Microsoft botched the launch of the Xbox One and continued to lag throughout the eighth generation of consoles, ultimately selling less than half as many units as Sony did of the PlayStation 4.

Even the powerful Xbox One X overhaul, the excellent value of the Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and the acquisition of numerous big-name game studios weren't enough to save the generation.

The Xbox Series X represented an opportunity for Microsoft to start over with a new generation of console gaming. Microsoft took a two-pronged approach this time around, with the less powerful Series S and flagship Series X sharing the same base hardware and playing the same base games. The Xbox Series X is the most powerful home console available today, handily beating out rival PlayStation 5 in raw specs numbers.

What’s more, it boasts a range of user-friendly features that stand out in use, such as blazing fast load times and quick switching between open games. And that’s not to mention extensive backwards compatibility with older games.