Xbox Series S
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox Series S.
Latest coverage
Xbox CEO knows there's "work to do" to win players back, as Microsoft boss recommits to "core" fans
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledges that Microsoft has work to do to regain player trust and revenue growth, despite recent positive steps like a Game Pass price reduction and setting new records for monthly active users. Microsoft boss Satya Nadella reaffirmed the company's commitment to its core fans and players, with plans to focus on affordability, PC-console hybrid projects, and expanding its franchise portfolio.
'He'll kill when he needs to, but he's not someone who loves killing' — 007 First Light dev explains the game's unique license to kill mechanic
007 First Light features a unique 'license to kill' mechanic that restricts players to lethal force only when absolutely necessary, reflecting James Bond's character. Senior combat designer Tom Marcham explained that this encourages gadget use and melee combat over constant shooting. The game is set to launch on May 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch version planned for later.
April Xbox Update: Customize Your Console, Manually Add Your Favorite Games on PC, and More.
Microsoft has released its April update for Xbox, introducing new customization options for consoles and PC. Console users can now pin more groups to Home, customize colors, and disable Quick Resume on a per-game basis, alongside a new Play History tab. PC users gain the ability to manually add games to their Xbox library and pin favorites to Home, with improved gamepad cursor functionality.
Japanese Charts: No Amount Of Sci-Fi Shooting Can Trouble Tomodachi Life
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream continues to dominate the Japanese sales charts, selling an additional 178,533 units for the Nintendo Switch. New entries include Pokémon Pokopia and Pragmata, while established titles like Mario Kart World and Animal Crossing: New Horizons maintain strong sales. The Nintendo Switch family of consoles leads hardware sales, followed by the PlayStation 5.
'Now this is podracing!' — Star Wars: Galactic Racer will officially launch in October as developer…
Fuse Games has announced that Star Wars: Galactic Racer will launch on October 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. Preorders are now live for the Standard, Deluxe, and a $159.99 Collector's Edition, with the Deluxe Edition including exclusive vehicles and content.
The Blood of Dawnwalker director says the game's time limit system won't 'punish' players — 'You’ll be able to complete a majority of the game before the time runs out'
Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of Rebel Wolves' debut game The Blood of Dawnwalker, stated that the game's 30-day time limit system is not designed to punish players. He and creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz explained that a majority of the game can be completed before the time runs out, and running out of time does not necessarily result in a game over, but rather consequences that allow the game to continue. The open-world dark fantasy action RPG is set to launch on September 3 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Formula E: Electric Evolution Expansion Out Now for PC and Console Racer 'Formula Legends'
The Formula E: Electric Evolution expansion for the racing game Formula Legends is now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Developed by 3DClouds in partnership with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the expansion features GEN1, GEN2, and GEN3 Evo cars, official drivers, teams, and tracks, along with gameplay mechanics like ATTACK MODE and PIT BOOST. A physical edition of Formula Legends, the Legacy Edition, will be released on June 4th.
Famitsu sales (4/20/26 – 4/26/26) – first week sales revealed for Pragmata on Nintendo Switch 2
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese hardware and software sales data for the week of April 20-26, 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales, while Pragmata saw its first week sales revealed on Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream remained the top-selling software title.
Japanese developer says they don't make games for Xbox because the console is 'not even stocked in major…
A Japanese developer for Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin stated that their company cannot justify developing for Xbox due to the console's lack of stock and demand in major Japanese retail stores. This reflects Microsoft's ongoing struggle to gain traction in the Japanese market, with significantly lower sales figures compared to PlayStation and Nintendo consoles.
Five Reasons Why MotoGP26 is the Best MotoGP Ever
MotoGP 26 is presented as the most complete and realistic installment in the franchise, featuring a rebuilt physics system for enhanced control and bike feedback. The game includes the full 2026 MotoGP Championship with new rookies and the return of the Brazilian GP, alongside a deeper managerial career mode and expanded training options. It is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and ASUS ROG Ally, offering both arcade and simulation experiences with improved multiplayer.
Call of Duty Player Finally Hits Breaking Point Over Massive File Size | HappyGamer
A dedicated Call of Duty player has uninstalled the game for the first time in years due to its massive file size, highlighting a growing issue in the industry. Modern titles like Call of Duty, Gears 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2 demand hundreds of gigabytes, straining console storage and bandwidth. While solutions like modular installs exist, developers are criticized for prioritizing development speed over storage efficiency, leading to player frustration.
AKIRA YAMAOKA, LEGENDARY SILENT HILL COMPOSER, TO SCORE REMOTHERED: RED NUN’S LEGACY
Stormind Games announced that legendary Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka will create the soundtrack for their upcoming survival horror game, Remothered: Red Nun's Legacy. Yamaoka expressed his desire to create music that deeply integrates with the game's atmosphere and player experience. The game is slated for release by the end of 2026 on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and Xbox Series S/X.
Xbox "has work to do", but is "recommitting" to core fans following hardware revenue drop of 33% year-on-year
Xbox is recommitting to its core fans following a 33% year-on-year drop in hardware revenue and player growth that has not met ambitions. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that while monthly active users and game streaming hours reached new records, the company has "work to do" to win back players. Recent price reductions for Game Pass subscriptions and a focus on core features are part of this strategy, alongside the development of next-generation hardware.
Gunboat God Is Loud, Fast And Absolutely Relentless
Gunboat God is a fast-paced, side-scrolling shooter available on Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Janson RAD and published by Fireshine Games, the game emphasizes momentum, offering players a variety of weapons and abilities to survive relentless enemy swarms and challenging boss encounters. Its addictive gameplay loop encourages replayability with over a hundred missions and multiple modes.
Alien Strike will also be available in arcades
Alien Strike: Blasting the Intruders is set to launch on Steam on May 7, 2026, with plans for future releases on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series S/X, and PlayStation 4/5. Notably, the game will also be available in arcades, featuring a custom-built three-player cabinet designed by developer Combo Game Studio. The studio, founded with a focus on arcade machine development, aims to blend retro gameplay with modern visuals and technology.
Xbox hardware revenue drops 33% year-on-year during Q3
Microsoft reported a 33% year-on-year drop in Xbox hardware revenue for its third quarter, alongside a 5% decrease in Xbox content and services. CEO Satya Nadella stated the company is focusing on foundational work to regain player engagement and improve quality. Recent changes to Game Pass pricing and strategy, including a renewed focus on daily active players and expanding into new markets, are part of Xbox's plan for sustainable growth.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer Officially Launches on October 6th
Secret Mode and Fuse Games have officially announced that Star Wars: Galactic Racer will launch on October 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The Standard Edition is priced at $59.99, with a Deluxe Edition available for $79.99, which includes additional vehicles, cosmetic packs, and exclusive arcade events.
Gabe Newell Predicted Console PC Hardware Shift Years Ago | HappyGamer
Gabe Newell's past prediction that consoles would adopt PC hardware has proven accurate, with modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S utilizing AMD components similar to those found in gaming PCs. This convergence simplifies development, narrows performance gaps, and benefits gamers through easier porting and potential for cross-platform play.
MotoGP 26 Released
MotoGP 26 has been released and is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Nintendo Switch. The PC version can be purchased on both the Epic Games Store and Steam. This installment continues the motorbike racing series.
Microsoft Responds To Xbox Backwards Compatibility Issues After Fans Complain For Weeks
Microsoft 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.
