Since 2015, the Xbox One console has supported a selection of backwards-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Some of these games include an “enhanced” mode with improved graphics and audio on Xbox One X, but not on Xbox One S. With the launch this holiday season of the next-gen Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, this limit is the same, but explain that to a 52-year old mom who’s desperately trying to finish her Xmas shopping before she has a total emotional meltdown. You have two minutes, and your time starts now.
Debuted last week, the R6999 Xbox Series S is a fun-sized console for gamers on a budget, mixing next-gen razzle-dazzle with some cost-saving restrictions – a max resolution of 1440, for example, in comparison with 4K on the Xbox Series X. I guess you could think of it more like a next-gen Xbox One S, not a next-gen Xbox One X.
“Xbox Series S was designed to be the most affordable next-generation console and play next-generation games at 1440p at 60fps,” Microsoft tells VCG. “To deliver the highest quality backwards compatible experience consistent with the developer’s original intent, the Xbox Series S runs the Xbox One S version of backward compatible games while applying improved texture filtering, higher and more consistent frame rates, faster load times and Auto HDR.”
Okay, but guys. This is the worst naming convention ever. I’ve been working in the game media for almost 15 years, and even I keep messing up “Xbox One X” and “Xbox Series X”.