We don’t know the price of either the Xbox Series X or PS5 yet, but Microsoft’s console is already shaping up to be better value than Sony’s machine.
The Xbox Series X might be the most consumer-friendly console ever made. That may seem like a hyperbolic statement at first glance, especially if Microsoft announces a ludicrously high price in the coming days. But as it stands, all signs point to the Xbox Series X being a product that is seriously good value.
If you’re already part of the Xbox ecosystem, Microsoft is doing everything in its power to make sure you stay committed to team green. But there’s also some very compelling reasons that newcomers may not be aware of, which could sway their decision as to which console to buy. Let’s dive in.
Xbox One was rightly lambasted for its mediocre exclusives this generation, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t had any standout titles. Some games have grown over time into successful franchises, like Sea of Thieves, and Forza Horizon 4 is arguably one of the best driving games of this generation. But whether an exclusive does well or not is entirely subjective. What matters most is getting to play it and forming your own opinion (I personally enjoyed Crackdown 3, for example, which most people despised).
Thankfully, Microsoft gives Xbox Game Pass subscribers access to all its first-party titles as soon as they launch. That means instead of shelling out $60 for Halo Infinite, you’ll get Master Chief’s next outing as part of Xbox Game Pass on day one. You’ll also get every other first-party game that Microsoft releases, such as the inevitable Forza Horizon 5, Gears 6 and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.
If you own a PS5, however, you’ll have to stump up full price to play the latest game from Sony’s worldwide studios – and when not every title is top-tier (yes, even Sony makes some duds), Microsoft’s approach seems extremely generous in comparison.
One of the worst aspects of the PS4 and Xbox One generation was the swarms of remasters, remakes and re-releases that developers rushed out to make to cash in on the lack of backwards-compatibility. This is unlikely to change on PS5 and Xbox Series X, but I’m personally tired of paying for slightly better looking games I already own.
Clearly, Microsoft understands this sentiment, as its backwards-compatibility program has been a breath of fresh air for the industry, which often feels like its sole focus is to squeeze you of every dime you have.
Xbox Series X will not only support hundreds of Xbox 360 and original Xbox games at launch, then, but it will also improve them substantially.
