are also careful to always recommend a range of products, from budget powerhouses to top-shelf premium options.

Rest assured that no matter which of the options above you choose to buy, you'll be getting a quality product that fits your preferences and budget. If we feel the product doesn't meet our standards after lengthy testing, it won't appear on our ever-evolving list.

For more information on how we test products here at TechRadr, check out our full How We Test page with all the details.

FAQs

Is 60Hz or 60fps enough for Xbox Series X

Putting it most ruthlessly, 60Hz (or 60 frames per second) is absolutely enough for playing games on Xbox Series X. With most games aiming for 4K resolutions at 30 frames per second (somewhat sadly) in 2024, or a slightly lower resolution to hit the 60 frames per second mark, a 60Hz monitor will cater beautifully for most players.

However, if you play some of the biggest online first-person shooter games that have the potential to reach 120 frames per second on Xbox Series X, or some of the other select games that can reach that speed of picture, then you may be swayed by a monitor for Xbox Series X that sports HDMI 2.1 compatibility, and 120hz/frames per second support.

It all comes down to what you play and what you're happy with. If you desire the fastest and smoothest pictures then you might want to go for a monitor that offers 120Hz support, if you mostly play single-player games and are happy at 30 or 60 frames per second then that will suffice - and it might save you a bit of cash too.

Is it better to use a monitor or TV for Xbox Series X?

Both 4K TVs and gaming monitors make for fine gaming companions for your Xbox Series X. Choosing between them will largely decide on some technical preferences and setup conditions and preferences too.

Gaming monitors can be excellent gaming-focused visual treats that can get the most out of your games and Xbox with a host of specs and capabilities - monitors will also offer the flexibility for work and productivity alongside gaming too, though will often offer a smaller screen and experience.

A 4K TV, particularly those of 40-something inches and above, will offer immersive and bombastic visual experiences, often offer great value for money, and are increasingly gaming-focused spec-wise. However, they will take up much more room in a setup, and can't often be used as a work screen too.

You'll get a super experience out of either a monitor or TV with Xbox Series X, it'll just depend on exactly what you need from the screen.

How much should I spend on my monitor for Xbox Series X?

This is a super question, as budget is at the forefront of any major gaming hardware or tech purchase. The simple answer is: as much as you feel comfortable spending to get what you need.

Think about which features are must-haves, and which might be just nice-to-haves and you'll soon start whittling down your options to meet your needs and budget. If you have some flexibility in your budget to cater for random price cuts and discounts too then you'll be in an even better position.

Speaking more broadly, we are now starting to see good 4K monitors dip below the $200 / £200 mark which feels like a landmark moment. Some decent 1080p monitors can even be had for less than $100 / £100. However, there is still a positive correlation between the more you're able to spend and the quality of the monitor you get.

Can I use a monitor for Xbox Series S?

Yes, you absolutely can! Every one of our monitors on this guide can be used with both Series X and Series S consoles. However, it's definitely worth remembering that the Series S is a less powerful machine and is happiest outputting at and aiming for 1080p resolutions so if you're buying exclusively for that machine a 1080p screen might be a better fit.

What are the best small TVs to use as gaming monitors?

In recent years, the use of small gaming TVs as desktop gaming monitors has become more and more feasible as well as affordable. Even modern gaming TVs offer things like G-Sync, which can be of great attraction to PC players.

And with some of the major players in the TV space going hard on gaming features as well as making smaller televisions, the choice has never been greater. Cutting to it, we think the best small TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming would be models like the 42- or 48-inch LG C-series TVs, or Samsung's S-series TVs that come in those smaller sizes.

Can I use a 240Hz or 165Hz monitor for Xbox Series X?

You can absolutely use a monitor with a high refresh rate like 165Hz or 240Hz with an Xbox Series X (or Series S, for that matter). However, you will not get the most out of said monitor. As the Series X tops out at 120Hz maximum for refresh rate or frame rate, the extra Hz in such a monitor will be left untouched.

One of the best ways to elevate or enhance your gaming experience on Microsoft's latest home consoles is to add one of the best Xbox Series X headsets to your setup.

Given the incredibly important and integral role that audio plays in modern gaming, no matter what you play, it's always going to pay to get the best headset possible to make the most of your games. Be that hearing every footstep and incoming shot in online multiplayer games like Call of Duty, or maximally immersing yourself in single player games like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 with its binaural audio design.

However, given we're now into the fifth year of the Series X's and Series S' life, we've got more headsets than ever to choose from, which can make the choice daunting. But that's where we come in: we’ve created this handy list of the very best Xbox Series X headsets that take into account a wide range of budgets and preferences.

We have extensively tested all of the models featured here, living with them for weeks to recreate what you will experience from them, ensuring we have the best kind of informed advice to give to help your purchasing decision. With that, know that you can trust our expertise and recommendations, so let's get into our list of the best Xbox Series X headsets.

Best Xbox Series X headsets in 2025

The best overall Xbox Series X headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X is our number-one pick for the best Xbox Series X headset on the market right now. It's a fantastic all-round performer, offering clear audio that's perfect for the majority of games and even holds its own when it comes multimedia consumption. The design of the headset is pleasingly robust, featuring a headband constructed with a durable combination of plastic, metal, and soft rubberized material. Add on the fact that the memory foam ear cups are comfortable to wear and it's a package that's very hard to beat.

This headset uses a flexible and retractable microphone, which features a prominent LED mute indicator that lets you easily see when the sound is off. It also features no shortage of on-board controls, with a volume dial, a ChatMix Dial, a mic mute button, a Bluetooth connection button, and, of course, the power button. It connects to your Xbox through a USB-C dongle (a USB-A to USB-C converter is included in the box) but it also supports a wide range of other systems including PlayStation and PC.

Switching between them is as easy as removing the dongle and slotting it into your machine, making this headset one of the most versatile choices on this list.

• Read more: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X review

The best budget Xbox Series X headset

The cheapest of the RIG series, Nacon's RIG 300 Pro HX packs plenty of bang for your buck. You're getting a surprisingly comfortable and solid build. The chunky, early 2000s aesthetic that won't be for everyone, but does admittedly help it stand out from the pack.

The ultra-low price point of $29.90 / £29.99 (around AU$44.89) is incredibly appealing and the headset manages to offer plenty at such a low price. Expect solid, but occasionally muddy audio, and a solid, but not exceptional, microphone. This is perfect as a backup headset for use by friends or as a primary one if you're working with a very strict budget.

The only thing that we would consider actively poor is the short length of its cable which, as a wired only headset, is a little disappointing.

• Read more: Nacon RIG 300 Pro HX review

The best premium Xbox Series X headset

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is the definitive choice for Xbox gamers who want top-tier audio, advanced active noise cancellation, and an exceptional finish quality that we've come to expect from Razer.

Its precise, flat sound signature with deep, authoritative bass and trio of customizable ANC modes deliver immersive experiences while looking and feeling every bit as premium as its price tag suggests. The immaculate stitching on the upper leather headband underscores its high-end craftsmanship, a detail rarely seen even among rival flagships.

The overall comfort level is simply lovely, with the headset sporting breathable cloth fabric earcups and memory foam cushioning designed for extended sessions. In our testing, the BlackShark V3 Pro stayed comfortable through marathon play thanks to these plush materials and a flexible, well-designed hinge.

Battery life is stellar: we consistently hit 70 hours of use over 2.4GHz wireless, so mid-match power drops are not a concern - even if you're the type to wait until the very last minute to start charging your gear again. Comms are handled by a detachable microphone with a large foam pop shield, which offers solid noise suppression and a natural, well-rounded sound, making it a reliable pick for in-game chat or streaming.

Compared to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X, the BlackShark V3 Pro stands out for its superior audio fidelity and ANC, though it trades some versatility for these flagship features.

Now, the main drawback is the wireless dongle here, which bizarrely requires a USB cable connection to your console or PC. This makes setup a bit less seamless than some competitors, and could admittedly be irksome to those who were looking for a truly wireless setup.

On a better note, active noise cancellation transforms the V3 Pro into a versatile headset for phone calls, study sessions, or simply when burning the midnight oil with friends online. This is the go-to luxury pick for Xbox gamers who want the best audio and design, and aren't overly fussed about the small trade-off in connection convenience.

• Read more: Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review

The best official Xbox Series X headset

Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Headset is easily up there as one of the best Xbox Series X headsets. Not only is this model officially licensed, ensuring complete compatibility, but because it boasts absolutely incredible sound quality. It is also very easy to pair with the system and includes a handful of great quality-of-life inclusions for the price.

The Xbox Wireless Headset comes in at just $99 / £89 / AU$149 making it one of the very best options when it comes to pure value for money. Of course, competitive pricing wouldn't mean much if it didn't sound the part, and fortunately, these headphones excel across the board. We were blown away by the prominent bass and the balanced sound profile in our testing, which helps it deliver strong performance in the low-end and mids, too.

Although its perfect for shooters, there are six customized EQ settings ready to go straight out of the box tailored to a wide variety of different genres. The Xbox Series X headset also features Dolby Atmos support for better music listening and a truly immersive audio performance in supported games.

• Read more: Xbox Wireless Headset review

The best multiplatform Xbox Series X headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 has become my go-to Xbox Series X headset - the 5X model is the Xbox-focused variant of the line - but, in truth, it's just become one of my go-to headsets for anything. That's because it offers true multiplatform wireless connectivity - but it offers far more than just that and is basically as close to the full package as you can get for a quality wireless Xbox Series X headset.

Sporting all the hallmarks and design flourishes from SteelSeries' new Arctis Nova range, it's robust, well-built, and comfortable as heck. It also features those excellent SteelSeries 40mm Neodymium drivers that give you superb gaming audio straight out of the box. Controls are intuitive and easy to interact with, while you're also getting dual connectivity so you can connect to a phone simultaneously, as well as a 60-hour battery life.

The game audio is belting by default - no surprises there - but where the Nova 5 starts to stand out further from the crowd is with its Companion App. Available for iOS and Android this App offers over 100 audio and game presets designed by esports pros, game devs, and audio experts. Combine this with its overall excellence, and its wireless multi-platform compatibility and you've got one of the best feature sets in a gaming headset.

In the price category it's targeting, it offers exceptionally good value for money too: for a little over the three-figure mark, you get so much headset greatness and it's further accentuated by that companion app. Truly excellent.

• Read more: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review

The best wired Xbox Series X headset

When it comes to well-priced, fully-featured options for competitive gaming, the Fnatic React Plus is a superb contender. This wired gaming headset features Dolby Atmos support for simulated surround sound and we are also huge fans of the unique black-on-orange aesthetic.

With a price point of $74.99 / £84.99 / AU$140, the Fnatic React Plus is one of the more affordable gaming headsets available - especially from a such big-name brand. Most gamers will also recognize the Fnatic name, as one the most popular and long-running eSports organizations. It's safe to say that they clearly know a thing or two about how to develop audio solutions for competition, but the performance is noticeably less impressive when listening to music.

We also like the microphone on the Fnatic React Plus. With other headsets, it can sometimes be challenging to stay heard during intense firefights, potentially leading to vital callouts being missed. That's not the case with the detachable mic found here, however, which features a cardioid pattern and pop filter that do an excellent job of ensuring that you are heard at all times without issue.

Given everything that this headset offers, we think they are ideal for those into big multiplayer titles like Halo Infinite and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.

• Read more: Fnatic React Plus review

The best earbuds for Xbox Series X

If you're on the hunt for the best earbuds for Xbox as opposed to a traditional headset, then let me heartily recommend the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. These are our favorite gaming earbuds right now and hit the sweet spot for a number of reasons.

First and most importantly, the audio is sublime. In our testing, no matter the game (or wider media, to be honest) the GameBuds provided a wonderful soundstage with beautifully detailed and enjoyable audio. They even have great bass for their tiny 6mm drivers. The pedigree of SteelSeries shines through in these buds and the audio is first-class.

Elsewhere, however, the proposition gets even better. The design is slick, there are superb battery life and charging features - including a case that can be charged wirelessly, excellent flexibility via the Arctis Companion App, and the Xbox variants are compatible across all major gaming platforms and mobile which is a wonderful characteristic.

Coming at $159.99 / £159.99, the GameBuds are premium buds, but they still undercut a bunch of the top-end competition and still offer a more complete package. All in all, these Xbox earbuds will give almost any of the headsets in our list a run for their money given the nearly complete package that they offer. A class act and the best pick for anyone looking for gaming earbuds for their Xbox Series X.

• Read more: SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review

Also tested...

How to choose the best Xbox Series X headset

The gaming headset market is one of the most filled-to-the-brim of all the peripherals markets so navigating it and finding the best Xbox Series X headset for you may be tricky when there are just so many to consider. However, concentrating on a few key characteristics or features could help you whittle down your options in a flash.

Wired VS Wireless?
I can't imagine using a wired headset anymore, personally. However, some folks will always prefer the flexibility that a wired USB or aux cable offers. Thus, it's a good place to start when trying to whittle down your options. Thinking about compatibility will help - do you want to definitely use the headset on other platforms? Then wired headsets could be the group to explore. Have you got a healthy budget? Then you might be able to consider more wireless sets as those are traditionally more expensive.

Budget
We like to recommend folks always have an ideal budget in mind when approaching new gear - but then have a little bit of stretch room should you find something just over that 'ideal' amount. Remember, there's always a sales event not too far around the corner either, with the likes of Prime Day, Black Friday, and Memorial Day all offering sales where you can save money and stretch that budget.

Battery life and solutions
If you choose a wireless headset, then you'll be met with a range of battery solutions and lifetimes. Thinking about how much you really need could save you some cash with those with extensive lives often costing more.

Features
Beyond those three, you might find looking more at headsets on a more granular level as to what they offer might be the best kind of tool to narrow your search down. Here, you can think about, and perhaps prioritize, the quality of the microphone, the accompanying software, design factors, EQ settings (either onboard or via software), connection type, and more. Really think about the specific features you need.

Our gaming headset vs gaming earbuds page and wired vs wireless gaming headset article might also be of some assistance here.

How we test Xbox Series X headsets

We test Xbox headsets in a variety of ways. Audio quality is typically the first port of call and we put each headset through its paces testing them with a variety of games and media to ensure we get an idea as to their strengths and weaknesses. We also consider battery life by testing wireless headsets out for many hours to drain their life, then also see how fast they charge up. We interrogate their connectivity to know which other platforms the headset can be used on, and we simultaneously test their ease of use - are the buttons where you'd expect and easy to interact with? Is it easy to adjust on the fly? We also live with them for a while using them every day to mimic how you would live with them - this gives us an overall picture as well as any insight into build quality and durability and whether the design is robust or not. The best Xbox headsets will strike a strong balance in all areas, or provide a seriously high-quality experience in one or two areas.

We make sure to test the best Xbox Series X headsets thoroughly before considering whether or not to place them on this list. There are plenty of headset brands available on the console, including Turtle Beach, Fnatic, SteelSeries, and Xbox's own-brand headsets. With so many options, it's important to highlight the ones that are really worth your time and money.

Our best headsets guide is updated regularly. As new products are released all the time, we endeavor to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to recommending the best headsets.

Best Xbox Series X headsets - FAQs

Will headsets work with both Series X and Series S?

The beauty of modern Xbox headsets is that they absolutely will work on both the Series X and Series S consoles. The process for pairing and using them will be exactly the same, and both machines have exactly the same required ports and buttons too, so regardless of which one you have, one of the best Xbox Series X headsets will serve you perfectly.

Are gaming earbuds good for Xbox Series X?

Gaming earbuds for Xbox Series X have become much more of a realistic concept in the past few years, especially with the likes of Razer releasing an Xbox-friendly Hammerhead Hyperspeed buds and in 2024, SteelSeries releasing their brilliant Arctis Gamebuds. Both perform brilliantly on the platform and offer a viable, tiny alternative for those folks looking to keep their audio givers small.

They often boast some truly brilliant sound quality too; quality that could rival those in the best over-ear headsets, pound for pound. But beyond that, they can also offer great features such as working with companion apps to offer more EQ presets, or offering great mobile performance for pairing with your phone when on the commute too.

Can I use Bluetooth headphones or headsets on the Xbox Series X or S?

The answer to Bluetooth on modern consoles is both yes and no for headsets. Basically, there's no default way to pair any old pair of Bluetooth headphones to Microsoft's current-gen consoles - but you can use a Bluetooth adapter plugged into one of the USB ports if you really have some favorite cups you want to use. Otherwise, you're best off using the best Xbox Series X headsets' 2.4GHz connections.

Phil Spencer has commented on the status of an Xbox Series X successor in a recent high-profile media interview. 

The current CEO of Xbox Game Studios, who oversees the development of new titles for the Xbox Series X among other duties, explained that he doesn't "feel an imperative" for the company to release an Xbox successor when speaking to Bloomberg. He went on to explain: "That's not the feedback we're getting right now. Right now, we're pretty set on the hardware we have". 

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are now nearing three years of market availability as both systems originally launched in late 2020. The prior console generation saw a system revision in the form of the Xbox One X (in 2017) which debuted three and a half years after the Xbox One did. The decision behind the upgrade was to deliver 4K resolution to consumers, a feat that the current flagship Xbox console can do straight out of the box. 

Microsoft went on to reveal new hardware during its Xbox Games Showcase, but not in the way that was typically expected. The all-digital Xbox Series S, which is currently only available in 512GB, is now getting a Carbon Black 1TB version effectively doubling the total available storage. Spencer seems content with the current Xbox ecosystem which stretches across not only the two current-generation Xbox consoles but also the previous-generation versions and PC with the continued success of Xbox Game Pass. 

The Xbox Series X is one of the best gaming consoles available, being the most powerful from a purely technical point of view. The system boasts the same 8-core AMD CPU as the PS5, however, it is clocked slightly higher at 3.8 GHz compared to the latter's 3.5 GHz among other differences. Namely, the fact that the AMD RDNA 2 GPU inside the Series X, Scarlett (10GB VRAM), is capable of delivering 24.29 TFLOPs in contrast to the rival system's Oberon (16GB VRAM) which outputs 20.58 TFLOPs. 

A mid-generational leap in hardware does make sense from a consumer's point of view. That's because some of the best Xbox Series X games are currently locked at 30fps, which extends to the brand's premiere first-party titles. You only have to look as far as Redfall and Starfield, the latter of which being one of the most anticipated upcoming games of the year which are stuck at this framerate. 

An Xbox Series X successor would mean that games on the platform could be able to run at the coveted 4K60 as promised by the hardware manufacturer, but it's a feat that fewer games are reaching as the chipset and GPU inside ages. Based on Spencer's comments, it's unlikely that we'll see a hardware revision any time soon, as performance and fidelity modes have become common practice for console games with little incentive to push the boat forward at this time. 

If you're interested in getting the full experience from Microsoft's latest consoles then we're rounding up all the best Xbox Series X accessories, as well as the best monitors for Xbox Series X, and the best Xbox controllers, too. 

It's bad news for Starfield fans who'll be playing the game on console, as game director Todd Howard confirms during not-E3 2023 that there'll be no performance mode.

That means that Starfield will be locked to 30fps on Xbox Series X|S. This is to ensure "consistency" of performance, Howard said in an interview with IGN, where he also confirmed that the game will run at 4K resolution on Xbox Series X, and 1440p on Xbox Series S.

"We do lock it at 30, because we want that fidelity, we want all that stuff," says Howard. "We don't want to sacrifice any of it. Fortunately in this one, we've got it running great. It's often running way above that. Sometimes it's 60. But on the consoles, we do lock it because we prefer the consistency, where you're not even thinking about it."

A 30fps lock on console will be a perfectly fine trade-off for many who want to soak in Starfield's gorgeous visuals. But as was the case with Redfall's lack of a performance mode, it's bound to leave no shortage of console players disappointed that there isn't a smoother option available at the cost of some visual fidelity.

What's perhaps equally troubling is Howard's phrasing of Starfield only running at 60fps "sometimes." Given it's a 30fps lock on console, this seems to suggest that performance could be all over the place on PC, too, at least at launch. That shouldn't surprise longtime Bethesda Game Studios fans, who've dealt with teething issues with prior games like Skyrim and Fallout 4.

While it's been confirmed that Redfall will receive a performance mode update sometime in the future, it doesn't sound like Starfield will have that same luxury. Hopefully that isn't the case, and Bethesda can figure out how to best optimize its massive spacefaring title.

We'll be keeping a close eye on Starfield's in-game performance at launch, then, just as we'll be keeping track of our fitness with the official Starfield smartwatch that's bundled with the Constellation Edition of the game.

Yes, that Starfield Xbox controller is real, and has been showcased at Xbox Games Showcase's Starfield Direct during not-E3 2023.

The Starfield Limited Edition Xbox Wireless Controller wasn't quite the surprise it could've been, as images of the controller appeared on Reddit just a few days ago, ahead of the Xbox Games Showcase presentation. Now, though, we have confirmation that the controller, and a companion Xbox Wireless Headset and a smartwatch are indeed real.

The Starfield limited edition controller and headset are both sold separately, and not bundled with any special editions of the game. However, the Chronomark Watch is bundled with the Starfield Constellation Edition.

No price point has been announced for either the controller or the headset as of yet. But going off prior limited edition Xbox wireless controllers, like the one for Forza Horizon 5, it's easy to see the gamepad pricing at around $89.99 / £79.99.

The Starfield limited edition Xbox Wireless Controller certainly looks the part. I'm a big fan of the red-on-white aesthetic for the gamepad's shell. The stylized colors wrapping around the home button are a lovely touch. That golden D-pad is a real eye-catcher, too.

Initially, looking at those original Reddit screenshots, I wasn't a huge fan of the flowchart-like text scrawled across the gamepad. Now, though, seeing the controller in a higher quality trailer, I'm starting to be won over by the overall design. The buttons, sticks and triggers are all labeled like they were modules on a spaceship, and that's kind of neat.

Lastly, there's no release window attached to any of the Starfield hardware at present. Though, they'll most likely launch either the same day as the game (September 6), or in the immediate weeks prior. It might not land on our best Xbox controllers list, purely because the Xbox Wireless Controller is already there, but it's definitely one to keep an eye on if you're a fan of extra snazzy hardware.

Microsoft has revealed a new 1TB of the Xbox Series S at the Xbox Games Showcase which is scheduled for launch on September 1. The console will cost $349 (or the regional equivalent). 

The console also inverts the standard Xbox Series S' color scheme alongside doubling the internal storage which means you'll have much more space for some of the best Xbox Series X games available on Xbox Game Pass. It will cost you $50 more than the standard model, so if you find yourself rapidly running out of room for more software then this upgrade could be worthwhile to you. 

Ditching the all-white aesthetic of the original Xbox Series S system makes sense as it matches that of the Xbox Series X. It's appreciated for those wanting to keep their gaming setups consistent, and means the smaller form factor machine can be even more capable in 2023. The full trailer down below highlights the hardware in all its glory. 

What has made the Xbox Series S a hit over its larger sibling is the cheaper price and smaller form factor. It's worth noting that the sleeker system only runs in 1440p and not 4K (2160p), so you're getting around half the total resolution on screen. With that said, it will still pair nicely with one of the best monitors for Xbox Series X, especially if you're opting for a high refresh rate 1440p (QHD) panel to really see what the console's capable of. There is also the consideration that many Xbox Series X games do run natively in 1440p before being upscaled, so you aren't always losing too much visual fidelity. 

There are a lot of new and exciting upcoming games being revealed at this year's E3 2023 summer games period. Stay tuned to TRG so that you don't miss a thing. 

A new Porsche edition of the Xbox Series X has been unveiled at Summer Games Fest, however, much like with other special edition variants, it's not for sale. 

The new Xbox Series X console is adorned with a spectrum of rainbow racing stripes as well as a huge "75" badge on both the system and the Xbox Wireless Controller to commemorate the anniversary of the luxury car manufacturer. It's a truly exceptional color scheme and adds some much-needed brightness and energy to the otherwise standard matte black sides of the machine. 

As was the case with the Mandalorian-themed Xbox Series X console, you won't be able to get your hands on this through conventional means. The new Porsche-branded model isn't available online or in-store but is entirely reserved for a sweepstakes giveaway in the US, the UK, and Germany. You can enter for a chance to win. According to the listing, there are only "six limited edition prize packs" available so this is about as limited edition as it comes. 

For the past three years, the Xbox Series X has been a blank canvas just begging for the opportunity to paint those four walls with something new. Microsoft has capitalized only once officially to the consumer, with the gorgeous Halo Infinite edition system back in 2021 which saw the Spartan armor and stars take center stage. Since then, though, alternative color choices have been few and far between, making this Summer Games Fest announcement less exciting than it could have been. 

Hopefully, now that we're around halfway through the current console generation, we'll see more exciting versions of the Xbox Series X going forward. It's something that Sony is also guilty of with the PS5. However, that console at least has custom console covers, in many different colors, to spruce up the look. 

We're bringing you everything you need to know about this year's not E3 2023 coverage as the Summer Games Fest has just concluded. There's still so much more to come over the next week. 

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S is something you may have weighed up if you're a first-time buyer, shopping around for one of Microsoft's current-gen consoles. There are a number of positives for both, but also many differences between them, which can make for a tricky purchasing decision for those not familiar with what makes each console unique.

The Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S already set themselves apart aesthetically, but there are more than just superficial differences under the hood. The key distinguishing factor between each, for example, is that one supports physical media via a built-in disc drive, whereas the other is an entirely digital console.

If you’re looking for further insight into both consoles, our Xbox Series X review highlights the pros of the console alongside our Xbox Series S review. However, if you find yourself torn between Microsoft and Sony's latest machines, consider checking out our PS5 vs Xbox series X guide.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: key differences

If we had to highlight three key differences between the consoles, it's these: the Xbox Series X has a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive capable of playing physical games and movies, while the Xbox Series S does not. 

The Xbox Series X packs a large 1TB SSD that can store, on average, around 16 games, Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S has a 512GB SSD that only stores around four to five, though both can be expanded with a 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB Storage Expansion Card from Seagate. Finally, the Xbox Series X renders games in native 4K at 60 frames-per-second, while the Xbox Series S targets 1440p.

Otherwise, both include the same user interface, the same controller, and the same Xbox Velocity Architecture that enables features like Quick Resume. Both have the same media apps like Netflix and Prime Video, but more importantly, both can play exactly the same games. From what we’ve seen, people are drawn to the sheer power of the Xbox Series X. But don’t overlook the advantages of the more affordable model. Both work well and both can serve a different audiences. 

Let's break them down even further. First up is the Xbox Series X, Microsoft’s flagship console. It’s capable of 4K graphics and is currently one of the most powerful consoles available. On paper, these specs are impressive, and it has a compact tower-style design that manages to be both unique and unobtrusive. It’s expensive, though, at $499 / £449 / AU$749, the same RRP as the PS5.

The Xbox Series S is far more affordable and a less powerful alternative for you to consider. However, it’s digital-only, so you’ll be at the mercy of the Microsoft Store for any purchases you make. That said, Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft's Netflix-like subscription service for games and Xbox Cloud Gaming (only available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers), lets gamers stream games and alleviates some of the digital-only restrictions. 

Overall, the Xbox Series S's price point is aimed at those on a stricter budget who are willing to compromise on power for a much more compelling price. At $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499, it's substantially cheaper than its more powerful sibling. A black, 1TB model is also available to purchase now for $349 / £299 if you're looking to boost your storage from the base model's admittedly paltry 512GB. This is a full 1TB, too, already accounting for the space taken up by the console's BIOS.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: price

The Xbox Series X costs $499 / £449 / AU$749 and was launched on November 10, 2020. Packed with cutting-edge technology, this console goes head-to-head with the PS5, which also costs $499. The price point may be too expensive for some, but it puts the Xbox Series X in a strong position to compete with Sony’s hardware. 

The Xbox Series S launched alongside the Series X and its price is much lower at just $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499. A $200 saving will be very appealing to the more cost-conscious consumer. That’s considerably cheaper than the PS5 Digital Edition too, which retains the base PS5’s specifications but initially came in at $399.99 / £359.99 / AU$599 instead.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: specs

The Xbox Series X is a beast of a console that's truly brought us into the latest generation of gaming.

With a 12 teraflop GPU capable of up to 120 frames per second, the Xbox Series X is twice as powerful as the Xbox One X, Microsoft’s former flagship console for the last generation. It supports various exciting new-gen features such as ray tracing, variable rate shading, and support for 8K resolution.

The Xbox Series X makes the wait when booting up games or loading new levels a thing of the past, thanks to its custom-designed super-fast NVMe SSD. The SSD is part of the console’s new Velocity Architecture, which allows multiple games to be suspended in the background while you’re playing something entirely different. Everything is more responsive and snappier as a result, too.

Microsoft is also trying to make latency a thing of the past on Xbox Series X. Forward-thinking features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), communication improvements to the Xbox controller, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support take full advantage of TVs with HDMI 2.1 support.

The Xbox Series S packs significant power for a small box. The console targets a resolution of 1440p instead of native 4K (some games do support native 4K, though), and is capable of 120fps gaming. It's got an almost identical CPU to the Xbox Series X, but the GPU is considerably less powerful, coming with 10GB of GDDR6 RAM instead of 16GB.

That might sound like a big compromise on paper, but remember the Xbox Series S is targeting 1440p/60fps instead of 4K/60fps. This means it needs less power to reach its pixel count, but it can still deliver all the new-gen features Microsoft is focusing on like ray tracing and 120fps. 

There’s no disk drive, of course, and the storage is almost halved compared to the Xbox Series X. That’s admittedly concerning for a digital-only model, but Microsoft is undoubtedly hoping people are taking advantage of Xbox Cloud Gaming. That involves no downloads, since games are streamed from Microsoft’s remote data servers.

The storage of both consoles can be expanded, however. Microsoft is selling a proprietary expansion card that plugs into the back of the console, available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB options. The best Xbox One games can also be stored on a standard external hard drive to help free up space. 

The Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X also support Spatial Sound, including Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, via streaming apps at launch. Dolby Vision support for gaming was introduced post-launch and is now available. 

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: games

Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S can play exactly the same games, although they’ll undoubtedly look best on Xbox Series X. The compromises we’ve usually seen on Xbox Series S mainly focus on the resolution drop to 1440p from 4K, and likely more minor changes that probably won’t be as noticeable. 

Both consoles offer backwards compatibility with the entire Xbox One library, and a select range of Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Some FPS Boost games aren’t supported on Xbox Series S though, while others see greater benefits on Xbox Series X.

So while we're still waiting for some of the biggest new-gen exclusives like Fable to launch, there's still plenty to play, particularly if you have a large library of titles already. If you own a lot of physical copies, though, be mindful that these won’t work on Xbox Series S, due to the lack of disc drive.

If you're hoping to get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for an even cheaper price, we've got good news. While this is currently being trialled in just the Republic of Ireland and Colombia, Microsoft is looking to launch an Xbox Game Pass family plan, allowing you and four players to jump in for a monthly cost of €21.99 – which comes to around $21.99 / £19.99 / AU$32.99.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: verdict

Microsoft may be onto something here. By offering two consoles that target different audiences, consumers ultimately have more choice and more ways to enter into the Xbox ecosystem. If only the best will do, pick up an Xbox Series X, but be prepared to pay a premium. Want to enter the next generation without breaking the bank? The Xbox Series S is a fantastic entry point, thanks to a tempting price.

Microsoft seems to have created two appealing iterations of its console, without one appearing less attractive than the other. Crucially, it can now fight the PS5 on two important fronts: price and performance. The Xbox Series S costs significantly less than the PS5 and the PS5 Digital Edition.

By creating an argument for Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S, Microsoft has essentially done its best to turn consumers’ heads where it might not have done so before, was it a straight fight between Xbox Series X and PS5. And that’s surely a win for Xbox as a whole.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S - Frequently Asked Questions

Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S is something that might've crossed your mind if you’re looking for a way to take your gaming setup all-digital. And given Xbox's unorthodox console naming conventions, it can be difficult for those not familiar with the gaming landscape to discern the two systems. That's why we're here to assist.

Right off the bat, you should be aware that the Xbox One S is a whole generation behind the Xbox Series S, which limits your gaming experience since the best Xbox Series X games cannot be experienced in the same way as they can on the Series S (with which you're still able to play Series X titles) thanks to current-gen enhancements.

So, to make your buying slightly easier, we’ve narrowed down everything you need to know about the Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S, including differences in specs, price, and each console's general performance. However, if you’re looking for something entirely next-gen, it might be worth checking out the Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S or the PS5 vs Xbox Series X if you’re looking for a true console powerhouse.

Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S

Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S: Price and release date

Both the Xbox Series S and Xbox One S tend to sell at identical price points. But with the Xbox One S being older, you're more likely to find it heavily discounted during sales periods as retailers try to get rid of old stock. The Xbox Series S retails for $299 / £249 / AU$499 and is the cheapest new-gen console available when stacked up against its more powerful Xbox Series X counterpart.

The Xbox One S has been out for some time now, making its debut way back in 2016 alongside the Xbox One X. Its price held steady at $299 / £249 / AU$499, but could often be found for much cheaper. However, because Microsoft ended production of Xbox One consoles back in 2020, the Xbox One S isn’t widely stocked anymore beyond second-hand retailers, and these may command higher sums as a result.

Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S: Specs

Price may be similar between Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S, but specs are where both consoles differ significantly. In general, the Xbox Series S wins out quite dramatically, as you can see in our specs breakdown below. The only area where the Xbox One S has it beat is raw storage. 

When it launched, the Xbox One S was available in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB varieties. However, these were HDDs, so not as fast as the Xbox Series S's slick 512GB NVMe solid state drive. Furthermore, 1TB version of the Xbox Series S is also now available, featuring a matte black finish much like the Series X. This is a true 1TB, too, already accounting for the install size of its operating system.

• CPU: Eight-core 3.6GHz (3.4GHz with SMT) custom AMD 7nm
• GPU: 4 teraflops at 1.550GHz 
• RAM: 10GB GDDR6 
• Framerate: Up to 120 fps 
• Resolution: 1440p with 4K upscaling 
• Optical: No disk drive 
• Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD 

The Xbox Series S might be tiny, but there’s a lot of power inside. The console targets a resolution of 1440p instead of native 4K (though some titles can output at a full 4K), and is capable of 120fps gaming. Though its GPU is considerably less powerful than the Xbox Series X's, it boasts an almost identical CPU and 10GB of GDDR6 RAM. That’s less than the 16GB the Xbox Series X, but it’s considerably more than the Xbox One S, which only has 8GB of GDDR3.

One important thing to note is that there’s no disk drive on the Xbox Series S, and you’ll only have 512GB of storage to play with. Unlike the One S, though, it comes with a super-fast NVMe SSD instead of an achingly slow mechanical hard drive, and it can be expanded with the 1TB Storage Expansion Card from Seagate. And while an expensive extra, Seagate's card should give you peace of mind when it comes to storage. Plus, it gets discounted at various online retailers with surprising frequency.

The Xbox One S might look similar, then, but it's technologically inferior to the Xbox Series S. It's a great option if you want to play Xbox exclusives that you missed out on like Gears 5 or Forza Horizon 5, or simply want to give Xbox Game Pass a whirl, but if you're after a more futureproofed console, you'll want the Xbox Series S. 

One way you can bridge this hardware gap is through Xbox Cloud Gaming, available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Providing you’ve got a strong internet connection, this offers a way of playing new-gen exclusives through your Xbox One, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Here are the Xbox One S specs you need to know about:

• CPU: Eight-core 1.75GHz Jaguar CPU
• GPU: 1.23 teraflops at 914MHz
• RAM: 8GB GDDR3
• Framerate: Up to 60fps
• Resolution: 1080p
• Optical: 4K HD Blu-Ray Drive
• Storage: 1TB HDD

The Xbox One S only has one real advantage over Microsoft’s newer model: the 4K HD Blu-Ray drive. If you’re looking for a cheap 4K Blu-Ray player that also allows you to stream Netflix and play games, the One S is a great choice. 

You could make the case that the Xbox One S has more storage space than the Xbox Series S, but the One S still uses a HDD rather than an SSD. That means it has larger capacity at the expense of speed. In every other department, though, the Xbox Series S comprehensively beats the Xbox One S in terms of technical power and cutting-edge design. 

The Xbox One S is a great entry-level system, however. It’s small, quiet, and more affordable. Yes, it won’t be able to deliver the highest quality for gaming, but if that’s not a concern, it’s still a worthwhile purchase. With a similar price point to the Series S for now, though, we’d recommend opting for Microsoft’s newer next-gen console if you have the choice.

Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S: Games

Even if you don't choose an Xbox Series S, you’ll be able to play almost every new game on Microsoft’s older console. They won’t run as well or look quite as good due to its pared-down specs, but you won’t be forced to upgrade to experience key titles that are coming to Xbox Series X and Series S.

The Xbox One S is the console to choose if the idea of downloading a game makes your head spin, though, as it's the only console of the two that has a disc drive. You can expect most games to target 30 to 60fps on Xbox One S and 60 to 120fps on Xbox Series X. Xbox One S games will also likely hit a resolution of 900p to 1080p, while Xbox Series S will target 1080p to 1440p output, which can upscale to 4K.

One area where Xbox Series S benefits significantly is in terms of load times. Thanks to its super-fast SSD, games will load much quicker on Xbox One S, so if you hate waiting around for your games to start, or simply want to upgrade your existing experience, the Series S is the way to go.

Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S: Verdict

With comparative price points and similarly sleek designs, the Xbox Series S and Xbox One S are easily mistaken at a glance. Delve deeper, though, and the power gap between Microsoft’s two cheap consoles becomes abundantly clear.

The Xbox One S is quickly becoming a legacy system, unable to provide the next-gen bells and whistles like ray-tracing and blazing fast load times. Still, it’s a tempting value proposition nonetheless, particularly if you can find any good deals on Xbox consoles.

The Xbox Series S, however, is the console of choice for those looking to experience the next-generation of gaming at a superb price point. It’s digital-only, of course, so you’ll be at the mercy of your internet connection when it comes to downloading games. If that’s a problem, the Xbox Series X might be the next best choice.

Microsoft’s flagship console has been picking up a variety of discounts in 2023’s eBay Plus Weekend sale, and we’ve even seen the Xbox Series X bundled with Diablo 4 available for pre-order at a low price of AU$662.25.

While the Diablo 4 bundle appears to be sold out at the moment, you can still score an Xbox Series X along with a copy of Forza Horizon 5 for well under AU$700 right now – you’ll just need to be an eBay Plus member and use the code PWE22 to nab this big saving.

If you want access to a huge library of games for your Xbox Series X, consider subscribing to Game Pass, starting from AU$10.95 per month. There’s hundreds of games available and more added each and every month, so you’ll always have something to play.

Not sold on the Xbox Series X but still want to pick up one of the latest consoles? There’s also a super hot discount on the PlayStation 5 in this eBay Plus Weekend sale as well.

When it comes to the Xbox Series X storage, you'll want to know how much space you're dealing with before you start downloading some of the best games available. Fortunately, storage isn't in short supply with the Series X and there's a decent amount to get you started. 

Despite the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S being far more user-friendly than gaming PCs, the storage situation isn’t as straightforward as it should and could be for a first-time user. There are a few caveats to note, and with a decent amount of out-of-the-box storage, you’ll want to ensure you know exactly what you’re buying and why it can be so helpful.

We’ll cover everything from internal to external drives, the differences between HDD and SSD, and shed some light on what an NVMe SSD is. More importantly, you’ll know precisely how Xbox Series X storage works by the end of this guide. Of course, everything outlined here also relates to the Xbox Series S, which is worth remembering for gamers who went for the more budget-friendly console. 

Xbox Series X storage: everything you need to know

Xbox Series X storage: how much do you get?

The Xbox Series X comes with a 1TB NVMe SSD, while the Xbox Series S is equipped with a 512GB NVMe SSD. The Xbox Series X has 802GB storage, which means 198GB is reserved for system files and the Xbox operating system. 

The Xbox Series S, meanwhile, only has 364GB of usable storage. Games should take up 30% less room than their Xbox Series X counterparts as file sizes are reduced due to developers not targeting a 4K resolution, but you'll likely need to expand the system's memory sooner rather than later.

What is an NVMe SSD?

NVMe SSDs (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a superior storage solution compared to standard hard drives and SSDs. Due to the fact NVMe SSDs use PCIe sockets for data transfer, they can send up to 25x more data than the slower SATA equivalent (which is the hard drive the Xbox One uses). 

NVMe drives also cut out the middle man by communicating directly with a system’s CPU, and the end result is blazing fast performance. Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S rely on this new storage format to create a next-gen performance leap, so it’s crucial to understand the difference between the three types of drives.

Is an NVMe SSD the same as an SSD?

No, and that can often be confusing for many – particularly as Microsoft regularly refer to their storage as just “SSD”. Regular SSDs (solid-state drive) rely on SATA, which is a far slower way of transferring data within a system. 

An SSD is still much faster than a regular mechanical hard drive (and less prone to failure due to the lack of moving parts), so it's not all bad. However, its speeds pale in comparison to an NVMe drive.

How to expand Xbox Series X|S storage

Microsoft’s solution to expanding the Xbox Series X|S’s internal memory with more super-fast NVMe storage is rather elegant, albeit expensive. Microsoft has released 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB models for the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card that slots into the back of both consoles, much like a memory card. Anything you store on the NVMe drives will benefit from the full suite of power that the Xbox Series X|S provide.

Microsoft has also revealed that more storage solutions will be on the way, so consumers won’t just be at the mercy of buying the proprietary drive. This is good news, as proprietary drives can often be more expensive than components from third-party manufacturers. 

You can plug in an external HDD or SSD to play Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games on. You won’t benefit from the lightning-quick speeds that the NVMe drives provide, however, SSD drives are still considerably quicker than HDD, so if you do go for an external option, opt for an SSD. Any games optimized for Xbox Series X (like Gears 5 for example) will need moving to the internal NVMe drives to be played.

Xbox Series X|S optimized games can be stored on external drives, but they won’t be playable unless they’re transferred back to the main NVMe drives. Quick Resume, which is a feature that lets you suspend and resume multiple games at a time, will work no matter where games are installed.

• Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: which Xbox is right for you?

The best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories can be serious upgrades for your gaming setup, especially if you've recently picked up either of Microsoft's current-generation consoles and are looking to get the most out of them. From internal storage cards to gaming headsets and other handy devices, we've curated a list of accessories to suit players of all kinds - whether you're a hardcore gamer or a Netflix surfer.

Xbox has ensured its current hardware generation is here to stay. In the past year, the brand has put out new console units, including the Xbox Series X Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S 1TB model. Crucially, the best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories also work with these revised consoles, meaning the gear you'll find in this list will work regardless of which Xbox model you own.

Many of the devices you'll see here also feature in our best Xbox controllers, best Xbox Series X hard drive and SSDs guides and more. But if you'd like a snapshot at the best of a range of accessories, this is the place to be.

The Quick List

Best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories in 2025

The best overall Xbox Series X and Series S accessory

The Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card is our number-one pick for the best Xbox Series X and Series S accessory. While it's a little on the pricey side, especially in higher configurations, the officially-licensed drive uses NVMe technology to keep up with the internal storage as found in your Xbox Series X|S console. If you're someone who wants to download as many Xbox Game Pass Ultimate titles as you can, then this is the best way to do just that.

Do expect to be paying a princely sum for the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card, however. At $219.99 / £254.99 for the 1TB model, it's by far the priciest accessory on our list. However, it does tend to go on sale often, being a few years old at this point. And that's when we'd most recommend shopping for it.

We found in our testing that the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card fell just shy of what the internal storage from the Xbox Series X was capable of, but not by much. As a frame of reference, we found that there was a few extra seconds between booting games up from the dashboard and into the action. Where this model does shine the brightest, though, is in the transfer speeds as the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card holds its own when moving huge game files from the system onto it.

• Read more: Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card review

The best Xbox Series X and Series S accessory for multiplayer

The Xbox Wireless Controller is as close to an essential purchase as they come for anyone looking to play with friends and family on their Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console. Fortunately, the official Microsoft gamepad, though fundamentally unchanged from the previous iteration, remains one of the most bulletproof designs for a reason.

Xbox Wireless Controllers are readily available, and quite affordable at $59.99 / £54.99 for the standard Carbon Black and Robot White colorways. Several more hues are also available if you’d prefer something flashier, but most of these do cost slightly more. Alternatively, you can even make your own custom Xbox Wireless Controller over at the Xbox Design Lab.

You aren't getting the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback as seen on the PS5's DualSense, however, what you're losing in features, you're gaining in stellar battery life. The Xbox Wireless Controller has a premium feel to it and can last for around 40 hours with a standard pair of AA batteries inside.

• Read more: Xbox Wireless Controller review

The best Xbox Series X and Series S accessory for audio

If you're wanting to make the most out of the best Dolby Atmos games available on Xbox Series X then the Xbox Wireless Headset has you covered. We found in our testing that this headset has a wide variety of customization, with several different EQ settings so you can find the right balance between modes ideal for gaming and media consumption, too.

The Xbox Wireless Headset is excellent value for money coming in at just $99.99 / £89.99. Considering the price point, which is somewhere between budget and premium, this model is hard to beat when compared to the competition. It's not quite our top spot for the best Xbox Series X headset, but it's certainly close. That's because you're getting booming bass and a balanced audio profile that rivals far more expensive options from other manufacturers.

The only real weak point of this model is the less-than-stellar microphone monitoring, but we think that's a fair trade-off given that it's coming in under the $100 / £100 mark. Considering that the Xbox Wireless Headset is this well-built and sounds this good is nothing short of a triumph in the audio world.

The essential Xbox Series X and Series S accessory

If you would rather not mess around with a drawer full of AA batteries then the Microsoft Rechargeable Battery and USB-C cable for the latest Xbox controllers is a tough act to beat. That's because you wouldn't have to keep swapping out batteries, and could instead utilize the play and charge kit to juice your remotes up.

It does take around four hours for the battery to fully charge up, so the best bet is to have them in progress overnight. You're looking at around 30 hours of average use before needing to plug your pad back in, though. That's a similar time frame to how long disposable batteries last out. Considering the relatively inexpensive cost, $24.99 / £19.99, you can kiss goodbye to keeping a roll of batteries near the console which will last a lot longer.

The best cheap Xbox Series X and Series S accessory

For as much as we love the official Xbox Wireless Controller, it can be a bit pricey when purchased on its own. That's where the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller comes in. If you're okay with being plugged in then there's little we can fault this particular model on. We've used them ourselves and found that the build quality, while not quite as good as Microsoft's offering, is certainly durable enough for rigorous gaming sessions.

Prices range from around $29.99 to $39.99 depending on colorways, as the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller is available in many styles. We've counted over 28 in fact, some of which even have RGB lighting and other aesthetic choices. That means you've got quite a bit of choice if you've got a color in mind. There's a 3m (10ft) cable which should be long enough to sit at the sofa or the desk, too.

The best Xbox Series X and Series S accessory for media

If you're someone who spends a lot of time watching media on your Xbox Series X and Series S then the PDP Game Remote Control could be for you. This officially licensed media remote features all the buttons that you would find on the Wireless Controller, including the home button alongside the X, Y, A, and B buttons as well as the D-pad, too.

For $19.99 / £19.99, this remote means that you're not having to reach for your gamepad when you just want to binge TV shows or movies on Netflix and Disney Plus, and other streaming services. Over in the UK, you can pick it the PDP Game Remote Control from Game for this price.

An Xbox Series X and Series S storage option worth buying

The WD Black C50 enters a sector previously dominated by the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card. Largely because it was, quite literally, the only option in town. Now, WD Black's solution offers a cheaper alternative that's well worth considering if you're looking to add more storage on Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S.

The WD Black C50 comes in two configurations. The 512GB model will run you an attractive $79.99 / £89.99. However, we'd say it's worth stumping up for the 1TB variant. It's a lot pricier at $149.99 / £149.99, but certainly worth it if you regularly make use of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service to download new titles. Unfortunately, unlike Seagate's model, there's no 2TB configuration available for the WD Black C50 right now, which is a shame.

To give you an idea of transfer speeds when moving files over from the Xbox Series X’s internal storage to the WD Black C50, Fortnite (45GB) moved over in just 1 minute and 18 seconds. Meanwhile, larger titles like Wild Hearts (80GB) took about 2 minutes and 4 seconds to transfer, so expect mileage to vary based on the size of the game.

Best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories - FAQs

How we best the best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories

There's a variety of products on show in our best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories guide. As such, each is tested under a different set of criteria. Controllers, for example, are tested for comfort, responsiveness, battery life and more. Whilst headsets, battery packs and the like are tested for how they can enhance your gaming experience on Xbox Series X|S.

Above all, we endeavor to test the best Xbox Series X and Series S accessories based on how useful they will be to you, the player. We believe that our choices collectively form a greatly enhanced experience on Xbox Series X|S. Whether that be the boosted storage capacity offered by Seagate's excellent expansion card, or the ease of multimedia access provided by PDP's Game Remote Control, each item on our list offers conveniences in several different forms.

Xbox Series S two-minute review

The Xbox Series S is a more affordable alternative to the Series X, and despite the smaller size, it's still got some incredibly impressive capabilities that won't cause you to break the bank. Because of this, it's a fantastic gateway into current-gen gaming without setting you back as much as you might expect. 

The Xbox Series S is designed to take the same generational leaps as the Series X, such as being capable of ray tracing, sporting lightning-fast load times, and showcasing higher frame rates, yet it remains to be significantly cheaper than its competitor, but there's certainly a hit to overall power and features.

The Xbox Series S is praised for its digital-only build, but surprisingly there is significantly less storage than the Xbox Series X. The console also targets a 1440p resolution rather than 4K, with the opportunity to upscale when connected to an Ultra HD display. But the console is designed to run optimally at lower resolutions. So you should take your display setup into account when thinking of purchasing the Series S.

Microsoft's more affordable Xbox also does away with the 4K HD Blu-Ray drive of the Xbox Series X, making this a digital-only affair. If you've amassed a large library of the best Xbox Series X games over the years, this alone could be a deal-breaker and means you're at the mercy of Microsoft's store pricing when it comes to buying new titles.

These cutbacks might be too much for some users, then, but it makes the Xbox Series S a much cheaper and less hefty device as a result. Crucially, it's still capable of playing new-gen games, making this a great entry point into the Xbox ecosystem.

During our time with the Xbox Series S, we tested dozens of games – from last-gen Xbox Series X/S optimized hits including Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Forza Horizon 4, Doom Eternal, and Gears 5, to launch titles like Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

Each one impressed us, with smoother frame rates, increased resolutions (when compared to Xbox One, and Xbox One S), and faster load times, even if the games didn't look quite as pretty as they did running on the Xbox Series X. But that's mostly due to Xbox Series S targeting a lower resolution.

That said, for gamers who have no qualms about buying games digitally, or subscribing to Xbox Game Pass, you’re getting the full suite of next-gen features on Microsoft's cheaper console: Quick Resume, Auto HDR, 120Hz, you name it. The Xbox Series S is a great option for those wanting to experience new-gen gaming, without the sizable financial outlay required to own a full-blown console.

As we've alluded to already, there are drawbacks to consider. If you prefer to purchase games physically, or have amassed a large collection of Xbox One games over the years, the Xbox Series S's lack of disc drive may put you off. 

You only get a 512GB SSD, too, as there's no higher-capacity option. And while the console's SSD is dramatically faster than the old mechanical drives in the Xbox One X and Xbox One S, it can fill up fast. The five games we mentioned above almost took up the entire 512GB SSD on our review unit (you only get 364GB of usable space), leaving us with just 30GB of storage to play with. 

That means if we wanted to install a game of that size to the system's internal drive, we'd likely have to delete something first (or additionally purchase the Seagate Xbox storage expansion card, which costs nearly as much as the Xbox Series S itself).

What may deter people from buying Microsoft's more affordable Xbox is the fact that it outputs at 1440p for gaming. This lower resolution is a firm favourite in the PC gaming space due to the superior image quality it provides over 1080p, and the lower amount of graphical grunt it requires from developers to achieve. This has allowed Microsoft to create a lower-spec machine that still boasts next-gen features. 

If you own an Xbox One X, the drop to 1440p from native 4K can be noticeable. The Xbox One X could deliver games like Forza Motorsport 7 at 4K/60fps and is still capable of some sumptuous visuals. It's easy, then, to think that the Xbox Series S is a step back – however, it's capable of a lot more than Microsoft's aging Xbox One X, even if it doesn't always beat it in terms of resolution. 

Looking at the system internals, the Xbox Series S separates itself from the One X with its vastly more powerful CPU and more technically capable GPU, courtesy of AMD's RDNA 2 architecture which enables cutting-edge features like ray tracing. Yes, the Series S has fewer teraflops than the Xbox One X (four compared to six), but teraflops are no longer the defining factor in how GPU power is determined. 

For Xbox One owners looking to upgrade without breaking the bank, the Xbox Series S is a great option, if you can accept what it's been designed to achieve. If you've already got the Xbox One X and a 4K display at home, however, we suggest considering the Xbox Series X instead. Read on for our full Xbox Series S review.

Considering the bigger sibling? Check out our Xbox Series X video review below.

Xbox Series S: price and release date

• Xbox Series S release date: Out now (released November 10, 2020)
• Xbox Series S price: $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499
• Can be bundled with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $24.99 / £20.99 / AU$33 a month

The Xbox Series S is available now for $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499 and was released on November 10, 2020. That's the same release date as the Xbox Series X, though the price is significantly cheaper than the Series X's price of $499 / £499 / AU$749. Thankfully, Xbox won't follow PlayStation with price hikes, so while Xbox doesn't rule out future price hikes just yet, this isn't changing anytime soon. 

Keep in mind however that, without a disc drive, you won't be able to buy used games or trade games with your friends: you're dependent on the Xbox Store for any purchases, which means you won't always get the best deal. 

That issue is negated somewhat if you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass (a separate expense, but exceptional value nonetheless), or if you only buy the occasional game at full price around launch. Still, it's not ideal for those who rely on physical game sales or trade-ins to fund their favorite pastime.

Xbox Series S is also available on Microsoft's Xbox All Access subscription service in select regions, including the US, UK, and Australia. Xbox All Access bundles the console with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on a 24-month plan (giving you access to the latter for the duration) for $24.99 / £20.99 / AU$33 a month, with no upfront costs – that's a good deal which proves cheaper than buying the console and 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate separately.

Of course, Microsoft isn't the only one with newer hardware out. Sony released the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition soon after the Xbox Series S and Series X dropped, so if you're still on the fence then it's worth checking out our PS5 review before committing.

Xbox Series S review: design

• Looks great when placed horizontally or vertically
• Can comfortably fit into any setup
• The console and controller look great in white

While the hardware powering the Xbox Series S is brand-new, the Xbox Series S design is reminiscent of the now-discontinued Xbox One S All-Digital Edition.

The Xbox Series S has a distinctive black fan vent, almost like a speaker grille, on the top that breaks up the swathe of white which encases the rest of the console, and it's where the majority of heat is exhausted. It's the smallest Xbox that Microsoft has ever made, with a plain front face that sports a single USB port and a power button. It's a clean, understated, and functional design.

For ports, you’ll find an HDMI 2.1 output, two USB 3.2 ports, an Ethernet port, a storage expansion slot, and an AC input. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Xbox Series S doesn't have a port for Kinect, Microsoft's now-defunct motion-sensing camera, or a HDMI input for cable boxes. However, that the Xbox Series S only ships with a High-Speed HDMI cable, not an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable.

With weight and size, the Xbox Series S measures in at 6.5 x 15.1 x 27.5cm and 4.25 pounds (around 2kg). Its size should ensure it easily fits into most entertainment center cabinets and on TV stands, and it's light enough to pack up and bring to a friend's house or take with you on vacation.

As we mentioned above, the Xbox Series S is smaller than the Xbox One S. That's an impressive feat considering that it’s packing a 4 TFLOP GPU and an octa-core Custom Zen 2 CPU that needs to be cooled.

While some might not like the way Microsoft has aped its own design from the last generation, we're okay with it. It's nice to have some continuity, especially in products that are advertised as a family of devices, although it is fairly straightforward and industrial-like in its appearance. 

Xbox Series S review: performance

• Upscaled 4K looks great, and native 1440p is a nice compromise
• Offers smooth and fluid 120fps gameplay
• Xbox Velocity Architecture is fast… but not instantaneous

The Xbox Series S's strong suit is its value proposition – it's a compact powerhouse. It can offer either upscaled 4K gaming, native 1440p resolution, or a 1080p picture. 

Its GPU, while not as powerful as the one in the Xbox Series X, can upscale games to 4K (in a similar way to the Xbox One S) and still run games at 120fps at 1440p, but you'll need a HDMI 2.1-compliant TV if you want to keep the resolution at 1440p. It's also capable of ray tracing, and loads games faster than ever, thanks to Microsoft's Xbox Velocity Architecture. 

Combine Velocity Architecture with the 10GB of GDDR6 memory and built-in SSD, and you’ve got all the makings of a powerful console. Better still, Microsoft recently gave a performance boost for Xbox Series S games, which frees up hundreds of additional megabytes of memory. Crucially, this should help improve graphics performance.

But do you actually need a 4K TV? And furthermore, do you need one that supports HDMI 2.1 for its 120Hz refresh rate? Let’s walk through all the scenarios.

If you're using a 1080p TV, the Xbox Series S uses a technique called supersampling to create better-looking images, even on less-capable displays. Supersampling is a complex process, but the basic idea is that the game is rendered at a higher resolution, and then the console downscales the image to match the output of your TV. 

The end result is a noticeable boost in image clarity and anti-aliasing (the removal of jaggies and pixelated edges) and means that gamers who aren't using a 4K or 1440p -capable screen will still benefit from improved image quality from the Xbox Series S. 

Most folks though, we expect, will be pairing the Xbox Series S with a 4K HDR TV – potentially one with a 120Hz native refresh rate, although the majority of displays sold over the last few years are likely to only support 60Hz at 4K and 1440p. If you do have a capable display, here's how to enable 120Hz on Xbox Series S.

Hook the Xbox Series S up to a 4K panel, and the console uses a technique called upscaling to convert a non-native 4K signal to 4K. While there's a stark difference between rendering in 4K, and rendering in 1440p and then upscaling to 4K – especially if you've got a keen eye for detail – it still makes games on the Xbox Series S look better than if the console was locked to a 1440p output. 

It's worth noting that the Xbox Series S can render some games in native 4K if a developer chooses to enable that option. Just be aware it's done on a game-by-game basis, and isn't something you’re going to see on every game on the system.

The upshot here is that the console can utilize HDR (high dynamic range), which enables a wider color palette, higher peak brightness, and better contrast levels. Skies look bluer, the grass looks greener and colors pop in every scene. If you haven't had the opportunity to game in HDR yet, you're in for a treat.

If you are fortunate enough to have a display that's compliant with HDMI 2.1, you can enable 120fps at 1440p without having to drop down to 1080p resolution. To enable 120fps, simply pop into the console's audio and visual settings, where you can choose from various frame rate and resolution options. 

It's pretty straightforward, but it's worth noting that not all games can hit 120fps, though Microsoft has amassed a handsome collection of titles since launch including Halo Infinite, Gears 5's multiplayer, and Call of Duty: Vanguard. Check out the full list of Xbox Series S games with 120fps support. 

Even if you don't invest in a new TV, you're still going to see the benefits of the new SSD and Microsoft's Xbox Velocity Architecture. The latter is a multi-step solution that combines the Series S's custom NVMe SSD, hardware-accelerated decompression blocks, a brand-new DirectStorage API layer, and Sampler Feedback Streaming (SFS).

That's a lot to parse, but the gist of it is that data is stored in a more efficient way, and can be loaded into memory faster thanks to both the physical storage medium and the software algorithms that Microsoft has implemented to load the data. 

The result is significantly faster load times compared to Xbox One X – we're talking about games that now load in a matter of seconds. The SSD also enables features like Quick Resume, which we’ll get to shortly.  Of course, the one area that's less impressive here is the meager 512GB of storage capacity, which most people will fill up fast. 

While 500GB was sufficient early on during the last console generation, game file sizes have expanded exponentially in the years since, making anything less than 1TB of storage seem like a raw deal. It gets worse when you realise that you can't access the full 512GB of storage. The system OS takes up 148GB of space, meaning you've only got 364GB of usable storage to play with from the outset. 

By the time you've installed four or five games, you'll need to start thinking about what to uninstall, which is never a fun experience. While Microsoft claims that games on Xbox Series S will be up to 30% smaller due to not having 4K texture files, this won’t stop the system's internal drive from rapidly filling up.

The good news is that Microsoft has released an add-on storage solution at launch, in partnership with Seagate, that can add 2TB, 1TB or 500GB of extra storage if you run out of room. The bad news? The 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card costs $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$359 – money that could be spent on buying an Xbox Series X instead, which has 1TB built-in storage and better 4K support.

Xbox Series S review: controller

• More tactile than before thanks to careful refinement
• Triggers are shorter, controller is easier to grip thanks to new textured finish 
• Share button is a welcome addition, and the 360-degree D-pad feels great
• Still uses AA batteries, unfortunately

Coming from the Xbox One Controller, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the Xbox Wireless Controller for Series X/S isn't that different. However, it's now more comfortable and easier to use than ever before, due to subtle changes in the controller's ergonomics. 

Its overall dimensions have been tweaked ever so slightly, reducing the size of the controller as a whole, but not to the point where it's noticeable to the average user. It means more hand sizes can use the new Xbox pad comfortably. Other changes include a textured and matte finish on the handles, triggers, and bumpers, that help you get more purchase on the controller during tense gaming sessions.

Probably the biggest change for the controller itself, though, is the new D-pad, which has been revised to be a full 360-degree pad that feels great on the thumb. Each direction clicks with a satisfying sound and tactile feedback (though some might find it noisier than they'd like). Its smooth finish makes pulling off half-circle sweeps in fighting games a real pleasure.

Another minor change is that the triggers have been shortened to make them more accommodating for smaller hands. These triggers still have haptic feedback in the form of rumble motors, but it's not the same as the adaptive triggers in the PS5 DualSense controller, which can change resistance on the fly.

The new Share button does exactly what you'd expect – it captures and shares moments in your game for posting in your Xbox Feed or on social media. One click takes a snapshot, while holding the button down longer captures a 15-second video (you can adjust the duration in the Capture settings). 

It's much easier than on the Xbox One, where you had to press the home button twice and then X or Y, but it takes some getting used to if you’re accustomed to the old way. 

Overall though, it's mostly what you remember, with two asymmetrical analog sticks, the menu and view buttons that fill in for start and select, and the four face buttons (A, B, X, Y).

The Xbox Series S controller keeps its 3.5mm audio jack and expansion port at the bottom, but it now uses a USB Type-C charging port instead of microUSB. You'll also find the pairing button at the top, which you use to sync the controller to the console, or for pairing when using Bluetooth.

The new Xbox pad is still a comfortable controller to play with, but its biggest weakness is the fact that it still uses AA batteries. That's instead of a rechargeable lithium-ion cell like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 houses. We found a pair of AA batteries lasted for around 10 days or so of heavy gaming.

If you're appalled by the idea of a controller using AA batteries in 2020, you can also pick up Microsoft's play-and-charge kit, which comprises a rechargeable battery and USB-C cable, for $24.99 (£20.99 / AU$29.95 ) to save you money in the long term (you can also use rechargeable AAs).

While the kit is obviously an extra expense that may irk some, there's an element of flexibility at least – and you're also not at the mercy of a lithium-ion cell battery, which can degrade over time, and which is more costly to replace should anything go awry.

Our advice? Pick up rechargeable batteries, or Microsoft's play-and-charge kit, if you plan on doing more than 40 hours of gaming a week.

Xbox Series S review: features

• User interface feels a bit overcrowded and, in some places, slow
• Quick Resume feels really cutting-edge
• Smart Delivery ensures you get the best possible version of a game
• Good selection of streaming apps, plus Dolby Vision and Atmos support

If it's been a few years since you bought an Xbox console, and you're worried that the process of setting it up might be confusing, don't be. Setting up the Xbox Series S proved to be a streamlined process, thanks in no small part to the new-and-improved Xbox app for Android and iOS. We've even seen Discord become available for all Xbox Series S players.

You’ll need to download the Xbox app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play Store on Android devices, and log in to your Microsoft account. Once you're in, power on the console and type in the code you see in the app, which appears on your TV screen – this pulls in all your data without you having to type it all in. You'll still need to enter a few details via the console, like Wi-Fi password, but then you're off to the races after waiting for an update to land.

The UI that greets you when you’ve finished setting up the Xbox Series S will be instantly familiar to anyone who's used an Xbox One in the last three months. The 'new' Xbox Dashboard rolled out in August 2020, and is the same across both Xbox Series X and S and the older hardware. It isn’t the most intuitive of interfaces, though. 

There's a lot of information on display at once, and it's fair to say there's a small learning curve when it comes to figuring out how to navigate the UI effectively.  The downside to the new consoles having the same user interface as the One series is that the Xbox Series S doesn't feel any different right away. It doesn't feel that new, even if navigating the dashboard feels snappier than before thanks to the extra power underneath the hood. 

Moreover, the new UI still presents some of the same problems we've noticed in the past with Xbox One's interface: some images on the screen take a few seconds to load as content is pulled from the internet, and it's generally a bit too busy for most tastes, with far more information on the screen than you actually need at one time. Look past the UI, however, and you'll begin to see some areas where the Xbox Series S really innovates, though they're admittedly more subtle. 

We can expect further changes to come for the UI, too. If you're an Xbox Insider, Microsoft recently rolled new Xbox Series X homepage layouts but fans aren't happy. While this introduces some quality of life changes, some players weren't so keen on the "tile clutter" this introduced, while others aren't fond of ads still taking up homepage space. As a feature currently in beta testing, this could change, so we'll keep this updated as we learn more.

Smart Delivery from the Xbox Store means you'll always get the best possible version of a game when you download it, or if it's upgraded in the future. Your save data also carries over seamlessly, even if you jump back and forth between your old Xbox One / One X / One S and new Xbox Series S. It's simultaneously backward and forward compatibility, which is reassuring.

Jumping between multiple games is now possible thanks to Quick Resume, a new feature that allows the Xbox Series S to hold multiple game states in the memory at one time, so you can jump back and forth between games without having to reload them. 

The number of games that can be suspended varies – we had as many as eight in rotation at one point – and it won't work with every title, especially those with ever-changing online worlds, like Sea of Thieves. It's a handy, time-saving feature that's only possible thanks to the console's SSD, and game states are preserved even if the console is completely powered down. 

Lastly, we have to talk about the console's multimedia capabilities. As a streaming device, the Xbox Series S carries most major services. That goes between Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and others that are available on existing Xbox One consoles, plus some that are new to the platform, including Apple TV Plus. There's also region-specific apps such as Hulu in the US, and Sky Go in the UK. 

Accessing these requires navigating to the Apps section of your library. Or, if you frequently use particular apps you can pin them to the home screen or create a specific group that can be accessed from the Xbox guide. We noticed that, like games, apps stayed in a suspended state when we flicked between them.

It's important to note that while the Xbox Series S only outputs at 1440p resolution when you're gaming, the console is capable of displaying streaming apps in 4K HDR. That means the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus will output in 4K if you're using a compatible display.

As on the Xbox One X, some of these services are available in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, giving you access to advanced HDR and 3D surround sound respectively, but you may have to pay for a higher subscription tier in order to access those formats.

Xbox Series S review: game library

• Scarce launch lineup with few exclusives
• Backwards compatibility with three generations of Xbox consoles
• Xbox Game Pass is a great way to instantly build up your library

We won't mince words here: the Xbox Series S's game library got off to a bad start. With the delay of Halo Infinite, there weren't any first-party exclusives available at launch on the Xbox Series S, other than titles that have previously been available on Xbox. 

More third-party and first-party exclusives have since arrived like The Medium and Microsoft Flight Simulator, but Microsoft's first-party output is slowly catching up. Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Psychonauts 2, Grounded, and As Dusk Falls are all now available.

Instead of releasing new experiences on day one, Microsoft mainly opted to improve the existing library of games via Xbox Series S optimizations. Games like Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Sea of Thieves have all been optimized to either increase their base resolution or frame rates or to offer greater visual fidelity. 

If you want to quickly see which games have been optimized for the Xbox Series S, head to 'My Games & App' > 'Games' > and then select 'Group by console type'. You can then see all the games optimized for Xbox Series X/S at a glance.

If you're someone who loves having access to the entire library of Xbox games past and present, the Xbox Series S will be appealing because it supports four generations of Xbox titles, stretching all the way back to the original Xbox. Being able to jump back and forth between Xbox 360 classics like Viva Piñata and Red Dead Redemption to more modern-day blockbusters is comforting.

It's nice not having to break out the old hardware or track down an old CRT TV but the caveat here is big. Because the Xbox Series S doesn't have a disc drive, you'll need digital versions of those older games in order to play them – and for that reason alone, Xbox Game Pass is great. 

On it, you'll find over 100 games available to download on the Xbox Series S, with a mix of new first-party titles like Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Gears 5, and Forza 7, and some indie gems from the Xbox 360 era. If you're someone who loves the Xbox Games with Gold program but wished you had a few more options to download, Game Pass is really satisfying.

While Game Pass can't make up for that lack of exclusives, it does enable you to pad out your library and gives you a chance to see some of the best previous-gen games in a new light. You also get access to all of Microsoft's first-party games the day they release, which represents a huge long-term saving in itself.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can also stream games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. It means that rather than take up storage space, you can play games instantly without having to wait. This is a great option if you simply want to try something out, but we still prefer gaming natively as opposed to via the cloud due to increased input latency and some image issues that can occur.

If you're hoping to get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for an even cheaper price, we've got good news. While this is currently being trialled in just the Republic of Ireland and Colombia, Microsoft is looking to launch an Xbox Game Pass family plan, allowing you and four players to jump in for a monthly cost of €21.99 – which comes to around $21.99 / £19.99 / AU$32.99

Should I buy the Xbox Series S?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

First reviewed: November 2020.

• Is the Xbox Series S worth it in 2022?

Xbox Series X one-minute review

When the Xbox Series X launched, it felt as though a lot of features were missing. Of course, the hardware is incredibly impressive, but even that didn't stop it from being a hard sell at first. However, the console has come a long way since its initial release, and several updates along the way have drastically changed the console for the better.

The lack of exclusive games made it feel like you would struggle to get the most out of the Xbox Series X, especially with the competition from PS5 and a number of Sony-exclusive titles being thrown into the ring. Additionally, this wasn’t helped by the console’s continued use of the Xbox One interface. On the other hand, its UI was largely functional and in no need of a drastic overhaul. Quite refreshing, actually, given Microsoft's tendency to switch up its UI regularly in the Xbox 360 days.

So, when you first boot up the Xbox Series X, it’s easy to feel a little underwhelmed. It's not until you explore the console's array of features that it truly begins to shine. The improved library of games that showcase what Microsoft’s new hardware can do is a great starting point. Games like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Microsoft Flight Simulator are prime examples of what the Xbox Series X is capable of, and that’s hardly scratching the surface. 

We've always been impressed with the Xbox Series X from a hardware perspective. It's lightning-fast, practically silent, and delivers comparably exceptional performance to that of higher-end gaming PCs. This ensures that games – both old and new – look and perform better than they ever have before, providing a solid foundation for Microsoft to build upon as the generation progresses.

But unlike the best gaming PCs, which can cost thousands of dollars, Microsoft has packed a considerable amount of power under the Xbox Series X's monolith-esque frame for just $499 / £479 / AU$749. The end result is a competitively priced and technically advanced console providing drastically reduced load times and significantly improved visual fidelity.

The deal is sweetened further thanks to numerous quality-of-life features enhancing your gameplay experience, like Quick Resume and FPS Boost, which we'll discuss in further detail below. However, even though the Xbox Series X’s raw hardware power cannot be understated – and its new time-saving features are most certainly welcome – it's lacking in some critical areas. 

The Xbox Series X still doesn't have the same library of ‘must-have’ exclusives that PS5 or even Nintendo Switch can offer, but it does have Xbox Game Pass. It's a subscription service that lets you access hundreds of games for a monthly fee – and if you're someone who loves to play new titles each and every month spanning multiple genres, it's the best deal in gaming right now.

Even though Xbox Game Pass is mostly populated by older titles, many are optimized to take advantage of Xbox Series X's hardware, such as Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, and Sea of Thieves. So, it's a great place to experience new-gen games for less. What's more, all first-party titles hit the service on day one, and thanks to Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, Xbox Game Pass is now home to a bunch of Bethesda titles - with future titles like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 landing on the service on day one. Microsoft also plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, which means series like Call of Duty and Diablo will hit this service in the future, if the long-fought-for deal goes through.

As such, the Xbox Series X represents the ideal time to jump into the Xbox ecosystem for the first time. It's also above and beyond the quality long-time Xbox fans have come to expect. And with console availability better now than ever, it's an ideal time to pick up Microsoft's powerhouse flagship.

Xbox Series X review: price and release date

• Xbox Series X release date: Out now (released November 10, 2020)
• Xbox Series X price: $499 / £479 / AU$749

The Xbox Series X launched globally on November 10, 2020, giving Microsoft a two-day head start against Sony's PS5, which was released on November 12 (in select countries and November 19 for the rest of the world). Check out our PS5 review if you're interested in Sony's console.

The Xbox Series X is priced at $499 / £449 / AU$749. A lower-specced, digital-only version of the console, the Xbox Series S, launched on the same day, priced at $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499. If that price point sounds more appealing, read our full Xbox Series S review.

While this isn’t exactly pocket money, it’s a decent price for the new Xbox. It’s the same price as the (now discontinued) Xbox One was at launch, also matching the MSRP of the also discontinued Xbox One X. Both are nowhere near as powerful as the Xbox Series X. Considering that the Series X has specs similar to a gaming PC, the $500 mark is pretty great – you’d be hard-pressed to find a good PC at that price.

However, as mentioned, if you want to get the most out of your Xbox Series X we recommend picking up an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which costs $15 / £10.99 / AU$15.95 a month (annual subscriptions are also available, which cuts a little off the yearly cost). While this is an additional outlay, that grants you extra access to hundreds of Xbox Game Pass games (including Bethesda and EA titles), Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and monthly free games, which should save you money in the long term compared with buying games separately. 

If you’re not fussed about the bells and whistles of Game Pass Ultimate, then it may be worth picking up a regular Game Pass subscription instead, which costs ($9.99 / £7.99 / AU$10.95). That only grants access to the service on console (rather than both PC and console) and does away with cloud gaming on mobile devices.

It’s worth pointing out that the Xbox Series X is also available on Microsoft's Xbox All Access subscription service in select regions, including the US, UK, and Australia. Xbox All Access bundles together the console with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on a 24-month plan (giving you access to the latter for the duration) at a price of $34.99 /£28.99 / AU$46 a month, with no upfront costs – which feels like a very good deal.

But the Xbox Series X isn’t the only new-gen console available, and it’s also worth checking out the PS5 and PS5 Digital, which initially launched at similar price points. However, we've recently seen the PS5 get a price hike with Sony blaming this on soaring inflation globally. Thankfully, Xbox won't follow PlayStation with price hikes but as it stands, Xbox doesn't rule out future price hikes. 

We won’t delve too much into that here, though, but it currently makes the Xbox Series X the cheaper powerhouse option.

Xbox Series X review: design

• Modern, sleek design
• Extremely quiet
• Emits same amount of heat as Xbox One X
• Minimal UI and dashboard updates

The Xbox Series X design is a major departure from its predecessors – the upright tower design is more reminiscent of a desktop gaming PC, though you can position the console horizontally, too. Measuring 15.1 x 15 x 30.1cm and weighing 4.45kg, the cuboid-shaped console is matte black all over, apart from a green hue inside the indented cooling vents on the top – it’s clever and elevates the console’s design. 

The design of the face of the console is pretty straightforward, with the signature Xbox power button at the top-left, a disc drive (and eject button) at the bottom-left, and a pairing button and USB 3.2 port at the bottom-right (the pairing button also acts as an IR receiver). The back of the console has some cooling vents as well as an HDMI 2.1 output port, two USB 3.2 ports, one networking port, a storage expansion slot, and a power input port.

An interesting accessibility feature on the back of the console is that all the ports have tactile indicators (little, raised dots) which indicate which port you are touching. For example, the USB 3.2 ports have three raised ports, while the power input port has just one. This aims to aid reach-around cabling and to make the console more accessible to the visually impaired.

The sides of the console (when it’s upright) are blank, save for a discreet Xbox logo in the corner of the left side and four rubber pads on the right, which allow for the console to sit horizontally. On the bottom of the console is a slightly elevated disc-shaped stand, along with some more vents for cooling – as mentioned, the top of the console is designed to help with ventilation, as this is where the Xbox Series X exhausts any heat it generates.

The console itself looks minimalistic, sleek… monolithic even. Despite its weight and fairly large size, it looks considerably smaller than its measurements would suggest. We found it slotted with ease into an Ikea Kallax shelving unit (39cm x 39cm), when oriented either horizontally or vertically, and comfortably blended in with its surroundings. 

The Xbox Series X design is something you’ll either love or hate – we found it a welcome change from the previous low-profile Xbox consoles. It's sleek, modern, and looks like something a grown-up would actually want to own, and it's a nice evolution from the flat-but-compact Xbox One S and Xbox One X models. 

Still, the matte black design does mean the console is easily scuffed and scratched, though it doesn't get dirty. While we've seen Logitech show off a white Xbox Series X console in a recent advert, Microsoft has confirmed there's no plans to release the base console in additional colors at this time.

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.

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 PUBG 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 sampling various new-gen titles.

It's welcome news for those who don't want their gameplay interrupted by the whirring of a struggling machine – but with this quietness comes some heat. The Xbox Series X is on a par with the Xbox One X for 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 new-gen titles.

Xbox Series X: UI and dashboard

While the external design of the Xbox Series X is a considerable departure from its predecessors, the console's UI and dashboard contain more subtle changes. The Xbox Series X dashboard is the same as the Xbox One’s. The main reason for this is because Microsoft rolled out a meaty update to the Xbox One back in August 2020 to make its UI more streamlined, and to converge it with that of the Xbox Series X.  

That means the Xbox Series X UI still has a tiled layout with customizable pins. So, you can choose which games and apps you want to see first on your home screen, and offers easy access to games, apps, party chat, and other features via the Xbox button on your controller. It's a pretty streamlined interface that allows for plenty of customization options and easy navigation. 

Customization seems to be at the heart of the Xbox Series X UI. In addition to moving around your pinned games and apps, Microsoft is also letting players express themselves a bit more with the inclusion of new profile themes, acting as a background for your profile page. Players can also now finally use dynamic backgrounds, which offers a more personalized home screen option for those who are bored of the Xbox One's static offering.

The Xbox Series X dashboard is quicker to navigate than previously, too, but we did find that there were some pop-in issues when content was being pulled in from the internet. We also found ourselves a bit underwhelmed generally by the UI and dashboard, as it’s lacking any real next-gen flair. We would have liked to see an overhaul that really distinguished the Xbox Series X from its predecessor and made it look new, with easier ways to navigate to media outside of having to add your streaming apps to a pin group.

We can expect further changes to come for the UI. If you're an Xbox Insider, Microsoft recently rolled new Xbox Series X homepage layouts but fans aren't happy. While this introduces some quality of life changes, some players weren't so keen on the "tile clutter" this introduced, while others aren't fond of ads still taking up homepage space. As a feature currently in beta testing, this could change, so we'll keep this updated as we learn more.

Xbox Series X review: performance

• Significantly faster loading times and more stability
• Easily expandable storage
• 4K/60fps gameplay (up to 120fps support)
• Auto HDR

The Xbox Series X is an absolute powerhouse, rocking an eight-core AMD Zen 2 processor running at 3.8GHz, a custom RDNA 2 AMD GPU that puts out 12 TFLOPs of processing power, 16GB of GDDR6 memory, and a 1TB Custom NVMe SSD.

So what does that mean in terms of real-world performance? 

Shorter loading times

Well, for a start, the Xbox Series X is super-fast thanks to its NVMe SSD. We've seen the Xbox Series X shave tens of seconds off the load times in games, compared with how they run on the Xbox One S. The Xbox Series X always loaded quicker – in some cases by a few seconds, and in others almost halving the load time. 

To give you an idea of how much faster these load times are, we timed how long it took to load into a game from clicking the 'Continue' button on the menu screen, for the same games on the Xbox One S and Xbox Series X. 

While some titles benefit more than others from faster load speeds, even a few seconds saved is welcome. While games such as Ori and the Blind Forest load fairly quickly anyway, meaning the difference is less noticeable, it's with titles like Sea of Thieves where the power of the SSD really shines – we saw the loading time for Sea of Thieves cut down from roughly 100 seconds to just 35.

When it comes to next-gen titles, we found the few loading screens we were presented with lasted mere seconds. The speed advantage was really shown off by Yakuza: Like a Dragon's fast travel, which comes in the form of a taxi ride. It took around 4.7 seconds to fast-travel to a different district from the moment we accepted the ride, a big improvement over our experience on Xbox One.

4K at 60fps (up to 120fps)

The Xbox Series X’s RDNA 2 GPU allows the console to target 4K at 60fps, however, it also means there’s support for up to 120fps. 

Unless you’re fussy about your frame rates, we would say that getting an HDMI 2.1-compliant display isn’t necessarily essential. The Xbox Series X’s native 4K at 60fps means you get the best of both worlds, minimal frame rate drops (resulting in a smoother experience), and pretty stunning visuals. However, it’s worth noting that for this you do require a 4K-ready TV for 4K resolutions.

While 120fps feels buttery-smooth in games such as The Falconeer, these games do sacrifice resolution as a result. So, for example, The Falconeer can be played in 4K at 60fps. But if you choose the 120fps option, you’ll notice fewer frame drops and better response times, at the expense of sharpness as resolution drops to 1080p. It’s all about compromise and personal preference.

That being said, the likes of Gears 5’s multiplayer allows for 4K at 120fps (thanks to Xbox Series X optimization) and, as a result, offers a smooth and visually impressive upgrade over its Xbox One predecessor. If you enjoy fast-paced competitive multiplayer, then you’ll notice a huge difference from the Xbox One family.

To enable 120fps, you can pop into your console’s audio and visual settings, where you can choose from various frame rate and resolution options. It’s pretty straightforward, and we're pleased to see just how many Xbox Series X games with 120fps support there is, including The Falconeer and Gears 5’s multiplayer, Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, Halo Infinite multiplayer, and more.

Auto HDR on Xbox Series X

Like the Xbox One, the Xbox Series X allows for calibration of HDR for games. We'd advise setting this before playing any games, as it ensures the balance of contrast is spot-on, giving you the best visuals possible.

For our initial review, we primarily had access to a selection of backwards-compatible titles which are the best indicator of the boost in performance the Xbox Series X delivers over its last-gen counterparts. With the above settings enabled, we found that the games immediately looked better on the Xbox Series X – which isn't particularly surprising, given that Microsoft has implemented native HDR for these titles.

We go into detail as to how this performance boost improves Xbox Series X Optimized titles further down, but in short, when playing backwards-compatible titles on the Xbox One S and Xbox Series X versions side-by-side we could clearly see the visual upgrade.

FPS Boost on Xbox Series X

Microsoft has added a new feature to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S post-launch called FPS Boost, which has the potential to quadruple the framerates of older titles. It means that games that were previously locked to 30 frames per second can now hit 60fps - some games can even hit 120fps.

At present, FPS Boost only applies to a specific selection of Xbox One games. The list is extensive but unfortunately, Microsoft's not adding any further games to this. Still, FPS Boost is a fantastic upgrade, particularly for those with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, as it allows Xbox One games to utilize the power of the Xbox Series X. So, for compatible games, it feels less of a technological step back when you decide to revisit some of your favorite Xbox One games.

If, for some reason, you don't want to play these games at a higher framerate, you can also turn it off on a per-game basis. However, we'd recommend leaving it on as it makes games look visually smoother and feel far more responsive. 

We've included some of the Xbox Series X|S games that support FPS Boost in the linked list.

Xbox Series X Storage

The Xbox Series X's 1TB Custom NVMe SSD translates to 802GB of usable storage, with 198GB reserved for system files and the Xbox operating system. We were able to download 18 games of varying sizes before having to utilize the console's expandable storage. 

That's a fair chunk to play through, then, but we'd advise picking up the Seagate Storage Expansion Card if you really want to take advantage of features such as Quick Resume and the plethora of titles available through Xbox Game Pass. It’s important to note that true new-gen titles will likely take up more storage space once their optimizations have been rolled out. 

Along with our console, we were able to test Seagate's 1TB expansion storage card for the Xbox Series X, which also comes in 512GB and 2TB options. The 1TB card doesn't come cheap at $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$359, but we found it extremely easy to use – when we were running out of storage, we simply slotted the card into the back of the Xbox and accessed the extra terabyte. When the console detects that it's approaching its storage capacity, it asks if you want to install on the card instead, while also offering a straightforward option for freeing up space by deleting games. 

If the expansion storage card runs a bit expensive for your taste, you can always attach an external drive HDD or SSD via the console's USB 3.1 port. However, these can only play Xbox One and backward-compatible games (with the SSD allowing for faster loading times). You can store your Xbox Series X games on the external HDD or SSD, but only an NVMe SSD can play Xbox Series X Optimized titles. 

The process of adding an external hard drive works in the same way as it did on Xbox One: you simply plug the storage into one of the system’s USB ports, and the Xbox will detect it. If the drive needs to be formatted, you’ll see a prompt asking you to do this. It’s a plug-and-play solution that works just as you’d hope. 

What's good about the Xbox Series X's storage is that, when you’re installing (or uninstalling) games, you can select particular parts of games to install rather than the full thing. For example, you can download Doom Eternal's multiplayer but not the campaign, or vice versa. We're curious to see how many games will support this kind of installation functionality in the future, because it's a welcome feature and should help with storage management. 

Xbox Series X review: controller

• Feels familiar in the hand yet subtly different
• Works on a range of devices
• Improved tactile textures and refined geometry
• New ‘Share’ button

The Xbox Series X Wireless Controller feels familiar in the hand yet subtly different. Compared to the Xbox One Controller, it's got improved tactile textures and refined geometry which makes for a more ergonomic, and more comfortable, playing experience. 

On the surface, the Xbox Series X controller doesn’t look like a particularly drastic departure from its predecessor. It sports a similar shape and keeps the traditional button and trigger layout. On closer inspection, though, you begin to notice the subtle differences Microsoft has implemented. 

The gamepad’s exterior now sports a matte finish that closely matches the console’s design. While this certainly looks sleek, there's a few drawbacks – the black controller that comes with the console easily picks up noticeable scuffs and scrapes, and considering the amount of hands-on time controllers are subjected, you may find it hard to keep yours looking in tip-top condition for years to come. Other color variants are available though (you'll need to buy these separately), including Electric Volt, DayStrike Camo, and Pulse Red, and some may be less prone to scuffs.

That's a minor quibble, though, and overall we found that the Xbox Series X controller resembles a more premium controller, both in look and feel. The revised pad now has a tactile texture on the triggers, grips, and bumpers, which we found made the controller feel more secure in our hands.

In addition, while the controller is the same size as its predecessor, the bumpers and triggers have been rounded and reduced in size by a few millimetres, which makes the gamepad feel less bulky. If you're someone with small hands, past Xbox One controllers have felt quite bulky, but this simple change improves comfort levels in a subtle but noticeable way. 

Perhaps the most notable changes to the controller are the addition of the ‘Share’ button and the hybrid D-pad. The Share button essentially acts as a capture button, allowing you to easily snap screenshots of your game – a single click takes a snapshot while holding the button down for longer records a 15-second video by default (you can adjust the video duration in the Capture settings). 

This is much easier than on the Xbox One, where you had to press the home button and then X or Y. Still, we did find it a bit fiddly to quickly take a screenshot – your experience may vary depending on how big your hands are.

The hybrid D-pad, on the other hand, aims to provide a middle ground between the Xbox One controller’s classic D-pad and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2’s changeable disc-shaped, faceted D-pad. What results is a kind of traditional D-pad, laid over a disc. Again, this is a small but welcome change and is intended to give more control and leverage over the D-pad – while generally feeling more comfortable.

But there’s a lot about the controller’s design that hasn’t changed. It keeps the 3.5mm audio jack and expansion port at the bottom, its USB charge port and pairing button at the top, and its View, Menu, and Xbox buttons on the face.

In addition to the cosmetic changes, the Xbox Series X controller brings improvements in functionality too. We found the controller to be more responsive, which is likely down to the lower latency Microsoft has boasted about (paired with more frame rate stability), while connecting the gamepad wirelessly via Bluetooth to a range of devices – including the Xbox One, an iPhone 11, and a Mac – was straightforward.

The Series X controller again runs on AA batteries (regular or rechargeable), but if you want to avoid the hassle of changing or charging batteries constantly then you can invest in a Play and Charge Kit (a rechargeable battery back that you can use to charge the controller while you’re playing or between sessions), or connect your controller to the console via USB-C (although this will, of course, limit your freedom of movement).

Xbox Series X review: features

• Quick Resume is pretty seamless
• Great backward compatibility with games and accessories
• 4K UHD Blu-ray drive
• Dolby Atmos and DTS support

The Xbox Series X has a number of useful features and meaningful quality-of-life improvements. Unlike most consoles, there's active support for using a keyboard and mouse on Xbox Series X, while the 4K Blu-ray drive and access to entertainment apps means the console doubles up as a home entertainment system. We've even seen Discord become available for all Xbox Series X players.

Quick Resume on Xbox Series X

Perhaps the most welcome of the Xbox Series X’s features is Quick Resume. The purpose of Quick Resume is to allow you to continue a game from a suspended state pretty much instantly. So, within seconds, you can jump back into the game where you left off, as if you never stopped playing, without having to sit through loading screens again. Not only that, but you can jump between multiple games that have been left in this suspended state in no time at all. 

We could seamlessly jump between gameplay in  seconds, as long as the games you're hopping between have already been booted up at some point beforehand. We were able to jump from being in a timberyard as Alan Wake to being Alyson Ronan in Dontnod's Tell Me Why within 11.4 seconds, by pressing the Xbox button on the controller and selecting the game from the sidebar. That's from gameplay to gameplay – no loading screens. If we wanted to access Tell Me Why from the Xbox dashboard home screen, selected as the current game we were playing, the time from the dashboard to gameplay was 2.7 seconds.

Online multiplayer games work a bit differently from other titles. Naturally, it wouldn't be feasible to allow players to suspend mid-play during online gameplay, or we'd just have a bunch of AFK players on the servers. For example, if you're mid-game in Sea of Thieves, and then decide to jump into another game, you’ll be removed from the game – but you can Quick Resume from the title screen.

Since its launch, Quick Resume has received an update that makes the feature more reliable, makes it easier to see which games you have stored in a suspended state. That also identifies which games actually support the feature, with the ability to simply select each game from the My Games and Apps menu. It's a very welcome quality-of-life feature that simply makes using Quick Resume a little bit easier.

Backward compatibility on Xbox Series X

Another of the Xbox Series X's best features is the breadth of its backward compatibility. There are well over 1,000 backward-compatible titles available, meaning you’ll be hard-pressed to find an older game you have that isn’t supported on the Series X. 

As mentioned previously, we found these titles loaded faster and simply played better; improved stability means fewer frame rate drops, which makes older games feel nicer to play, even if they're otherwise a little outdated by the standards of modern blockbusters. Sadly, Microsoft has confirmed it's unlikely that we'll see more added in the future.

This backward compatibility also extends to Xbox accessories. We found that we could easily connect the original Xbox Wireless Controller and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 to the Xbox Series X with no issues, and we were also able to connect our headsets.

Any officially licensed Xbox One accessory that connects either wirelessly or via a wired USB connection should work on the Xbox Series X, such as the Xbox Wireless Headset; however, it’s worth noting that optical port connections aren’t supported, although some of these products may work with a firmware update.

Smart Delivery

Xbox Smart Delivery aims to allow players to always have access to the best possible version of an Xbox game, whichever console they’re playing on. Essentially, it’s a bit like forward compatibility and backward compatibility combined, making the most of cross-generation gaming. 

We found that we could access the games we had access to on Xbox Series X on the Xbox One S without issue, and without having to purchase two versions of the same title. So, for example, we could play The Falconeer on Xbox Series X – with its optimizations – then jump onto the Xbox One S and continue playing the game there, just without the Series X optimizations. 

Save data is carried between consoles, so we could easily jump between playing on both. Likewise, our Xbox One games were easily accessible on the Xbox Series X, with upgrades becoming immediately available for those that currently have Series X optimizations, such as Gears Tactics and Gears 5.

Multimedia on Xbox Series X

The Series X also offers a range of multimedia features. For one, the console boasts a built-in 4K Blu-ray player that’s simple to use. 

You also have access to a range of streaming services: there’s Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and others that are available on existing Xbox One consoles, plus some that are new to the platform, including Apple TV Plus and region-specific apps such as Hulu in the US and Sky Go in the UK. All of these can take advantage of the console's 4K UHD capabilities, although some require a decent internet connection.

While all the most popular entertainment apps are available, we did find that there are still some (more regional apps) that we wish we had access to, such as ITV Hub and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

Dolby Vision support

Microsoft is also the only new-gen console maker to support Dolby Vision, a more exacting HDR format that allows for superior contrast and color accuracy. In terms of content, you can watch shows and movies in Dolby Vision with Netflix (if you shell out for the premium subscription tier).

The advantage Dolby Vision has over standard HDR10 is that it supports 12-bit color, enabling the console to display more than 68.7 billion colors, far more than the 10-bit HDR format could show. Of course, how good those colors will look ultimately depends on your TV – which also needs to support Dolby Vision, although that’s par for the course. You can now enjoy Dolby Vision gaming too.

It's worth noting that the 4K Blu-ray player in the Xbox Series X doesn't yet support Dolby Vision, though we could see this changing in the near future with a firmware update.

DTS and Dolby Atmos support 

While the default headphones setting for Xbox Series X is Windows Sonic, as on the Xbox One before it, the Xbox Series X also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS headphone: X sound – though you need to purchase a separate license for each.

Windows Sonic is fine for those who aren’t too fussed about their audio, but Dolby Atmos and DTS provide a fuller spatial sound experience. This means, for example, that you can tell from an enemy’s footsteps exactly where they are in relation to you. If you’re someone who plays a lot of online multiplayer then it could be worth picking one of these up, especially as you don’t need a specific headset for either to work – though to use Dolby Atmos you require a compatible soundbar.

It’s also worth noting that these only work with games that support Dolby Atmos or DTS sound, which include the likes of Gears 5, Forza Horizon 5, and Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Xbox App 

The new Xbox App for iOS and Android is an upgraded version of the companion app that gives you more control than before. 

It allows you to specifically manage storage across your Xbox consoles, voice-chat with friends on either Xbox or PC, and easily share clips and screenshots from games and granting easy access to remote play. 

You can even use the app as a remote control for your console, which is very handy for multimedia services. Overall, we found the companion app made it easier than ever to access and manage our Xboxes on the go. 

Xbox Series X review: library

• Launch title lineup is a bit disappointing
• Combined with Xbox Game Pass, offers plenty to play
• Plenty of backward-compatible games to play

The Xbox Series X game library is perhaps what lets the new console down the most. For a start, there were only a handful of new big-name games that landed on the console at launch – Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs: Legion, Dirt 5, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, none of which were Xbox exclusives.

In fact, every Xbox Series X launch game was already available (or would be available) on Xbox One – and many were released on PS5 too. The launch titles that were Xbox exclusives, such as Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, were all optimized versions of Xbox One titles. 

The Xbox exclusive situation has thankfully improved, with Halo Infinite, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Forza Horizon 5 bolstering Microsoft's lineup. However, there's still a distinct lack of games that can only be played on Xbox Series X|S, like Bloober Team’s psychological thriller The Medium. It’ll be a while yet before we get our hands on big hitters like Everwild and Fable.

While the next few months for Xbox games still look a bit uncertain, Microsoft has a major ace in the hole: its acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard. This is a huge move by Microsoft that could seriously bolster that lackluster exclusive offering, meaning that future Bethesda titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield will come exclusively to Xbox and PC. 

Now that’s a prospect that makes Xbox Series X very interesting and could give it a serious advantage over the PS5.

Xbox Game Pass

The saving grace, in terms of the games available, is that Xbox Series X players have access to thousands of backward-compatible games, so you'll have plenty of older games to play.

If you’re picking up an Xbox Series X, we would strongly advise picking up an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to bolster your library. As previously mentioned, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate means you get access to hundreds of Xbox One games off the bat, including first-party Xbox games on day one. So, in terms of money-saving, pairing your Game Pass subscription with your new console means you won’t have to shell out for brand-new games – unless they’re not included on Game Pass.

In the past six months, we’ve seen even more titles added to Game Pass, including a large number of Bethesda titles, with Microsoft confirming we will see future first-party Xbox games hit the service on launch day - that includes Bethesda games. Activision Blizzard games will also come to the service if the aforementioned acquisition is approved.

If you're hoping to get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for an even cheaper price, we've got good news. While this is currently being trialled in just the Republic of Ireland and Colombia, Microsoft is looking to launch an Xbox Game Pass family plan, allowing you and four players to jump in for a monthly cost of €21.99 – which comes to around $21.99 / £19.99 / AU$32.99

Xbox Series X optimized

A handful of the best 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 console’s 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.

It’s immediately more immersive, thanks to more stable frame rates and a lack of loading screen walls. The difference is even more noticeable in Gears 5’s multiplayer, which allows for 4K at 120fps, resulting in buttery smooth performance that feels much more responsive – which is critical in online multiplayer. With Dolby Atmos support too, it's a brilliant showcase for the Xbox Series X’s unbridled power.

Should I buy the Xbox Series X?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

First reviewed: November 2020.

• Which Xbox console is right for you?

Microsoft has recently announced that the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X will now be cheaper than it was close to three years ago. 

For as great as the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Cards are, they remained an incredibly expensive way of giving your Xbox Series X the space it needs. Thankfully, as of just a few days ago, there's been a serious price cut to the proprietary hardware. You can now get the 1TB and 2TB capacity options for $150 and $280 a piece, which takes a fair amount of sting out, but it's still far from ideal. 

The original MSRP of $219.99 / £254.99 / AU$349 for the 1TB model at launch was seriously steep, especially considering how you could spend half of that on some of the best SSDs for PS5 on the rival console. Matters weren't helped by the 512GB and 2TB variants, which followed in 2021, at $109.00 / £179.99 and $359.99 / £534.99 / AU$749.95 respectively. 

This news isn't entirely surprising. The Seagate Storage Expansion Cards have a history of selling at discounted prices, but now with the official rates lowering significantly, the doors are wide open for further improvement. It's worth remembering that Seagate is now no longer the only game in town when it comes to Xbox Series X storage expansion, though, making this move a step in the right direction. 

That's because the WD Black C50 was announced back in April with prices that significantly undercut Seagate's official offering. While availability hasn't been rolled out yet, a recent Best Buy listing shows that the 1TB WD Black C50 will retail for $149.99, which is still a full $30 cheaper than the reduced price that Microsoft is celebrating over. 

In that reveal, I argued that despite the cheaper price it was still too expensive for what it is. That's because Gen 4 NVMe SSDs aren't the fastest anymore with the advent of Gen 5 models now hitting the market and leaving them in the dust. Both the Xbox Series X and PS5 utilize this storage type and have been available since 2019. In the four years since it's gone from ridiculously overpriced to a mere fraction of those original listing prices. That's been apparent with the likes of the WD Black SN850, Samsung 980 Pro, and the Kingston Fury Renegade just to name a few. 

In contrast, the decision to use a specified chassis on Xbox has meant that players are paying way over the odds at a time when Gen 4 models should be cheaper. The fact that rates have decreased has given the impression that Western Digital will follow suit, and hopefully, in a few months, we'll be looking at 1TB Xbox Storage Expansion options around the $100 / £100 / AU$186 price range. That will be something to celebrate. Until then, this is good enough for now, but Xbox gamers deserve better. 

• It's time to admit that 30 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X isn't good enough

A new Xbox Series X controller colorway has been quietly put up for sale from Microsoft, and it's keeping things frosty. 

The new Arctic Camo Special Edition controller for Xbox Series X has been spotted on the official Microsoft store, and retails for $69.99 in the US. Though no UK or Australian pricing or reveal has happened yet, the prospect looks likely in future. 

This new design is a reimagining of the Xbox One Arctic Camo controller which debuted in 2020 ahead of the launch of the Xbox Series X and features an updated design. As well as the black, grey, and white color scheme, this new version features dark grey sticks as well as menu, share, and options buttons. One neat touch is how the A, X, B, and Y symbols are dark grey with translucent buttons for a cool glacier feel. 

If you're interested in a new look for one of the best Xbox controllers, then this model is sure to satisfy, whether you're playing on either generation of Microsoft's console hardware or PC. There's been no shortage of excellent revisions to the Xbox Wireless Controller, and it's good to see that more colors and styles keep being pushed forward at a time when the competition can't really keep up. 

Recently, there was the Xbox Earth Day controller which was made partially from recycled CDs and headlights which came bundled in with the play-and-charge kit. While Redfall disappointed almost everyone, arguably the best thing to come out of the whole situation was the Limited Edition Redfall controllers via the Xbox Design Lab, with a total of five versions based on the four playable characters and vampiric nasties respectively.

I hope the support for new and exciting Xbox controllers doesn't stop anytime soon. It goes a long way to giving each setup a more unique feel than simply relying on the standard black model of the Xbox Series X and white of the Xbox Series S. 

• How the Xbox Elite Series 3 can compete with the DualSense Edge

Microsoft has unveiled an all-new Xbox Series X|S dashboard layout overhaul, and it seems like it's finally nailed it.

The latest Xbox Series X|S dashboard layout is currently in the testing phase. Right now, it's only available to Xbox Insiders on the Alpha rings. But if you want to see it for yourself early, here's how to sign up to the Xbox Insider program. And you may want to, as there's no concrete date for when the new layout will roll out to the install base at large.

Some big changes have improved the dashboard experience significantly. You can now easily access the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, search functions, the settings menu and more via dedicated shortcut icons at the top of the screen. Much more real estate has been given to your dashboard's background image, and it'll even change based on the game you've currently got highlighted. That's quite similar to PS5's dashboard and should help it feel more personal and eye-catching.

The 'My games & apps' icon has also undergone significant changes. It'll now alert you to things like new games and updates. The art displayed on the tab also seems to represent four games you have installed, or ones that potentially need an update. It's a nice aesthetic and practical overhaul, all round.

A much-needed change

Xbox likely wasn't deaf to the criticisms of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S's current dashboard layout. The home menu is cluttered with icons that both obscure the background image but, more detrimentally, are disorganized and have a habit of jumping around.

The inclusion of homepage ads that are likely irrelevant to the end user also feels tacked on, like they're just taking up space for the sake of it. Thankfully, the new layout looks to point players to more relevant things, such as a highlighted Xbox Game Pass title or a section for the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller.

Xbox's new layout does look to have taken some inspiration from Sony here, with a wider format that displays a more organized list of game icons. At a glance, I immediately see the games I've been playing recently (which should work wonders for the excellent Quick Resume feature). 

Not only that, but quick access to Xbox Game Pass and My Games & Apps is a welcome change, especially if they're locked in the same position on the dash. With all that to look forward to, I think this latest dashboard layout can't arrive soon enough. Let's just hope it gets thorough testing from Xbox Insiders before it's ready for prime time.

• New Xbox Series X games: the biggest upcoming release dates

The Xbox Game Pass library is getting a blast from the past in May as the next installment of the Amnesia series is being added to the service.

Almost three years after Amnesia Rebirth, Amnesia: The Bunker is set to release May 16, coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one. This fourth installment will shake the series up while staying true to what made the original games so terrifying. 

You’ll play as Henri Clement, a French soldier fighting in World War 1, who takes shelter in a seemingly abandoned bunker after getting separated from his battalion. Sadly, nothing’s ever easy in Amnesia games, so before Henri knows it, a dark entity called The Beast begins pursuing the French soldier. In order to escape alive, you must navigate the dark maze-like tunnels and outsmart the monster hunting you down.

Taking some time 

It turns out that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League isn’t the only title that’s needed extra development time this year. While not quite as drastic as Rocksteady's 2024 pushback, Frictional Games decided to delay Amnesia: The Bunker’s original release from March to mid-May.

It’s unclear why Frictional Games delayed Amnesia: The Bunker, but it was probably for the best. If this psychological horror game had been released in March, it would have had to compete with Resident Evil 4 as well as Xbox Game Pass additions like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Valheim. Those are some big hitters, even for a beloved series like Amnesia. 

While many will be looking forward to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, there aren’t many horror games for the Amnesia: The Bunker to compete with. As it stands, probably the biggest competition for The Bunker will be Redfall. Though given Arkane Studios' latest won't launch with a 60fps performance mode, it seems the vampire slaying co-op shooter will be off to a rocky start.

Standing out from the crowd

If you’re a fan of the kind of psychological horror that the original Amnesia titles mastered, rest assured that The Bunker will keep the anxiety-fueled story while giving this series a much-needed facelift. 

The setting of a WW1 bunker lends itself easily to Amnesia’s dread-filled atmosphere. The dark is just as terrifying as it has always been as you rush around refilling generators, as this is the only way to keep The Beast at bay.

Unlike the previous games, The Bunker has a protagonist who knows how to fight back. As Henri Clement is a soldier, he can handle and fire a gun while also having some knowledge of explosives. This expertise means that players won’t be completely defenseless. Unfortunately, due to limited materials, it'll be tough to consistently rely on firearms to keep you safe.

While having more agency in the next Amnesia title is nice, it seems like Frictional Games hasn’t ventured too far outside the box to retain the psychological fear championed by the series thus far. It's shaping up to be another horror smash hit from the developer, and I can't wait to play it day one on Xbox Game Pass.

• Amnesia: The Bunker sounds like a horror game with too much tension

The UI of the Xbox Series X and Series S has been a hot commodity since the pair of consoles launched in 2020. However, despite the desperate pleas from gamers to make some changes to the dashboard, only a few updates have slightly altered the appearance, and each time one of these updates does roll around, players are quick to critique the features that should’ve been changed. 

A new Xbox Home experience has recently been trialed, offering an alternative UI to the one players currently experience on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. However, unfortunately, it still hasn’t delivered the visual overhaul that most of us have been searching for.

The new and improved trial home screen has been called cluttered and hard to navigate by Alpha Testers alongside the Xbox Insiders program, as stated in a feedback overview update via the Xbox Insiders Blog, and adverts for Xbox Game Pass have been a cause for upset due to how much space on the screen is dominated by them, which subsequently covers the background image of the active game more than before.

Slow and steady

Thankfully, the feedback from players has been taken into account rather than distributing the UI update as is, and current experiments with the dashboard are being paused while feedback is being taken into account.

In the same blog post addressing the new home experience, Ivy Krislov, Senior Product Manager Lead, stated they are “working to balance the experience, accessibility, function, and the needs of our community” regarding the next potential update. In addition, the cluttering of the home screen and blocking of the background was acknowledged in the same blog post, which will be considered for the next update.

Since the home screen is a player's first experience with the console, it must be easy to use, navigate, and be personalizable, which many players have stated the console still needs to include. So while this update hasn’t entirely met the mark, it could be a closer step toward a more enjoyable experience.

• Microsoft announces Diablo IV Xbox Series X Bundle and disappoints everyone

Diablo 4 has finally had its Xbox Series X performance detailed as the framerates have now been confirmed by the development team. 

Diablo 4 is slated to run in native 4K resolution at 60fps on Xbox Series X, with the Xbox Series S version of the game expected to play at 1080p at 60fps, as was announced by Rod Fergusson on Major Nelson's Xbox podcast. 

It's clear from these figures that smooth gameplay has taken priority over raw visual fidelity, and that's most apparent from the resolution hit taken on the cheaper of two current-generation Xbox consoles. While the Xbox Series S is technically capable of pumping out 1440p (or Quad HD) video, the weaker system has been downscaled to ensure a more consistent framerate. 

Demonic performance

Thankfully the Xbox Series X version of Diablo 4 will see a big improvement. That's because the eagerly anticipated dungeon crawler, which is one of the biggest upcoming games of the year, will play in full 2160p instead of a dynamic resolution. This means that the picture quality will stay consistent instead of scaling. 

The Diablo series has never been the most graphically demanding, and while the latest in the series boasts strong art direction and lighting, it's less likely to blow you away visually as some of the best Xbox Series X games do. However, strong performance should always take precedence over fidelity, especially for a franchise as fast-paced and chaotic as this one, so it's good to hear good news on all fronts. 

Everything I've seen from Diablo 4 from pre-release looks promising, from how the story is being handled to the new take on dungeons. It's shaping up to be one of the most exciting entries in the long-running franchise that's being made with console gamers considered too. 

The series first came to console with Diablo 3 around a decade ago with some teething problems initially when making the move over from gaming PCs. With fast and streamlined controls, it's looking likely that both the Xbox Series X and PS5 are equally viable with controllers as with some of the best gaming keyboards around. 

• Diablo 4's story is doing something the series has never done before

Dolby Atmos support has been on the block since the debut of the Xbox One in 2017, so it's no surprise that it was a success on Xbox Series X and Series S. That said, a license is needed to use the spatial audio tech on headphones, but it's free to use on soundbars and speakers. 

Dolby Vision gaming requires a compatible display but is also accessible to those who can enable it. Currently, however, not every TV that supports Dolby Vision gaming can output at 120Hz, but Microsoft and Dolby are working closely with TV manufacturers to update more displays.

If you’re looking to make the most out of this, make sure you check how to enable 120Hz on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S first. Otherwise, check out the full list below for every Xbox Series X|S game with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. We've also compiled a complete list of PS5 and Xbox Series X games with 120fps support if you're interested. 

Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X: Supported games

More than 100 next-gen HDR-capable titles will support Dolby Vision soon, including games available today and in the future. Not all of them will support both Dolby Vision gaming and Atmos, though, but these are the titles that do. 

• Borderlands 3
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
• Call of Duty Vanguard
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
• Dirt 5
• F1 2021
• F1 22
• For Honor
• Forza Horizon 4
• Forza Horizon 5
• Gears 5
• Grand Theft Auto 5
• Grand Theft Auto Online
• Grid Legends
• Halo Infinite
• Immortals Fenyx Rising
• Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
• Metro Exodus
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Psychonauts 2
• Resident Evil Village
• Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
• Tom Clancy's: The Division 2

We’ll keep this page updated should more games with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support appear in the future. 

Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X: FAQs

• Best Xbox Series X games: don't miss these

The best Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X games are capable of transforming your gaming experience due to the wonders of spatial audio. Dolby's technology has been leading the charge for the past few years, so it's by far one of the best ways to make the most of your gaming experience.

Luckily for Xbox owners, it’s been available on the platform since 2019. While not every game offers native Dolby Atmos support, those that do offer exceptional sound quality and provide a truly immersive experience to boot.

Dolby describes its Atmos tech as "the most significant development in cinema audio since surround-sound", and while that might be subject to some fierce debate between audiophiles, there’s no doubt that Atmos at least provides a convincing surround-sound solution to more people than ever before as it works on any pair of headphones.

Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X games

As gamers will testify, surround sound can be extremely beneficial whether you’re playing competitively or simply want to be fully engrossed in a game's fantastical world. Dolby Atmos attempts to facilitate this by making the sound feel like it’s coming from all around, as well as above, and the effect can often be amazing. 

These Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X games show what the spatial audio format can do. If you're looking for a list of the best Xbox Series X games generally, we've got you covered in our linked guide. Otherwise, here's the best Xbox experiences currently going.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone has terrific sound design. There is an astonishing amount of detail crammed into the game’s audio, whether you’re reloading a magazine into one of Warzone’s many weapons or holding your breath as you line up that long-range sniper shot, every action sounds incredibly realistic.

Dolby Atmos provides an extra layer of fidelity to what is an already sumptuous sounding game, though. With players regularly dropping in from the skies and scurrying around on the floors below when you’re holed up in a building, Dolby Atmos can really help you determine the exact location of your enemy… before it’s too late. In a game where margins can often be razor thin, you’ll need every competitive advantage you can get.

Read our full Call of Duty: Warzone review

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

A truly magical Xbox Series S/X game, Ori and the Will of the Wisps has exceptional visuals and a heart wrenching story – but it doesn’t skimp on sound quality, either. Even though the game takes place entirely on a fixed 2D plane, Dolby Atmos does a wonderful job at separating subtle sounds to help immerse you in the labyrinth-like levels that are teeming with hostile creatures. 

The game’s evocative orchestral soundtrack also benefits from the added clarity Dolby Atmos provides, with each stringed instrument really driving home the powerful crescendos during some of Ori’s more perilous moments. This isn't an experience you'll want to miss.

Forza Horizon 4

Racing at top speed through the British countryside is a spectacular sight in Forza Horizon 4 – but with Dolby Atmos support, driving sounds marvellous. You really get a sense of what it feels like to commandeer some of the game’s ludicrously expensive supercars: the engines create a cacophony of sound as you drive through a tunnel or careen wildly under a festival archway as the rain beats down.

Thanks to the game’s multiple camera angles, you can opt to shut yourself off from the cheering crowds in the cockpit view and enjoy Forza Horizon 4’s excellent, toe-tapping radio stations, or really listen close when using the bonnet camera as your car tyres rip up the asphalt. It’s a car enthusiast’s dream.

Read our full Forza Horizon 4 review

Resident Evil 2

Dolby Atmos makes the presence of Resident Evil 2’s marauding Mr. X all the more terrifying, along with the hordes of zombies you encounter. The heartstopping sound of Mr. X’s heavy footsteps approaching will be all too familiar to those who have played Capcom’s excellent remake, but with Dolby Atmos turned on, the threat can feel excruciatingly real as he quickly closes in. 

There is a plus side to scaring yourself silly, though. Dolby’s spatial audio can help you pinpoint exactly where Mr. X is lurking before he unceremoniously barges through the nearest door to rip your throat out. It doesn’t make his presence any less unnerving, of course, but any advantage we can get to escape that towering freak, the better.

Read our full Resident Evil 2 review

Gears 5

Gears 5 is an excellent all-around showcase for Dolby Atmos’ spatial audio. You’ll explore expansive open areas like a frozen wasteland and battle it out in claustrophobic underground corridors, so there are plenty of environments and locales that have their own distinctive soundscapes.

Whether you're chainsawing through a sinewy locust or hear the bloodcurdling scream of a “juvie” before an imminent attack, Gears 5 delivers convincing spatial audio that’s well worth the Dolby Atmos license fee. It can also serve as a subtle competitive advantage in the game’s multiplayer mode, as it’s easier to detect when an enemy is hunkered down behind a barricade  about to be skewered from behind.

Read our full Gears 5 review

How to get the most out of Dolby Atmos

Despite what you may have heard, Dolby Atmos works on any headphone, but you do need to purchase a license if you wish to use it, which costs $15 / £10.99 / AU$19. Some TVs like the LG OLED CX also support the Atmos via the TV’s inbuilt speaker; however, if you really want to get the most out of Dolby’s spatial audio, we advise choosing a quality pair of over-ear headphones or a Dolby Atmos surround sound setup if you really want to go all in.

Most people will likely opt for headphones due to the practicality and lower cost, and if you do go that route, we strongly recommend choosing a pair of open-back headphones as opposed to closed. Open-back headphones tend to provide a far superior soundstage than closed-backed pairs, which really helps bring spatial audio to life. You want the sound to feel as though it’s all around you, and not contained within your head, so to speak.

The Xbox Series X Dolby Atmos app also lets you choose between a variety of equalizer settings – and you can even create your own, too. This is a great tool for customizing the sound to your liking, particularly if you crave more bass or want to crank up the treble to help hear footsteps better. Once you’ve got your settings locked in, your games will never sound better.

Best Dolby Atmos equalizer setting

While picking the best Dolby Atmos equalizer purely comes down to personal preference, we have noticed one interesting quirk. The 'Movie' preset provides a significant sound boost over the other options, and focuses on creating a virtualized surround sound that's excellent for single-player titles. The 'Movie' EQ is also a winner if you're using a pair of headphones with high impedance, which require more power to drive at higher volumes.

While we found that using 'Movie' and 'Detailed' provided a rich, cinematic surround experience that trumped the other equalizers in terms of volume, if competitive games are all you play we'd opt for the 'Game' equalizer with performance turned on, as this equalizer prioritizes positional accuracy. It's also a more natural sound, which some may prefer overall. 

• These are the best Dolby Atmos movies and soundtracks

Bad news for those looking forward to Redfall. The ambitious co-op shooter looks like it won't be launching with a more framerate-friendly performance mode.

Redfall, launching on May 2, might be better played on PC. Arkane Studios' latest won't feature a 60fps option at launch. At least on Xbox Series X|S. Instead, only a Quality setting will be available. That's 4K 30fps on Xbox Series X and 1440p 30fps on Xbox Series S.

The announcement was made via Redfall's official Twitter account, leaving fans in the replies more than a little dismayed. The silver lining is that a 60fps Performance mode will be patched into the game, albeit at an unspecified later date.

Dropping the ball... and the frames

It's a massive shame that Redfall won't launch with a more stable 60fps mode. It seems to be a bit of a trend as of late on console, as another recent co-op game, Gotham Knights, similarly released without any kind of performance mode.

While 30fps is still a perfectly playable framerate, it will undoubtedly impact Redfall's fast-paced gameplay. First-person shooters typically work best at a higher framerate of at least 60fps. Some, like Doom Eternal, even offer 120fps performance modes on console for compatible displays.

Likely, Redfall's performance options need a little more time to test. And that's understandable; it looks like it'll be a hectic co-op game, especially when a maximum of four players are thrown into the mix with potentially dozens of on-screen enemies, objects and particle effects.

Hopefully, when the update does release, Redfall's performance mode won't drop the resolution too much. Ideally, it'll be somewhere along the lines of 1440p on Xbox Series X and 1080p on Series S. The cheaper console is certainly capable of better. Still, Arkane may err on the side of caution here for a more stable performance overall.

• There's never been a better time to check out Xbox Design Lab - here's why

Microsoft has announced the Remix Special Edition Xbox Series X controller which is forged of recycled materials and is scheduled to launch on April 18 ahead of Earth Day 2023. It will retail for $84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95. 

The upcoming Xbox Series X controller is made entirely from recovered plastics and reclaimed materials and even includes remnants of leftover Xbox One controller parts and plastic water jugs. The full details can be found in the press announcement from Xbox. 

In Microsoft's continued pursuit of Xbox Sustainability Efforts, the new Remix Special Edition Xbox Series X controller ships with a rechargeable battery pack out of the box instead of relying on AA batteries. That's sure to cut down on E-waste, while also providing a more eco-friendly alternative to the standard Xbox Wireless Controller. 

As a gamepad itself, the Xbox Remix Special Edition features an appropriately earthy color palette of natural greens and browns. Microsoft claims that it was inspired by: "lichen found in the Pacific Northwest Forest" and gives the controller a vibe that separates it from some of the other best Xbox controllers on the market right now. 

As a value package, you're getting the Xbox Remix controller for around the same price as buying a standard model and the Rechargeable Battery kit together. The Xbox Play and Charge Kit currently retails for $33.93 / £21 (around AU$44), with a regular Xbox controller costing $59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74.99. 

Xbox Sustainability X 

This isn't the first move that Microsoft has made towards a more sustainable gaming future. Xbox has been making moves in trying to reduce carbon footprint with the Carbon Aware update which went live for all Xbox consoles earlier this year. It added new power-saving modes, such as Shut Down and scheduling, which saved more juice than the standard sleep mode. 

Ultimately, whether you invest in this new controller is going to depend on how much you enjoy the color scheme. Personally, I think it's pretty cool that Microsoft took old Xbox One controllers and CDs, mashed them all up, and made a gamepad mold out of them, but, seeing as the price is identical to getting the charging kit and any other colorway, this comes across as more of an Earth Day gimmick than something more substantial. 

If it was greatly cheaper than a standard Xbox pad then it would be a different story, but as it stands, it seems like a relatively small step in a greener direction.

• One of the best horror games in years is finally coming to Xbox Game Pass

After nearly three years of market availability, the Xbox Series X is receiving cheaper storage, however, the suggested pricing leaves a lot to be desired. 

That's because the upcoming WD Black C50 1TB appears to be briefly leaked by US retailer Best Buy, and looks to be a direct rival to the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card. Until now, it has been the only proprietary SSD to date for the Xbox Series X, which carries quite a hefty price tag for what you're getting in comparison to what's available on other consoles, such as with the best SSDs for PS5. 

The original listing has since been removed by the big box retailer with only social media platforms showcasing the price tag of the upcoming Xbox Series X storage expansion. The WD Black C50 1TB appears to retail for $179.99 (approximately £143 / AU$266) which is a full $40 (roughly £32 / AU$60) cheaper than Seagate's original offering. It's a step in the right direction, sure, but ultimately that's still far too much in my opinion for what you're actually getting here. 

There's no getting over the fact that it's a sure fire way to make room for some of the best Xbox Series X games available on Xbox Game Pass. However, at a price this steep midway through the console's lifespan, I'm left wondering which problem this new expansion card for the Xbox Series X really solves, because a $40 (roughly £32 / AU$60) saving isn't much to get excited about. 

It stings particularly because the prices of Gen 4.0 NVMe SSDs, which these expansion cards are based upon, have been dropping dramatically since their adoption in 2020. If we look at how things are on PS5, which features a dedicated M.2 NVMe 1.4 port for SSDs, then the pricing is far more favorable thanks to ditching the proprietary hardware in favor of something more pro-consumer.

Looking at the current rates for some of the PS5's top-performing SSDs leaves a considerable gap on the Xbox front. You only need to look at the prices of similarly performing 1TB models, such as the Kingston Fury Renegade and Seagate FireCuda 530, that come in much cheaper at $117.99 / £152.40 / AU$197.21 and $129 / £103.99 / AU$217 which undercut both Seagate and Western Digital's offerings significantly.

It's a shame that in 2023, those playing on Xbox Series X still have such few options for expanding beyond the Xbox Series X's usable 802GB storage once the OS is taken into account. Things are even direr with the Xbox Series S, as the quoted 512GB on the box is really 364GB when the system files are considered. The saving offered by the WD Black C50 1TB is better than nothing, but things could have been much more respectable.

• PS5 vs Xbox Series X: which current-gen console should you buy?

Any news regarding a potential new Xbox Series X variant is bound to spark a conversation. With so many big titles on the horizon, such as Diablo IV, there’s a lot of potential for innovation, but that hasn’t been the case here.  

Outside of its impressive hardware, the design of the Xbox Series X is pretty plain. After the initial jokes about it resembling a fridge, so much so that the Xbox Mini Fridge is now a reality, you’d think Microsoft would seize any opportunity to change the appearance to something more appealing. 

So when the Diablo IV Xbox Series X bundle was announced, we expected something grand, especially considering Nintendo just announced the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OLED console to drum up excitement for the game's full launch in May. However, instead of creating a real spectacle, the bundle involves a standard Xbox Series X and its accompanying accessories without a single logo in sight.  

It’s not uncommon for some of the best games consoles to receive a special edition variation alongside the release of big upcoming games. We’ve seen it with the Nintendo Switch and games like Splatoon 3, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and even though the PS5 is yet to launch a themed console, an attempt is still made through themed accessories such as the God of War: Ragnarock DualSense controller.  

What’s so special? 

With four blank black sides to the console, there’s ample space to cover it with decals and designs, and with the dark and demonic iconography of Diablo IV, it wouldn’t be too challenging to build upon the base. 

Given a special giveaway announcement of The Mandalorian-themed console pair for the Series X and Series S on social media, receiving equal parts excitement for the design and disappointment that it was restricted to a giveaway rather than being available for purchase, it would be potentially the best time for Microsoft to capitalize on that success and launch something people can buy. 

Instead, the Diablo IV bundle contains the Xbox Series X, a digital copy of Diablo IV, and a handful of in-game items, such as the Light-Barer Mount with Caparison of Faith Mount Armor, alongside some additional items for games such as Diablo III, World of Warcraft, and Diablo Immortal. For an in-game collector, these could be valuable items to get ahold of, but for a player who has been patiently waiting for the game's launch, it’s far from an exciting console launch. 

The price of the Xbox Series X bundle is $559 / £559, which admittedly does save a few pennies since the console on its own sets you back $449 / £449 / AU$749, with the standard edition of the game costing $69.99 / £69.99/ AU$109.95. So, you are getting a little discount on both items paired with the in-game cosmetics, pets, and items, but that doesn’t take away from the fact you are just buying a standard Xbox rather than something special. 

A behemoth blow 

Players haven’t exactly stayed quiet regarding the announcement, either. Multiple users responded to one of the first tweets from @Wario64 showcasing the bundle stating how it’s a missed opportunity and a huge disappointment. However, with the rapid success and high praise of the Halo Infinite Xbox Series X console, gamers were geared up for a new addition to the mix, so it’s no surprise this news hasn’t been received well.  

Which leads you to wonder whether or not Microsoft is starting to rule out special edition consoles and leave them in the past alongside things like collectors editions which are beginning to miss the point and leave out essential items like the game itself. 

Special consoles appear to be reserved for things like giveaways, as shown by the Mandalorian and Grogu Xbox Series X and Series S. It’s sad to see such a significant collector's item become a second thought with bundles, but at least we don’t feel the need to have several of the same console due to a change in design. 

• You can play Diablo 4 while Blizzard does your laundry, thanks to this promo

There's a lot to consider when weighing up the Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X, especially if you're looking to upgrade your current gaming space.

There are many reasons as to why it’s worth upgrading, and our Xbox Series X review sheds some light on the console's capabilities. It’s also worth turning your attention to our Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S guide if you’re looking for a comparison between the brand's current-generation systems.

If you already have the older Xbox One X, you may wish to consider looking into upgrading. The Xbox One X is Microsoft’s mid-gen refresh of the Xbox One. Think of it as Microsoft's answer to Sony’s PS4 Pro, containing numerous performance upgrades like native 4K resolution support and HDR. However, the Xbox Series X offers much-improved performance and load times, and can benefit from games that have been enhanced for the current generation.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X: price

The Xbox Series X costs $499 / £449 / AU$749 and matches the original MSRP of the Xbox One X. Admittedly, that’s very expensive, but the Xbox Series X packs a lot of technology into its cuboid frame. While the console had been notoriously hard to get hold of, stock shortages seem to be easing nearly two years on, making it easier to find Xbox Series X and S deals.

As for the Xbox One X, well, Microsoft ended production of all Xbox One consoles back in 2020, it’s now officially been discontinued, which makes finding new stock tricky. If you do see an enticing deal, then, it’s worth snapping it up straight away. The good news is that its price is now significantly cheaper than the Xbox Series X, even though you may have to go second-hand.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X: specs

When it comes to specs, this is where the Xbox Series X really differentiates itself. The console is packed with some seriously impressive hardware, many of which allow for technological advancements that you simply won’t find on Xbox One X, such as graphically intensive ray tracing support and frame rates up to 120fps. Check out the Xbox Series X specs below: 

• CPU: Eight-core 3.8GHz (3.6GHz with SMT) custom AMD 7nm
• GPU: 12 teraflops 1.825GHz (locked)
• RAM: 16GB GDDR6
• Frame rate: Up to 120 fps
• Resolution: Up to 8K
• Optical: HD Blu-Ray disk drive
• Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

The console’s GPU also dwarfs that of the Xbox One X when it comes to computational power. It boasts a 12 teraflop GPU instead of the Xbox One X’s 6 teraflop GPU, making it essentially twice as powerful as Microsoft’s older machine. 

The Xbox Series X also comes with a super-fast 1TB NVMe SSD, which has a transformative effect on games. Its storage system can boost load times by up to 40 times higher than a regular mechanical hard drive, and the new storage format allows for features such as Quick Resume, where you can suspend and switch between multiple games at a time.

The SSD is used in conjunction with Microsoft’s new Xbox Velocity Architecture which, while in its early stages, promises to leave load times in the past and help overcome previous developer bottlenecks such as slow I/O performance and texture streaming.

The Xbox Series X CPU is also a gargantuan upgrade over that found inside the Xbox One X. It’s capable of pushing out 120fps frames per second at 4K resolution (providing you have an HDMI 2.1 compliant display), and many games that were previously capped to 30fps can now reach 60fps with ease for a more silky-smooth and responsive experience.

The Xbox One X, while certainly showing its age, is no slouch, though. Check out the Xbox One X specs below:

• CPU: Eight-core 2.3GHz custom AMD
• GPU: Six teraflops 1172 MHz
• RAM: 12GB GDDR5
• Frame rate: Up to 60 fps
• Resolution: Up to 4K
• Optical: HD Blu-Ray disk drive
• Storage: 1TB HDD

The console is still capable of outputting a crystal clear native 4K resolution, and is compatible with all of the latest Xbox Series X games, though this may change in the future. Like the Xbox Series X, the Xbox One X also comes equipped with a 4K HD Blu-Ray drive, making it a great choice for home cinema enthusiasts who are looking to upgrade their setup for less.

What really holds it back, though, is its CPU, which is a huge bottleneck for the developers. The standard mechanical drive means load times in some titles can also be painful to sit through, but this can be circumvented somewhat with an external SSD. 

The Xbox One X is a great choice if you don’t mind that games will often run at 30fps, then, and we’re still huge fans of the console’s sleek design, quiet operation, and media capabilities. Although its specs don’t compare, you can still play all the latest Xbox One games on this older console as well, minus some enticing graphical bells and whistles. 

Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X: games

At this stage, hundreds of games have been optimized for Xbox Series X. Between first-party titles like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5, to third-party blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077, there’s a growing number of Xbox Series X games available now or launching in the future. 

Some of the best games that are out now on Xbox Series X also include:

• Assassin's Creed Mirage
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Dragon's Dogma 2
• Dying Light 2: Stay Human
• Elden Ring
• Far Cry 6
• Forza Horizon 5
• Halo Infinite
• Hitman 3
• Lies of P
• Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Outriders
• Resident Evil 4
• Sea of Thieves
• The Medium
• Watch Dogs: Legion

The Series X’s impressive specs in combination with the excellent value of Xbox Game Pass gives early adopters a ready-made library that benefits from faster load times, better graphics, and higher resolution.

Backwards compatibility is also excellent on the Xbox Series X. You can play hundreds of games from previous Xbox generations on your new system, including original Xbox titles, but Microsoft has gone a step further with Smart Delivery. Consider this ‘forwards compatibility’ in the sense that when you buy a compatible game, it’s unlocked on all supporting hardware. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 owners on Xbox One X can benefit from a free upgrade to Xbox Series X. 

Microsoft has recently encouraged developers to make these upgrades free through Smart Delivery in light of some publishers charging more for cross-gen bundles. Smart Delivery also means you can buy games like Halo Infinite now and play it later on your current-gen console, safe in the knowledge that you won't have to buy it twice for Series X. Your save data will even be carried back and forth too.

This does, of course, mean that the Xbox Series X isn't really dangling any exclusives in front of you to force you into an upgrade, not yet anyway, which is an accessible approach. But this may prove frustrating for those who like to feel like they're really getting that fresh next-gen experience.

While the Series X offers the best version of a game, the Xbox One X can still play that same game, albeit at a lower quality. Xbox is being very dogged about its inclusive approach for the next generation, promising it won't have any Xbox Series X exclusives for the first couple of years, and those Xbox One players won't be left behind in the leap to the next-gen. 

With all that in mind, there isn't really an exclusive game that will make you rush out to upgrade to the Xbox Series X. We can’t imagine anyone’s buying it purely for Microsoft Flight Simulator, as good as that game is. Making the jump will be more about wanting to see those games running at their absolute best on a faster console, or if you want the very best possible Xbox experience available.

Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X: verdict

The Xbox Series X is an enticing prospect, especially for those who are already invested in the Xbox ecosystem. Its graphical grunt combined with the excellent Xbox Game Pass subscription service means Xbox fans should seriously consider the latest and greatest console, with its impressive technical specs and plenty of hope for the future.

For early adopters, the Series X’s lack of exclusive games is at least offset by an instant collection of great games thanks to Game Pass and backward compatibility. Numerous games are receiving Xbox Series X optimizations, too, making them look and play better than ever before. And with Smart Delivery, those looking to upgrade from their Xbox One X can buy supported games now and upgrade for free to the Series X version once they can afford the new unit.

Since the cost of the Xbox One X is likely to continue to fall, particularly now the Series X is approaching a whole year since launch, there are few reasons to buy it at full price right now. Even then, the better value prospect is the cheaper, but less powerful, Xbox Series S, though you will have to make do with a 1440p resolution output. 

All things considered, it's not really a battle between the Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X. Instead, Microsoft seems to be ensuring a harmonious, flexible transition between consoles for those who can afford an upgrade and want the best of the best from an Xbox.

The process to check if a game has been optimized for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S is pretty simple once you know what you're looking for. If you've recently upgraded your gaming space with one of Microsoft's latest consoles, you'll more than likely be looking to take full advantage of its features, and compatible games at 4K resolution or 120fps are a big part of that.

When games were enhanced for Xbox One X, Microsoft only made it clear on a game’s store information page. Fortunately, though, it’s far easier to tell if one of your favorite titles has been given the new-gen treatment.

How to tell if a game is optimized for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

If you're looking to make that jump but aren't sure which console to go for, fear not. We've previously compared Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X, alongside Xbox Series S vs Xbox One S, giving you all the facts on which console is best for you. Otherwise, here’s how to tell if a game has been optimized for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Look for the Series X/S icon

Every game that has been optimized for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will now have an 'X/S' icon over its game art. This is a clear indicator that a game will now benefit from higher frame rates, greater visual fidelity and faster load times, and are perfect to show off what the new Xbox consoles can do.

Games that haven’t been optimized for the two new-gen consoles will not feature this icon on their game art. They'll still run on the new Xbox consoles thanks to backward compatibility, but haven't been upgraded specifically by the developer.

Group by console type

One of the best ways to display all the games that have been upgraded for Xbox Series X and S is to group by console type. This will organize all the games in your library into distinct categories: optimized for Xbox Series X/S games, Xbox One games, Xbox 360 games, and Xbox games.

Simply head to 'My Games & Apps' > 'Games' and then chose 'Group by console type' instead of the default 'Sort by A-Z'. This is extremely useful if you already have a large library of games installed, and it's also a great way to see if any games have recently received an upgrade.

Check the Microsoft Store

Of course, a tried and tested method is checking a game's product information on the Microsoft Store. While you're unlikely to do this to see if a game you already own has been optimized, Microsoft at least makes it clear which games have been upgraded before you buy.

Again, you can see which games have been giving some extra attention by the prominent X/S icon on the game art, along with details in a game's 'Capabilities' section.

• Best Xbox Series X headsets – the top Xbox Series X gaming headsets

You can connect an Xbox One controller to Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, which might come as a surprise for some players since the latest consoles offer a range of new accessories, but for those who don't want to stray from the last generation, you'll still be able to utilize your equipment.

So, if you want to connect an Xbox One controller to your new Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S in place of the Xbox Wireless Controller, you're in luck. Whether you're still using your trusty 'Day One' Xbox One controller or recently picked up the top-of-the-range Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, we'll show you how to connect your Xbox One controller to Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S.

How to connect an Xbox One controller to Xbox Series X/S

Better still, you can also use your new Xbox Wireless Controller on your Xbox One, Xbox One S, or Xbox One X, too, meaning you'll always have a pad to hand for that player two in your life. So, if you're ready to get setup, here's everything you need to know.

How to connect an Xbox One controller to Xbox Series X/S

Turn on your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series X by pressing the power button and turn on your Xbox One controller by holding down the 'Xbox' button. The Xbox button will flash, which means it's not connected to the console yet.

On your Xbox Series X, press the Pair button which is located on the front right of the console above the USB port. The Xbox Series S Pair button is located on the front left, right of the USB port. You should see the illuminated Xbox logo begin to flash.

Within 20 seconds, press and hold the Pair button on your Xbox One controller until the Xbox button starts flashing rapidly. The Pair button can be found on the top of the controller between the bumper buttons and next to the controller's charging port. The Xbox button will remain lit once it's successfully connected to the console.

How to connect your Xbox Series X/S controller to Xbox One

The process is exactly the same as above. Simply press the Pair button on your Xbox One console and controller until both lights start flashing. Once a connection has been established, the controller's Xbox button will remain lit.

You can find the Pair button on the front right of the Xbox One X, below the power button, and the same is true on the Xbox One S. On the Xbox One, the Pair button is located around the corner of the disc tray.

Connecting an Xbox One controller using a USB cable

You can also connect your Xbox One controller to the Xbox Series X/S the old fashioned way using a wire. 

If you have an Xbox One controller, you'll need to use a micro-USB cable. For Xbox Series X/S controllers, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and the Xbox Adaptive Controller, you will need to use a USB-C cable. 

• Best Xbox Series X headsets – the top Xbox Series X gaming headsets

If you want to enable 120hz on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S games, your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S needs to be connected to a TV with HDMI 2.1 support. Running games at 120fps not only makes games look silky smooth in motion but also makes games feel more responsive, thanks to the lower input latency and higher framerate offers.

If you’re wondering how to enable 120Hz on Xbox Series X/S, then this guide will show you how. We’ve also rounded up all the Xbox Series X games with 120fps support, which is continually updated. It's worth noting that not every game with 120fps support on Xbox Series X has the same for Xbox Series S, so if you're deciding which one to buy, check out our Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S guide.

How to enable 120Hz on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S 

Remember, only a few TVs currently include HDMI 2.1 ports right now, so if you want to get the most out of either the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S’s display capabilities, you’ll need an 120Hz capable TV that supports the new HDMI specification. Some TVs also added support via a firmware update, so it’s important to make sure your TV is up to date if you haven’t updated it for a while.

How to enable 120Hz on Xbox Series X/S

If you have a compatible display, enabling 120Hz on Xbox Series and Xbox Series S follows the exact same process. From the Xbox dashboard head to 'Settings'. This can be done one of two ways, however, the quickest is to hit the Xbox guide button, navigate to the tab with your profile picture, and select ‘Settings’. From here, you’ll want to click on ‘TV & display options’.

In this sub-menu you should see the option for ‘Refresh rate’ underneath ‘Resolution’. If you have an 120Hz display, you should see the option to select either 60Hz or 120Hz from the drop down. You can double check your Xbox Series X or S is outputting at 120Hz by clicking on ‘4K TV details’. Here you can see whether your TV supports 4K UHD at 120Hz and if your TV setup supports up to native 4K at 120fps.

How to enable 120Hz in Xbox Series X/S games

It’s important to note that most Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S games will default to either quality or performance mode. These tend to fall between 30fps and 60fps, with a third mode usually in place for 120fps.

It’s always worth checking a game’s settings or selecting the correct display prompt that may be in place to ensure you're playing your games at the highest framerate possible. cFor example, Rocket League on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S is compatible with 120Hz displays, however, you need to navigate the game’s settings then go to ‘Video’ and select ‘Performance’ under ‘Video Quality’ for 120fps support.

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S: 120Hz troubleshooting

If you know that your TV has HDMI 2.1 and is capable of 120Hz, make sure that you’re using the cable included with your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console or an Ultra High-Speed Cable that’s rated for 4K 120Hz output.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re using a receiver or surround sound system, it might not be capable of acting as a pass through for 120Hz, so connect your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series directly to your TV. Finally, if you’re still not sure if your TV supports HDMI 2.1, check your TV’s manual for more information or click on ‘4K TV details’ under ‘TV & display’ options in the Xbox settings menu.

• How to enable 120Hz on PS5

While the Xbox Series X has been an impressive piece of hardware since its launch in 2020, players have consistently voiced their issues with its outdated dashboard. 

Hosting the same dash and UI as the Xbox One, it’s been a constant cause for debate among players, especially since the Xbox Series X is designed to take generational leaps over Microsoft’s family of consoles.  

Larry Hyrb (@majornelson) tweeted to announce that an update is starting to roll out across a subset of Xbox consoles to overhaul the search page with several quality-of-life improvements, such as visible filter categories and gallery-style search results, but it’s not the update that I have been waiting for.  

A long awaited change

Although it is a visual improvement to the search page, in response to the tweet announcing the silent update, some people have been quick to express their disinterest and disappointment in the update. Several users went as far as to state that they see very little point in the update since the store page for both the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S now looks significantly better than the home screen. 

But despite the efforts of consumers to express their opinion of the existing dashboard and how the console pair would benefit from a complete overhaul, there are currently no plans to roll out a further update to target this, and given the console is now almost three years old, it’s hard to believe that a new dashboard will be implemented in the near future. 

While the current Xbox Series X and Series S dash is simple to navigate, especially for anyone who previously had an Xbox One, an up-to-date dashboard to coincide with the current-gen expectations would help define the console further. The PS5's UI was a smart and fast evolution on the PS4, so it is disappointing to see that Microsoft hasn't followed suit yet. 

Regarding the new update for the search page, the UI has a more sleek feel in certain areas, which could easily translate to a dashboard overhaul, and it does help the console look the part. However, these changes have only emphasized the need to stray from the Xbox One interface and create something more lustrous across the entire console rather than waiting until the launch of the next Xbox. 

• Play the console at its best with the best monitors for Xbox Series X