Today is the first day the new 2024 Xbox consoles can be pre-ordered. The new batch includes the all-digital Xbox Series X, a special edition Xbox Series X with 2 TB of storage, and a white Xbox Series S. Shipping to US customers will begin on October 15.
The all-digital Xbox Series X, announced in June, is the first version of this model without a disc drive. The new console comes in “Robot White,” has 1TB of storage, and costs $450. That’s only $50 off the standard model, so you might want to think about whether the trade-off of not having a disc drive is worth it for you. You can sometimes find the standard model on sale at that price, and Microsoft’s Refurbished Store currently has it for $450.
Microsoft
Pre-order the new Xbox without a disc drive starting today.
$450 on Xbox
In addition, the all-digital Xbox is the same size as the standard version with a disc drive. Unlike the corresponding PS5, the new disc-less model does not save space in your entertainment center.
If you are at the other end of the spectrum and are willing to spend money more On an Xbox, Microsoft is also launching a 2TB special edition of the Series X in “Galaxy Black” with a cool space design. This variant, which retails for $600, includes the standard floppy disk drive.
Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S has a new white 1TB model to store more games in a new color scheme, following the black version with the same storage that launched in 2023.
Microsoft says the new consoles will be available in most regions where Xbox hardware is currently supported, with the exception of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Israel, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. The consoles will arrive in the US on October 15, with the release in “select countries” pushed back a few weeks to October 29.
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Xbox Series X (Galaxy Black Special Edition)
New Xbox accessibility features
Xbox continues to impress with its accessibility solutions for gamers with disabilities. In addition to the console updates, Microsoft unveiled several new controllers on Wednesday so even more people can experience the fun of seamless gaming.
The Xbox Adaptive Joystick meets a widely expressed “need for an affordable, single joystick” that can be used with other Xbox controllers, as Microsoft put it. Designed for people with limited mobility, it features four customizable button inputs on the front, a standard thumbstick, and two additional assignable bumper and trigger buttons.
You can connect the wired stick either to the Xbox Adaptive Controller or to the console. Alternatively, you can connect it to a standard Xbox gamepad via Xbox Controller Assist (solo or couch co-op). The Xbox Adaptive Joystick also has a quarter-inch thread for attachment, which makes it even more versatile.
When it launches in early 2025, the joystick will cost just $30.
Microsoft is also releasing 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick attachments, designed for those who have trouble gripping the standard Xbox sticks. You can print adapters in the shapes of a plate, a dome, a narrow stick, a “pull” (a deep, bowl-shaped surface), a sphere, and a custom base for adding materials like clay or moldable plastic.
Of course, you will need to own your own 3D printer, use a friend’s, or find a professional service provider to print it for you. The printable files are available for free from Xbox Design Lab.
In collaboration with 8BitDo, the Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller is a gamepad with all inputs on the top. It features low resistance buttons and “high sensitivity” Hall effect joysticks. It even includes a non-slip silicone mat to keep everything stable. As a bonus, it includes 8BitDo’s coveted Super Buttons, which first came with the Nintendo-inspired mechanical keyboard.
The 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G is available today for $60.
The ByoWave Proteus controller, unveiled earlier this year on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, is finally available to order. The innovative, modular gamepad features “snap and play” parts that offer over 100 million combinations tailored to your needs. The Proteus is available in the US, EU, UK and Canada for $299.
