Tell me about video gaming these days (Specifically Xbox)

[Hotsauce]

So I have been out of the video gaming for a few years. My kids are starting to get to the age where they are interested in playing video games,  Currently I have a Xbox 360 and a few games. 

My questions are:

Whats the difference between a Xbox One S and X?

Will I need a 1TB HD or is 500gb ok?

Are most people downloading games vs buying discs?  Is that why HD seem to be a big deal?

What are must have accessories?

Right now Xbox S are half the price for the X. Why?  Should I pony up for the X?

when is the best time to buy one? ie Black Friday?

Are you aware of any Combo deals including multiple controllers?

 

And finally, anything else I need to know regarding the new Xbox?

Thanks in advance. 

[The Lobo]

Xbox one x is the one on steroids. BUT, you really only get the most out of it if you have a 4K tv. If you don’t, I wouldn’t bother. It does have more memory so that nice and the games look perfect.

go with the 1tb of memory too. I didn’t and used up all my space with like 6 games. I had to buy an external hard drive.

Honestly, the S would be just fine for your family. It is in 1TB memory and they have some great deals for it. Accessories wise, Xbox live gold and controllers are all you really need.

i go digital on all my games because you have to install games now a days. You can’t pop a disc in and play straight away. Sometimes it takes a LONG time. So, if a game is a month away from release, il but it digitally and once I do, in installs. That way at 12am release day, I can play and not wait. Just be warned if you go discs, tell your kids it takes some time to install (as will digital). The system may come with a disc so you will get the feel for it. Hope this helps.

[jasonluckydog]

Up up down down left right left right  B A start. 

 

That's all the info you will ever need. 

[Chimera]

The Xbox One S has a 4k Blu-ray player and can stream Netflix in 4k. Otherwise, games are in 1080p. Some can hit 60 fps.

The Xbox One X has a 4k Blu-ray player and can play games in 4k HDR. I'm not aware of any 4k HDR games that can hit 60 fps. I think 30 fps is about the max for now. That may change in the future, but that version is only a few months old.

Either HDD is fine so long as you realize you're going to eventually need to get an external. The Xbox operating systems takes up around 280 GB.

Some people buy disks. Some people download. Most people probably have some sort of combination. I've heard of some games being released with the standard case and art, but with no disk, just a download code.

The most critical accessories are a good headset and an external HDD. The Xbox has two virtual surround sound programs, so you don't need to worry about trying to find a headset with surround sound.

I've found late summer to be the best time to do console shopping. I mean, you can wait to see what Black Friday has, but there are usually better sales throughout the year.

If you have a 4k TV capable of HDR and don't mind the money, buy the X. I have two such TVs, but I think $500 is a little too much to spend on a console. If/when it drops below $300, I'll probably spring for the X.

If you don't have such a TV and don't plan on buying one, there's really no reason to buy the X. Some games may look a little better and they might load quicker, but that alone isn't worth the extra $2-300.

As far as deals, there's this one which is the X with two free games. There's also this other one which is the S with two free games.

I don't know of any with a free controller right now. They pop up from time to time, so just keep an eye out.

e: Actually that first link might include an extra controller. The description isn't clear.

  

[d-dave]

I agree that you only really need the Xbox One S.

As a fellow xbox gamer (in a few more weeks at least), please hang with your kids.  Make sure they aren't allowed to just put on a headset and chat away.

The xbox one is much more social based than the 360.  You have to watch out for who tries to talk to your kids, as well as what they say.  I've played some multiplayer with the typical screaming 12 year old, and it just hurts my soul that kids that young are already to hateful, even in something as silly as a game.

I've heard stories from my Dads of Destiny clan about times when folks would try to talk to their kids in game, some didn't realize kid was playing with the dad until he'd reported them to xbox and gave them a piece of their mind.

Gaming is just becoming much more social than is has been in the past.  Just be careful there.

Oh, I'd also invest in some good rechargeable batteries.  I have some that I just rotate out and recharge when I change.  Makes me feel slightly better instead of just chucking them in the trash.

[CRA]

I got my son an XBox S for Christmas.   

He is still pretty young so it only gets turned on when the weekend rolls around and he is pretty limited in what he is allowed to play.  Mainly Minecraft and Lego Marvel Superheros. 

I would have some real reservations about letting him when he gets older play some of the games I did in my late 20s and early 30s on PS3 online.   I agree about the social part of gaming and it isn't really good IMO.   Just not sure there is a point.  

But the XBox S seems like plenty.  I mean downloading games instead of buying comes into play I guess.  Unless you plan on downloading a crap load of games and staying away from disc then I don't see the point in the more expensive system

[Chimera]

6 hours ago, d-dave said:

I agree that you only really need the Xbox One S.

As a fellow xbox gamer (in a few more weeks at least), please hang with your kids.  Make sure they aren't allowed to just put on a headset and chat away.

The xbox one is much more social based than the 360.  You have to watch out for who tries to talk to your kids, as well as what they say.  I've played some multiplayer with the typical screaming 12 year old, and it just hurts my soul that kids that young are already to hateful, even in something as silly as a game.

I've heard stories from my Dads of Destiny clan about times when folks would try to talk to their kids in game, some didn't realize kid was playing with the dad until he'd reported them to xbox and gave them a piece of their mind.

Gaming is just becoming much more social than is has been in the past.  Just be careful there.

Oh, I'd also invest in some good rechargeable batteries.  I have some that I just rotate out and recharge when I change.  Makes me feel slightly better instead of just chucking them in the trash.

Yes, the social aspect is very true.

Also, with the whole Microsoft Play Anywhere thing, there are a ton of spam accounts advertising cam sites in private messaging. It was really bad a few months ago, but I still get one every once in a while.

[Arroz con Panther]

I'm honestly not trying to start a console war, this is just my opinion.

I had an Xbox One first. I was/am a die hard Xbox guy. Went Xbox, Xbox 360, to the One. I built a gaming PC in Dec. 2016. I just recently purchased a PS4 Slim last Amazon Prime Day. Right now, the PC is winning, followed by the PS4, and then the Xbox.

The Xbox is a great media tool. We use it every night to watch Netflix, Sling, HBO, you name it. I also think it has the best multiplayer. However, compared to the other two systems, the games are sort of lacking. If you're going to play Call of Duty, Battlefield, Rocket League, etc. go with an Xbox. Anything else, I would almost consider going with a PS4.

The PS4 exclusive games make it worth it. It was the main reason I purchased it last year. The original games on the PS4 are far better than what the XBox can offer. However, like I already said, there are specific games worth playing on the Xbox. I'm pretty sure you can get apps and things, but it's not as media-centric as the Xbox is.

The PC is my favorite right now, but that's because PUBG is my game right now. I know this probably isn't an option, so I won't try to sway you on it.

 

[Hotsauce]

$250 for this a good deal?

includes 2 controllers 

[Arroz con Panther]

2 hours ago, Hotsauce said:

$250 for this a good deal?

includes 2 controllers 

I assume this is used? An Xbox One 1TB w/ one controller is going for $209.99 at Gamestop. It's not a terrible deal since you're getting two controllers and some games, but those games are pretty whack...just so you know.

It looks like you have two Maddens. That's unnecessary and only one will be played. Gamestop buys last years games for like 25 cents.

It also looks like you have two baseball games. I think those are RBI games which are really bad. Microsoft has dropped the ball on MLB games.

Battlefront is three years old now and the second one came out, so I'm not sure there's any reason to play it. Also, I don't believe it has single player.

Gears of War and Halo are also sort of old now and didn't get the reception that they used to.

The kids might like Minecraft and Plants vs Zombies (if that's what the third game down is), but you probably won't.

I know nothing about Song of the Deep.

TLDR; the console and the two controllers is probably a good deal, but you could do better on the games.

 

[Hotsauce]

1 hour ago, Arroz con Panther said:

I assume this is used? An Xbox One 1TB w/ one controller is going for $209.99 at Gamestop. It's not a terrible deal since you're getting two controllers and some games, but those games are pretty whack...just so you know.

It looks like you have two Maddens. That's unnecessary and only one will be played. Gamestop buys last years games for like 25 cents.

It also looks like you have two baseball games. I think those are RBI games which are really bad. Microsoft has dropped the ball on MLB games.

Battlefront is three years old now and the second one came out, so I'm not sure there's any reason to play it. Also, I don't believe it has single player.

Gears of War and Halo are also sort of old now and didn't get the reception that they used to.

The kids might like Minecraft and Plants vs Zombies (if that's what the third game down is), but you probably won't.

I know nothing about Song of the Deep.

TLDR; the console and the two controllers is probably a good deal, but you could do better on the games.

 

I pulled the trigger. 

I’ll probably try to find the games I want either used or just buy them. 

I bought fortnite. I’ve heard good things so I am stoked to play

[Arroz con Panther]

18 minutes ago, Hotsauce said:

I pulled the trigger. 

I’ll probably try to find the games I want either used or just buy them. 

I bought fortnite. I’ve heard good things so I am stoked to play

Nice! A lot of people are loving Fortnite. I'm more of a PUBG guy.

If you get Xbox Live, you get free games every month, so definitely look into that. Sometimes the games are good, sometimes they're okay.

[SOJA]

Just got the expanded version of Dark Souls 3 on Xbox for 25 dollars. Never have played Dark Souls before, so far I've died a lot. 

[Hotsauce]

What are the best Xbox games going now?