Xbox
News, coverage and analysis tracking Xbox across the outlets.
Exclusive interview: How Sam Dyer built Bitmap Books into a shrine for your gaming memoriesSam Dyer, founder of Bitmap Books, discusses how his passion for graphic design and retro gaming led to the creation of a premium publishing house focused on preserving gaming history. The company emphasizes meticulous packaging and high-quality production, treating each book as a collectible artifact. Dyer also highlights the importance of original content and human curation over generative AI, aiming to capture the essence of gaming memories and culture.
Best retro controllers 2026: perfect pads for your classic consoles and gamesThis guide explores the best modern retro controllers available for classic consoles, highlighting options from companies like Gulikit, 8Bitdo, Retro-Bit, and Retro Fighters. It details controllers suitable for Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64, Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation consoles, original Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy, emphasizing features like wireless connectivity, hall-effect sensors, and improved ergonomics for an enhanced retro gaming experience.
Xbox is Punishing its Studios For Following Previous Orders – ReportA report indicates that Xbox is punishing its studios for following previous directives, leading to significant layoffs and studio closures. This follows major investments like the Activision Blizzard acquisition and the push for Game Pass, with some studios being criticized for prioritizing the subscription service over individual game sales. The situation has created an environment of fear and uncertainty, impacting game development.
Xbox is after my nostalgia-loving heart with this new translucent 25th anniversary Series X inspired by the OG consoleMicrosoft is releasing a limited edition Xbox Series X console and controller to celebrate the brand's 25th anniversary. Inspired by the original translucent green Xbox from the early 2000s, the console features a transparent green chassis and a retro-inspired controller. It is set to launch in November 2026.- Saturday ConsolidationSummer Game Fest 2026 featured numerous game announcements for PlayStation 5 and Xbox platforms. Highlights included a roundup of major Xbox reveals and a look at new games coming to Xbox next week.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has just received an upgraded OLED model in a bundle with AR glasses, and my wallet is…Asus has unveiled an anniversary edition of the ASUS ROG Ally X handheld gaming device, featuring a 7.4-inch OLED screen, black and gold theming, and TMR thumbsticks. This upgraded model is bundled with ROG XReal R1 AR glasses, which can simulate a 171-inch display. Pricing and a release date for this bundle have not yet been announced, but it is expected to be significantly more expensive than the original $1,000 model due to the premium components and AR glasses.
RIG R8 PRO HX Headset ReviewThe RIG R8 PRO HX headset, a 'Designed for Xbox' edition, offers a more sophisticated design compared to previous RIG models. It features dual wireless and Bluetooth capabilities, graphene drivers, and a highly praised docking station. While it boasts impressive audio quality and battery life, minor drawbacks include insufficient earcup cushioning and an unusual placement of the microphone on the right side.
Xbox Game Development Kit to Offer Power Optimization Options to Help Handheld DevelopmentMicrosoft is enhancing its Xbox Game Development Kit with new power optimization tools to aid handheld game development. These features, including 'Power Optimized' and 'Power Optimized Plus' identifiers, aim to reduce energy draw and improve battery life for devices with strict hardware constraints. While Microsoft has reportedly halted its own handheld system development, these tools will assist developers in optimizing games for platforms like the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck.
Microsoft Responds To Xbox Backwards Compatibility Issues After Fans Complain For WeeksMicrosoft is investigating reports of issues with backwards-compatible Xbox 360 games on Xbox Series X|S, where players are encountering 'Can't Connect to Xbox Live' errors. Xbox executive Jason Ronald has asked affected users to contact him directly to help resolve this rare problem. Some players have threatened to report the issue as a breach of consumer rights if not addressed.
This new wireless gaming headset from RIG delivers 'studio-grade' audio and has been 'custom-tuned for…RIG has launched the R8 Spectre Pro, a new wireless gaming headset available in PlayStation and Xbox variants, priced at $179.99. The headset features 40mm graphene drivers, over 60 hours of battery life, and is designed with "studio-grade" audio custom-tuned for first-person shooters. Both models are compatible with PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
Project Helix’s AMD GPU Features Zero Customization by Microsoft – RumorA rumor suggests Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, will feature an off-the-shelf AMD GPU with no custom modifications, a departure from previous Xbox consoles. The GPU will reportedly utilize RDNA 5 architecture and support AMD's FSR Diamond technology for upscaling and frame generation, with significant AI performance dedicated to these features. The CPU will include a separate NPU for Microsoft's Copilot software.
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II Announced – A New Flagship For Elite Gaming Audio?Turtle Beach has announced the Stealth Pro II, a new flagship wireless gaming headset launching on May 17th, 2026, for £299.99. It features Hi-Res Wireless Audio, Dolby Atmos, ANC, and a CrossPlay 2.0 system for seamless multi-platform switching across Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and mobile devices. The headset also boasts dual swappable 40-hour battery packs and a unidirectional microphone with AI noise reduction.- TURTLE BEACH UNVEILS THE ALL-NEW STEALTH PRO II WIRELESS GAMING HEADSET -- FLAGSHIP SOUND, COMFORT, AND FLEXIBILITY- WITHOUT COMPROMISETurtle Beach Corporation has unveiled the Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset, featuring Hi-Res Wireless Audio, Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, and a CrossPlay 2.0 system for seamless switching between Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The headset boasts a unidirectional 9mm microphone with AI-based noise reduction and dual 40-hour swappable batteries, aiming to set a new standard for premium audio versatility in gaming.
Microsoft forgot to include batteries with its Xbox controllers for over four monthsMicrosoft has announced that a limited number of Xbox controllers shipped since December have been missing batteries. The company is offering free rechargeable battery packs to affected customers through a dedicated support page. This issue affects controllers for Xbox Series X and other Xbox platforms, which have historically used AA batteries.
Whoopsie: Microsoft has been shipping Xbox controllers without batteries and is now compensating customers with…Microsoft has been shipping Xbox controllers without batteries, prompting the company to offer affected customers a free rechargeable battery kit and USB-C cable. This compensation aims to rectify the oversight where controllers should have included batteries for immediate use out of the box.
The 10 Best Mini-Games on Xbox That Are Actually Better Than the Main QuestThis article ranks the 10 best mini-games available on Xbox, highlighting how these smaller modes can sometimes rival or even surpass the main gameplay experience. Titles like Gwent from The Witcher 3, Geometry Wars from Project Gotham Racing 2, and Mercenaries mode in Resident Evil 4 are praised for their depth and replayability.
Microsoft Plans To Make Windows 11 Less AnnoyingMicrosoft is planning several improvements for Windows 11, with many arriving in March and April. Key changes include the ability to reposition the taskbar, reduced AI integration in unnecessary programs like Notepad and Photos, and more user control over update scheduling. File Explorer performance will also be refined, and widget options will offer more customization.- Engadget Podcast: Why does everyone hate NVIDIA's DLSS 5 AI upscaling?NVIDIA's announcement of DLSS 5 has sparked controversy among gamers due to its shift in focus from upscaling to AI-driven lighting and materials. Analyst Anshel Sag joins the podcast to discuss his experience with the technology and the immediate negative reactions online. The discussion also touches upon future developments for Xbox and other unrelated tech news.
Former Xbox Boss Is Reportedly Making A Phone For Amazon, 12 Years After First Effort FailedAmazon is reportedly developing a new AI-driven smartphone, codenamed 'Transformer,' led by former Xbox boss J Allard. This initiative marks Amazon's second attempt at the smartphone market after the previous Fire Phone failed. The device aims to integrate AI for personalization and push users towards Amazon's services, though the project's future and specific features remain uncertain.
Sorry Microsoft, but I've shoved your handheld onto a Steam Deck dock and started playing 2000s games using an Xbox…This article details how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to modern PC gaming setups, specifically using the ASUS ROG Ally X handheld docked to a Steam Deck dock. It explains the necessary hardware, including a PC adapter for the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver, and the driver installation process on Windows 11, noting compatibility with SteamOS as well. The author highlights the authentic retro gaming experience achieved by playing classics like Fallout New Vegas and Bioshock with the classic controller.