With the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 now in the market, the next generation of video games is about to be ushered in with two great new gaming consoles. Microsoft has announced that they will be introducing the next installment of the Xbox video game family, codenamed "X" series. This time around it will be coming to the home marketplace, and a limited number of consoles will be produced. The release date for the new line of video game is still unknown. In this article, we will look at the value of owning an Xbox "X" series system, and how well it compares to the competition.
Xbox "X" systems have two distinct advantages over competing video games systems of the same design. First, Xbox's are backward compatible with all previous versions of Xbox, as well as being backwards compatible with the original Xbox motherboard. This means that old game discs can be used on the new system, making it possible to play games from older console releases, on the new system. In addition, no new hardware needs to be purchased, and gamers will have the ability to connect to online gaming communities and chat with other players from around the world. These features, while not entirely necessary for playing video games, definitely make the Xbox "X" series a better choice. Many avid gamers will consider this to be an important selling point of the system.
In contrast, Sony's "PS3" series does not have this advantage. The PS3 requires that gamers purchase an active PlayStation Network membership in order to be able to download games, and new games will have to be purchased through the PlayStation Network. This means that gamers must either purchase a new system or spend hundreds of dollars each month to have access to new games. The Xbox "X" series is only required to be used with an existing Xbox console, and gamers do not have to buy a new console in order to enjoy the benefits of the X-series.
The differences between the Xbox "X" series and the competing PlayStation 3. Unlike the PS3, the Xbox "X" series requires that gamers purchase a special gaming console in order to use its benefits. The special gaming console required to enjoy the benefits of the "X" series is called the" Kinect." While the Xbox system uses the PS3's infrared motion detection technology, the Kinect allows for "room-based" gaming where players have to remain inside of a relatively small area in order to play. Players are then able to control their characters with the motion of their own body.
While the Xbox "X" series is only available for selected video gaming stores in the United States, consumers in other countries are able to purchase the Kia models. These Korean models are readily available at many different retailers both online and offline. The pricing on these units is similar to that of other mid-level gaming consoles. While some analysts have speculated that the new Kinect design might limit the selection of the Kia models, there is no word on that front. In fact, a quick online search turns up hundreds of reviews on the new units and there is no evidence that the "Kinect" model has had any effect on the high number of sales of the older Kia models.
The general consensus is that gamers are not leaving the doors of the video game stores in North America because of the new Kinect design. In fact, many customers would rather stay and play one more game rather than purchase the new "Kinect" editions of the game. The newest version of Xbox "X" costs about one hundred dollars and is approximately four times as thick as the older models. It is a design that is somewhat in between bulky and slim. On the outside the unit is very similar to the old versions. In terms of portability, the one hundred dollar Xbox "X" can be easily carried around in the back pocket of a jeans pocket.
While there is no indication that consumers are making a note of the differences between the old versions and the new versions, there is a noticeable lack of accessories for both versions of the "Kinect" console. There is only one controller available with the new "X" series, and it is only compatible with the original Xbox console. While some have speculated that consumers may choose to purchase an adapter to use with the new unit, most retail sources are saying that the new units will work with the original as long as you have access to a Windows computer. Some consumer reports indicate that there are still holes to be filled in order to use the new Kinect system with the older versions of the console. It is not clear whether this will be an issue with the "Scorpio" version of the Xbox console or if the company will address the compatibility issues in the future.
The new Xbox "Scorpio" console is the first of its kind and unlike previous versions has no direct competition. The company's latest effort is being marketed as a high-end unit that offers up a full sixty hours of entertainment for one hundred and twenty dollars. While there is no confirmation on whether this unit will be able to compete with Sony's "PS3" and Nintendo's "Wii," it is important to note that this is one of the most powerful and feature-rich gaming consoles currently on the market. Whether it is capable of competing with the more expensive consoles is anyone's guess at this point.