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Xbox One game console review

Even though the experience can be wondrous, it’s hard to talk definitively about the wonders of the Xbox One. That’s because Xbox One is still a work in progress.

XBOX ONE
xbox-box
Graphics: 8.8
Controller: 8.0
Sound: 8.2
Watch Game and TV: 7.5
Update Time: 6.0
Overall Score: 7.7Pros: Kinect that’s much improved; play games and watch TV simultaneously; better graphics.

Cons: Kinect’s voice commands can be iffy; long initial system download; needs more exclusive games.

Updates are being downloaded for the system even as I write. On Twitter, some people are complaining that the update takes hours to load.

So, should you buy it now or wait until they iron things out?

Let’s take a look.

When you open the box and lift out the console, you’ll notice it’s a big, heavy system. It’s the largest console of the five I have under my TV right now.

The Xbox One has 8 gigabytes of ram and a 1.75 gigahertz processor. What’s that mean? It all translates to much improved graphics and better software that lets you upload your game play to social media sites.

But it has a brick-like adaptor from which thick cables emanate. The adaptor’s cables are so fat, I don’t think a New York City rat could eat through them. I wish they were more pliable.

When you get Xbox One connected to your WiFi, expect a software update to come down the pike. Maybe watch some TV or do your homework while this happens because it’ll take an hour — at least. You can’t play games until you do this.

PLAY GAMES AND WATCH TV

xbox-1If you’re a multi-tasker, you’ll like Xbox One. When you connect it to your cable box, you can play a game and watch, say, NFL football at the same time. Or you can Skype. Or you can have Netflix on.

In other words, Xbox One’s made for people who like to do two things at once.

It’d be awesome if it was, but it’s not a replacement for your cable box. At its best, it’s an addition that helps to refine watching TV with voice commands and a better online channel guide.

At its worst, it complicates matters. When Kinect doesn’t work, you’re forced to go to the Xbox controller, or even the remote and the cable box to, say, change a channel.

THE NEW KINECT

The latest version of Kinect, which comes packed into the $500 system, is quite good — when it works. I don’t have to shout to launch the system. I can just say, “Xbox. On.”

xbox-2If it’s in its suspend state, it’ll power up in mere seconds. This not-really-off state takes about 15 to 20 watts of power. That’s close to the smallest lamp light bulb.

And I can get much closer to Kinect to make gesture commands that power games and start, say, Netflix. That wasn’t possible with the first model.

For me, Kinect works really well when I’m feeding an apple to, say, a very life-like giraffe in Zoo Tycoon. That’s just an awesome experience. But then, the demo of Kinect Sports Rivals I downloaded from Xbox Live didn’t work for days. Finally, it worked with a water racing game.

The system wants to put pretty much all of each game disk onto its 500 gigabyte hard drive. But the cool thing? You can begin playing, say, the Forza 5 racing game, when it’s only about 20 percent loaded. And no, the loading doesn’t slow game play.

THE LATEST CONTROLLER

xbox-3The Xbox One controller is better, if heavier, especially because the motors inside rumble in many ways.

So when you put the pedal to the metal in a racing game, the trigger you use to accelerate vibrates. It’s a small thing, but it’s helpful. But you can’t charge the batteries from inside the controller unless you buy an upgraded battery pack for $25 more.

SOME ISSUES

As I mentioned, I don’t like the long download time and the early glitches in the system (like when Kinect doesn’t understand me).

What I really don’t like about Xbox One (and I said the same for the PS4) is that you can’t play your Xbox 360 games on it because it’s not backwards compatible.

The Wii U, which is low tech compared to these new systems, is the only new box that does let you play old Wii games. That’s a bonus.

BUY OR NOT?

Don’t buy Xbox One immediately. Wait until Microsoft fixes everything. That’ll happen by Christmas and the holidays. Microsoft is a good company full of hardworking people. But they have to work a lot harder right now to get things right.


THE BETTER XBOX ONE GAMES

Zoo Tycoon (Microsoft): This zoo simulation is the best of all of Microsoft’s launch titles. The animals look so real, if a little smiley. And you can feed a banana to an elephant using Kinect. As he moves his giant head down to your hand, the feeling is real and awe-inspiring.

Forza 5 (Microsoft): I like this racing game a lot, even though it’s a game for cheaters. That’s because when you crash, you’re allowed to turn back time to before the accident and start again. The beautiful cars (so many!) and environments are bonuses, too. So is the music that complements play.

Need For Speed Rivals (Electronic Arts): Unlike the simulation that is Forza 5, Rivals is arcade-like. The bonuses? Two. The wide open world lets you speed anywhere for the finest thrills. And, it looks amazing on the new system.

58 Comments on Xbox One game console review

  1. Where can I find a review of Xbox One Kinect games?

  2. The Xbox One is quite literally a windows 8. It has the exact same features as one and acts the same during gameplay. The only thing it seems to have that is new, is the disc holder for the game discs, and no touchscreen.

  3. the only thing I would want to get on it is halo 5

  4. I do not have a game I went a xbx one

  5. I want PvZ Garden Warfare so bad!!!

  6. tripleasp5 tag Xbox // February 11, 2014 at 7:03 pm // Reply

    Can I still enter the contest for the Xbox one?????

  7. I have an xbox one my self and it is awesome! I can watch all of my favorite videos, play dead rising 3 , and listen to my favorite songs wile not lifting a finger!!!!!!!!! 🙂 might cost 367$ but it’s well worth It!

  8. I think xbox1 is awesome because it cool i like it.

  9. This is fun and AHHH-SOME!

  10. I'm not forgetting it // January 9, 2014 at 5:36 pm // Reply

    HASN’T ANYONE REMEMBER THE WII?!?!?!?!?!

  11. I have never tried ps4 but I have tried xbox one and also i think its better .

  12. I would get one except for some reasons. 1. The lack of 1st and 3rd party games (which is normal for any new system) and 2. The Xbox One tends to have major hardware issues that you left out–such as for one, some models disk drives do not read games properly (Microsoft will give you a new one and a free downloadable game depending on location). Please GamesGuru note these issues.

  13. Which console should I get the xbox 360, xbox 1, ps3, ps4, ps vita, 3ds, 2ds, wii u, Ouya, nVIDIA shield, or 3ds xl?

    • I wish i can have a xbox one

    • I say the wii u because you can play a game while someone watches tv with no negative effects other than the game becomes one player and the game pad is about the size of a closed lap top with a xxxxl screen

      • Hey uncatchable the Wii U game pad has a 7 inch lengthwise screen, and a xxxxl laptop its about 17.5 inches to like 20 inches.

    • 3ds XL Rocks!

      • jackattack // April 27, 2014 at 8:10 am //

        i wonder if apple will make a major game consol

      • Sniper // May 8, 2014 at 9:32 pm //

        Actually, Apple has already made their own console. It was called the pippin and did not go well. It was created while Steve Jobs was not with Apple. Basically, all that Apple Pippin was a desktop with a cheesy controller that sat under your tv and only had about 3 or 4 games. It was a complete failure and Apple canceled it immediately.

    • PS3

  14. a little bit to late for me to not get it (too excited)

  15. largepandazgaming // December 17, 2013 at 2:54 pm // Reply

    I would personally suggest PS4, since it has more T rated games AND Knack, I also think Little Big Planet 2 will be on it.

  16. mr epic mann // December 16, 2013 at 9:50 pm // Reply

    My birthday is in January I want to start saving up for one with that money.

  17. Captain America // December 16, 2013 at 8:39 pm // Reply

    I think that the best feature is that you don’t have to be so far away for the Kinect to work right. I also think that the ability to turn the Xbox off with your voice is a good idea. Except if it gets confused and turns off, or if someone in a video says, “Xbox, turn off, yes.”

  18. Greatness is in PS4

  19. I think i should get the x-box one.

  20. im not gettin it EVER!!!

  21. I need help. BADLY! My dad thinks that the Wii U isn’t physical and that’s why we only got Wii. How can i explain to my dad Wii U is physical?!
    PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY!!!

    – Oh great (Often known as Gaming 101

    • You can still use the Wii Remote for some Wii U games.

    • Hear is one thing. It is backwards compatable with wii games so it is still physical but with “much need updates and graphics”.

    • Tell him about Wii Fit U! It has many great fitness activities that use the Wii Balance Board, and it uses the Fit Meter, which you can use to track your activity throughout the day! Tell him about that ASAP!

  22. NVM! I WANT ONE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  23. I don’t know how it’s like cuz its just another X-Box.
    X-Box, X-Box 360, X-Box One, they’re all the same.

  24. I TOTALLY AGREE ABOUT THIS IT IT SO GREAT AND I GOING TO GET IT.

  25. can i get the Xbox one

  26. I really want the Xbox one because I have the 2002 one

  27. I think that the xbox one is to totallay better than ps4.

  28. thanks for the feedback now I don’t have to buy the xbox one and maybe ill have a better chance at getting it cAUSE IT WORKS BETTER THANK YOU MR. XBOX GUY-MAN-WHOMEVER

  29. I have noticed that a lot of my friends are wanting to get the PS4 because it has better graphics, is that true?

    • The ps4 has a slight boost in graphics, but it’s not huge. The ps4 and xbox one have pretty much the same power, so don’t base your decision on that.

  30. ChuckNorris24 // November 26, 2013 at 3:57 pm // Reply

    $500 for a console with 3 good games and a camera that no one wants? I’ll pass.

    • If that is all you got out of this, then you definitely need a bit of help. He didn’t say that those 3 games were the only good ones, he said that they were the ones he likes.

  31. mezmolover01 // November 24, 2013 at 8:50 pm // Reply

    Xbox one sounds…… Okay…. It needs some improvements, so I don’t plan to buy it. Meh, at least the graphics are realistic in the One.:)

  32. this is the best consil ever!!!

  33. Huh. I recently read a review on this on Wired, and it thought the One was spectacular.
    I still agree with Wired, sorry Games Guru. Also, don’t insult the Wii U. ITS AWESOME!

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