Xbox | Official Site. The Xbox app brings together your friends, games, and accomplishments across Xbox One and Windows 1. Stay connected to the Xbox Live community, start party chats, launch into cross- device multiplayer, and stream Xbox One games to any Windows 1. PC in your home. Learn more >.
Microsoft Xbox One review - CNET With E3 2. Xbox One's second anniversary fast approaching, we're diving back in the home console pond to take the temperature of the current landscape of videogame consoles. Without a doubt, the Xbox One has gone through the more significant metamorphosis of the two big consoles since their release in November 2. Play. Station 4. Even before its launch, Microsoft had begun changing the messaging philosophy of the platform, going from a console that heavily relied on DRM to an unshackled experience where owners can trade in and play used games.
That was followed up by making the Kinect motion sensor no longer a required part of the system (the no- Kinect bundle is now the default entry- level model). Meanwhile, a lot has been fine- tuned under the Xbox One's hood - - particularly the firmware's functionality (not actual hardware tweaks), which, from a performance and ease- of- use standpoint, is still playing second to Sony's impressively smooth interface. A massive interface update dubbed the "New Xbox One Experience" was released in November 2. But more on that later.
Overall, Xbox One has had a great 2. In the short term, Xbox One makes a solid argument for ownership, but do 2.
To be clear, the two consoles are very closely matched. They offer a growing library of third- party games - - mainstays like the Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed and Madden series, as well as newer titles like Fallout 4 and Rainbow Six Siege are all available for both platforms. And both systems double as full- service entertainment systems, with built- in Blu- ray players and streaming services like Netflix, You. Tube and Hulu. In our opinion, the PS4 still maintains an edge, with slightly smoother gameplay and a much more straightforward interface.
But Xbox harbors a more mature media app ecosystem in the US and a decent list of exclusive titles. Xbox One will continue to have a solid 2. Editors' note, November 1.
This review has been updated to reflect the changes to the Xbox One platform including the November 1. New Xbox One Experience dashboard update.
This is a list of Xbox One games currently planned or released either at retail or via download. Exclusive = 38 Microsoft exclusive = 9 Console exclusive or timed = 74/31. Sarah Tew/CNET Xbox One pros. Here are the areas where the Xbox One excels -- and where it occasionally has an edge over. Featured Games. Discover the hottest new games, add-ons, and more to enjoy on your Xbox 360, Kinect, Windows PC, and Windows Phone. Check out our weekly bargains and.
The Xbox 360 was released as the successor of the original Xbox in November 2005, competing with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh. Experience the new generation of games and entertainment with Xbox. Play Xbox games and stream video on all your devices.
The console's overall score has improved from a 7. Xbox One bundles. Xbox One is sold in what feels like a constantly expanding bundle market. In fact, don't buy the console if it doesn't come with at least one game. At any given time the odds are there's a bundle that includes a game that's right for you.
News about popular games and communities, articles and interviews about what's happening on these boards and information about the official Xbox site. Microsoft announces the first wave of Xbox 360 games that will be playable on the Xbox One following this week's big 'Xbox One Experience' update. Xbox 360. Discover the hottest newly-released and upcoming games, browse the game catalog, find add-ons for your favorite games, and check out the coolest clothes and.
For the most part, the Kinect camera- microphone array has been eliminated from bundles, but you can still purchase the original tandem for around $4. Alternately, you can buy the Kinect module separately (usually with a game included) for $1. That said, we really can't recommend Kinect for much of anything. No matter when you decide to buy an Xbox One, odds are you'll find a compelling bundle or discounted special pricing. Sarah Tew/CNET. Major Xbox One exclusive games (available now or soon): - Halo 5- Forza Motorsport 6- Rise of the Tomb Raider (timed exclusive)- Halo: Master Chief Collection- Sunset Overdrive- Titanfall (also available on PC)- Rare Replay Major Xbox One exclusive games due in 2. Quantum Break- Scalebound- Gears of War 4- Crackdown 3- Re. Core. Sarah Tew/CNET.
Xbox One pros Here are the areas where the Xbox One excels - - and where it occasionally has an edge over the PS4: Media apps. The Xbox One has a slightly better lineup of streaming apps than any other current- generation console. It has roughly twice as many offerings as the PS4. Some notable wins here include Comedy Central, Fox and FX Now, MTV, Bravo Now, NBC, Starz, TED, USA Now, Verizon Fi. OS TV and Skype (Microsoft- owned) - - none of which are available on Play.
Since the launch of Xbox One, your input and feedback have helped shape the future of gaming at Xbox, including making Xbox One Backward Compatibility a reality.
Station 4 at the current time. Xbox One is also home to EA Access, a subscription early- access program that gives members a chance to play games a few days before they're released and provides access to a growing list of EA legacy games. Media playback Xbox One now has a media player app that will play nearly any file format you throw at it - - off a drive or anything discoverable on your home network, like another PC or NAS (network attached storage). The Xbox One media app also lets you customize the dashboard with a custom photo wallpaper. As of June 2. 01.
PS4 has a media player app too. Kinect advantages.
Kinect is an ambitious attempt to integrate voice control and motion gesturing with live TV, interface navigation and some gaming elements. That said, it's definitely taken a backseat in terms of priority. In fact, we don't think Microsoft even said the word "Kinect" at the company's E3 2. It's also no longer bundled with a new retail Xbox One.
But, if you're still intrigued by its potential, when it works, Kinect technology brings with it an "aha" moment straight out of a sci- fi movie. Kinect lets you change the channel, volume and other items using only your voice. Its problems, however, are documented later in this review. Other features of the Xbox One experience can be accessed or activated with hand gestures and voice commands.
You can say, "Xbox, record that," and the console will save the last chunk of gameplay to the hard drive. The list of voice- control triggers is lengthy. Of course, the Kinect is available only in the more expensive $4.
Xbox One bundle. However, if you buy the entry- level no- Kinect bundle and decide you want to upgrade, you can buy a standalone Kinect later for $1. AU$1. 70 (usually bundled with a game). Sarah Tew / CNET. The Xbox One controller. While it's not necessarily what I'd call a vast improvement over the Xbox 3. Xbox One's controller is a solid and mostly comfortable handheld.
Microsoft has totally revamped the problematic D- pad present on the Xbox 3. Battery life is impressive on the controller, though it takes two AAs as opposed to the Dual.
Shock 4's internal rechargeable battery. You can use your own rechargeables, or invest an extra $2. AU$3. 0 per controller in Microsoft's Play and Charge Kit.)Microsoft debuted two new controllers around the time of E3 2. Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller ($1. AU$1. 99) which allows players to customize their pad with interchangeable D- pad pieces, analog sticks and triggers. That controller is also available in a bundle with a 1.
TB solid- state hybrid drive for $5. Both controllers can also be connected to a Windows PC with a Micro- USB cable or wirelessly to a Windows 1. PC with a $2. 5 dongle. BYO USB 3. 0 storage. The PS4 has an easily accessible and replaceable hard drive, but the Xbox One's drive is not to be messed with. Instead, you can bring your own storage via an external hard drive over a USB 3. And because USB 3.
Xbox One's internal stock drive, odds are you may see a slight bump in performance, too. Just make sure your external drive is 2. GB or bigger. Cloud- synced game saves. Signing into any other Xbox One will give you access to all of your digital games and their respective game- saves.
PS4 owners need to have Play. Station Plus to upload cloud saves, while Xbox One owners can do it without Xbox Live Gold. For what it's worth, the cloud game- saving feature is definitely better on Xbox One.
Going from console to console is a much smoother experience. Sarah Tew/CNET. Gold no longer required for basically everything It took a while, but an Xbox Live Gold membership is no longer needed to access apps like Netflix and Skype. You still need it to play multiplayer games online, but the massive restrictions on other functionality have mostly been lifted.
Always- on has a bright side. While the Xbox One's always- on feature has been a point of some contention, jumping right into a game from live TV is nothing short of brilliant.
Xbox One will suspend your most recently played game while you watch TV or do other things and when you rejoin your game session it's resurrected with absolutely no loading time. Of course, if you don't use your Xbox One with live TV there's really no reason to keep the console on 2. Play. Station 4 added the majority of the functionality described here with a firmware update.
Exclusive games and content Microsoft has secured a number of high- profile exclusive deals for content with third- party games like Evolve and early beta access to a number of games including Tom Clancy's The Division. Xbox One also has a solid roster of exclusive franchises including the Forza, Halo, Fable, and now the Sunset Overdrive and Titanfall series. A more detailed list of exclusives can be found at the top of this review. Xbox Games with Gold. While it debuted with an underwhelming selection of free titles, Xbox's Games with Gold monthly giveaway lets Xbox Live Gold members download two Xbox One games for free. The caliber of these titles has started to improve, but still isn't as impressive as the entire Play. Station Plus package.