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The best consoles, games and accessories for students
The life of a student isn't all taking notes, writing essays and broadening horizons. Sometimes, you just want to blow off some steam. And for some of us, that means loading up a new game (or an old familiar one) and transporting yourself elsewhere. Welcome to the console gaming section of our back-to-school guide, where we've homed in on several upgrades, running the gamut from accessories, games (duh) and even whole consoles (lucky you). While we're pretty taken with Nintendo's Switch, we've also included recommendations for Xbox, PlayStation and even a VR headset, with game suggestions throughout to help make some new friends or get the party started. And if you need even more game-buying advice, click here to find our top picks for every platform and also be sure to check out the PC gaming section of our back-to-school guide.
Xbox One X is $100 off during Microsoft's E3 sale
It's one of the most wonderful times of the year for gamers as E3 is upon us. Not only will the next week or so bring more game announcements than you can shake a stick at, but you can expect sales galore from many of the big hitters. Microsoft, for one, has stepped up to the plate with an array of deals, including a hefty discount on Xbox One X.
Microsoft's 'All-Digital' Xbox One could launch in May
Those rumors of Microsoft releasing a disc-free Xbox One in 2019 are gathering steam. Windows Central sources claim the system will be named the "Xbox One S All-Digital Edition" (a very Microsoft-like name if we've ever heard one) and would ship worldwide in early May, with pre-orders starting in mid-April. The tipsters didn't mention pricing or design changes, but Thurrott previously heard that axing the Blu-ray drive could slash the price by up to $100.
Xbox is poised to dominate the next console generation
Well, this is certainly a surprise. Xbox has been the bumbling underdog of the eighth console generation, playing catch-up to Sony's PlayStation 4 and watching from a distance as the Nintendo Switch reignited the passion of video game fans worldwide. However, over the past five years, Microsoft has doggedly climbed its way out of a PR and reputation pit with items like the Xbox One X and the Adaptive Controller as well as its public support of cross-console play. Today, Microsoft is better positioned than any other video game company to take control of the coming hardware cycle, which is expected to kick off in 2020.
Apple hires former Tesla and Microsoft senior designer
Apple has hired Andrew Kim, formerly of Tesla and Microsoft, to bolster its design team. Kim captured the attention of many in 2011 with a custom iOS device stand and again in 2012 when, as a fan, he shared his vision for an overhaul of Microsoft's branding and design language. He then joined Microsoft and helped design the Windows 10 UI along with HoloLens and Xbox One S, he writes on his LinkedIn profile, before moving to Tesla.
Microsoft cuts Xbox One prices by $50 in post-Black Friday sale
Microsoft wants to keep its console sales buzzing now that its Black Friday sale is over. The tech giant is launching a "limited time" sale that cuts the price of any Xbox One bundle by $50, whether it's an Xbox One S with Battlefield V (now $250) or an Xbox One X with PUBG (now $450). It's not as good a deal as during the Black Friday frenzy, but it might help you decide on a gift if your recipient isn't picky about their gaming platform.
Amazon adds a free Echo Dot to Xbox One purchases
Amazon's previously-announced combo offer to anyone in the market for an Xbox One is now available. Buy a brand new system, either the entry level S or 4K-capable X model, and get both NBA 2K19 and an Echo Dot for free. Both the game and the Dot retail for $60 and $50 respectively, giving you a $110 savings. As with many promotions this deal will only be available while supplies last. This deal comes after Microsoft announced new Xbox integrations with Alexa and Cortana. The features allow users to use Alexa to turn the console on and off, adjust volume, launch games and apps, start and stop Mixer broadcasts and capture screenshots all through voice. This isn't the only Xbox deal right now, however: GameStop is offering a generous trade-in deal for an Xbox One X State of Decay 2 bundle. Trading in the original Xbox One will net you $200 in trade-in credit, while the Xbox One S, PS4, and Switch will net you $250. The highest value comes from trading in a PS4 Pro, giving $300 in credit.
Microsoft is rolling out Xbox Avatars today
Xbox is rolling out its October update today, which will bring a number of new features that that have been in testing until now. First, the Xbox skills for Cortana and Alexa are now available. Using the skills, you'll be able to turn your console on and off, adjust the volume, launch games and apps, start and stop Mixer broadcasts and capture screenshots with just your voice. Just head to the Alexa and Cortana skill stores to find the skill and get started.
Dolby Vision HDR is ready for testing on Xbox One
Microsoft promised Dolby Vision HDR support for the Xbox One and starting today, testers with an Xbox One S or Xbox One X (and a compatible 4K TV) can try it out with Netflix streaming. Dolby's expansion on HDR10 -- that already drastically improves the capabilities for lighting and contrast -- adds 12-bit color support plus features for content publishers to adjust settings for the best lighting and color in each scene. Most owners of Ultra HD TVs with Dolby Vision and 4K probably already have an app built-in that will stream the right content, but now they can enjoy it without switching back and forth. There's still no word on support for Dolby Vision-ready 4K Blu-ray discs, but at least this step is done.
The Xbox One gamepad finally works like it should on Android
This week, XDA Developers discovered that Google has added full Android support for Microsoft's Bluetooth-enabled Xbox controller. Previously, gamers could connect their Android devices to the controller, but the button mapping in many games was incorrect. Yesterday, Google marked a two-year-old bug report on the issue as fixed and indicated the controller will work with Android Pie.
'All Access' Xbox subscription could bundle games, Live and a console
Microsoft's vision for the Xbox as a service might become clearer in the very near future. Windows Central has heard that Microsoft is prepping a Xbox All Access subscription that would bundle an Xbox One console, Xbox Live Gold and an Xbox Game Pass for a single flat rate on a two-year contract. You'd pay $22 per month if you could get by with an Xbox One S, while 4K fans would pay $35 per month for an Xbox One X. That would be slightly more affordable than paying for everything separately, and you'd own your console when the contract expired.
Microsoft, where's my 2TB Xbox One X?
Today at Gamescom Microsoft trotted out a bevy of new Xbox hardware/software bundles, as promised. There were eight (!) in total, with the One X getting the lion's share of them. Both the One S and One X bundles share a common theme: 1 terabyte of internal storage. First-party games optimized for the One X, meaning they feature 4K resolution and HDR video, are big, and several reach 100GB. That'a over 10 percent of available internal storage per. It doesn't take having too many of those before you have to start playing virtual Tetris with game downloads.
The best consoles and games to play in the dorm
The last thing you want to do after spending hours staring at your laptop studying is spend more time staring at your laptop when you want to play a game or watch a movie. That's where game consoles come in. The Xbox One S starts at $244 on Amazon, while Microsoft regularly marks down the price of its entry-level system to around $200. In addition to being the place to play Halo and Gears of War, it's also an incredibly capable media machine thanks to its built-in UHD Blu-ray drive and support for HDR video. Plus, you might not have to spend any money on games for it: If you had a huge collection of digital games on the Xbox 360, Microsoft has made a swath of them playable on the One. It also means there are tons of used disc-based titles that will perform and play better on the Xbox as well. Specifically, the Red Dead Redemption Game of the Year Edition is the best example of what an old game can look like on new hardware. If you opt for the new route, it'll only set you back $20. When you consider how much there is to see and do Rockstar's open-world take on the Old West, it's a veritable circus of value. And really, what better way is there to get ready for the sequel which comes out in late October? If you're in the PlayStation camp but somehow still haven't picked up a PlayStation 4, give the $300 PS4 Slim a look. It's sleeker and quieter overall compared to the 2013 model, and it's the only place you can play this fall's incredibly promising Spider-man game. The new Greatest Hits program slashed the price on some of the system's best games, which can make your gaming dollar stretch even further. As good as those two consoles are, playing them between classes requires a trip back to your dorm. That's not the case with the Nintendo Switch. It's small and light enough to toss into your bag before leaving that you might not even feel it. Plus, it starts up and powers off quickly, making it easy to get back to the field you were clearing in Stardew Valley before English 256 started. By the time you get home for the day, you can slide the hybrid console into its dock and watch a few episodes of The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu before nodding off to sleep to your TV. Find all of our picks for console in our 2018 back-to-school guide and while you're there, check out our 100-plus picks in 13 other categories.
Microsoft promises 'all-new Xbox hardware' next month (update: no)
Microsoft is bringing new Xbox hardware to Germany next month for Gamescom. The news comes from Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, who teased "all-new Xbox hardware and accessories" in a blog post this morning. What could it be? Well, there have been rumors (and leaked images) surrounding a revised Elite controller with three-way hair-trigger locks, tension control for thumbsticks, a magnetic USB-C connector and new grips since January, which makes it a good candidate. The last Elite controller was released in 2015. Or, it could be a new SKU of the Xbox One.
A tiny Xbox One S is the latest American Girl accessory
As in all children's toys, representation in American Girl's line of dolls is key: The last to be introduced was a Latin American girl destined to reach Mars. But maybe owners just want to see theirs kick back, relax, and play a few rounds of Fortnite like they do. American Girl has released a pack of 'gamer' paraphernalia including a headset, chair and an Xbox One S, finally solving the debate of where the brand falls in the system wars.
Microsoft discounts the Xbox One X for its E3 week sale
Microsoft is cutting the price of the 4K-friendly Xbox One X for the first time in what the company is calling its biggest Xbox sale of the year. All Xbox One models are dropping by $50, so the Xbox One X will set you back $449, while the Xbox One S costs $199 for the 500GB version, and $249 for 1TB. If you've been looking for a new controller, you can pick one up for $10 less.
Xbox One will automatically use your TV's game mode
Many TVs have a game mode that disables image processing to reduce lag, but it can be a pain if you regularly do things besides gaming. Do really want to switch the mode off every time you want to watch Netflix? You might not have to before long. Microsoft has unveiled a bevy of upcoming Xbox One updates that include support for Auto Low Latency Mode. If you have a compatible TV (some Samsung models will qualify), it'll recognize your Xbox and invoke its low-lag mode only when you're actually playing -- all your TV's processing will come back the moment you curl up with a movie. The improvement arrives later in 2018.
Microsoft stops selling the Xbox One Kinect adapter
You knew Kinect peripherals weren't long for this world when Microsoft stopped producing the Kinect in October, but it's still a sad day. The company has stopped making the Xbox Kinect Adapter that lets Xbox One S, Xbox One X and Windows PC users attach the depth-sensing camera without the presence of the original Xbox One's proprietary port. Microsoft wants to focus its efforts on "higher fan-requested gaming accessories," a spokesperson told Polygon. In short: there wasn't exactly rampant demand for an adapter to support a peripheral that had effectively been declared dead.
Xbox's lack of compelling games won't be fixed next year
Microsoft's 2017 started six months early. At E3 2016, Xbox chief Phil Spencer closed out the company's keynote by teasing the "most powerful console ever." At this year's show, he finally revealed the Xbox One X, and in November, the hardware was at retail. In the time it takes to earn a bachelor's degree, Microsoft addressed one of the internet's loudest complaints about the Xbox One: that it wasn't powerful enough compared to the PlayStation 4.
The best gifts for a console gamer
Don't worry, we're not out to start a console war in our comments: If you're in the market for a new games system, the Xbox One S, PlayStation VR, Nintendo Switch and 2DS XL all made it into our holiday gift guide, for different reasons. Once you figure out which platform is best for your intended, we have a wide assortment of games and accessories, from a 400GB microSDXC card to a custom Xbox controller to the PlayStation Gold wireless headset, among other things. Find all that and more in our gift guide at the link below.
