Feature: Five Years On, Xbox Series S Is Still A Fantastic Place For Current-Gen Gaming
By Does anyone else recollect ‘Project Lockhart‘? Recalling our thoughts to early 2020, roughly six months prior to the launch of Xbox Series X, Lockhart was this enigmatic entry-level console that had yet to be officially disclosed. It captured headlines for months, before Microsoft formally presented it in September of that same year after an early leak. Naturally, the device as we currently recognize it is Xbox Series S, and what an impressive device it has been over the past five years.
Indeed, Xbox Series X|S marks its five-year milestone today – and while it’s been a tumultuous journey for Microsoft’s Xbox hardware this generation, the engineering skill involved in crafting these machines is undeniable. As of now, Series X and S are exceptionally remarkable pieces of equipment that provide current-gen gaming at a high specification, and considering their launch price and physical size, Xbox Series S must be celebrated.
Throughout the years, Xbox Series S has faced skepticism, yet it has persevered through all the debates and continues to thrive, even half a decade later. As we recently discussed in another feature, the value proposition this console has offered over the years is simply undeniable, particularly in a market where the cost of gaming technology (including Xbox consoles, for that matter) keeps escalating. Explore the second-hand market and you will find these devices are incredibly affordable – you simply can’t experience current-gen gaming at this price anywhere else.
Is the console flawless? No, certainly not. The absence of a disc drive option poses a concern for many, and the prices of brand-new units have risen recently, due to several Microsoft price increases. Moreover, there are the frequently discussed Xbox Series S ports, which we acknowledge aren’t always ideal. Certain games perform excellently on this system while others do experience notable issues in comparison to its superior counterpart; the Xbox Series X. Nevertheless, taking everything into account, we believe Xbox Series S often surpasses its theoretical specifications in many cases – and overall, it remains an excellent platform for playing current (and previous) gen games.
Furthermore, we firmly believe the Xbox Series S has a bright future ahead. Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox doesn’t seem like it will be inexpensive, and Series S will ultimately serve as an entry point into Xbox console gaming for many years ahead. There’s also the issue of diminishing returns with technology these days – graphics aren’t significantly improving anymore, and with Switch 2 on the market and likely an extensive cross-gen era before us, Series S will remain relevant for several years to come. And rightly so.
It’s been a lengthy journey for both Xbox Series X and S, but we’ve truly appreciated utilizing both of these consoles throughout the years, and it’s hard to argue that Microsoft has manufactured some outstanding consoles here. Series X typically garners much of the acclaim, as it rightly deserves, but this is just a small celebration of Series S for a moment. The younger system, the little console that could, the digital-only entry point. It has earned its spot in Xbox history, and we suspect it will remain for a while longer.
How do you perceive these consoles, particularly Series S, five years on? Share your thoughts about the anniversary below.