While Microsoft’s Xbox brand has been through a bit of a rough patch lately, that’s not to say that the console series is truly “dead” as some detractors would put it. On their own, the current crop of Xbox consoles (namely the Series S and X) are capable machines, with access to thousands of different games from both Microsoft and third-party developers.
There’s no doubt that a lot of folks out there might be curious as to what Microsoft offers in terms of gaming, and with the holidays fast approaching now is definitely a good time to check out what’s in store for bargain hunters. As such, we’ve prepared this quick little rundown of Xbox consoles and accessories that you can get for loved ones, or for yourself of course—scroll on down to see them!
Xbox Consoles, Explained
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While Microsoft’s Xbox brand has been through a bit of a rough patch lately, that’s not to say that the console series is truly “dead” as some detractors would put it. On their own, the current crop of Xbox consoles (namely the Series S and X) are capable machines, with access to thousands of different games from both Microsoft and third-party developers.
There’s no doubt that a lot of folks out there might be curious as to what Microsoft offers in terms of gaming, and with the holidays fast approaching now is definitely a good time to check out what’s in store for bargain hunters. As such, we’ve prepared this quick little rundown of Xbox consoles and accessories that you can get for loved ones, or for yourself of course—scroll on down to see them!
Xbox Consoles, Explained
Let’s start off with the consoles themselves. If you’re a first-time buyer or are unfamiliar with video game consoles in general, the Xbox series is Microsoft’s own line of gaming systems (much different from Sony’s PlayStation consoles), and comes in two main different variants, the Xbox Series S and Series X. While both consoles pretty much run the same games, the Series X is generally more powerful and expensive than the S, allowing it to load games faster, display sharper graphics, and load discs, unlike the S which only works with digital downloaded games.
Additionally, new this year is the Xbox Ally range, which are portable gaming handhelds developed by Microsoft in collaboration with ASUS. Available in two different models, they allow users to play Xbox and PC games on the go and are generally more powerful than the likes of the Nintendo Switch 2, for example. Check them out below.
The Series X is Microsoft’s top-of-the-line Xbox home console, and supports high-quality visuals at 4K resolution and 120 fps. It can also play both digital downloaded games and physical copies, thanks to the built-in disc drive.
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A more affordable model the Xbox Series S can still run all your favourite Xbox games, and while it can’t play disc-based games it is a more affordable option overall.
Microsoft’s first-ever handheld console, the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has a more travel-friendly form factor, and comes with a a 60Wh battery, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of built-in storage.
Xbox Accessories
So if you’ve decided to get an Xbox, then there a number of accessories which are designed to give you a more enriched gaming experience, and some that also bypass some limitations of the consoles (such as expandable storage). With that in mind, here are some that you might want to add to your Xbox gaming setup.
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For something with a bit more storage and style, Seagate’s much larger Game Drive comes with up to 5TB of storage in addition to a rather sleek design with built-in lighting.
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Both the Xbox Series S|X come with a bundled controller, but it doesn’t hurt to add another one for those times when you might need a bit of multiplayer action.
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Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller
If you’d prefer something a bit more feature-packed though, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller is an excellent choice, and comes with a more versatile button setup and a rechargeable battery as well.
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As most games nowadays come with support for multiplayer and built-in voice chat, players who spend a lot of time with team-based games might want to check out the Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset, which comes with a built-in mic and up to 20 hours of battery per charge.
- STAY PROTECTED – Travel far and wide with no fear of rain thanks to the ROG Xbox Ally (2-in-1) Premium Case’s water...
- UNIQUE ZIPPER DESIGN – Features a unique zipper design that will always keep the clamshell secure.
Xbox Games
Of course, the biggest highlight of owning an Xbox is access to a massive game library, which features first-party games from Microsoft’s own studios, in addition to third-party titles, older games from the Xbox 360 library, and even Xbox Game Pass, which gives players a number of select titles for free with different monthly subscription plans. We’ve listed some of the hottest Xbox games below—check them out!
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Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Relive one of the most groundbreaking entries in Konami’s spy-action Metal Gear series, now with enhanced visuals and new gameplay mechanics.
The latest entry in the Battlefield series, the BF 6 comes with refinements to overall gameplay, with an emphasis on global tactical gameplay with players from all over the world.
Until now, Elden Ring manages to assert is dominance as one of the top soulslike titles, thanks to an impressive combination of intense gameplay, combat mechanics, and breathtaking visuals.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
A remaster of the original Crisis Core for the PlayStation Portable, Crisis Core Reunion features new visuals, refinements to gameplay, and tells the tale of what really happened before the events of Final Fantasy VII.
While it’s set within a different place and time period from earlier games in its franchise, Silent Hill F manages to retain what makes the series so great, and heavily leans towards the survival horror elements that the series is known for.
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If you’d rather try out Microsoft’s subscription service instead of buying games individually, then this subscription code for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate might be right up your alley, with access to tons of different games from various developers and studios.
Hopefully, this list will give you an idea of what to get for friends and family (or again, yourself) who want to go for what Microsoft is offering with its Xbox series. Whether it be an accessory, game, or even the console itself, we hope that this list was helpful—be sure to check out our other gift guides as well!
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