Banjo-

@Ricky-Spanish I mean things like Xbox owners not buying games or all Gears of War games being the same.

Hogwarts Legacy + Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Deluxe Editions Bundle is at its lowest ever, 80% off.

@Ricky-Spanish You know that there is an alternative reality dwelling on the thread, as usual. 😉

@Weebleman Is this the first time we agree on something? LOL I would love a remake of the first one and a remaster of 2 Wii Edition and The Tormented (III). A new game after that would be awesome. I know Maiden of Black Water has a mixed reputation for not being as scary as the others, but it's incredibly beautiful, polished and cohesive. I read all the files and eventually get 100% playing them multiple times. I hope that gamers keep supporting the two current generation remasters, so we can get more.

I'm getting this and I patiently wait for more Project Zero/Fatal Frame.

I recommend taking a look at this article:

https://leveluptalk.com/news/ff16-sales-reports-correction-insight/

@PsBoxSwitchOwner You are wrong about me. I did.

Alinea Analytics is not a reliable source. They work on guesswork, even using store reviews as argument. Only Microsoft and Sony know how much.

What is news really is that Helldivers 2 being #1 and #4 (#3 now) at the same time with two different editions on the Xbox store's best-selling ranking means that we're going to see a lot of Sony ports on Xbox, if there was any doubt about it.

@WildConcept6 I agree. The only problem was The Initiative and at the same time Microsoft's hands-off philosophy. I wonder why didn't Microsoft let Crystal Dynamics finish it without The Initiative and if there's something we don't know about the development, like Embracer's priorities. I'm sure that there are things we don't know about that.

I really liked the last trailer (except the face of Joanna). Perhaps, I'm being naive, but I still think that Microsoft will revive this project. Shouldn't Rare assisted by other studios work on these IPs now that Everwild won't see the light of day or are they going to work on Sea of Thieves updates exclusively for 20 more years?

I don't completely agree with letting teams do whatever projects they want, because sometimes those projects fail and because if they start to work on something they didn't choose, they might start loving it, like many things in life. The problem with The Initiative is precisely that every employee was doing what they wanted to do and there was no hierarchy.

I have played so many platformers and Rayman Legends remains as one of the best ever, so happy about he coming back.

Side note: I beat the DSiWare version of Rayman, which might be the most difficult and frustrating thing ever.

More fun than recent Mario Kart games, but there's room for polishing the camera and controls. The aquatic controls and physics don't feel as realistic and exciting as in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed or Wave Race, but the flying and ground controls are good. I hope for future updates and that blur can be turn off or toned down. I see a lot of potential and depth here as a fan of the genre, but the demo still feels rough.

@Millionski I know. I'm very happy with my Series X. If the next-gen Xbox launches in 2028 as they estimated in 2022, they should present it in 2027. Though they will support backwards compatibility, I expect Play Anywhere to be mandatory or intrinsic to the new system, with next-gen games being the same build on console and PC, making things easier on all platforms. That will also make Xbox future-proof, as walled garden consoles will disappear. Nintendo might be an exception if they keep prices high and budgets low, because Nintendo fans are suckers, myself included. Look at Sony now, porting everything to Windows and releasing games on the Xbox store.

Microsoft is willing to allow third-party stores on the next console like on the Rog Xbox Ally to reach a wider audience and because people might prefer Steam over Microsoft's store, but they still earn billions as a a publisher and with subscriptions. Plus, they own Windows, which all PC games use. They don't need to sacrifice backwards compatibility, just give 30% of the Call of Duty income to Steam or whatever store. It sounded crazy a few years ago, but their strategy made a lot of sense. Give a bit here and there, take a lot elsewhere.

Yes, because it's one of the best games of the generation and one of the games I have enjoyed the most. I got 100% and still thought it was a tad short. Contrarily, I didn't even beat the main story of Wolfenstein Young Blood.

@Millionski I know it's not your case (and that's why I bother to reply), but the only people I see saying or writing that Xbox is dead are relentless PS fans. As you know, the important thing is the revenue and Xbox (console) is a massive source of income.

Regarding the marketing, they're going to market it as an Xbox that also plays games from other stores. That will satisfy Xbox gamers and PC gamers looking for a console-like experience, and maybe attract some open-minded PS users looking for a secondary console/gaming PC.

Like I said, they wouldn't say "console-only games are playable through Cloud on Rog Xbox Ally" and "the next generation console will be compatible with your existing library of Xbox games" if they were meaning the same. They are very specific about it because it's an important difference.

Besides, after what they've achieved on Xbox One, it's not that difficult to play backwards compatible, Xbox One and Series games on the same architecture running a newer version of Windows. It just wouldn't make sense to throw that through the window and they know it.

@Millionski No reason to and no way they're ditching backwards compatibility at this point. The Series X|S is a massive source of yearly income and successful considering the PC alternatives and dual releases (PC/Xbox). As hardware is not as popular as PS, but the engagement in terms of purchases and subscriptions is impressive. Everything else will be like you say, but there will be backwards compatibility, at least on console. At the end of the day, Xbox One and Series X|S also use Windows and Microsoft's engineers achieved enhanced backwards compatibility with Xbox and Xbox 360. The next console using AMD and the new "Xbox" Windows to merge the PC and console development while keeping backwards compatibility is a small challenge in comparison.

Moreover, when they talk about the Rog Xbox Ally, e.g., Sarah Bond in the videos, she specifically says your console-only games are playable through the Cloud, while they define the next-gen console as backwards compatible.

@TrollOfWar The enhanced backwards compatibility of Xbox makes Series X a must-own console for any gamer that appreciates the classics. I say Series X because Series S doesn't get the 4K enhancements. Like you said, many of those games are better than the new ones.

They will remove the PC and console differences from all tiers soon. The future of Xbox is not console or PC, but both together.

This is one of my most anticipated games.

@ozkrmz It was more or less the same with PS4 Pro, that was a bit early and thus Xbox One X was a much better performer with less noise and less heat. Sony upclocked the PS5 because it's technically weaker than Series X and they didn't expect that, and the PS5 Pro is basically the same upclocked PS5 with a more modern GPU, but in this case there is really no need for it.

@fatpunkslim PS5 Pro is the most pointless console upgrade ever. Regarding software, I assume that all the cancelled service games are what has Sony's library so scarce this generation.

Can't say a thing because I haven't tried it, but happy to finally see Sony's games on Xbox.

Before 2022 (ABK trial), Microsoft said that the new generation was expected to begin in 2028 for both Microsoft and Sony. I think they were right, even though they predicted it years ago. Series X is completely fine in 2025. I'm more excited about the new controllers and I don't mean new colours, but hall effect or TMR sticks and triggers, micro switches, etc.

Side note: I still use the SNES Mini often, that I believe has the best 2D controller. 😁

@beltmenot Hopefully. The saddest part is when people ask something about a video game or accessory and nobody on this site replies. They only reply to opinions they don't like (meanly).

Push Square's maths are certainly funny, like Sony-published=+2; Microsoft-published=-2. This is one of the best shooters I've ever played, in between.

The price of games is set by the publisher and is not higher on Xbox. The price of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is £70 / €80 / $70 on Xbox, PS5 and Steam digital stores. Third-party codes, available for Xbox and Steam but not for PS5, have whatever price the seller wants to set, like always.

It's unbelievable that the three console makers still use cheap parts prone to drift, while third parties (Asus, Gamesir) are using TMR, even better than hall effect, and micro switches. I really love the official Xbox controllers, especially the Elite series, and they have the smallest input lag, but I won't buy another one until they upgrade the sticks.

Does this controller use Xbox Wireless or a dongle?

@Briarback Not not just that, but it's Play Anywhere. I bet that Microsoft will make Play Anywhere mandatory for new releases from the next generation on, at the latest.

Looks great. They have been working hard on Play Anywhere and the gaming (Xbox) version of Windows. You also get the console-only games via Cloud or remote play. If you want absolutely everything, including native console games, you'll have to wait for their next-gen console, but this approach seems future-proof. I bet that they'll be able to "emulate" (translate) console-only games eventually on their future hardware, just like they did on Xbox One which was miraculous.

Nice to see everything coming to Xbox. 😊

One of the best games I've played. So immersive, entertaining and rewarding,. combining the best things from traditional and modern gaming in a very natural way. This will be a timeless classic.

It's the perfect future-proof solution: AMD for pure backwards compatibility and multiple storefront to finally merge the PC and console markets. Microsoft's hardware engineers are excellent console makers.

@Sol76 I think so. Game Pass Cloud has always been a beta part of Game Pass Ultimate and I think it's time for it to be available separately.

Ubisoft needed some good news and I'm happy for them because they make great games.

@WildConcept6 Fable, Halo, Forza and Gears of War are yet to come and, just like you said, it's disheartening how underappreciated Series X (and S) are, not just as hardware but the excellent value they, the software and services represent, especially when you consider what others are doing right now: paid upgrades, fully priced remasters, etc. Isn't Gears of War Reloaded free for owners of the original? Not to mention all the enhanced backwards compatible games. New games run great on Series X and then there's the best feature of the generation, Quick Resume.

For those of us that appreciate all this, we are lucky that the next Xbox console(s) will be more of this but with more power and PC stores to broaden the appeal. Microsoft said they're working with AMD and will respect libraries and backwards compatibility and that is the perfect outcome, because AMD basically means pure backwards compatibility and everything else guarantees their future as a gaming platform. The novelty is that the business is the software and subscriptions, and the hardware is one leg of this business, just like Surface, improving Windows on all devices for gaming.

Windows is the best PC OS in terms of compatibility, because every game is developed for Windows, with other OS using it and scrapping the demanding resources, which is exactly what Microsoft is doing now. Windows for gaming doesn't need the clutter and they finally realised that. So, they know exactly what they are doing in the console and PC business.

@Tyrant_T103 I guess PC will become soon the best "console" and that's alright because it's what will make this expensive business healthy and more competitive. The good thing about Xbox is they're going there anyway, for those that care about their libraries and backwards compatible titles, like I do.

@Stocksy That's right, we're no longer blown away by graphics, but that's fine if you appreciate both new and old games and just want the performance to not be compromised, hopefully. We can't feel what we felt with Super Mario 64 and Tomb Raider in 1997, but we can have better hardware to play everything as good as possible.

Regarding games, Xbox has had a decent library this generation. Each person would choose a different one probably, but for me Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the best games ever. This generation hasn't been so bad if you also consider the third-party titles. I'm really disappointed with the cancellation of Perfect Dark, though, especially because it was handled by Crystal Dynamics at that time.

@ScalenePowers If you read what was actually said, it's more that they're talking about the Xbox consoles as a whole, and it's true that they've changed the strategy (and Sony is following), but the next "generation" won't come sooner than expected. It's still 2028, it seems, like PS6. The future consoles will be like PC upgrades, but it's actually been like that since Xbox One/PS4.

When you use your Series X console almost everyday because it's the best designed of the generation, you basically have everything on Xbox in terms of software, the best backwards compatibility, arguably the best controller, plus the best services, and the social media haters want to believe it's because you are a slave to a huge corporation... One thing is certain, the power of the PS brand is way too strong and the loyalty of their fans is unparalleled.

@Areus That game is incredible, so well written and voiced.

AA batteries is a timeless solution and there are rechargeable packs for Xbox anyway, but the three console makers should stop using cheap potentiometers in their expensive controllers.

https://gamerant.com/tmr-vs-hall-effect-joysticks-explained/

@K1LLEGAL Yeah, the Xbox remasters are better than the originals. All of Rare's Xbox 360 games were upgraded to native 4K which is very nice, but considering Sea of Thieves one of the best-looking games of the last generation, especially the environments and the visual effects, I wonder how faithful remakes would look in the right hands. 😊

Literally, every mascot but Banjo being remade. 😡

I'm tempted because it's better than the current Rog Ally models and I have skipped all handheld PCs so far. Unfortunately, all the Sonic threads were archived on this site, so one question related to handheld PCs running Windows and Sonic: is "Sonic Racing Cross Worlds" Play Anywhere? Many Sega games are Play Anywhere, but I can't find confirmation for this title. There are some pre-order and digital deluxe goodies, so I might pre-order this one.

@Trmn8r Thanks.

This is the one that uses the official Xbox wireless technology, I assume.

I don't think that Nintendo cares about third party support on Switch 2. They only gave the development kits to their friends like others have pointed out already. It would be silly for Nintendo to demand anything from Microsoft before they have had enough time with them available.

On the hardware side of things, yes, they will be able to port Black Ops 7 eventually because of the last-gen version, but if the following Call of Duty is current-gen, no port for Switch 2 will be made. Maybe they'll port last-gen games to Switch 2 like most third parties are doing, with current (not cross) generation 2D and 2.5D exceptions.

I love the Xbox controllers, but they leave a lot to be desired just like Sony's and Nintendo's. The third-party controllers are getting better and better. Maybe the Elite Controller Series 3 will be the answer for Xbox players.

@Trmn8r Yes, Gamesir is making a wireless model for Xbox. Xbox has the best wireless technology, much better than Bluetooth (used by Sony and Nintendo) and more efficient than third-party wireless solutions like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, with better connectivity, less input lag and less power consumption.

I play mostly on Xbox, so this particular model is not for me, although I admit I play wired most of the time. That's why I purchased the Gamesir G7 HE, which is the upgraded version of G7 SE. I haven't received it yet, so I can't review it, but it has hall effect sticks and triggers and microswitch front buttons. I bought the Mobapad M6 HD for Switch one month ago and it's one thousand light years better than Nintendo's controllers, so I wanted to try something similar for Xbox, hall effect and microswitches, and Gamesir has a very good reputation.

The original Dead Rising is better than the remaster.

My favourites so far are 1 and Syndicate, but I haven't played them all.

It's not a walking simulator like Gone Home, it's just linear. Like everybody knows, it's more on the cinematic side of the business, so I'm sure that fans of PS first-party games will appreciate it. It has highlights that make it worth playing (unlike Gone Home), even some of the apparently scripted battles are amazing.

@TrollOfWar Yes, the focus on the graphics is evident and it's also one of the few games I didn't mind playing at 30fps, but the rest of the game is lacking as a game, like other blockbusters that really sell the graphics over anything else. There are not many like this on Xbox, so I don't mind. What I don't get is double standard (not meaning you, obviously).