Since Microsoft fully unveiled the Xbox One X at E3 2017 with a $500 price tag, gamers have been debating whether "the world's most powerful console" is worth buying before it launches on Nov. 7.
The Xbox One X certainly has its merits. The console is powered by a six-teraflop Polaris GPU, making it 1.4 times more powerful than the PlayStation 4 Pro. It is capable of playing games in native 4K UHD at a rate of 60 frames per second, with a 2.3 GHz octa-core CPU supported by 12 GB of RAM.
However, it seems that for every good thing about the Xbox One X, there is another reason why gamers should shy away from purchasing Microsoft's latest console. Here are the top reasons why we're not buying the Xbox One X.
The Steep $500 Price Tag
The $500 price tag of the Xbox One X is actually what most gamers expected for the console, judging from the revealed specifications before its official announcement at E3. However, it is still $100 more than the PlayStation 4 Pro and $200 more than the Nintendo Switch, which places the pressure on Microsoft to prove to customers who wants to buy a new console that its price tag is worth it.
However, the expense of buying an Xbox One X does not only amount to $500 for most gamers. To maximize the capabilities of the console, gamers will also need to purchase a 4K TV, which costs at least $500 for a decent one. For gamers who do not want to shell out the extra cash for a 4K TV and who are not that big on graphics, the $299 Xbox One S and PlayStation 4 are better options.
Also, for the price tag of an Xbox One X, gamers may soon be able to build a PC with similar specifications and features. The lowest price that PC World was able to get for such a rig is about $650, but it noted that by November, the components may have already decreased in price to bring the total nearer to $500. All of the best Xbox One games are also available for the PC, so building a PC instead is certainly a viable option.
The Unimpressive List Of Exclusives
The list of exclusive titles that will be coming to the Xbox One X is one of the most important factors on the success of the console, as that will set it apart from the PlayStation 4 Pro. So far, however, Microsoft has not revealed any title that blows gamers away.
At E3 2017, upcoming games that were revealed for the Xbox One X system include Crackdown 3, State of Decay 2, Forza Motorsport 7, and Cuphead. While these titles are great, the list pales in comparison to games offered by the PlayStation 4 such as Horizon Zero Dawn, Gravity Rush 2, Nioh, Persona 5, and Nier: Automata, along with upcoming titles Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, and Spider-Man. Even the Nintendo Switch has a better exclusives line-up, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and the upcoming Super Mario Odyssey.
While the power of the Xbox One X could lead to exclusive titles that only the console can support in the future, there is currently no game that will attract customers away from the console's rivals.
The Second System Problem
According to David Cole, an analyst from DFC Intelligence, the Xbox One X is positioned as a second system for previous Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners due to its price point. Chances are that customers interested in the Xbox One X already own an Xbox One or a PlayStation 4.
However, these customers are instead looking at purchasing the Nintendo Switch as a second system. With a unique library of exclusives, portability, and its cheap price, Nintendo's hybrid console would be a better partner for an Xbox One or a PlayStation 4.
There is also the question on whether upgrading to an Xbox One X and its 4K capabilities is worth it, as players may only get a marginal upgrade that is not worth the trouble of buying the console. In addition, backward compatibility and cross-platform play, two features enabled by Microsoft that are not in the PlayStation 4, are also available for the Xbox One.
What Is Microsoft's Plan For The Xbox One X?
Microsoft has failed to give a good pitch for PlayStation 4 owners to switch to the Xbox One X. There is also no reason for first-time gamers to buy the Xbox One X over the Nintendo Switch, and no urgency for Xbox One owners to upgrade to the new console.
Unless Microsoft is able to launch a plan for the direction of the Xbox One X, the console will likely not be enough to close the gap with the PlayStation 4.
