Xbox Series S: There is only one winner

Eurogamer has put together an article that squashes those that claim the Xbox Series S is not a next gen console. What say you fellow SW friends? For those of you that have a Series S, are you happy with your next gen console?

Xbox Series S vs PlayStation 4 Pro - the four teraflop face-off

Comparable GPU power but a generation apart - and there's only one winner.

https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2023-xbox-series-s-vs-playstation-4-pro-the-four-teraflop-face-off

In conclusion:

And that's for good reason. Netbook-class CPUs and slow mechanical storage have hamstrung last-generation consoles and fundamentally limit the capabilities of cross-gen games. Series S has the CPU and SSD grunt to hang with the premium current-gen consoles - systems like the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X do not. The graphics hardware between the Series S and last-gen machines isn't a world apart, but fixating on raw graphics compute is a mistake, it's just one aspect of a console design, and arguably the most scalable one. There's no doubt that developers may be challenged by its limitations, but cross-gen comparisons plus UE5 deployments like The Matrix Awakens and Fortnite prove that the machine is capable enough as we move away from this prolonged cross-gen transition period into the next era for gaming.

I got one over the holidays for $200. It’s a cute little machine that performs well for less intense games. But I can’t imagine this being my primary machine. This thing is good for casual games and also portability. Very easy to bring along with to friends. Also, much more worth it if you’re already a GamePass member.

The graphics hardware between the Series S and last-gen machines isn't a world apart..

Guess I'll pass on that then.

yeah me to. I got it for fable if it ever comes out.

I just hope starfield runs at a locked 30fps. I imagine it will be 720p though.

its a good console if you have a smaller tv.

another reason teraflops don't mean anything.

I actually like the XSS for a number of reasons such as being able to play older games on it and most of all, Rare Replay as it happens to be my one and only fav Xbox One exclusive to date. I don't really use it that much but my daughter plays on it more so.

XSS being next-gen is debatable so take it for what the gamers will.

It's my gaming system. I had the XBOX One S so it is a definite upgrade from that.

I don't know, maybe I'll upgrade every couple of years if they release a better digital model. I don't really need fancy bells and whistles for my video games though. I'm good with Gameboy graphics. XD

I have both an X and S, the X is my primary and I use the S when I need to get out of my man-cave. I'm pretty impressed by what the S can do.

I think the S is a great little console... perfect Game Pass machine, especially for those that don't care about 4k etc.

The S turned out to be a good move for MS despite my objections to their decision. I guess the success of the Switch was the driving factor.🤷‍♂️ For the price and performance, it is unmatched. I anticipate Nintendo next system would be equal or weaker than the Series S.

There are no winners with Series S, only losers.

🤣

If the Switch is next gen, I don't see why this console wouldn't also be. $200 is the right price for it.

The simple take arrived.😂

I really think this is pointless comparison, i watched it and would recommend to people not to waste their time watching it, its like comparing Nvidia’s gtx 460 and 2080

the Series S was really a genius move.. once it's officially $199, that will be in impulse buy territory for most folks once Xbox 1st party finally gets their shit together..

the fact remains that the mass market casuals don't care about teraflops and Digital Foundry comparisons.. they care about ease of access for the latest updates to Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Madden along with maybe checking out the latest hot flavor like Elden Ring or High on Life..

this ideal has been proven by the Switch and the selling point of mobility.. the downside is that the Switch simply isn't powerful enough to even run most of the latest games.. the Series S doesn't have that issue and is available for a mass market pricepoint..

@SolidGame_basic: HA ha ha!!!

You expect us to believe you have an XSX and XSS, when you constantly both bash Xbox and talk about Sony's superiority???

Bro, you should just delete your account because any shred of credibility you had just went bye-bye.

Series S LOL

I think the Xbox Series S is a pretty cool system and clever move by Microsoft for making a cheaper system that can play current gen games. Probably would have gotten one myself however I have a huge collection of physical games so the Xbox Series X best suits my needs.

At this point, why wouldn’t someone consider it a “current gen” console? Next gen is PS6 and Xbox 5 or whatever. The XSS seems to run every current gen game competently. I had one for a while but sold it when I wanted some quick cash to buy something else I wanted this past summer. I would definitely recommend it, especially as a “GamePass Box.” I would consider getting one again in the future, but Steam Deck has taken the reigns as my primary gaming system.

I use mine to mainly play PS2 and Dreamcast games on it.

It’s the perfect system for retro if you don’t have a steam deck

I'd have bought one if it included a BR drive, so I'll stick with my One X for the time being.

@kvallyx: What does that gif even mean?😂

@neogeo2k2: " I use mine to mainly play PS2 and Dreamcast games on it"

Really?

These last gen machines trying hard to stay relevant. Imagine using last gen Series S, I can't!

@BassMan: Your wallet is a Winner. 😉

@randy_lahey: So Salty 😆

Gpu is literally the only weak point. It's a surprisingly well built quality console. Outside of Nintendo consoles, you don't really get this kind of build quality.

It's surprisingly capable too. For those unwilling to over spend on the other consoles right now, it's a great stop gap until the prices of the other consoles come down.

People don't get that spending £500 on a console isn't for everyone. Especially this gen where there hasn't been a lot of current gen only content to justify it.

It is a smart move by MS.

Not really sure but I am using it as a universal gif because it is hilarious 😂

Well Eurogamer/Digital Foundry just praised it. But I suspect they don’t count this week for reasons 🤷‍♂️

It's a good system paired with a 1080p monitor pointless connecting it to a 4k TV.

I can't believe this thing hasn't been discontinued yet

It is foolish to think that they would discontinue a newly release console.

My brothers own a Series S, find a lot of utility with it, cute little machine!

Xbox little machine? Haven't tried it, i just bought a Cbox Series X recently so there's no way im buying Series S anytime soon, Okay i need food, maybe at one point at Christmas i can but it as present for myself.

Yeah, lol. What they say is usually the be all and end all here. Well, they just said the Series S is pretty good. We either except what they say or not.

... But it's selling. :-S

It’s actually pretty good for certain gamers. For example, kids. I see this being a big hit for kids because you can get it cheap and use GamePass. I’m talking about younger kids, not adolescents. Or just casual gamers who are ok with gaming in 1080p. Or someone who wants it as a secondary machine in another room. Or someone who is on a budget.

Yup, the fact that the 1650 GTX is the most popular graphics card, with the follow ups being RTX 2060 and GTX 1080 means the should ensure the console will last a while as well.

The fact of the matter is, we have hit the point where the diminishing returns are quite high. We don't have a company like Origin Systems who constantly push new hardware anymore. And most gamers are fine with graphics they have been since gen 8. Even Gen 7.

Hell, I even know someone who "down"graded from a 3070 to a 1080. Simply because it consumed a lot less power.

@xhawk27: salty over what? A $200 Xbox? I’d rather light my money on fire

I already have series X. But I'm seriously tempted to pick up a series S to put in the bedroom. I already have gamepass so that's cool. But I really want it just to play retro games. you can run the Series S in Dev mode and run Retro arch on it.

For $250 it's probably the most powerful cost effective way to run emulators for PS2/Gamecube games for example.

Funny that Series S can play PS2 games easily but PS5 can't lol

Why would it be?

The only benefits connecting it to a 4k tv would be hdr and better picture quality(because of higher contrast).

I have a Series X but I think I would have been perfectly happy (so far based on what's been released on Game Pass this gen) if I'd had a Series S.

Xbox Series S is my little travel buddy. I keep it in my car, it goes wherever I drive. I bought the xScreen for it, and wherever I happen to be at, I can unpack it, plug it into power and play full-fat Xbox Series games. I've played it on buses and planes, in hotel rooms, at pinball tournaments when waiting for my turn, and more.

Meanwhile, my Xbox Series X stays at home, where I can play it on my 4K OLED TV and Dolby Atmos home theater system. I bought a 2TB Storage Expansion Card where most of my games are stored. When I leave for somewhere I know I will probably play my Series S, I simply take the storage card, so I have all my games on the go. If I forget to bring the card, well there are enough games stored directly on the Series S to tide me over. Cloud saves means my game progress follows me around, so I don't have to worry about that.

The only problem with using Series S this way is that it doesn't remember the time or wi-fi networks when it isn't plugged in. Every place I use it, I have to spend 5 minutes setting up the wi-fi and installing the latest system updates before I can play, which can take some time if the wi-fi is slow or unreliable.

Bottom line: Series S delivers the full-fat Xbox Series experience in a sweet little package. I have every bit as much fun playing it as I do playing my Series X.

Series S also has some native as well as upscaled 4K games. So a 4K TV can also benefit.

It is absolutely crazy what the Series S can do. And because of how small (and portable) it is, it is really handy for taking with on trips too. That is what my brothers did when we went home to our parents for the holidays.

Sounds like pretty good hardware for a good price.

But as a PC owner who dislikes MS's gaming division, I have no interest in it.