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In Devindra Hardawar’s December 13, 2024 review for Engadget, the Xbox Series X is powerful hardware without a strong enough exclusive library or distinctive platform advantage to make it the obvious choice for many buyers. He identifies Game Pass as its clearest reason to choose Xbox. That is the reviewer’s judgment, not a universal verdict: the console still offers 4K-oriented hardware, a disc drive, backward compatibility and access to Xbox’s subscription library.
What is the Xbox Series X, and who is it for?
The Series X is Microsoft’s disc-capable, 4K-oriented Xbox console. It makes the most sense for players who want to keep using Xbox games and accessories, value a UHD Blu-ray drive, or expect Game Pass to fit how they play. For someone choosing a console mainly for its exclusive games, Hardawar argues that Xbox’s first-party offering does not make the Series X compelling enough on its own.
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Hardawar framed his review around the question “Who is the Xbox Series X for?” His subtitle gave a deliberately blunt answer: “It’s good enough to satisfy Microsoft fans, but everyone else should just buy a PS5.” Treat that as one reviewer’s conclusion about the platform and its game library, not as a finding that the Series X is technically weak or cannot run attractive games.
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Hardware: capable, but specifications are not guarantees
Microsoft lists these specifications and capabilities for the Series X on its official console page:
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
- Custom 8-core Zen 2 CPU and custom RDNA 2 GPU rated at 12 teraflops.
- 16 GB GDDR6 memory and a 1 TB custom NVMe SSD.
- Native 4K gaming as the console’s stated target, with performance of up to 120 frames per second in supported games.
- HDMI 2.1 features, including variable refresh rate, and a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive.
These are platform specifications and targets, not a promise that every game renders at 4K or reaches 120 fps. A game’s resolution and frame rate depend on its implementation and selected graphics mode. Microsoft’s Series S comparison describes that console as disc-free and designed for 1440p with upscaling; output on either model varies by title.
What the review’s game example shows
Hardawar reported that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle looked good on Series X, with smooth 60 fps gameplay and ray-tracing features in his testing. He also reported rendering at approximately 1800p in that example, rather than 4K. This is an observation about one game in that review, not a result that should be generalized to the entire library.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
Why the review calls the platform underwhelming
Hardawar’s criticism is less about a shortage of raw hardware capability than about what Microsoft built around it. In his view, the Series X did not turn its technical strengths into a durable practical edge over competing consoles, while Xbox’s first-party library and overall platform identity were not distinctive enough to justify choosing it for many players.
That does not mean there were no notable Xbox releases in 2024. Microsoft’s January lineup announcement highlighted Hellblade II, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 among the games planned for Series X|S, and described day-one Game Pass availability for the titles it covered. But a substantial slate is not the same thing as a slate of console exclusives. Microsoft’s June showcase recap listed Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 for Xbox, PlayStation and PC, with day-one access on select Game Pass plans. These announcements illustrate the distinction between games available through Xbox and games that only Xbox can play; they are not a statement of what is currently in any subscription catalog.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Game Pass is therefore central to the review’s case for Xbox. It can make the platform more attractive to someone who plays enough included games to justify the current plan terms, especially when a game they want is included at launch. Its value depends on the games and terms available when the person subscribes; the 2024 announcements alone cannot establish today’s catalog or plan value.
Series X configurations and the 2024 price context
Microsoft announced three holiday 2024 console options on June 9: a Series S 1TB Robot White, a Series X 1TB Digital Edition Robot White, and a Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition. The two announced Series X prices below were historical US estimated retail prices, not current offers. Microsoft described availability for the digital model in select markets and the Galaxy Black edition in limited quantities in select markets.
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
| 2024 Series X configuration | Disc drive | Storage | Announced US estimated retail price | Availability described in announcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series X 1TB Digital Edition Robot White | No | 1 TB | $449.99 | Select markets |
| Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition | Yes; Series X standard disc capability | 2 TB | $599.99 | Limited quantities in select markets |
Those prices help explain why value and configuration matter to a review of the platform, but they should not be used as present-day buying advice. Availability, listings and prices change; check the exact console version and current local price before comparing it with alternatives.
Disc games, backward compatibility and storage
Microsoft says Series X supports thousands of games across four Xbox generations. For compatible disc games, installation does not remove the need for the disc: it must remain inserted to play. Smart Delivery can provide the best version of a supported game for the Xbox console being used. These features matter most to people bringing an existing Xbox library forward, but compatibility is game-specific.
The 1 TB internal SSD can fill up when several large games are installed. Microsoft identifies the Seagate 1TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S as an option for adding storage at the console’s custom SSD performance. Standard external USB drives are also supported, but they are not the same thing as the expansion card’s performance role. More storage can ease an installation-management problem; it does not address Hardawar’s criticism of the game library or platform proposition.
How to decide whether the Series X fits you
- Choose around games, not a specification headline. Make a shortlist of the games you actually plan to play, then check whether they are available on Xbox, exclusive elsewhere, or included in the current Game Pass plan you would use.
- Decide whether you need a disc drive. The standard Series X can play compatible disc games and UHD Blu-rays; the 1TB Digital Edition announced in 2024 cannot use physical game discs.
- Factor in your existing Xbox library. Backward compatibility and Smart Delivery may make the Series X a more natural fit if you already own compatible Xbox games, though supported titles vary.
- Compare the exact configuration and current price. The announced 2024 prices above are historical. Compare local, current prices and storage capacity rather than assuming those figures remain available.
- Assess Game Pass against your habits. It is the strongest ownership argument in Hardawar’s review, but a subscription is worthwhile only if the current terms and included games suit how often you play.
- Plan for storage if you keep many games installed. Consider the compatible expansion card for SSD-level performance or supported USB storage for a different role.
Verdict
The Xbox Series X remains a capable, disc-equipped console with strong compatibility and useful platform features. Hardawar’s “unfulfilled potential” verdict is about the gap between that hardware and the exclusive library or platform identity he wanted—not an inability to deliver good-looking, responsive games. It is an easier recommendation for an existing Xbox player or someone who will get sustained value from Game Pass than for a buyer seeking a clear exclusive-game reason to choose Xbox.
Sources: Engadget’s Xbox Series X review by Devindra Hardawar, December 13, 2024; Microsoft’s Xbox Series X product page; Xbox Wire’s June 9, 2024 console announcement; Xbox Wire’s January 2024 lineup announcement; Xbox Wire’s June 2024 showcase recap.
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