Xbox One X review: An exclamation point for hardware, a question mark for software

When the Xbox One launched in 2013, Microsoft had to try to convince gamers that extra features and hardware like the Kinect made its console worth $100 more than Sony’s PlayStation 4. Today, Microsoft is trying to convince many of those same gamers that the extra horsepower in the Xbox One X makes it worth $100 more than the PS4 Pro for the definitive living room 4K gaming experience.

[NoPeace_Walker]

"Is Microsoft’s “true 4K” console worth $100 more than the PS4 Pro?"

For me, Yes.

[Brazz]

Not for me. I had a hard time paying $100 more on ps4 pro, but $200!!! Damn, the thing is a middle gen upgrade whit no excluiseves ( share games whit x1s and pc), $499 is too much, it doesn't metter...
Alson, did ya see the size of the "upgraded games"? Wow, whit 100gbs games the 1tb HD will be full in no time, i bet you can barely fit 6-7 games.

[S2Killinit]

Not for me. In fact no more consoles for me until next gen. (Except switch)

[LateNightThirst]

You literally counter argued itself, its a mid-gen upgrade, it isn't supposed to have exclusives genius. It takes your existing Xbox One, 360 and OG Xbox library and plays it at higher fidelity. Its value comes in what it offers as hardware for the money and you'd be hardpressed to build a machine at $500 that can even match the One X's performance.

[Skull521]

The massive amount more power and 4K disc player well offset the $100 price difference. You'll also have access to the vastly faster and better online service.

[jagermaster619]

You know PlayStation also shares it's games with PC (PlayStation now) so you can't really be a hypocrite now right. Also the PS4 pro doesn't have an upgrade like the x does, why did the leave a 4k blueray out? I keep hearing to sell it for cheaper but come on now. We know Microsoft didn't bring many games this year but now that we have the x in mind things may change.

[DiRtY]

@Kellyanne
"they don't even have a single game with a set release date."

Which games in 2018 do have a set release date though?

[bluefox755]

Right? If you're going to sell your console for as much as a PS4 and Switch combined, you better be bringing the complete package, i.e. hardware AND software.

[InKnight7s]

6 7 games no way!!!! Are you kidding me, 180gb for one game 180gb so times 6 equal...... shit really?!! When i will be able to play the full power of my games by console that priced 500$ !!! These patches are crazy not every one have fancy speed internet for these patches!!!

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

Me 2. Nov 7th can't come soon enough

[Lynx0207]

If I had to choose PS4 or Xbox One at the same price, I would still buy PS4. Not because it is sony (to be true, I like MS very much) but because PS4 has great games to offer.
XOne has great power but it isn't as powerful as mid-end PC, so I don't understand who is the target of that console.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

It’s more powerful than a mid end PC.

A GTX 1070 isn’t midrange

[sagapo]

The same target as PS4 pro maybe?

[bluefox755]

@343 No it isn't, and I've offered proof to you for this very point numerous times. Yes, a 1070 is mid-range, and X1X isn't as powerful as a 1070.

[UCForce]

@343_Guilty_Spark But PC Spec is customizable. Meaning you can upgrade it by yourself. So no, PC is more powerful than Xbox One X.

[BeOpenMinded]

People without a PC. A few games on xbox and PC are well worth a play now and in future... not to mention 3rd party support that's easy to develop for. I just need a TV now which actually stops my immediate purchase and wait for a smarter time to buy. Good for those who have the disposable income and time :)

[343_Guilty_Spark]

$100 is nothing

[xfiles2099]

Not for me Games will look practicaly identical you will need digital foundrys help to tell what resolution is what. Here is something most Xbox fans do not get. Most gamers do not care if one looks better than the other Its the games. All they care about is the game fun to play, does it work ,does it look good and does it play well. This is what most care about so X1X is not for everyone only a percentage of gamers

[Bigpappy]

Definitely for me. 99% of the games I play are 3rd party. All of them will run and look better on the X. No-brainer!

In addition, my whole library of games are automatically upgraded.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

@Bigpappy - you just hammered home the issue with XBOX & MS.

For me it's a no, I cancelled my preorder in September.

[MagicBeanz]

No it is not.

[Goozex]

Pro will get a cut to 300 black friday. So it's really a 200.00 difference.

[Foxhound922]

"WE DON'T WANT EXCLUSIVES, MULTIPLATFORM GAMES SELL BETTER ANYWAY!"

This is the message that I am getting from Xbox fans. The 4 years of the PS power advantage for LESS money was useless, but this late gen upgrade for MORE money is "beastly."

Where are the system seller games from MS?

[Gaming4Life1981]

How is it a question mark for software when Xbox gets over 90 percent of games that come out.

[gobluesamg]

Console exclusives are what differentiate them from each other more than power ever could.

[LateNightThirst]

Yes def identifies an image for a brand, but its not the most important factor. Sales prove that, as barely any exclusives will outsell a COD, FIFA or 2K title, even on those respective platforms.

[freshslicepizza]

People spend upwarads of 1,000 on one videocard and it ain't for exclusives so that argument is not as strong as you think it is. Not with the amount of multiplats that get sold on the PS4.

[Bigpappy]

X is defined by every game on it being the best version due to power and better tech choices.

[MagicBeanz]

Didn't you hear exclusives dont matter anymore, unless it got some and then of course they'd suddenly matter again.

[S2Killinit]

10% is a huge chunk of games. Especially if some of them are Sony’s first party exclusives.

[NoPeace_Walker]

10%. That is a made up number. If you guys are going to count games like SFV, No Man Skys, Nier, Nioh as PS4 exclusives, then you better count games like Quantum Break, Cuphead, Forza Horizon 3, Ori as Xbox One exclusives as all of them are also available on PC. The only Sony first party exclusives on PS4 this year is Horizon Zero Dawn and GT Sport, the same amount as MS with Forza 7 and Halo Wars 2.

[S2Killinit]

I'm just restating what he is mentioning. But the fact still remains that Playstation has a huge advantage when it comes to games. Can we agree on that?

PS: if we don't count games like "SFV, No Man Skys, Nier, Nioh as PS4 exclusives", then xbox has close to LITERALLY ZERO EXCLUSIVES. So take your pick, you want to count them or not? Either way, it doesn't change the FACT that Playstation has more, correct?

[Bigpappy]

No. X have a huge advantage with the games due to power. Playstaion have big advantage with AAA exclusives, but that is a tiny number of actual games.

[Chevalier]

@Nopeace_Walker

" . The only Sony first party exclusives on PS4 this year is Horizon Zero Dawn and GT Sport, the same amount as MS with Forza 7 and Halo Wars 2."

Learn to count then

MLB the Show 17
Gravity Rush 2
GT Sport
Uncharted Lost Legacy
Knack 2
Everybodys Golf
Wipeout Omega Collection
Hidden Agenda
Farpoint
SingStar
Bravo Team
The Inpatient

That's 12 1st Party Sony games. Nioh was also published by Sony. So yeah learn some math! Fyi 2 Xbox games is LESS than 12 Sony games.

[freshslicepizza]

This is what people argue every day about here, about 4 worthwhile titles on average per year?

[Chevalier]

@Moldy

Uhh what? 4 worthwhile games to you maybe. That's you're bias showing. Based on Metacritic alone would destroy that myth. Its ironic that that excellent list of games doesn't impress you, but, Halo Wars 2 did? Worst selling Forza does? Super Lucky Tales reviewing badly? Crackdown 3 and Sea of Thieves don't look exactly great either. Also for the person who suggest Xbox One X is 'worth' it, but, constantly shifts goalpost on exclusives. Really? You shift all over the place with the hypocrisy. ONE indie game which sold better on PC is all Xbox has this year. Next year looks like hot garbage compared to PS4 and Switch.

You're a PC gamer apparently, but, all you ever talk about is Xbox One X and Xbox. Also the false narrative that Xbox One X is a 'cheap' investment. Uhh no most fans of Xbox buying the new iterative console is NOT cheap. OG Xbox $500, new Xbox $500 and 4 years live is $1200+ so no getting a PC is cheaper. Also if graphics were always so important then why have you propped up Xbox the last few years? More hypocrisy! Also newsflash graphics don't make games better if it was all about resolution then the Switch wouldn't matter would it? Yet it rates better and is destroying Xbox in sales.

[Bhai]

Yo Chevalier, you buried both moldy and nopeacy ... yet again :D
Each friend of mine totally dig Gravity Rush 2 (and to say the director is the creator of the original Silent Hill!!!)
and Farpoint is already a VR hit... I'll definitely be picking up Clap Hans' Everybody's Golf when it arrives across the shores, it has alway been a hit...
...and Lost Legacy is already twice the length of Quantum Break, even being a U4 spinoff :O !

[rainslacker]

Dunno, but when people on forums have been saying this for a year and a half now, if not longer, and xbox fans won't actually address the lack of software which distinguishes the system, and now the gaming press is doing that as well....despite the fact they should have been doing this for the past year at least, maybe there is more to it than just people being haters.

When people on forums have been saying the differences won't be that stark, and Xbox fans have been vehemently disagreeing, and now the media is doing the same thing, despite the fact they should have explored this topic long ago to put a stop to MS rampant BS, maybe there is actually something to it.

90% of software, or whatever it may actually be doesn't mean that the Xbox doesn't have much which actually defines it as a console. MS seems perfectly content to define it as the place to play the best looking games, but has done very little to bring about the fact that it will have the best games to play on it through the development of compelling exclusives.

Why is it, that MS fan boys simply refuse to address the actual criticisms that MS is facing right now? Why keep regurgitating these same arguments over and over again which do absolutely nothing to counter the actual problems people have with MS? Questioning MS, or even criticizing them as an ardent fan won't change the games you get to aready play, but it may actually make MS see that there are more important things than power, and maybe do more to bring better games to the system, which would certainly be beneficial for everyone.

[Gaming4Life1981]

I never said anything about exclusive and yes I agree MS needs get busy with bringing more to their system but in no way does MS not have a ton of software on their system. It seems to me that all people on this site care about is exclusives, well I'm a gamer and I play every game that I consider to be good including exclusives, multiplatform, indie and on every system. My words have been twisted around by the the same people who always twist words to further their agenda which is hate everything Xbox.

My point is that this article is saying it's a question mark on software regarding Xbox and im saying their is plenty of games on Xbox. Saying that their is no software on Xbox is a lie. I'm just tired of seeing hate from gaming fans regarding Xbox and the 1x.

I'm not sure why fans of anything have to constantly hate on something they obviously don't give a shit about. When I don't like something I don't go and create a million articles about why I hate it nor do I go all over the damn internet trolling every article just because.

[rainslacker]

Exclusives are what define a console IMO. Features can as well, but ultimately, if most of the games are available on multiple systems, then those aren't worth talking about when comparing the two. Maybe in the DF stuff, but exclusives have always been a major part of what people talk about with consoles.

No reasonable person means that there is absolutely nothing to play on the system, because that isn't true, but MS own output is about as minimal as it can be...if not less than minimal depending on what one's standards are.

I wasn't twisting your words around myself, I was simply reiterating what the article was trying to say because you questioned it's premise. I'd also add that some of the articles are saying that the improvements aren't as verbose as MS made it seem to be, or there just aren't that many enhanced titles overall to make it worth it....which I feel is another discussion.

I stipulated that many people have been saying it for a while now, and many people ignored the criticisms to use the "Multi-plats is where it's at" card, and now several media sites are calling into question MS own 1st party support for the system, and some are still trying to avoid the topic. Maybe not you if you call MS out on it, but the most vocal refuse to accept any criticism of MS. Personally, I think these web sites should have been doing this long before the X1X got into their hands, and then maybe MS would have done something about it.

I'm not hating on the console itself, I'm criticizing MS, because everything they did to make me buy an X1 is no longer a thing. They were doing great showing off exclusives, making claims about more to come, and overall, I felt that they were really in it to win back the customer. I dove in, then Quantum Break released, and they have gone downhill to reach the lowest output of 1st/2nd party software in the entire history of Xbox. They're moving backwards, and at a time in the generation when there should be steady supply. All they have is empty promises with nothing to show, and all they seem to care about is marketing more power, so they can make more money off the 3rd party work of others, and XBL subscriptions so they can have good reports for their investors. That to me is a problem, because I have an Xbox, and I do give a sh*t.

[bluefox755]

Because 1st party titles are generally better games. They score better among critics (the highest rated games this gen are Sony and Nintendo exclusives).

[Gaming4Life1981]

So your not going to put no Xbox games in there, I mean MS clearly has the best racers on consoles and fm and fh both scored well. Halo is def the best exclusive fps on console, killer instinct is the best exclusive fighter on console. Give Xbox credit where it's due sometimes.

[Elda]

For me it has always been ? for new exclusive software & seeing nothing at this point including in the too near future it's a definite no buy.

[gobluesamg]

The Pro will be more than $100 cheaper this holiday season. Tough to justify that much higher price for a discerning gamer.

[LateNightThirst]

The geniuses on N4G forget its a mid-gen upgrade. Its selling point and value comes in what it delivers on the hardware end for its price. Which is phenomenal value as there is NO PC on the market at $500 that can match the One X's performance.

And stop comparing it to PC, its a console, its direct competitor is the PS4 Pro, not you're brute PC capable of rendering real life in 5K.

[TheVetOfGaming]

Neither the Pro, or the X are needed for me. And although I like some multi-plat games, I enjoy the exclusives Sony gives me. The originality in them, because after gaming for over 20 years, a lot of games bring nothing new for me, regardless of slightly better graphics. I think originality and diversity trumps a slight boost in looks IMHO. I wouldn't bash an Xbox fan for buying or wanting one though... Unless it was Moldy.

[King_Lothric]

Interesting to see how this will translate to performance in the market.

[DillyDilly]

I know how this is gonna go. The XBOX One X has the power now. Sony will release the PS5 first so that is more powerful than the XBOX One X & finally The XBOX 9,000 will release after the PS5 & be more powerful than the PS5 rinse & repeat for life

[Silly gameAr]

Not for me. That's a waste of money in opinion. Those that want it, I hope they enjoy it.

[BeRealisticNow]

You can really smell the Sony fanboys stewing, especially when you see the downvotes on anything positive about Xbox.

[DEEHULK88]

Why are Sony fans here? We already know you are not going to buy it, so please " why it's a no but stories. Go play your exclusives

[sk8ofmnd]

No thanks... I bought into the og Xbox (which was great), 4 rrod 360's, and then skipped the launch xb1 (which I'm glad I did) and then bought into the xb1s hype and got one of those which I sold shortly after for the ps4 pro... I'm not buying into the hype again especially with the sad affair Xbox is in now. Over the last 4 years things have gone downhill. If PlayStation hadn't been offering constant new 1st party experiences year after year, I probably would have gone pc a long time ago. The Switch will be my companion console next to my ps4 until the ps5 arrives. I'd gladly pay 399-499 for a ps5 but 499 for an Xbox that plays **slightly** better versions of the same games i can play on my ps4pro... no thanks

[DEEHULK88]

No one care about you videogame life story and"slightly" haha that's a Good one.

[sk8ofmnd]

Yes... Slightly. Its no generational leap over my pro. The xb1x will be forgotten about in less than 6 months just like the 399 xb1s yall bought that no longer want.

[DEEHULK88]

Sk8ofmnd pro is not in the same league and it has been proven countless time and why are you on a Xbox one x post when you could be playing those ps4 exclusives that everyone claims is so great. We don't care if you are not getting one.

[GrimDragon]

It’s a nice upgrade but not good enough to throw another 500 at. Those who waited since 2013 for an Xbox might benefit the most. Probably also those with enough expendable cash flow and those who simply must have the very best top of the line equipment. The rest of us will wait for the true successors to PS4 and Xbox one.

[DEEHULK88]

If it is not for you.....stfu and continue doing what you been doing

[hiawa23]

Got too many games to play for my Xbox so software is not an issue. I rate my consoles on games not just exclusives, and I buy all 3rd party games on the Xbox so software is fine in my house, actually too many games to play, so Tuesday Can't get here fast enough.

[DreadGara]

500$ and it's still an empty box.

[Bhai]

From the article:
"Thanks to better optimization and higher resolution, details like headlights, reflected streetlights, and the bright sun look phenomenally better in the Windows 10 HDR version than on Xbox One S. However, the dramatic color tone I had hoped for, especially in-car paint jobs, is still lacking.

Those enhancements compare unfavorably to those in Gran Turismo Sport, whose HDR implementation was built from the ground up to look amazing on a 4K HDR screen."

While even the full blown PC version of Forza 7 couldn't match GT Sport's HDR, fanboys should send good luck to Xbo-X achieving just that on their expensive patch-machine buy.

[Gwiz]

Just to use a fact,Xbox One couldn't work without a Kinect,they say they patched it out.
PS4,PS4Pro VS Xbox One,Xbox One S,Xbox One X,both PS systems are HDR compatible while the Xbox systems are not.Microsoft kind of said fuck you towards the original Xbox One buyers(especially to those buying the Kinect bundle)

PS4 to PS4 pro benefits are mostly related to resolution and in some cases better framerates.
Xbox One toXbox One S benefits are mostly HDR and upscaling while applying this to the Xbox One X you see the benefits where it took Sony only 2 systems to achieve that.

The real issue here is Microsoft telling us they cancelled games for our benefit,looking at how they sold hardware i'm not convinced about them thinking in behalf of our benefit(I'm being polite).

This is the situation and I owned both the Xbox One and S,while also having experienced a problem with Windows 10 product key being rendered useless after my mobo died and there's no way to get that product key while it was linked to the same Microsoft account I am using now.

This company is becoming one of the worst anti consumer companies and Sony because they have to are providing better services.So Yeah!! fuck Microsoft in that regard.

[Smootherkuzz]

I understand that some gamers may not want to spend $500 on the new Xbox One X, but what I don't get is all the bad opinion articles. If you can afford Xbox One X and it floats your boat then more gaming power to you. Consoles show their best games down road after launch which is good no one wants a rushed video game.

[BeOpenMinded]

For those without a PC like me can enjoy many titles. Love the alpha program and PC releases on console... also the upcoming first party releases. I feel like this argument has had its day. I've played as much xbox as PS this gen, great games on both to enjoy. Mutant league football is in preview now. It's about time lol