Tag: Xbox One S

The Best Gaming Console You Can Own Right Now

Gaming consoles are now commonplace across households due to their scaling popularity. What started off as simple 8-bit gaming systems with 2D graphics in the 80s have now evolved to virtual worlds, cinematic experiences with multiple sensory features and cutting-edge hardware. Some latest models even come with virtual reality headsets & capabilities with Blu-Ray visuals to offer an unperturbed experience.

As the gaming industry evolved, so have the needs and demands of gamers. From casual gamers to high-tech serious gaming enthusiasts and specialists, the types of gaming consoles to have developed variably. Options are endless across large 4K machines, Ultra HDTVs, portable gaming, VR and much more.

Choosing what’s useful and ideal for you is important to thoroughly enjoy your gaming experience. This is why we have put together a list of 3 best gaming consoles that offer varying features and capabilities. This will help you decide on the stack that suits your needs.

Xbox One S

This Microsoft console stands its ground despite the newer Xbox One X, making it one of the best consoles available today. If you are looking for an affordable device that offers AAA gaming, multimedia services and even allows you to watch movies and shows, you need not look beyond the Xbox One S. You can even enjoy some 4K Blue Ray Ultra-HD visuals with this versatile machine.

The hardware is a welcome sleeker and smaller version compared to the earlier editions of Xbox from Microsoft. It is the second version of the 8th-gen console that offers Bluetooth connectivity and syncs with Windows 10 without the need to use a wireless adaptor.

The exclusive franchisees it offers include the uber-famous “Halo” and “Gears of War”. While it isn’t the best gaming console in terms of what it offers in its gaming library, it certainly does pack in a good fight.

When we talk of drawbacks, the Xbox One S certainly has a couple. While the console can stream videos in 4K, it cannot render games in 4K. Further, Microsoft has stated that beefier games are likely to be rolled out for the One X which will also work on the One S. It’s uncertain as to how this console will be able to support future titles that are tailor-made for the One X.

Nintendo Switch

Ideal for a family of casual gamers who prefer portability and easy gaming, the Nintendo Switch is certainly a favorite among scores of avid gamers. Nintendo, a Japanese company has been a pioneer in the gaming industry with its releases over the years.

Taking its innovative drive further with the Switch, Nintendo has created a hybrid console that can be used as a home gaming device with a docking station that connects to a TV and can double up as a portable device with a handy tablet-like feel.

It is also a beautiful amalgamation of an online gaming console as well as an at-home social gaming experience. You can enjoy online games on the console, and simply slip it out to hand over to a family member for an independent gaming experience. This is something even some of the biggest gaming and entertainment manufacturers and consoles have ignored and has worked tremendously in the favor of the Nintendo Switch.

For those who enjoy some of the big hits of Nintendo namely ‘Splatoon-2’ and ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath in the Wild’, there’s more in store from Nintendo’s first-party franchisee. There is a buzz that many of the brand’s franchisee games Super Mario, Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart among others will be launched on the Switch platform in the near future.

However, when we look at the array of online games this console offers, that’s where it is a bit of a let-down. The hardware of the Nintendo Switch does not support triple-A games presently, and there is also a lot of buzzes it is facing in terms of being backward compatible with older games.

The PlayStation 4 Pro

Sony has been one of the biggest names in the gaming ecosystem from its first PlayStation back in the 90s. The current version does not fail to impress. With an upgraded GPU that brings on the table 4K capability, improved performance and PlayStation VR, Sony’s own VR headset, this console is certainly one of the best in the market.

The DualShock 4 does some great double duty as a gamepad and a PC controller. This console also does well on the 4K HDR capabilities and improved hardware features. But where it really outshines all other gaming consoles is its brilliant gaming library.

It definitely has one of the most coveted line up of games that range from triple-A games, indie games, imported games and some PS exclusive hits such as ‘Bloodborne’ and ‘The Last of Us’. Although this console’s price is higher than the Xbox series, those who enjoy these exclusive games swear by the PS as the best console in the market today.

Despite its tremendous fan-following, the PS4 Pro does have its share of drawbacks. Surprisingly, despite being the inventor of Blu-Ray medium, Sony has not stitched in the element of 4K Blu-Ray player in their gaming console. Perhaps this was done to cut costs from the already inflated price or the PS4 Pro.

There is also a question on the poor backward compatibility of PlayStation 4 Pro as it does not support even the PS3 games. The only way to continue enjoying legacy media is through the PS Now device that offers games to be rented or played through a monthly subscription.

Conclusion

While each gaming console comes with its set of advantages and drawbacks, you need to choose one that suits your usage and needs. For a more easy, portable and casual gaming experience, it is the Nintendo Switch that emerges as the clear choice.

Between the Xbox One S and the PS Pro 4, it would essentially boil down to which gaming library impresses users more. All in all, these three are certainly the consoles that are ruling the roost in the current gaming scenario.

January 9, 2020
Xbox One S Review Details and All Insights

If you are an individual who usually loves gaming and considers video games to be one of the biggest pleasures which life and technology can afford then there is no way that you would not have heard of Xbox. Xbox is a series of video gaming console models that are developed and released by Microsoft.

There are literally thousands of options that one can select from if he or she has one of the Xbox gaming consoles. One of the best things about Microsoft when it comes to gaming is that they always tend to revise their gaming consoles and release them with better and more advantageous features.

Xbox One S is one such gaming console and it’s release date is 2 August 2016 by Microsoft. Since then, millions of Xbox One S gaming consoles have been sold by Microsoft and the sales for this video gaming consoles are still going strong. If you are one of those people who are thinking about purchasing an Xbox One S then you would want to be as informed as possible.

In addition, what better way to do it than to get a detailed review of Xbox One S? If you agree with us then this is the right article for you as we have listed everything, which you would ever need to know about the Xbox One S in this review mentioned below. The information has been divided into sections to make it easier for you to analyze.

Basic Information About Xbox One S

The most obvious improvement of the Xbox One S gaming console over its previous models is the fact that this version is slimmer. There are many other features in this gaming console model which will be discussed later in this review. According to the official website, the Xbox One S is 40%slimmer than its previous model!

This makes the model very pleasing to the eye and also gives it an edgy design. When compared to the PS4 Pro, this model seems to be the true beauty in terms of its design. Xbox One S also comes with a 4K Blu-ray drive giving it an edge over the PS4 Pro, which lacks the 4K Blu-ray drive.

Design, Ports, and Controller of Xbox One S

Xbox One S comes with a power button that is not touch-sensitive. This means that even if you are cleaning your gaming console then it won’t just turn on and off on its own. The USB port is also present at the front of the model rather than on its sides which makes it easier to connect the controller to charge it.

The controller also supports Bluetooth, which makes it incredibly easy to connect it with a laptop or PC. This is in tune with the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, which means that you can play your favorite games whenever and wherever you want to. There is also a subtle textured grip on the controller, which makes it easier and more comfortable to hold. There is no difference when it comes to the ports, which are present at the back of the console.

Noise and Power Consumption in Xbox One S

When you start using, the console there is a certain sound that you can definitely hear in the background. However, this sound tends to go away once you start playing your game. This sound is between 44dB and 47dB, which is almost similar to what the Xbox One was producing.

There is a significant improvement in power consumption. This means that this console is slightly less pricey to run over the years as it consumes less power than the earlier models.

4K Blu-Ray Drive Functionality

The Xbox One S comes with a 4K Blu-ray drive pack, which is also packed with High Dynamic Range (HDR) support. This increases the color gamut exponentially and makes the overall color pallet far wider. This can simply translate to you getting far better, more vibrant, brighter, and better images than ever.

The darker scenes have a smooth shadow gradient and highlighted scenes are less prone to clipping. Nevertheless, to fully take advantage of these features the user will require a 4K television which should also ideally support HDR. Therefore, if you have a 4K TV or if you are planning on buying one then this can be an important consideration.

HDR Functionality

The HDR functionality in Xbox One S allows it to produce staggering results when it comes to reading details related to every last shred of information. This makes the entire content appear almost to be in three dimensions. This can significantly improve your overall video gaming experience.

Picture Settings of Xbox One S

If you head on to the option of ‘Display Settings’ option on an Xbox One S then you will find a very helpful display calibration guide which will let you get the best quality pictures on your device. If you are not sure about the exact settings, which you should use then it, is best to follow the options and settings, by the display calibration guide in Xbox One S.

You also get complete access to more advanced features when it comes to the picture settings than just the standard brightness and contrast setting features.

4K Streaming and Applications on Xbox One S

If you are thinking about opting for 4K streaming then Xbox One S would be the natural and very obvious option for you. There is also a wide range of applications that you can download or install on an Xbox One S gaming console. Some of those applications are Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, ITV Hub, BBC iPlayer, Now TV, All4, TV from Sky, and Demand 5. This makes your entire entertainment system to be very modern and high-tech which is a big improvement over the standard TV and sound system.

Overall Gaming Experience in Xbox One S

When it comes to the options of playing games on the Xbox One S console then there is a wide range of games that you can play on this video game console. Some of the best gaming titles, which you can try out, are Scalebound, Forza Horizon 3, Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, and Crackdown 3.

Final Verdict

There are many people who are often torn between an Xbox and a PS gaming console. However, if you are getting the option of purchasing an Xbox One S then we say that you should go for it! This video gaming console is one of the best options, which are available in the market, and it lets you play thousands of high-quality games from literally anywhere or at any time you want.

October 11, 2019