Counterpoint: Why You Shouldn't Buy or Upgrade to the Xbox One X

ExtremeTech: "4K-loving early adopters will be entirely pleased with the $500 Xbox One X. But if you're unsure whether it's worth it to buy one, there are a few conditions and competing products worth considering before you make your decision."

[Aceman18]

I'm not buying because they dont have exclusives I care for. They keep running the same 3, or try to make new ones which simply have no appeal for me i.e. SoT or SoD2. I thought they had one in QB but that game solely disappointed me in a major way.

[gamer7804]

I liked quantum break, nowhere near as good as Alan wake though.

If you don't want spend more to own more consoles or not interested in their 3 main exclusives then its not worth it at all to buy it. You also shouldn't buy it if you are still rocking ye ol' 1080p TV (sure it supersamples its still not enough for 500$, spend that 500$ to get a 4k HDR TV first)

If you already have a 4k TV and want the best looking Multiplatform games, its definitely worth it. The difference in clarity is instantly noticeable on 4k games. For one's with added textures it adds a layer of realism, games look less "gamey" if that makes sense, you can see stitching and fabric in clothes, pores in faces etc. Less jaggy's all around.

If you haven't got a 4k blu ray player it saves that 100$ cost at least also.

Playing starters battlefront 2 in 4k with dolby atoms is going to be amazing.

[Aceman18]

I have an LG OLED, and I plan on upgrading to 4k LG OLED b4 the end of this month. But im still not buying it because there's no reason for me to spend another 500 on another console just to play multiplats majority of my friends d on't even own an X1 so games with online I'm just gonna by on Pro, I also don't have plans on buying a 4k blu Ray player anytime soon either.

[Aceman18]

@VforV

It's a comments forum site we have to right to comment in any article.

Here's a question back at you, why does it bother you why I'm commenting?

Also why are microsoft so damn sensitive, if you catch feelings about ppl comments on this site I suggest going to another site, or stop commenting period.

[S2Killinit]

My conclusion is that its really not worth the extra money because there aren't enough 'exclusives' that I want to play, not just in already released games, but also in terms of anything coming on the horizon.

Also, since I already have a Pro, the visuals are only a minor upgrade, as opposed to going from the 720p of xbone to X's 4k which is admittedly a big difference if you have a 4K tv.

And personally, I'm glad I have the Pro as an alternative because notwithstanding the lack of exciting games on the xbox platform, I'm also principally against spending money 2 times in one generation, on consoles from a manufacturer that has essentially failed to show that they are dedicated to making games for their platform and instead relies on advertisements and PR hype tactics to gain my money. Just my take on it.

[iDadio]

I know of 3 people that have got one, all of them upgrading from the og X1 and that's probably going to be the main problem in that they keep touting multi plat library and BC but that's only relevant to upgraders - anyone jumping ship is being asked to start from scratch.

[XStation4pio_Pro]

Yeah. You don’t want any other games that aren’t exclusives and you def don’t want them to look better. So when god of war 4 comes out, you can just skip any of the 70 other games released on both consoles until then, while xb1x owners get definitive versions of all that....
My PS4 pro literally just got assigned to only running PS4 exclusives from here on out (of which I have 3 on but not currently playing any) because the one X performance is hands down well above the PS4 pro and approaching pc quality and there are plenty of great games on it than run better than the pro: COD WWII, ac origins, soon destiny 2 (when patched) red dead redemption 2 (will be definitive on X), Star Wars battlegrounds II etc. I could keep going but the X playruns or will run them better. But sure dont buy it for games that we don’t know yet.

It’s a loss for anybody like yourself that apparently only plays a game if it has the distinct characteristic of playing on one system. Although, like games just simply looking and running better doesn’t make them good on its own, not sure how just limiting a game to one console makes it better either. Your loss man. Even my diehard PS4 friends are super impressed with it.

[Aceman18]

I've no idea if this is geared towards me or not, but i will not lose any sleep not buying Xbox just to play multiplat games.

Here's a question for you or anyone else questioning if none of my friends have an X1, X1S, or X1X and some of the games I buy happen to have multiplayer. Why would I buy another 500 console just to play resolution bump in graphics when I can play with my friends?

[Aceman18]

@doggy

What kind of nonsense you spewing? I have plenty of friends, but not all of my friends are gamers. The ones who do game all have PlayStation's so again it would be utterly useless to for me to spend 500 on a console for some resolution bump.

Also my friends list sits at 144.

[Ceaser9857361]

I too was excited for X then i realized my OG Xbox one is now a paper weight and no exclusives to play.. I got the Xbox one for Gears 4 and QB and that's it.. Was interested in Scalebound and thats gone... Nothing new on Xbox that attracts my interest... I am interested to know what Playground is doing, I hear they are working on an open world new ip..

[ZehnDrachen]

They had me at Scalebound but that was cancelled.

[maybelovehate]

I play a lot of games and they don't get much better than Ori or Forza Horizons. Cuphead was also great. Bias is a funny thing, makes you miss out on some very awesome things.

[NXFather]

MY STOCK 4.0 GHZ FX 8350 AND GTX 980 HAVE JUST ENOUGH POWER TO BANISH THE X. AND IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH, THEN I HAVE A MASSIVE 1000+ GAMES ON PSN TO DROP ONTO YOU. AND IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH, I SHALL DROP HORIZON ZERO DAWN AND THE FROZEN WILDS ONTO YOU.

[lolosgolos]

Buying it because of their exclusives lasting appeal. Sony exclusives are mostly one playthrough consisting of climbing or button mashing and you done

[joab777]

It depends. If you own an X1 and all your friends play there, you live Forza, Gears and Halo etc., and maybe you just got a 4k TV or are getting one at Xmas (as I’m sure they will be insanely cheap), then by all means grab one.

But if I had to recommend something, I would recommend the PS4 simply because it has an insane advantage with exclusive games, especially in 2018. Also, if you have a PC, there’s no reason to get one as you can play everything on Windows. You can buy a cheap box to stream to your TV if that’s what you want. Also, I’d recommend Switch before X1X simply because of its games and niche.

It depends who you are and you’re situation.

[sprinterboy]

It's how I feel also, plus I haven't got a 4k TV yet, I'm gonna wait another 2yrs tbh before I buy my top end tv, plus there will be better oled, qled etc with better specs out by then just before the real nxt gen 4k consoles come out ps5 etc

[conanlifts]

Reading your comments and I can understand your reasoning. For me it was a no brainer as I have my online community on the xbox this gen and do most of my gaming on xbox. But if my friends had PS4 consoles instead I would not have purchased it. State of Decay 2 does appeal to me though as I like the survival sim gameplay a lot. One thing that I do wonder is how much money they spent hiring Terry Crews for a game that they then delayed. Surely they could have spent that on staff to create more games. Imagine if he was paid a million $ or even more, how many staff members could they have employed for that to start work on a new game. That was a huge error.

[Summons75]

I'm not because it's overpriced, next-generation consoles are right around the corner within the next couple years, there was no major exclusive to say "Hey, here is why you should buy me", and all the comparisons haven't been that different from the One S to justify the $500.

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

Really? They are "right around the corner"? Please enlighten us oh wise one, what else does the future hold? And As someone who owns both an Xbox one S and and Xbox one X, I can tell you the differences are major, and jaw dropping. It's worth every penny.

[Summons75]

Next gen are going to be 2019/2020, you can be in denial about that all you want but they are certainly in development. Graphically there isn't "major" differences, marginal differences and certainly a more stable framerate but look at any comparison video...there is hardly a difference. $500 is hilariously overpriced.

[starrman1985]

Summons75 - The difference between 900p and 4k are enormous, are you watching all the videos on an old TV or Monitor? Best bet is load up some 900p images and 4k images where you can zoom in and see all the detail.

[starrman1985]

Should probably mention that Summon75 seems to think the Xbox One S does 4K too as it came out around the same time as the Pro. Which would explain his confusion, I've explained that the One S wasn't a 4k machine like the pro, doesn't explain how he can't see the difference between 900p and 4k though!

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

@summons "hilariously overpriced"? Wow, so you obviously think the ps4 pro is hilariously overpriced yeah? I mean it does half what the X does, and doesn't even come with a 4k Blu-ray player, which if you bought a standalone unit, would cost at LEAST 100 on its own. As someone who actually owns the consoles in question, I can tell you the differences ARE MAJOR, but obviously, someone who owns neither like yourself knows better right? I suppose you know better than DF, when they say the X "is leagues ahead" in the case of wolfenstein 2 for example? And you deduced all this from viewing 4k comparison videos in 1080p (at the most) on your phone? Yeah, you know whether it's an upgrade /s lol

[Krysis]

LMAO yeah comparisons haven't been that different from your phone screen, don't comment on what you don't know. I have one and the differences are staggering.

[Phill-Spencer]

Staggering [ : - }

[Krysis]

@weirdo yeah staggering, I'm playing oblivion right now along with gears 4. The differences are more like Holy Shit, instead of yeah that's a little better.

[Ricegum]

You just spent 450 on it Krysis. You need to justify paying that much so even if the graphics are only slightly better, to you they'd always be staggering.

[Phill-Spencer]

Krysis

Okay, the differences are more like holy sh!t ■[ :●D

[starrman1985]

It definitely isn't overpriced, they've even said that you'd struggle to build a like for like PC for that kind of money, MS are selling it at a loss. Strip out the Uhd drive and it should be a similar price to the Ps4 Pro (which I think is great value for money) except it's about 50% faster!

[alb1899]

All what you wrote is a lie and speculation.
Lie: saying that the comparisons didn't show so much differences between the S and the X Is just amazing. But I will give you de benefit of the doubt because maybe you are watching all this digital Foundry videos from an iPhone 4......maybe, because if you are watching does videos from a 4k HDR screen and you don't see enough differences you are in denial......but maybe you need glasses and you don't know yet.
Take in consideration that all this enhanced games are for free and does games were made for a week console in mind.
No one can say with precision when will next generation start but with this upgrades that all brands did I don't see it coming in 2019 or 2020 but it is all speculation, we don't know.

[Imalwaysright]

Overpriced? For what it offers is great value for money but you have to be a pc gamer to realize this.

[PFFT]

The X to me is at a reasonable price point for what the system can do. And its already showing us that its a more capable machine than the Pro. Try building a PC with the same X capabilities and you will go beyond the 900 price tag.

[Codedan]

The console is far from overpriced. You spend $400-500 for a graphics card right now for the performace that this puts out. If you don’t like the game then that one thing, but calling the hardware “overpriced” is obscene.

[sk8ofmnd]

Exactly... Id buy an xb1x if it ran ALL games in native 4k at 60 fps for 499 with a quickness. If they went with a more modern cpu/gpu it could have done those things effortlessly.

The other thing to take into account, the ps5 could very well be announced anywhere prior to fall 2018 and launch in fall 2019 and spank the "beast" in almost every imaginable way all for the asking price of 399... Which if ms do 50$ pricedrops each year the 2 boxes will be comparable pricewise unless by fall 2019 ms make the "beast" 349 to combat the beast slayer (ps5). 😎

[DLConspiracy]

Why on earth do you want another gen? I think moving forward all games should play on all of the systems. That's wayyy more consumer friendly than a NEW console with completely different games we can't back compat with. These mid gens on both systems are proof that we are probably a further ways off than a couple years. I think it would be crazy risky for either company to just completely negate all the titles that are already getting upgrades. Just update your hardware. Play all your games period. Is how it should be. Just like PC does. Why do we need NEW consoles that we need to REBUY everything? I have a feeling moving forward it's just upgrades from here on out. Which IMO is fine. As long as I can bring my library with me. We don't need no NEW system. Plus the tech doesnt really scream NEW GEN yet. Not until 8k starts making a stance and we are far from that.

[conanlifts]

"all the comparisons haven't been that different from the One S to justify the $500". I think they are vastly different. But when I view comparison s on sites like IGN etc they are often compressed and look much worse than in person. They also lack HDR and are generally streamed in 1080p. In 4k with HDR they are immensely different.

As for next gen, I agree 2019/2020 for PS5. For me this is the reason I am not buying a ps4 pro at the moment as I am hoping Sony allow B/C for PS4 games. If this is not the case I will need to buy the Pro to play TLOU 2 and God of War. I have played most of the previous exclusives up to uncharted 4 though.

[Elda]

No interest because it has no new compelling exclusives what so ever.I've been enjoying The Frozen Wilds,KH-2.8 including multi-plats on my Pro this entire weekend.

[PFFT]

Grats. I bought Frozen Wilds. Not impressed to be honest. The area is too damn small. I do like the new machines though they looks freaking awesome! Especially the Fireclaws.

[bigmalky]

It ain't going to be huge for £15 though. It's a small expansion that's worth the money.

EA would have charged £40 and added MT's to level up Aloy.

[timotim]

Too late, I already bought it and love it.

[Lexreborn2]

I don’t think anyone needs to give anyone else a reason not to buy something. Talk about the pros and cons and leave it to the consumer to buy if they want to or not.

I’m not buying the X because I am content in what I have. I beat everything I wanted to play on Xbone and the things I haven’t played are cross buy on PC. My PC runs those games better then the base Xbone allowing me to play them in 900-1440p depending on how I want the performance.

My PRO let’s me play games from 1440p to 4K. I can play everything both consoles have to offer at their best or close enough to them.

But this is all because I figured out what works for me. And that’s what gamers have to do figure out what works for them.

[BIGBOSS08]

If you already play on xbox than an upgrade might be worth it but yeah, if you didn't care for xbox before than theres no reason to buy an xbox one x. It's mostly going to sell to people upgrading from og xbox one and one s.

[RookieMonsterLives]

I am getting one next week. Many of my friends on PS4 and no Xbox are getting one too.

[Xerneas]

You know MS did something right when non Xbox owners are getting an Xbox One X. True 4K console gaming beast is all the rage right now.

[marquisray]

so i just bought a switch im not impressed, i had to have one from the review's, it's okay, but to be the one you have to get, i dont think so. console 300 extra controller, 75, because the little ones that come with it the buttin layout sucks case screen protector 30, and two games 120, so i spent over 500, my thoughts i should have gotten it used. ps 4 pro 300, ps vr 300 600, and thats wasn't including a good game almost 700. okay deal bit not the best for me, my xbox x 550 after taxes, wow i have been playing my favorite gamesbincluding old ones, and i dont have to buy them again like, i like the concept why buy a old remake game if i own it already sony, final fantasy, and calosoul, i own them why make me rebuy them. so in my opion the xbox so far was the best investment.

[G20WLY]

Nice maffs lmao

[XStation4pio_Pro]

Agreed. I’m loving my One X. My switch collects dust more often than not and as of now after playing on my one x, it’s clear my PS4 pro will ONLY be used for the occasional PS4 exclusive. Literally the only reason I’m keeping it.

The one X just runs everything else waaay better. Too much so to even consider buying on the pro from here on unless it’s only available on ps4... which at least for me isn’t very often. This year i played a whopping 2 PS4 exclusives out of the 12 or so games purchased. They were Uncharted 4 and horizon Zero Dawn. Both great, but both finished. I tried gt Sport for s few days but the near absence of career mode, gt mode and too many repeating tracks reminded me that I had F7 also and it’s just simply better all around.

Now I’m playing AC unity, F7, still GTA V and COD WWII and those games run and look better on my X (well f7 isn’t on ps4). And Red Dead 2, Anthem and a few more games are coming that im looking forward to (more than gow4 sorry) and will also run better on X so I feel absolutely no regrets with my One X purchase. I mean - it’s getting into pc quality. And considering I don’t pretend to only play PS4 exclusives I want maximum performance across the board because the reality is, most games aren’t exclusives and there’s a reason for that. They sell more and reach more people. That can only be s good thing for product support and viability.

[Rude-ro]

3 consoles this gen, not one new AAA 1st party game... that is why this console should not be supported.
Now, any hint in consumer interest, and Sony would have to counter.
Like Microsoft said for three years, it’s about the games not graphics.... well, make one!!!

[PFFT]

What people do or dont do with their money is their own business. I hate all these articles that try to tell you what to do. I bought an X and i couldnt be happier with it. Its a beast of a machine!

[XStation4pio_Pro]

Lol. Every article on this site lately is about the X. There will be a flood of stories about it killing the pro in just about every single multiplatform game and how good it runs f7, gears 4 etc to boot.

Then there’s a big flood of stories about why you shouldn’t get one or it’s too powerful, or it’s not enough difference or there’s no games (if you can get thru 150 one x enhanced games before the next exclusive is announced your a boss). These latter ones almost feels like pure propaganda from the PS4 elitists, while the rest are just simply about enjoying some great new hardware. The one X is generating positive press DESPITE fanboys telling you and pleading with you not to buy it. What is this, nazi Germany? “Don’t buy it! There’s no exclusives... ok. That’s not true but also who cares about some games No one knows about yet anyway.

Here’s the deal. If you’re like me and have a 4k tv with hdr, the One X will be the best looking, best performing machine you run on it. Period. I know there are a lot you because you all are STILL talking about Driveclubs graphics and how much better they were. Well. The X is that for the rest of your games. I have all 3 major systems. I know what I’m talking about on this.

[kenna999]

So all x owners are going to want to play all 150 enhanced game's? No there not are they so no you don't know what your talking about

[King_Lothric]

Why I wouldn't buy

It is just a mere %42 percent power advantage over the PS4 Pro. It is not going to be very noticeable unless you are a Digital Foundry kind of tech guy.

If the %50 PS4 advantage over the Xbox one was "nothing" according to the Xbox community, then why Xbox x1 %42 advantage over the PS4 Pro should be "something"?

Is too expensive. 4K is not the norm right now. Next generation console will be better prepared for this.

Xbox quality exclusives library is very lacking. In fact, they don't have exclusives, all their games are available on PC or elsewhere.

More cheaper consoles have a real and good quality library of exclusives games as Playstation and Switch.

Developers and publishers are going to focus their support where the money (installed base) is. And that's on Playstation and Switch is surprisingly rising too.

[II__BONE__II]

Why I will never buy an XB1X
1. A mid gen console at $500??? Nope
2. Very few exclusives.
3. All exclusives can be played on PC.
4. By the time they do get this console rolling this generation will be over and Sony will be announcing the PS5.
5. I do not trust Microsoft in anything they say or do.

To all you Xbox 1 owners you watch how fast M$ abandons that console to force you to buy an xb1x. They will release some 3rd party games on XB1 but you wait and see, all their new IP's will be for the XB1X only with lame ass excuses from M$ that they are unable to put it on XB1. Also watch how fast the console updates slowdown on XB1 and speed up on the XB1X. if you own an XB1 and have no plans on upgrading you are going to get screwed my M$, they want nothing to do with the XB1 anymore.

[ZehnDrachen]

I would buy an Xbox One S but the system has no freaking exclusive games that are worth a damn. Halo/Gears/Forza, and some indies that actually score/review better than the tentpole titles. Where are the Blue Dragons? The Lost Odyssey's? The Fable? or hell, the NEW IP? Oh.. we have to wait till E3...

[maybelovehate]

Ori is way better than Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey and even Fable.

[cyber_daemonx]

The only people interested in this thing are the fanatx salty at 900p graphics for the past 4 years. At least they got one thing they can brag about now looool.

[maybelovehate]

These are really the only three that makes sense to me
1. poor eyesight
2. don't have money for 4k and Xbox One X
3. have a high end PC

[qu1ckset]

I have a 4K LG OLED with a PS4 Pro and Xbox One till I grabbed the Xbox One X on launch day, my OG Xbox collected dust as it looked bad in comparison to my PS4 Pro but the X is a huge upgrade over Xbox One..

Halo 5 and Gears 4 look amazing, I’m prolly going to use my PS4 for exclusives and mp games since more of friends own ps.

I’m happy with both consoles but if more of my friends were on Xbox I’d gladly sell my ps4

[Enjoigamin]

Both is they way to go for sure. Loving both so much.

[qu1ckset]

Ya man forsure, if you have a 4K tv , you need the 4K consoles!

[Enjoigamin]

Love my X and love my pro....you can't bring me down...just a bunch of corporate fanboys up in here. Get the best exclusives on both systems and the best multiplatform games.....dont see what so hard to understand...fanboys will be fanboys.

[patterson]

For me, Ps4 Pro and PC covers most everything. Next console I buy will be a Switch. Black Friday coming up soon!