Gaming & Consoles
Xbox Series X Review: The Best Value in Gaming If You Actually Use Game Pass
- Brand:
- Microsoft
- Ages:
- 13+ years
- Updated:
- 2026-07-12
The verdict
The strongest value pick specifically for households that will actually subscribe to Game Pass — the day-one access to new releases changes the math on console value more than any single hardware spec.
Pros
- Genuinely the most powerful console hardware in this generation on raw technical specs
- Xbox Game Pass subscription delivers exceptional value with day-one access to first-party releases
- Full backward compatibility with the vast majority of Xbox One and even some original Xbox games
- Smaller, more compact footprint than PlayStation 5, an easier fit in tighter entertainment centers
Cons
- First-party exclusive game lineup remains comparatively thinner than PlayStation's, by consistent critical consensus
- Standard controller lacks the adaptive trigger and advanced haptic feedback found on PS5's DualSense
This review is based on Microsoft's published Xbox Series X specifications and the consistent pattern across independent reviews: Game Pass value is repeatedly cited as the specific reason to choose Xbox over PlayStation, more than raw hardware power alone.
Game Pass genuinely changes the value calculation
Day-one access to Microsoft's own major releases through Game Pass, alongside a large rotating third-party library, means a subscribing household can play far more games for a fixed monthly cost than buying titles individually — a fundamentally different value proposition than Sony's more traditional per-game purchase model.
Who it's for
Best for households that will actually subscribe to and use Game Pass regularly — buyers primarily chasing exclusive single-player narrative games should weigh PlayStation's stronger first-party lineup instead.
Frequently asked
- Do I need Game Pass to use the console?
- No, you can buy games individually, but Game Pass is where most of the console's value proposition specifically comes from according to independent reviews — skipping it means missing the main reason many buyers choose Xbox.
- Is it backward compatible with older Xbox games?
- Yes — it supports the vast majority of Xbox One titles and even a selection of original Xbox and Xbox 360 games, meaningfully more backward compatibility than PlayStation offers.
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