Xbox Deals & Offers

Xbox: Downloads, Streaming, Multiplayer Gaming and More

Since launching their first gaming platform, Microsoft has constantly expanded its utility, allowing it to become much more than a great piece of gaming hardware. Through this iconic box, you can now access a huge range of titles and applications, as well as streaming services with Xbox Live. By paying for Xbox Live Gold, you can view or buy from their catalogue, get free monthly titles and play with other gamers online.

Glossy Exteriors and Refined Gaming from the Xbox Family

Microsoft was always considered a PC software producer, so when the original Xbox was released in 2001, consumers had their doubts. Worse still, the new device was placed in direct competition with more established machines, like the GameCube and the PlayStation 2. Predictably, it did struggle to keep up with its rivals, but Microsoft acted quickly and reduced the price by 30% within a year, which boosted sales. The free Xbox Live service arrived in 2002 and became a major hit with gamers. This was followed by the hugely successful Xbox 360 in 2005 and the next-gen Xbox One in 2013. The Xbox brand is now a major player in the gaming world, with global sales topping 100 million.

Different Versions of the Xbox

Since 2001 Microsoft have continued to revamp and develop their flagship unit. In 2005, they released the 360, closely followed by different configurations of this original unit. By 2013, their third-generation version, the One, was ready to land. It boasted a raft of improvements, including 4K support (with the One S and X), redesigned controllers and a vastly improved processor. Here’s a look at how the unit has evolved.

The Original Xbox – After premiering in North America during November 2001, the Xbox was released in Japan, Australia and Europe by 2002. As the first ever gaming unit from the PC giant Microsoft, it features a built-in 8GB hard drive. At the time, this was an innovation, because most gaming platforms used memory cards, integral flash memory, or an add-on memory drive. When it hit the shelves, the Xbox was the most powerful gaming machine around, outperforming more recognised competitors like the Nintendo GameCube and the PlayStation 2from Sony.

The internal architecture included an Intel Pentium III processor and a Windows-based operating system, complete with the Xbox Dashboard for simple navigation. Equipped with a media player, it could play music and store digital data on the hard drive.

With the addition of Xbox Live in 2002, players finally had free and reliable networking capabilities, backed up by a user-friendly interface. By July 2005, 2 million online users were accessing the service. The Xbox launch titles were incredibly popular, including Halo: Combat Evolved, Fuzion Frenzy and Dead or Alive 3.

Each different element of the brand was enjoyed by fans, ensuring it became a huge hit the world over. By the time it was discontinued in 2006, more than 24 million units had been sold.

Xbox 360 – Fresh from their Xbox success, Microsoft introduced the Xbox 360 in 2005. Having sold out since before its launch date in the U.S, it was released into 36 other countries within the year, more than any preceding unit. Microsoft had not merely tinkered with their original machine, they had rebuilt it entirely.

The exterior was given a makeover, leaving it with the smooth matte white or glossy black finishes which have endured. Inside, there were far more dramatic changes, a triple-core CPU added power, while the graphics processing was boosted by a chip from ATI Technologies, containing 10MB of dynamic random access memory. Users could play music and films, but a whole new world of streaming, networking and downloading digital content were on offer.

Microsoft expanded their Xbox Live feature to go with the new unit, adding the ability to purchase content and access third-party applications to stream music, films or shows. The motion control Kinect was released in 2010, adding an extra dimension to gameplay with an advanced sensor.

Xbox 360 Pro – In 2008, Microsoft released the Pro to appeal to hardened gamers who wanted more utility. It had more demos and clips to try out, as well as Hexic HD, the Xbox Live Arcade favourite. With a larger 20GB hard disk drive, this version had full backwards compatibility with the older Xbox library, plus it could store sizable amounts of content.

Xbox 360 Elite – Microsoft announced the release of their flagship machine in 2007. Along with a heftier price tag it delivered major advances in terms of storage and video. The hard drive had been extended to 12GB and an HDMI port was added to make it compatible with HD TVs. The final change was purely cosmetic, as the Elite controller and system were all finished in the same black hue, reminiscent of the original machine.

Xbox 360 S – In 2010 Microsoft again reimagined the 360 hardware, making it thinner and giving it a matte black facelift. Three USB ports were added to support accessories like motion control and buttons were made touch sensitive.

The Xbox One – Bringing together multiple platforms in one convenient device, Microsoft released the One in 2013, as a successor to the 360. It is part of the eighth generation of home gaming units and the third in the Xbox series. This version has backwards compatibility with 360 titles and remastered Xbox favourites can be downloaded. It is pitted against the PlayStation 4 from Sony, as well as the Switch from Nintendo. Launch titles included big hitters like Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, Dead Rising 3 and FIFA 14.

Cosmetically, many people were disappointed with this large and heavy unit, which can only be placed horizontally. However, the excellent gaming selection, reactive tiled interface and regular updates were massively popular.

The finish is either matte white or matte black, but glossy black is available. A white backlit logo glows when the unit is on. The controller body was redesigned to include a d-pad as well as triggers that deliver feedback during play.

Inside, there is a 500GB or a 1TB internal hard drive, supporting an Advanced Micro Devices Accelerated Processing Unit and two quad-core modules. These allow the machine to multitask without a drop in performance and to run apps optimally all the time. The earlier versions include a Kinect 2.0 sensor. This offers enhanced voice recognition and motion tracking for gaming or the graphics interface.

The software is geared toward cloud computing, social media, sharing video clips and live streaming. Any device which is Windows 10 enabled will act as a companion, so users can play from the One via a local area network. It plays Blu-rays, live TV and features a program guide.

Xbox One S – An upgrade on the original, the S is a popular model that is 40% smaller than the One. It supports HDR gaming and is marginally more powerful. Although it won’t deliver gameplay in 4K, you can enjoy Blu-rays in this format. The One S can be enhanced with an external hard drive, but the onboard storage comes in either 500GB, 1TB or 2TB. If you can find a deal on a version with the larger amount of storage, it’s certainly worth going for.

Xbox One X – With the One X, released in November 2017, Microsoft upgraded the existing software in the One and the One S, to compete with the PS4 Pro. Featuring a dazzling 4K resolution display and speeds of 60fps, the X is designed for serious gamers who expect cutting-edge graphics and a stellar performance. It is compatible with all the One and S titles, accessories and controllers.

Introducing the Xbox One X

Which Xbox Version to Buy?

For retro gamers, the older Xbox models will always offer a certain nostalgic charm and if you are curious about old school platforms, you can easily pick up an original Xbox or 360 on eBay. It’s worth remembering that due to the growing popularity of classic titles, the One does provide access to bundles from Atari and Sega, along with old Xbox favourites like the Star Wars series. This means you’ll be able to enjoy three generations of gaming without once changing between machines.

Most new buyers are purchasing the more advance S as opposed to the One. If you already own a One, you can choose to upgrade to an S, but you will notice very little difference unless it will be connected to an HDR TV, in which case the graphics will be far better.

The original One is slowly being phased out, meaning the One S is now the most commonly bundled model, and by choosing this version, you’ll probably find the best prices. For people who play a lot and appreciate larger inbuilt storage, the One S has a 2TB option. It is also smaller, a more convenient choice if you’re short on space and there’s no brick plug attached as that’s all taken care of internally.

If you spend a lot of time gaming and you prefer to own a standout machine, the Xbox One X will heighten the experience with superior speeds and faster gameplay. It’s also marginally smaller than the S, but the key reason to buy this costlier version will always be performance.

Extending the Xbox Experience with Accessories

The console and gameplay are spectacular in their own right, but with a couple of add-ons, you can take it to the next level.

• Xbox Live Gold Membership – Xbox Live has been part of the brand for over ten years now and it really is the best way of optimising the machine. Playing live with friends (or strangers) adds extra thrills, but by paying for a monthly or yearly subscription you’ll get much more. From previews to regular discounts and free monthly games that last as long as your membership, Gold represents great value for money if you are a regular gamer.

• Play and Charge Kit – While some players will still want to keep a wireless controller that works with standard AA batteries, the need to change them regularly can become a chore. A more refined option is the Play and Charge Kit, it has a battery pack where the normal batteries would go and a micro-USB cable. This connects it to the Xbox for a top up whenever the charge runs down.

• Game Drive – You’ve heard of an external hard drive, but the Seagate Game Drive takes this concept to the next level for hard-core users. Storage is always an issue and there are numerous hard drives available, but compatibility and performance are key. For the full package, including a cool colourful look and out of the box functionality which requires no formatting, this is ideal.

• Chatpad – A Chatpad is a tiny backlit keyboard that connects with a regular controller, or a steering wheel if you’re racing, and works with a Chat Headset. You can use it to search for apps, enter promo codes and compose messages to friends or other players. With two programmable keys, it also helps you to find apps faster, make quick video clips and take snapshots in game.

How Does the One Compare to Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Nintendo’s Switch?

These rivals are all formidable, but if you know what you want from a machine, it can be easier to choose between them.

The Switch is an innovative idea – Nintendo has taken the concept of HD gaming in a different direction by making a great home platform that transforms into a handheld. Even so, for mainstream players, this is more of a bonus unit, purchased as well as a more serious platform like the PS4 or One S, rather than instead of them. Ultimately, it’s unique selling points are portability and exclusive titles, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey and Celeste. For Nintendo enthusiasts, these classic titles are reason enough to splash out on the Switch.

For everyone else, the Xbox 1 and the PS4 are better all-rounders, boasting exclusives that become major events with mass appeal. With similar price tags and versions, they remain close competitors. The PS4 has a slim model like the One S and a 4K PS4 Pro, to match the Xbox One X's performance level.

There are differences, however, the PS4 Pro must rely on streamed 4K content, whilst the S and X both have an Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Both are backwards compatible with their predecessors, although the PlayStation 4 uses PS Now streaming for this service.

Apps are a big part of how we use gaming platforms now and both machines provide access to everyday channels like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Crackle. Microsoft also offers their own Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Skype and OneDrive, so they may have the edge in this respect.

In terms of graphics, to a large extent, it is the game you are playing which will dictate the quality. On the higher performance One X, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War and Diablo 3 make use of the machine’s more generous memory bandwidth and look better than they do on the PS4 Pro, but that is not always the case. When playing FIFA 18, the differences are far less marked. For the less powerful versions, the One S and the PS4, the tables are turned, as the Sony GPU can render more detailed environments and greater clarity in titles like Metal Gear Solid 5, but really, variances are minimal.

Both have extensive libraries of exceptional titles, with Forza, Halo and Gears of War only at Microsoft and Horizon Zero Dawn, Uncharted and Bloodborne only at Sony. Sony tends to offer more titles in general, but there are still numerous third-party options like Destiny, Fallout and FIFA which are universal.

With little to separate them, deciding which to buy will come down to what appeals to you visually, which input device you prefer and which library most excites you. However, with cross-platform multiplayer still a distant dream, you may also want to think about which machine your friends are using if you plan on joining them.

The Xbox Series Specifications

It has been a powerful piece of hardware since the beginning, here’s a look at how the Xbox has developed.

Original Xbox:

• Optical Drive: Game disc

• Memory: 64MB RAM

• CPU: Intel Pentium III

• Storage: 8GB or 10GB. Plus slot for 32MB memory card

• Ports: AV/4 x USB/Ethernet

• Networking: Ethernet

• Weight: 3.86kg

• Dimensions: W320 × H100 × D260mm

Xbox 360:

• Optical Drive: DVD/CD

• Memory: 512MB RAM

• CPU: IBM Xenon triple-core 64-bit

• Storage: 20GB hard drive upgradeable to 2TB

• Ports: AV/HDMI/VGA/Composite video

• Networking: Wi-Fi

• Weight: 3.5kg

• Dimensions: W309 x H83 x D258mm

Xbox One:

• Optical Drive: Blu-Ray DVD

• Memory: 8GB DDR3/32MB ESRAM

• CPU: AMD Jaguar 8 core

• Storage: 500GB/1TB/plus cloud storage

• Ports: 3 USB 3.0/HDMI/Ethernet/Audio

• Networking: Wi-Fi

• Weight: 3.5kg

• Dimensions: W274 x H79 x D333mm

Xbox One S:

• Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray drive/DVD

• Memory: 8GB DDR3/32MB ESRAM

• CPU: AMD Jaguar 8 core

• Storage: 500GB/1TB/2TB/cloud storage

• Ports: 2 USB 3.0/HDMI/Ethernet/Audio

• Networking: Wi-Fi

• Weight: 2.9kg

• Dimensions: W229 x H63.5 x D298mm

Xbox One X:

• Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray drive/DVD

• Memory: 12GB GDDR5

• CPU: AMD Jaguar Evolved 8 core

• Storage: 1TB/cloud storage

• Ports: 3 USB 3.0/HDMI/Ethernet/Audio

• Networking: Wi-Fi

• Weight: 3.81kg

• Dimensions: W240 x H60 x D300mm

Pros and Cons of the Xbox One

Microsoft have put a lot of work into creating a next-gen machine which delivers a radical 4K experience, whilst retaining a sense of familiarity. Here’s a look at what they got right and what could be done better.

Pros:

• User experience is seamless.

• New wireless controller feels great in the hand.

• Switching between apps is fast.

• Storage is easy to upgrade with an external hard drive.

• High-speed gameplay is vivid and packed with colour.

• Game Pass gives access to over 100 titles for a small monthly subscription.

Cons:

• Voice commands often fail.

• Xbox often switches itself on without a command.

• Not possible to playback from a USB stick.

• Visual concept is unimaginative.

Tips on Finding Great Deals on Xbox

Whether you want a standalone machine or a bundled pack, there are plenty of places to shop for an Xbox. For older models, like the original Xbox, the best place to start is eBay, where you can also find retro titles and accessories. The 360 is available brand new from GAME or used from eBay. The One S is now the standard version, but the X is on sale at most outlets. Shop for either version at the online pages of Asda, Argos, Currys and John Lewis, or direct from the Microsoft Store.

Traditionally, online retailers create bundled deals on consoles at Christmas, when demand is high. This can be a great time to pick up a bargain machine and get a starter pack of titles to go with it. At the end of November, Black Friday presents another opportunity to save money, as many shops cut the price of their gaming range by 20% or more. If you’re keen to buy at other times, look out for seasonal sales in summer or spring and those which take place over Bank Holiday weekends.

Cut the Cost of a Gaming with the Xbox Offers at HotUKDeals

Players looking to upgrade their machine and people shopping for their first gaming platform can find all the current offers at HotUKDeals. We bring together bargain buys from across the internet, then post them together on our Xbox page.