Let the Battle Begin

Next-gen game consoles are faster, but you may want to wait for more titles

- Jason Schreier

We spent two weeks testing the game consoles that Microsoft Corp. and Sony Corp. released on Nov. 10 and Nov. 12, respectively, their first major new systems in seven years. Both have their strong points—like allowing games to load much faster— and weaknesses, mostly when it comes to the games themselves.

MICROSOFT XBOX

Microsoft calls the Xbox Series X the most powerful game console ever made. But with a meager lineup of games this year, that claim won’t mean much for a while. (It also released the X’s smaller, less powerful counterpart, the Series S.) The consoles are sleek and easy to use. Games boot up almost immediately, even on the Series S. Loading screens aren’t completely gone, but they appear for no more than a few seconds. Starting from the console’s home screen, there’s barely enough time to check Twitter before you’re off shooting aliens or raiding with Vikings.

The new Xbox arrives without a single exclusive game. Every game available for purchase this year can be found elsewhere, whether it’s on the new PlayStation or the old Xbox. The most anticipated release of the year, Microsoft’s Halo Infinite, was delayed till 2021. Its hero, Master Chief, is pictured on the packaging of the new Xbox, a glaring reminder of the game’s absence.

For Microsoft, the console is a chance to redeem itself from the lackluster performance of its predecessor, the Xbox One. Although the company’s gaming sales have inched up in recent years, their share of total revenue has declined. It was 8.1%, or $11.6 billion, in the last fiscal year.