Ever since the announcement at The Game Awards last year, Microsoft officially kickstarted the race to next-gen by unveiling the Xbox Series X. Almost a year later, the time has finally come as both the Xbox Series X and Series S are arriving today around the world and showing us what Microsoft has in store for the next generation of gaming.
With the launch of the Xbox Series X and Series S this week, we here at DualShockers are bringing you our round-up of everything that you need to know about Microsoft's next-gen systems. From going over the systems' basics, to our opinions and deep dives into their features and more, below you'll find tons of resources we've put together in the build-up to the launch of the new Xbox systems, whether you've already secured your pre-order or are waiting to pick them up down the launch.
Either way, next-gen is finally here, and we hope that our guides and features on the Series X and Series S will help to power your dreams.
Xbox Series X Review
We were able to check out the Xbox Series X ourselves ahead of the system's launch this week, and you can take a look at our full review of Microsoft's high-end new console. In short: the Series X is a refined and substantial upgrade from the Xbox One with a lot of promise and technical features to look forward to. While the system itself is lacking exclusive experiences that might not justify picking up the system at launch, clearly the Series X shows that Microsoft's next-gen console has a bright future ahead.
Xbox Series S Review
Coming alongside the Series X, the Xbox Series S stands an affordable alternative at $300 and designed for those that may not want all the bells and whistles of the high-end 4K experience. Like everyone else, we'll be getting our hands on the Xbox Series S starting this week and aim to have a dedicated review of the console sometime later this month for our full impressions.
Xbox Series S: Paper Edition Review
Alternatively, if you're looking for a much more budget-friendly (and environmentally-considerate) entry into next-gen, you can read our full review of the Xbox Series S: Paper Edition.
Everything We Know About Microsoft's Next-Gen Consoles
Microsoft is going for a big launch into next-gen with not just one but two new consoles this holiday season, both aimed at different audiences. For an overhead look at everything we know about both the Xbox Series X and Series S, you can look at our breakdown of what Microsoft has detailed for both systems so far. You can also take a look at another comparison looking deeper into the features of both systems.
Microsoft's 5 Biggest Pros and Cons Heading Into Launch
Now that most of the information around the Series X and Series S is in the air, it's important to know where each of the consoles' strengths and weaknesses are. In here, we break down the five biggest reasons why you should pick up one of Microsoft's next-gen consoles, and five reasons why you might want to consider waiting.
All The Launch Games Confirmed So Far
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X will have a ton of different games to choose from, and in here, we take a look at all of the first and third-party offerings that will be available on the systems at Day 1.
How Storage Works on Xbox Series X and Series S
If we know anything so far about next-gen, it's that games are only getting bigger and demanding more space on your hard drive. Take a look as we break down the basics of storage options for the Xbox Series X and Series S, including its onboard SSD, expandable storage drives, and compatibility with external drives.
Next-Gen Game Upgrades -- Here's What We Know So Far
If you're planning to pick up any PS4 games and wondering how you can upgrade them (for free or otherwise) to the PS5 version, here's our breakdown on the basics of next-gen game upgrades.
The Best 4K TVs to Buy for PS5 and Xbox Series X
If you're in the market to pick up a new 4K TV to play your PS5 on, here are our recommendations for the best sets to pick up from various brands and manufacturers. Whether you're looking for a more affordable option or a 4K TV with all the bells and whistles, we have you covered at the features you'll want to look for when picking out a 4K TV at varying price ranges and budgets.
The Best Phones for Xbox Game Pass and xCloud (for Every Budget)
Alongside the new hardware itself, Microsoft is also investing heavily into the future of Xbox Game Pass and delivering game streaming through xCloud. Take a look at our picks for the best Android devices you can use to stream Xbox games right now.
Xbox Game Studios -- Here Are Microsoft's 23 First-Party Studios to Date
With 23 studios under the Xbox Game Studios banner, Microsoft has an extensive first-party development team behind it. Take a look at each of the 23 first-party studios housed at Microsoft, what they're working on, and what the future might look like for them.
The PS5 DualSense and Xbox Series X Controllers Show Evolution Over Revolution
Sony and Microsoft are obviously moving in very different directions for this generation, and the controllers are a great example of each company's strategy for next-gen. Take a look at our thoughts on where Sony and Microsoft's heads might be at while moving into next-gen.
Halo Infinite Being Delayed Shouldn’t Stop You From Getting An Xbox Series X
Originally planned as the consoles' big launch title, Halo Infinite unfortunately was moved to next year for additional polish and development. While many fans are likely disappointed, here's why you should consider the Xbox Series X/Series S even without Halo Infinite to play at launch.
Xbox Still Needs A Major Japanese Studio Under Their First-Party Banner
Over the past several years, Microsoft has been on a major spending spree to acquire new first-party development studios. However, there is still a glaring exception when it comes to Japanese games, as we look into how (and why) Microsoft should consider adding a Japanese development house to its team.
Microsoft and Xbox Series X/S Are Winning The Battle For Player’s Eyes And Minds Over PlayStation
Marketing and messaging is a key ingredient for any product's success, and that's especially the case when it comes to deciding which next-gen system to buy. Read our thoughts on why Microsoft has been effective at displaying the promise and capabilities of its next-gen hardware.
Xbox’s Path to Success Might Look More Ambiguous in This Console Generation
With its emphasis on Xbox Game Pass and branching out to PC, it's clear that Microsoft is thinking bigger than just selling consoles. Our thoughts here detail how Microsoft is establishing Xbox as an ecosystem, and that it can do well this generation regardless of how many Xbox systems it sells.
Xbox Series X Needs to Crush the PS5 Out the Gate
After a tumultuous past few years with the Xbox One, Microsoft has clearly been preparing for a big start heading into next-gen. Read our thoughts on why Microsoft is positioned for big things with the launch of the Series X/Series S and where it can fair over Sony.
The Xbox Series X and Series S are both now available worldwide.