Xbox Series S
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Series S.
Latest coverage
Japanese Charts: Switch 2 Sales Continue To Slip, But Tomodachi Life Holds The Newbies At Bay
Nintendo Switch hardware sales in Japan continue to decline following a price hike, with only approximately 23,000 units sold. Despite this, Nintendo software remains strong, with Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream leading sales, followed by new releases Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and eFootball Kick-Off!.
Famitsu sales (6/1/26 – 6/7/26) – first week sales revealed for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on Nintendo Switch 2
Famitsu has released Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of June 1st to June 7th. The Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales with 23,059 units, while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth debuted at number two on the software charts with 30,657 units sold on the platform.
Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis preview - the past and future of Lara Croft
Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis is a reimagining of the original 1996 game, developed by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog, and published by Amazon Game Studios. The preview highlights a commitment to classic Tomb Raider gameplay, emphasizing exploration, puzzle-solving, and physical movement, while integrating modern cinematic design and Unreal Engine 5 technology. The game aims to merge all previous incarnations of Lara Croft into a cohesive identity and is set for release on February 12, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Embroidered indie Scarlet Deer Inn releases in July
The indie platformer Scarlet Deer Inn, developed by Attu Games, is set to release on July 21st, 2026, for PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series S|X. The game features unique hand-painted backgrounds and frame-by-frame embroidered character animations, telling a dark medieval folk tale with an authentic soundtrack.
Fable will feature over 150,000 lines of dialogue, Playground Games confirms — 'We've had multiple studios set up running in parallel for over 1000 hours just this year alone, just recording VO'
Playground Games has confirmed that the upcoming Fable reboot will feature over 150,000 lines of dialogue, with a significant portion recorded this year across multiple studios. The studio emphasized the handcrafted nature of the game's 1000 NPCs and systems, aiming for immersion despite the extensive dialogue. Fable is set to launch on February 23, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Xbox Insiders Can Now Test Power Saving Options, UI Customization, Ability to See Mutual Friends
Microsoft is testing new features for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One users through the Xbox Insider program, focusing on UI customization, power-saving options, and improved social features. These updates include poster-style artwork for games, easier navigation for My Games & Apps, and the ability to see mutual friends. The new shutdown option aims to reduce power consumption by up to 20 times without impacting performance.
Lord help me, Fable's behind-closed-doors demo has got me very excited
A preview of Playground Games' Fable reboot showcases its ambitious systems for life simulation, social interaction, and morality. The demo highlighted how player choices, from saving a talking pig to buying businesses, impact localized reputations and NPC reactions. While performance and system depth require further development, the game's focus on player freedom and British humor generates excitement for its early 2027 release.
Capcom has finally announced a major Dragon's Dogma 2 expansion — and there's a huge quality-of-life…
Capcom has announced Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, a major expansion for the action RPG, set to release on October 9, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The expansion will introduce a new region, armor, weapons, skills, enemies, and customization options. A title update featuring numerous quality-of-life improvements is available now, with another planned for August.
Xbox admits consoles are becoming unaffordable and hints at 'new business model'
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated that the company is exploring new business models for future consoles due to the current hardware crisis and rising component costs. She suggested that the next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, may move away from a purely premium, high-performance focus to ensure affordability for a wider audience, potentially through flexible storage options or different pricing strategies.
The Xbox Wireless Controller X25 is neat, but I've tested a translucent green alternative that works with the…
The article compares Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Wireless Controller X25 with the Retro Fighters Hunter, a third-party wireless controller. While the X25 celebrates the Xbox's 25th anniversary with a translucent green design, the Hunter offers wider compatibility across older and newer Xbox systems, PC, and Switch, along with features like hall-effect joysticks for a potentially lower price.
"It's not just one definition or meaning" - legendary designer Fumito Ueda says Gen Atlas, the title of his new game, means more than you might think
Legendary designer Fumito Ueda explained the multifaceted meaning behind the title of his new game, Gen Atlas. The title combines 'Gen,' referencing genesis, gene, and generate, with 'Atlas,' alluding to both the world map and the first cervical vertebra connecting the head to the neck. The game, developed by genDesign and published by Epic Games, is an open-world action-adventure coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X, and shares similarities with Ueda's previous work, particularly Shadow of the Colossus.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma teases "radically different business models", hints at potentially cheaper console to arrive this year
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated that the company is exploring "radically different business models" to address rising hardware costs and make consoles more accessible. Sharma suggested that a potentially cheaper console could arrive later this year, moving beyond solely focusing on high-performance hardware. These new models might involve optimizations in console manufacturing and could lean more heavily on cloud gaming solutions.
Where Winds Meet launches on Xbox while previewing its upcoming Hidden Mountain expansion
The game Where Winds Meet has launched on Xbox Series X and S, with a starter pack available on Game Pass. The free-to-play title is also available on PC. An upcoming expansion, Hidden Mountain, is set to release in July and will introduce a new Mohist sect area with a hand guard discipline for martial arts combat.
Xbox's chief strategy officer says it's currently hard to meet console demand and suggests Microsoft is rethinking Project Helix approach
Xbox's chief strategy officer, Matthew Ball, stated that the company is struggling to meet current console demand due to production limitations and is rethinking its 'Project Helix' approach. Ball indicated that these supply chain issues are expected to persist for the next 2-2.5 years, prompting Microsoft to re-evaluate the future of the console model to ensure affordability and flexibility.
Where Winds Meet is Out Today, With Exclusive XBOX Game Pass Benefits and a New Expansion on the Way
The Wuxia open-world action RPG Where Winds Meet is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and cloud gaming, with exclusive benefits for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. The game also received a preview of its upcoming major expansion, Hidden Mountain, which will introduce a new mountainous region and the secretive Mohist sect.
Crazy Taxi: World Tour officially arrives in 2027 with all-new multiplayer modes, which series creator Kenji Kanno says were highly requested in 1999 — 'Back then we were limited by the technology'
SEGA has officially announced Crazy Taxi: World Tour, set to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Series creator Kenji Kanno returns to lead the project, which will feature a story-driven campaign, new maps, vehicles, and customization. Notably, this installment will be the first in the series to include multiplayer modes, a feature Kanno states was highly requested by fans but limited by technology in the original 1999 release.
Realm Of Ink review - drawing on Hades for inspiration
Realm Of Ink is an isometric roguelite that draws heavy inspiration from Hades, featuring fast-paced combat and a focus on build variety. While its storyline and characters are less developed than its inspiration, the game offers deep combat systems and satisfying build customization across multiple platforms.
"It's a choice" - A Plague Tale developer Asobo doesn't believe smaller teams need to use gen-AI to compete
Asobo Studio, the developer behind the A Plague Tale series and Microsoft Flight Simulator, does not believe smaller game development teams need to use generative AI to compete. Producer Eric Chort stated that the studio prioritizes creativity and authenticity, viewing AI as a potential threat to these aspects. Asobo prefers to focus on organic development and smart production choices rather than relying on AI solutions.
Arashi Gaiden arrives with ninja action and tactical combat
Arashi Gaiden, a turn-based action game from Brazilian studio Statera, is set to release on November 6, 2026, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. The game blends tactical combat and storytelling with pixel art visuals, drawing inspiration from titles like Into the Breach and Katana Zero. This release marks a significant milestone for Statera and publisher Nuntius Games.
Active Matter Demo is now available on Xbox Series consoles
Gaijin Entertainment has released a demo for their upcoming hardcore online shooter, Active Matter, on Xbox Series X|S as part of the Indie Selects Demo Fest. Players can download the demo from the Microsoft Store until June 30, with all progress carrying over to the full game. The demo includes all game modes planned for the full version, offering a look at the game's survival-driven action.
