Is the NEW Xbox worth it?

Summary

The Xbox showcase unveiled the new Xbox Series X All Digital Edition, which lacks a disc drive, aligning with Sony's digital PS5 model. While the hardware changes are minimal, the focus is on Game Pass support and digital gaming. The Series S now comes in an all-white variant, and the price difference between the digital and disc versions of the Series X is just $50. A 2TB model is introduced at a higher price point. The showcase also highlighted upcoming games, many of which will be available on Game Pass without additional costs. Despite the modest hardware updates, the event emphasized Microsoft's commitment to gaming, with an eye on the next generation of consoles.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Xbox Series X All Digital Edition has been introduced, lacking a disc drive but otherwise similar in size and specs to the existing Series X.
• 🔄 Xbox Series S has been refreshed with an all-white color scheme, discontinuing the black colorway.
• 💿 The absence of a disc drive in the digital edition means no used game purchases and no playing of DVDs or Blu-rays.
• 💰 A $50 price reduction for the digital edition Series X compared to the disc version, aligning with the price difference between PS5 digital and disc versions.
• 🆕 Xbox's Game Pass continues to be supported well, with a back catalog of games including Xbox 360 titles.
• 🔄 Xbox Series X's advantage over Series S includes better graphical power and the ability to play older Xbox games due to the disc drive.
• 💿 The digital edition's limitation is the lack of backward compatibility for physical media, which could be a downside for some users.
• 💰 The Series X with a 2TB SSD is a special edition at a higher $600 price point, reflecting the market realities of 2024.
• 🎨 A new controller has been introduced, featuring a speckled design and reminiscent of the 20th-anniversary controller.
• 🔍 Rumors of a more dual-sense style controller did not materialize, and internal changes to the console are speculated but not confirmed in the presentation.
• 🎉 The Xbox showcase highlighted many new games, most of which are coming to Game Pass, with a significant focus on day-one availability.

Q & A

What is the new Xbox hardware mentioned in the showcase?

The new Xbox hardware mentioned is the Xbox Series X All Digital Edition, which is similar in size to the existing Series X but does not have a disc drive.

How does the Xbox Series X All Digital Edition compare to the PS5 Digital Edition in terms of support for back catalog games?

Xbox has better support for its Game Pass back catalog, allowing users to play many of their older 360 games, whereas the PS5 Digital Edition does not have a disc drive for playing older games.

What are the implications of removing the disc drive from the Xbox Series X All Digital Edition?

Removing the disc drive means users cannot play physical games, use the console as a DVD or Blu-ray player, or buy used games, which could limit its appeal to some consumers.

What is the price difference between the Xbox Series X All Digital Edition and the standard Xbox Series X with a disc drive?

The Xbox Series X All Digital Edition is $50 cheaper than the standard Xbox Series X with a disc drive.

How does the Xbox Series S's new colorway affect its identification as a disc drive model?

The Xbox Series S is now all white, and the black colorway has been discontinued, making it easier to identify the disc drive model by its color.

What is the significance of the $100 price difference between the 1TB Xbox Series S and the 1TB Xbox Series X All Digital Edition?

The $100 price difference may not be worth it for some consumers, as the Series X offers backward compatibility and the ability to play physical games, which the Series S lacks.

What are the new features of the Xbox Series X with a 2TB SSD?

The Xbox Series X with a 2TB SSD is a special edition that includes an increased storage capacity and a unique colorway, but it is priced higher at $600.

How does the Xbox Series X All Digital Edition compare to the PlayStation in terms of optional disc drives?

Unlike the PlayStation, which offers an optional disc drive that can be added after purchase, the Xbox Series X All Digital Edition does not have this feature.

What is the impact of the Xbox Series X All Digital Edition on the market for used games?

The absence of a disc drive in the Xbox Series X All Digital Edition means that it cannot support the market for used games, which could be a drawback for some consumers.

What are the expectations for the internal changes in the new Xbox models?

It is expected that the new Xbox models may include internal design tweaks to reduce manufacturing costs, such as the use of 6nm chips, which have been in use for a couple of years.

What is the general sentiment towards the Xbox showcase updates?

The sentiment is mixed, with some feeling underwhelmed by the minor adjustments to the existing lineup and others appreciating the new options, such as the 2TB SSD and the all-white Series S.