Xbox & games category page Microsoft Download Center.
Xbox One S.
The ultimate game and 4K Ultra HD entertainment system.
Popular Xbox & games downloads.
Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 4.0.
The XNA Framework Redistributable download provides game developers with the XNA Framework run-time libraries they can include with their product for redistribution on the Windows platform.
Games for Windows Software Setup 3.5.
Games for Windows Software Setup 3.5 upgrades users to the newest version.
Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 4.0 Refresh.
The XNA Framework Redistributable download provides game developers with the XNA Framework run-time libraries they can include with their product for redistribution on the Windows platform.
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0.
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0 makes it easier than ever to create great video games for Windows-based PCs, Xbox 360 consoles, and Windows Phone.
Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 3.1.
The XNA Framework Redistributable download provides game developers with the XNA Framework run-time libraries they can include with their product for redistribution on Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 3.0.
The XNA Framework Redistributable download provides game developers with the XNA Framework run-time libraries they can include with their product for redistribution on Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Flight Simulator X SP2 English.
Flight Simulator X Service Pack 2.
Xbox Game Support Updates.
Xbox® game support enables your Xbox 360™ video game console to play an array of games from your original Xbox video game console. A list of games that are currently backward compatible is available here and we will continue to add support for additional games over time.
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0 Refresh.
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0 Refresh updates XNA Game Studio 4.0 to fix bugs and add support for developing games that target Windows Phone OS 7.1 and developing games in Visual Basic.
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.1.
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.1 makes it easier than ever to create great video games for Windows-based PCs, Xbox 360 consoles (with an active premium XNA Creators Club subscription), and Zune digital media players.
Xbox One online safety and privacy settings for parents and children.
Xbox One has age-appropriate controls and settings that you can adjust to suit your family’s needs. Access these settings from either Xbox.com or an Xbox One console—though you can only change content and app settings from the console.
From Xbox.com.
Change privacy and safety settings for you or a child.
Sign in to the adult's Microsoft account at Xbox.com.
If you’ve forgotten your account email address or password, see the Lost Account Solution or the Lost Password Solution.
Due to the secure nature of these settings, you may be asked to enter a security code that we’ll send to the alternate phone number or email address previously saved to your account.
Select the account you want to look at. Review the settings currently in place and update those you want to change. Save your changes on each tab before moving on to the next.
From your Xbox One console.
Change privacy and safety settings for you or a child.
Sign in to your Xbox. (If you’re changing the settings for a child, sign in using an adult’s account.) Scroll left on the Home screen to open the guide. Select Settings > All Settings.
For your account:
Under Privacy & online safety , select Xbox Live privacy . Choose a default, or customize your settings by selecting View details & customize.
For a child’s account:
Under Account , select Family . Enter your password or passkey, and then select the account you want to update. Select Privacy & online safety , and then choose the default settings, or customize by selecting View details & customize.
Manage app privacy settings.
When you download apps from Microsoft Store, each app requires permission to access data from your console.
On your Xbox One console, select Settings > Privacy & online safety > App privacy . Choose from the list what you’d like to give permission for by selecting the check boxes.
If you’re signed in with a child account, you’ll need your parent to sign in and give permission for apps to access your data.
Sign in with an adult’s account. Go to Settings > Family . Select the child account you’d like to manage, and go to Privacy & online safety > App privacy to give permission.
If multiple gamers are signed in, apps can only access data everyone has given permission for. When you give apps permission on a console, it’s only saved on that console. If you use multiple consoles, make sure you give your apps permission on all your consoles.
XBOX ONE X.
"For those looking for the very best"
XBOX ONE S.
The best value in games and entertainment.
Xbox One Features.
Not sure which console is right for you?
Jump Ahead with Xbox One.
4K entertainment.
Watch 4K Blu-ray™ movies and stream 4K video on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and more.
True 4K gaming.
With 40% more power than any other console, Xbox One X delivers amazing graphic fidelity, smooth game play and fast load times. Games just play better on Xbox One X.
Spatial Audio.
Bring your games and movies to life with immersive audio through Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Endless entertainment apps.
Enjoy your favorite apps like YouTube, Spotify, HBO NOW, ESPN and many more. 2.
The benefits of High Dynamic Range.
Experience richer, more luminous colors in games like Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3. With a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, High Dynamic Range technology brings out the true visual depth of your games.
The benefits of High Dynamic Range.
Experience richer, more luminous colors in games like Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3. With a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, High Dynamic Range technology brings out the true visual depth of your games.
The only console designed to play the best games of the past, present, and future.
Play over 1,300 great games including today’s blockbusters, 200 console exclusives, and 400 Xbox classics.
Xbox One has more ways to play.
Play hundreds of Xbox 360 games you own and love on Xbox One, including digital and disc-based titles. 3.
Now when you own an Xbox Play Anywhere digital title, it’s yours to play on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. 4.
Unlimited access to 100s of titles with Xbox Game Pass, plus save 20% on Xbox One game purchases and 10% on all related add-ons. 5.
Watch and play alongside your favorite broadcasters with Mixer, an interactive livestreaming platform available on Xbox One.
Complete Compatibility.
Your games.
This year’s blockbusters? Check. Xbox exclusives? Of course. Hundreds of Xbox 360 games? Yup. All your games work on Xbox One S and Xbox One X.
Your accessories.
The Xbox One accessories you’ve got now (or have got your eye on) work with Xbox One S and Xbox One X. 6.
Your community.
No Gamerscore left behind. Easily bring along your Xbox Live friends, clubs, game saves and achievements to your new console.
The world’s most advanced multiplayer network.
Find friends, rivals, and teammates in the best global gaming community.
Reliability.
Dedicated Xbox Live servers maximize performance by ensuring stability, speed, and reliability.
Possibility.
Compete, connect, and share across platforms with gamers on Xbox One and Windows 10.
…and free stuff.
Get 2-4 free games each month with Xbox Live Gold 7.
See what’s new in the Xbox dashboard.
We never stop thinking about how to make Xbox One even better, so we continually make improvements. Check out the latest updates.
Which one is yours?
1. Dolby Atmos for Headphones requires additional purchase from Microsoft Store.
2. Some apps require app provider-specific subscriptions and/or other requirements. See www.xbox.com/live.
3. Xbox One Backward Compatibility feature works with select Xbox 360 games, see www.xbox.com/backcompat. Xbox Live and broadband internet required for initial download of game to console.
4. PC hardware requirements may vary for games on Windows 10.
5. Game Pass monthly subscription required; continues until cancelled. Game selection varies over time. Learn more at www.xbox.com/game-pass.
6. Excludes the Xbox One S stand that works exclusively with the Xbox One S. Xbox Kinect Adapter (sold separately) required for Kinect on Xbox One S and Xbox One X.
7. For paid Gold members only. Active Gold membership required to play free games you’ve redeemed. Restrictions Apply.
Gaming & Culture / Gaming & Entertainment.
But mouse input "probably won't work," at least for now.
by Kyle Orland - May 12, 2017 2:58 pm UTC.
It's been nearly a year since Microsoft's Phil Spencer promised we were "not years away, it’s more like months away" from full support for mouse and keyboard controls on the Xbox One. At the Build Conference this week, Microsoft confirmed that full support for keyboards (but not mice) on the console will be available through UWP cross-platform development and the still-in-preview Xbox Live Creators Program.
"I've actually spoken to two developers in the last week that have actually expressed interest in implementing keyboard support on the console," Microsoft’s Senior Program Manager for Game Developers Andrew Parsons said in a technical presentation at the conference. "They've got games they've published on Windows and they want to publish on console, but the game kind of needs chat, or kind of needs the ability to type in a bunch of text."
"Yeah, you could put it on a chatpad on a controller, but it's not really the experience they are hoping for, and they feel it would probably diminish the experience on their game," he continued. "Having the ability to use a UWP game and put it on a console with direct keyboard support really excites them, so that's something to think about."
The Xbox One actually launched with limited keyboard support in some of its apps—we exploited that feature to test the box's potential as a work machine years ago. Parsons presentation, though, confirms that this support will be extended fully to app and game developers via the Xbox Live Creators Program in the near future.
Before you get excited about bringing your mouse-and-keyboard FPS skills straight over to your favorite Xbox shooters, note that Xbox Advanced Technologies Group's James Yarrow told developers that they can't rely on mouse input in their Xbox One apps and games, at least for the time being.
"Keyboard. that's absolutely supported, develop your interesting keyboard console apps, that's fantastic," he said. "But don't be reliant on mouse input because it probably won't work, and so if you need a mouse to get past your main menu, you probably won't be able to play your game."
Digital Trends followed up with Parsons after the presentation, who told them that "initially, most models of mice won’t be compatible. However, a handful of mice will be, and Microsoft hopes to add support for all mice over time."
Even then, though, developers will have to code support for the new control system into their games. That could be easy for games that are already being developed for Windows with UWP porting in mind, but it might be a bigger lift for more console-centric developers.
The debate continues.
The coming introduction of keyboard-and-mouse controls in some Xbox One games probably won't fully settle the long-standing debate about which control type is superior, especially in the highly competitive first-person shooter space. Back in 2013, Halo developer Jason Jones boldly suggested that "we made the game run without a mouse and keyboard, and now nobody plays shooters the way they used to play them before Halo 'cause nobody wants to."
More recently, Microsoft allowed controller-based Xbox One players to play competitively against keyboard-and-mouse-based PC players in Gears of War 4 as a public test. The results of that test found "closely matched performance between users on both platforms," leading Microsoft to permanently introduce competitive cross-platform play in the game's "Social Quickplay" mode.
Overwatch developer Jeff Kaplan recently spoke out against third-party input devices that convert keyboard/mouse inputs to signals that work with many traditional console games. But Kaplan also said that providing "open and easy support [for] mouse and keyboard for all players" would be an acceptable solution for the issue, suggesting the keyboard-and-mouse's finer level of control isn't the core of the issue.
Promoted Comments.
On the topic as a whole I welcome the idea of decent input devices on consoles. I hate playing FPSes on a gamepad but a lot of my friends play on consoles for various reasons. For some reason consoles have historically treated shooter players as special snowflakes who can't handle someone else having a better input device, while every other class of game gets specialized controllers which are definitely better than a gamepad.
Kyle Orland / Kyle is the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica, specializing in video game hardware and software. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He is based in the Washington, DC area.
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Microsoft's Xbox One X won't support virtual reality, reports WSJ (update)
PCs are better suited for VR than game consoles, Xbox's marketing chief tells the Wall Street Journal.
The Xbox One X won't support VR, a marketing executive says.
Update, June 13 at 1:44p.m. PT: Xbox boss Phil Spencer tells CNET that the Xbox One X will still support VR and that the company's commitment hasn't changed, which appears to refute the Wall Street Journal's report.
The Xbox One X, Microsoft's new gaming console, reportedly won't include support for virtual reality, one of today's hottest emerging technologies, despite the company's earlier implication it would.
The new console was revealed by Microsoft at its E3 2017 conference on Sunday. Formerly known as Project Scorpio, the Xbox One X promises better graphics for players, whether or not they have a 4K television. What it won't do is deliver virtual reality, which promises to transport goggle-wearing users to a computer-generated 3D environment, be it outer space or the Stone Age.
Microsoft's reasoning behind the decision is that VR is better suited for the PC than gaming consoles.
"The opportunity on PC is larger, because the install base is larger and we think the customer experience will be better on PC," Xbox marketing chief Mike Nichols told the Wall Street Journal on Monday.
The decision to skip VR support is surprising, considering that Microsoft left consumers with the impression a year ago that the new console would support virtual reality. Although the company didn't specify which VR headset would work with the new Xbox in June 2016, it did name-drop the VR version of Fallout 4 as a game that would specifically be coming to the device.
The new console is one of the most important product releases from the Xbox team in years. The Xbox One, while highly regarded by many, is estimated to have undersold the Sony PlayStation 4, its biggest competitor, nearly two to one.
In an interview with CNET prior to the Wall Street Journal's report, Microsoft CVP of Xbox and Windows gaming Mike Ybarra wouldn't answer direct, yes-or-no questions about whether the new Xbox would still support virtual reality.
A Microsoft spokesperson also wouldn't confirm or deny the WSJ report, providing the following statement instead:
Microsoft is committed to delivering great mixed reality gaming experiences. We believe that right now a Windows PC is the best platform for mixed reality as its open ecosystem and enormous installed base offer the best opportunity for developers, and Windows offers the most choices for consumers. Therefore, our primary focus is making our Windows Mixed Reality experiences a success. We have games from Microsoft Studios in development for Windows Mixed Reality, and several game developers are working closely with us to bring their titles to Windows Mixed Reality. We'll have more to share on specific games and content experiences coming to Windows Mixed Reality later this summer, after E3. Because of the opportunity with Windows Mixed Reality, and because we believe the user experience will be best on PC right now, that is where our focus is. We have nothing to share about MR for console at this time.
Batteries Not Included: The CNET team reminds us why tech is cool.
Microsoft Confirms Xbox One Will Get Keyboard and Mouse Support.
One of the big differentiators between gaming on a PC compared to a games console is the method of input. On PC, you will more than likely be using a keyboard and mouse, while on a games console it will be a game pad. And that difference has stayed pretty much the same since games consoles were first introduced. PCs have game pads, but keyboard and mouse is by far and away the most popular input method.
For the Xbox One, Microsoft is planning to embrace keyboard and mouse support. As Gameguru Mania reports, Mike Ybarra, corporate vice president of Xbox & Windows gaming platform at Microsoft, confirmed as much during a Q&A panel held at PAX West.
Mouse and Keyboard are still coming. pic.twitter.com/jbzcQvAsyS.
Ybarra rightly highlights "fairness" as a key concern. That's because players using a keyboard and mouse enjoy a clear advantage over those using a controller in specific types of game, most notably first-person shooters. Add in competitive multiplayer gaming and you can see how unfair that could be.
The solution Microsoft is most likely going to use to that problem is developer choice. A game can support keyboard and mouse input if the developers wants it there. If they do, then multiplayer will also require giving the player the choice of only playing against others using the same control method. That way no one player gets an advantage simply by using one input method over the other.
For now, support is still referred to as coming soon, but Ybarra says when it does appear it will be alongside games that are confirmed as including it as a control option. Hopefully that's going to happen before the end of the year, but it may slip into 2018 as Microsoft focuses on marketing the Xbox One X for the holiday season.
About the Author.
Matthew is PCMag's UK-based editor and news reporter. Prior to joining the team, he spent 14 years writing and editing content on our sister site Geek.com and has covered most areas of technology, but is especially passionate about games tech. Alongside PCMag, he's a freelance video game designer. Matthew holds a BSc degree in Computer Science from. See Full Bio.
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Microsoft to Bring Keyboard and Mouse Support to Xbox One.
Xbox One users may soon have a new way to interact with their console.
Speaking on Twitter, Xbox chief Phil Spencer revealed in a conversation with a fan that the engineers at Microsoft were working on mouse and keyboard compatibility for the current-gen console.
@lgriao @PNF4LYFE @Tak225Th Yep, keyboard and mouse support for Xbox would need to be there for this to work, those aren't far away.
The Xbox One has allowed for keyboard use in basic text inputs, but no use of a mouse has ever been implemented. It remains unclear what range of recognized mouse inputs will be integrated, or approximately when this functionality will become available. IGN has reached out to Microsoft for additional information.
Several changes to the Xbox One have forged a deeper connection between the console and Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system, including in-home streaming and the Xbox app.
Cassidee is a freelance writer and the co-host of a podcast about freelancing. You can chat with her about that and all other things geeky on Twitter .
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Xbox Customer Service.
XBOX Customer Service Phone Number.
0844 381 5185.
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Xbox One Support Number.
Xbox console is a video gaming product, and includes a series of streaming services, Apps and the most popular Xbox Live. At whatever time you call the xbox one support number – 0844 381 5185, you will be able to talk about any of the following:
How to get started Help with Xbox console setting Trouble shooting problems with the console How to use accessories – wireless controller, headsets How to navigate downloadable content How to play the earlier downloaded content How to fix any errors, play video games on Xbox console.
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Microsoft Xbox Support Number – 0844 381 5185.
There are various options for contacting the xbox 360 support department. You can make use of the telephone and the internet. Xbox website features all the options like listing of the most frequently asked questions, and their appropriate answers by the customer service executives. Xbox console is more popular because of the nature of the great services offered by them. Microsoft xbox support is dedicated to offer high quality customer services through an email contact and an instant messaging. This is a great way for customers to directly contact the Xbox customer care department, and it permits for the same type of conversation with a proficient executive. These executives are well qualified and experienced who populate the telephone lines, without any need to incur additional costs and time to contact the Xbox contact number UK.
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Xbox Live Customer Support – 0844 381 5185.
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Xbox 360 Support Number – 0844 381 5185.
Whenever you need to contact Xbox customer service department, you can easily speak with an expert executive by dialing the direct Xbox contact number – 0844 381 5185. As for other companies, whenever you call, you may have to spend more time about verifying your account details before getting to the original query. The concerned assistant may try to inquire a number of questions to validate your account. Obviously, this can lead to cause a lot of irritation and the assistant is not able to clearly verify what you are asking for. Thus we have provided a direct dial and easily accessible number in order to get the right person promptly.
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Microsoft Xbox One X.
Impressive performance for a console. Ultra HD Blu-ray. HDR and wide color gamut. Full Xbox One compatibility.
Expensive. Games need to be updated to take advantage of the extra power. 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates are inconsistent across games. No Dolby Vision.
The Xbox One X is the most powerful console yet, with 4K and HDR graphics for games that support it. It's still no replacement for a gaming PC, though.
Project Scorpio has finally reached its apotheosis as the Xbox One X. Microsoft calls this heavily upgraded version of the Xbox One the world's most powerful console, and discounting gaming PCs, this seems to be the case. It follows the same logic as the PS4 Pro over the PlayStation 4, presenting an improved, 4K-capable gaming experience for a premium price. The $499 system is almost twice as expensive as the Xbox One S, but it could be worth the investment if you have a 4K TV with HDR and want to get the most out of playing games on it.
Similar Products.
Sony PS4 Pro.
Microsoft Xbox One S.
Nintendo Switch.
Microsoft Xbox One.
Sony PlayStation 4 Slim.
Sony PlayStation 4 (PS4)
Nvidia Shield TV (2017)
Smallest Box Yet.
Microsoft's miniaturization technology for the Xbox One is nothing short of astounding. The original system was a massive slab with a large, heavy power brick. The One X is downright dainty, packing more processing power into a much smaller frame. It measures 2.4 by 9.8 by 11.5 inches (HWD), making it a bit slimmer than the Xbox One S.
While a variety of special edition designs can be expected, starting with the already presold-out Project Scorpio Edition, the standard Xbox One X is simply a matte black plastic block. Its profile is similar to the One S, with a thick, prominent rectangular slab placed on a slightly smaller slab, creating a lip over the base. The front and top are completely flat, while the sides are perforated. The optical drive has been moved from the top slab, which now bears only a light-up Xbox logo that doubles as a touch-sensitive power button, to the slightly recessed lower slab. It joins a USB port, an eject button, and a controller pairing button.
The back of the One X holds the same ports as the One S: HDMI in and out, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, an optical audio connector, a 3.5mm infrared blaster output, and a power connector. The power supply is completely internal, so you only need to run a power cable from the system to an outlet. The Microsoft Kinect that shipped with the original Xbox One is now completely defunct; you can hook one up with a USB adapter, but just like with the Xbox One S there's no dedicated port for it.
Gamepad and Voice.
The included wireless gamepad is standard Xbox One fare, identical to the version included with the One S. You can connect a wired headset to the gamepad through its 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom edge, though an accessory port next to it still enables the use of a headset adapter for on-controller volume and mic control.
While the Kinect has been discarded, you can use Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant with a headset (either connected to the headset or, if the headset itself is wireless and Xbox One-compatible, using the wireless transmitter attached to a USB port). Saying "Hey Cortana" into the headset mic will bring up a Cortana window and let you give various voice commands. Cortana can launch games, control media playback, browse Xbox menus, and give basic information like weather and sports scores. It's a handy feature, but it lags behind Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant in features, especially on the Xbox One platform.
Xbox One Cortana integration lacks support for third-party skills and smart home device control, which you can readily get on the Alexa-equipped Fire TV or Google Assistant-equipped Nvidia Shield TV media streamers. For more on Cortana, see our review of the Harman Kardon Invoke smart speaker.
The Xbox One X presents a major power upgrade over the Xbox One and Xbox One S , with a jump that markedly exceeds the PS4 Pro's processing improvement over the PlayStation 4. It uses an eight-core AMD CPU clocked at 2.35GHz, which is a 31 percent boost over the Xbox One's processor. That alone is impressive, but it's outdone by the system's new GPU, a 40-core graphics processor with a 1.172GHz clock speed. It's much more powerful than the GPUs in the Xbox One and One S, which are 12-core processors with respective 853 and 914MHz clock speeds. The One X also has twice the RAM as the other systems, which itself is about 50 percent faster than its predecessors' memory.
On paper, the One X is also more powerful than the PS4 Pro, with more cores (40 to 36), a faster clock speed (1,172Mhz to 911Mhz), more memory (12GB to 8GB), and greater memory bandwidth (326GBps to 218GBps). However, because they're very different hardware platforms we can't directly compare them using benchmarks, like we can with gaming PCs or mobile devices. Improved performance also varies from game to game, though among the enhanced titles we've tested on both systems, the Xbox One X seems to more consistently display natively rendered 4K graphics rather than upconverting from a higher-than-1080p resolution.
For comparison, the CyberPower Gamer Master Ultra, a $2,400 desktop PC, boasts an eight-core CPU with a 3.6GHz clock speed and 16GB of RAM (with a maximum of 64GB), and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPU with its own 8GB of video memory. The CyberPower can render the 3DMark Heaven and Valley tests in Ultra Quality with 4X antialiasing at 4K with respective frame rates of 33 and 42 (and 1080p framerates pushing well past 100). We've yet to test 3DMark on any Xbox One system (or PS4), but even the Xbox One X lacks the power to push anywhere near those numbers.
Left to right: Xbox One X, Xbox One S.
HDR and Media Playback.
The Xbox One X shares the same high-end media playback features as the One S, including Ultra HD Blu-ray support and high dynamic range (HDR) compatibility. You can watch 4K movies and shows either streamed through services like Amazon Video and Netflix (and Microsoft's own Movies & TV Store), or on physical Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. I watched Jessica Jones on Netflix and the BBC's Planet Earth II on Ultra HD Blu-ray on the Xbox One X, and both played back in crisp, vivid 4K HDR.
Currently, the Xbox One X supports the HDR10 standard, which covers the vast majority of HDR content available on Ultra HD Blu-ray discs and streaming services. Dolby Vision isn't supported on the system, so movies available on Vudu will appear in standard dynamic range, even if HDR versions are available. The PS4 Pro also supports HDR for games and video streaming, but can't play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.
What Games Need.
To take advantage of the One X's extra power, games need to be built or patched to use it just like with the PS4 Pro (though Sony later added a Boost Mode to give unspecified performance enhancements to most PS4 games). Several dozen Xbox One games have been confirmed to support the Xbox One X, including a solid handful at launch. Microsoft maintains a running list of Xbox One games optimized for the Xbox One X, noting whether each game simply has some form of performance or graphical enhancement or if it specifically can render at 4K or display HDR graphics. The list currently includes around 200 titles, of which a handful are currently available and patched for use with the Xbox One X, while the others are either in development or waiting on patches.
Besides Xbox One games, the Xbox One X can improve Xbox 360 and original Xbox graphics by rendering them at a higher resolution. Ninja Gaiden Black, a game first released on the original Xbox, displays at a much sharper resolution on the Xbox One X than the 720p max of the original. Textures are still low-resolution compared with modern games, but the 3D models' sharper, clear edges look significantly better.
Game Performance.
Gears of War 4 adds a second Video menu to the game with a single option called Rendering Performance. Setting it to Visuals prioritizes 4K rendering and enhanced graphical effects, while setting it to Performance prioritizes frame rate. We saw a similar choice offered in Rise of the Tomb Raider on the PS4 Pro, which is set to receive a patch to bring it up to One X standards.
Visuals Mode forces Gears of War 4 to render at an apparent 4K resolution on 4K TVs, with "supersampling" for 1080p TVs to improve aliasing. On the Sony XBR-65A1E, the game looks impressively crisp and clear in this mode. The opening screen shows extensive skin texture, highlighting the rough pores of the main character. Gameplay seemed to hover around a solid 30 frames per second, playing smoothly while keeping up the graphics quality.
Performance mode noticeably drops that graphical quality to 1080p rendering that's obviously being upscaled, with fewer effects and lower-resolution textures. This enables the game to run at a locked 60 frames per second, making the animation look much smoother.
Both modes are marked improvements over the game on the Xbox One and Xbox One S, but the choice highlights a problem for the self-proclaimed world's most powerful console: The choice is necessary. While 4K60 graphics might be possible in some games, and has been promised for Forza Motorsport 7, the Xbox One X doesn't have the power to give you everything you want in this realm. You need to choose whether you prefer the higher resolution or the higher frame rate. To be fair, either mode is impressive on a $500 console when compared with a similarly priced PC, and the PC hardware necessary to offer the best of both worlds will run several times as much.
Killer Instinct doesn't offer a choice of where the Xbox One X's additional power goes, and instead provides a higher-resolution experience than on the Xbox One and Xbox One S. The game appeared to render at 4K while maintaining the same performance as it does at 1080p. I couldn't determine whether this was natively rendered 4K or a lower resolution (like 1440p) upconverted to output at 4K, but it certainly looked sharper than standard HD.
Super Lucky's Tale is a visually very simple, cartoonish 3D platformer optimized for the Xbox One X with 4K support. It consistently rendered at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second as I played through a few levels, showing off what the hardware can do when it isn't dealing with overly realistic and complicated geography or lighting effects.
Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure is another kids' game optimized for the Xbox One X, with support for 4K resolution and HDR graphics. Like Super Lucky's Tale, it's also relatively simple compared with AAA games, but it indeed seems to render at 4K. HDR enables a wide color gamut with some very nice dynamic range, seen in the vivid colors of the Incredible level and the bright flare of the setting sun in the Ratatouille level.
World of Tanks has also been updated for the Xbox One X, with 4K resolution and HDR. It looks very sharp on the XBR-A1E, and the setting sun in one of the training missions showed an impressive range of contrast between the sun itself and the shadows cast by buildings. The frame rate also appeared very strong in most cases, though some camera pans during combat chugged below 30fps. This is another game that's graphically simple compared with high-end titles, and has been available on the Xbox One for a year and a half, so its ability to take advantage of the One X's power to offer a higher resolution and other graphical improvements is hardly surprising.
1080p Improvement.
If you don't have a 4K TV, the Xbox One X will still offer some graphical improvements for certain games. According to Microsoft, the Xbox One X can use "super-sampling" and various filtering techniques to make graphics appear more crisp on a 1080p screen.
I played Gears of War 4 on the Xbox One X on a 1080p monitor, and it offered me the same choice of graphical options as on a 4K TV. Prioritizing Performance set the game at a very smooth 60fps frame rate, while setting the enhancements to Visuals seemed to produce a slightly crisper image thanks to antialiasing techniques that weren't present in the other mode. The frame rate boost is welcome when the game supports it, but the other graphical enhancements are less compelling than on a 4K TV. You'll get some benefit, but it won't likely be worth the extra $200 you'll spend over the Xbox One S.
Worthwhile If You Have the Right TV.
The Xbox One X is a technically impressive game console. It can render some games in 4K, some with high dynamic range graphics, and some with both, or with other graphical enhancements the original Xbox One and the Xbox One S simply can't do. It's also a fully functional Ultra HD Blu-ray player that supports HDR10 video playback (though the Xbox One S has the same trick, and is just over half the price). Its power and media features put it past the PS4 Pro as a 4K game console and media hub, but it shares some similar technical limitations for playing games, particularly the need to develop or update each individual title to take advantage of the new hardware.
Without a patch to take advantage of the Xbox One X, you won't notice much improvement. And if a game has been patched, the system might still not be able to render it at 4K, or require you to choose between the higher resolution and better frame rate. It doesn't really compete with a gaming PC's potential to push all the boundaries of performance, but it also doesn't have the four-digit price of a gaming PC. As it stands, the Xbox One X really is the world's most powerful game console, even if it still stands in the shadow of PC hardware.
If you have a 4K, HDR-capable TV and the Xbox One has lots of games you like, the Xbox One X is a worthy upgrade. It can take advantage of your TV in ways the One and One S can't, and has media playback features the PS4 Pro lacks. If you haven't made the jump to 4K yet, the supersampling feature of the XBox One X isn't really worth the nearly doubled price tag compared with the Xbox One S. As with all game consoles, make sure there are games you want to play before you buy. All the hardware performance in the world can't make up for a library that holds little interest for you.
Microsoft Xbox One X.
Bottom Line: The Xbox One X is the most powerful console yet, with 4K and HDR graphics for games that support it. It's still no replacement for a gaming PC, though.
About the Author.
Will Greenwald has been covering consumer technology for a decade, and has served on the editorial staffs of CNET.com, Sound & Vision, and Maximum PC. His work and analysis has been seen in GamePro, Tested.com, Geek.com, and several other publications. He currently covers consumer electronics in the PC Labs as the in-house home entertainment expert. See Full Bio.
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