Yesterday, Microsoft showed off their mid gen refresh to the Xbox One called the Xbox One X. The Xbox One X features a beefier processor with a new graphics chip and more ram for gameplay in 4k resolutions.

For those who have been living under a rock, 4k is a regular 1080p image multiplied by four for a higher color density. Microsoft came out with a lot of impressive looking games. While these games look nice in theory, it should be noted that a lot of these games will be on PC too.

I’m fully aware the target market for this thing is people who want beefier specs without building a PC, but there’s a very small market of people who would spend the money on this thing. It looks great on paper, but next to the Nintendo Switch and the PS4 this thing may not have a chance.

The Nintendo Switch is another x factor (pun intended) in itself. The thing is selling is selling like crazy and there really isn’t much out as far as games go. If Nintendo can have a stellar E3 riding the current hype for the Switch then the Xbox One X won’t be able to hold a torch to this thing. Sony will have a solid holiday season regardless, but Nintendo definitely has the chance of being a very close second and maybe in the lead if it goes into the holidays with the right games.

Microsoft, as much as I love them, will get left in the dust with an expensive system. This thing reeks of Sega. Sure it has the power, but Nintendo is just going to do exactly what it did to Sega in the 90’s; Remind people they don’t need an overpriced/overpowered product to enjoy fun and compelling gaming experiences. Yes the Xbox One S is $299, but can you take the same gaming experience with you on the train, plane or bus? Nope. Does it have a multitude of multiplayer setups out of the box without the need to drop loads of money on extra peripherals? Nope.

I wouldn’t say the Xbox One X is dead on arrival; I will say however it will have a hell of a time competing against the cheaper priced PS4 that’s currently winning the exclusives game. Not just exclusives the console manufacturer dangled money in front of developers for, but exclusives built for the system due to it being more powerful than the Xbox One S and having a higher install base.

It should also be noted the Xbox One is struggling in Japan. Most companies in Japan are making games for either Sony or Nintendo. The PS4 has such a massive install base in the US that there are plenty of companies willing to bring games from Japan to America for PS4 owners. Sony users get at least one new exclusive game a month, even if it is a small Indie title or a niche third party title from Japan.

Sony has a product similar to the Xbox One X called the PS4 Pro, but tonight during their presentation Sony didn’t need to do all the mental masturbating Microsoft was doing on stage with the Xbox One X. They just focused on announcing stellar first party games. Sony knows that they don’t need to gloat about power. Tthey just need to remind Sony users that their system is the platform to play awesome games.

I haven’t even gotten to Nintendo. Nintendo will have their presentation this week with a chance to steal the holiday season away from both Microsoft and Sony. Nintendo will have to come out guns blazing with really good games. The Nintendo Switch already has a lot of momentum behind it with a really good Zelda title, a Mario Game coming out in the fall, a brand new IP called arms dropping this week, a sequel to their successful shooter Splatoon dropping next month and a Mario/Rabbids crossover coming out in August.

Nintendo so far has one AAA title a month for the system through the holidays. If Nintendo can get a hang of the manufacturing of the Switches, you’ll have a steady stream of them leaving stores with games like Mario Odyssey, Zelda, Mario Kart, Splatoon 2, Arms and anything else that may get a release date this year. If Nintendo can have a stellar conference this week, Sony will still be a very close second but the Xbox One X may get left in the dust.

 

Flemmings Beaubrun is an avid gamer and lover of music. When not working, Flemmings likes to spend his time whipping up dank beats for the masses. He also spends his weekends thrift shopping for rare video games and obscure electronics. Other times he’s in front of a TV with a giant bowl of cereal enjoying shows from the 90s.