Today is the first day to pre-order the new Xbox consoles for 2024. The new collection includes the all-digital Xbox Series X, the Special Edition Xbox Series X with 2TB of storage and the Xbox Series S in white. It begins shipping to US customers on October 15.
Announced in June, the all-digital Xbox Series X is the first iteration of that model without a disc drive. Shipped in a “white robot,” the new console includes 1TB of storage and costs $450. That’s only a $50 discount on the regular model, so it’s worth considering whether the disc tradeoff is worth it. Sometimes you can find a standard model on sale for that price, and the Microsoft Refurbished Store has it for $450 right now.
Microsoft
Pre-order the new disc-free Xbox starting today.
$450 for Xbox
In addition, the digital Xbox is all the same size as the standard version with a disc drive. Therefore, unlike the same PS5, the new disc-less model will not save space in your entertainment center.
If you are on the other end of the spectrum and you are under spending More for Xbox, Microsoft also presents a special 2TB edition of the Series X in “galaxy black” with a groovy space design. That variant, which sets you back $600, includes a standard disk drive.
Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S has a new white model with 1TB of multi-game storage in a new color. It follows a black version with the same storage that arrived in 2023.
Microsoft says the new consoles will arrive in most regions where Xbox hardware is currently supported, except for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Israel, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and the UAE. The consoles arrive in the US on October 15, while “select countries” are pushed back a few weeks to October 29.
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Xbox Series X (Galaxy Black Special Edition)
New accessibility options for Xbox
Xbox continues to impress with its accessibility features for players with disabilities. Alongside console updates, Microsoft introduced several new controllers on Wednesday to help more people experience the joy of conflict-free gaming.
The Xbox Adaptive Joystick fills what Microsoft calls “the need for an affordable, single joystick” that you can use with other Xbox controllers. Designed for people with limited mobility, it has a customizable four-button front, standard thumb and two-button bumper and trigger style.
You can connect a wired antenna to the Xbox Adaptive Controller or console. Alternatively, you can connect it to a standard Xbox gamepad using Xbox Controller Assist (solo or co-op). The Xbox Adaptive Joystick also has a quarter-inch mounting bracket, adding to its versatility.
The joystick will only cost $30 when it arrives in early 2025.
Microsoft is also introducing 3D printable files for flexible thumbsticks, designed for those who have trouble gripping the standard Xbox sticks. You can print adapters in the shape of a plate, a dome, a small rod, a “draw” (a deep, bowl-shaped area), a circle and a custom base for adding materials such as clay or moldable plastic.
Of course, you’ll need to own a 3D printer, use a friend’s or get a professional service to print it. Free printable files from Xbox Design Lab.
In partnership with 8BitDo, the Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller is a gaming pad with all the inputs at its peak. It has slightly offset buttons and joysticks for a “more sensitive” Hall effect. It even includes a non-slip silicone mat to keep things stable. As a bonus, it also includes the coveted 8BitDo buttons, which were originally bundled with a Nintendo-inspired mechanical keyboard.
The 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G is available starting today for $60.
Finally, the BioWave Proteus Controller, unveiled earlier this year on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, is now available to order. The new, modular gamepad features “snap and play” components that offer over 100 million combinations tailored to your needs. The Proteus is available for $299 in the US, EU, UK and Canada.
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