Xbox has been a leader in the gaming industry for the past two decades. In 2001, the console, developed by Microsoft, made its debut, and since then, it has become one of the most popular gaming systems globally.
Xbox is popular because it offers a vast selection of fun games that are exclusive to the console. It also makes it easy to play games with friends online.
The Xbox controller has a cool design that feels great to use. Additionally, you can play old games from previous Xbox consoles on the new ones, which people love.
Xbox is also affordable and can be used for other things like watching movies or TV shows. All these fantastic features make Xbox a favorite choice for many gamers all over the world.
NBA Elite: Most Expensive Xbox Game
NBA Elite 11 is currently one of the most sought-after games on the console, selling for up to $30,000 on the secondary market. According to Xbox Game Costs, Dead Space is the second most expensive game ever.
When this game was released in 2008, it cost $150 for the Ultra Limited Edition. The Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition is now being sold on eBay for between $8,500 and $12,900, which is more than it was before.
Despite costing $168 million, this object was not among the most expensive ever sold on eBay.
A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros from 1985 sold for $2 million. It was the most expensive video game ever sold.
Source: TheGamer, Gamerant
Xbox One Console Usage
According to statistics from Xbox, 35% of Xbox One console usage in the US is spent on watching movies and TV shows.
Xbox owners play offline games 19% of the time, while 31% play online games. Other activities account for only 15% of Xbox One usage.
Source: VisualCapitalist
The Series X: Top-selling Consoles
Microsoft has sold 6.5 million Xbox Series X and S units, surpassing Xbox One sales of 5 million.
Source: GamesRadar+
Xbox Live Gold:
Subscribing to Xbox Live Gold costs $9.99 per month. The 3-month subscription saves gamers $24.99. The 6-month and 12-month subscriptions are currently unavailable.
Source: XboxNews or Xbox
Xbox: Total Sales
During the same time period, Xbox 360 sold 7 million units, while PlayStation 3 sold 5 million units according to PlayStation.
What’s New: Xbox System Updates
Here, you’ll find the Xbox OS version numbers as well as the features that have been added or updated, as well as known issues.
The OS version of your console can be found by following these steps:
- Click on Profile & system > Settings on the Xbox button to open the guide.
- You can find console information by selecting System > Console info.
- In the second column, you can find your OS and Shell versions.
13 Top Reasons: Why Is Xbox So Popular?
The gaming console market is highly competitive, with PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo being the major players.
However, PC gamers are in a separate category since they play games on computers rather than consoles. Usually, people compare PlayStation and Xbox in terms of popularity and quality.
Here are 13 reasons why Xbox has become a popular choice among gamers.
1. Backward Compatibility
Xbox is very popular because it can play games from the past, allowing players to enjoy their older games on newer consoles and avoid keeping their old systems.
While not all games can be played both ways, Xbox has more games that can be played on older systems than its competitors. This is beneficial for players in multiple ways.
Firstly, they don’t have to buy their favorite games again every time a new console is released, which helps them save money. Secondly, sometimes new graphics are added to the game, enhancing the players’ experience. Lastly, it means that they can upgrade to a new console without losing access to their favorite games.
This is especially important for people who don’t have enough space to keep their old consoles. Xbox’s backward compatibility allows its players to play both old and new games, delivering the best of both worlds.
2. Free Games
Xbox Gold offers players a chance to play a new game for free every month. While some of these games can be popular, others may not be according to individual gaming preferences.
However, there are times when highly rated games are available for free. One of the best benefits of receiving free games on Xbox is that even if you cancel your Gold membership, you can still continue to play them.
This is not the case with PlayStation Plus, as you won’t have access to your free games if your membership is canceled. This can be quite frustrating, as even though you got the game for free, you cannot play it anymore.
Xbox eliminates this rule entirely and allows everyone, regardless of whether they are a Gold member or not, to play the game for free.
Xbox is popular because it offers free games every month that you can enjoy even after you stop paying for Gold.
3. Xbox Live
Xbox Live is a popular online service offered by Xbox. It has been in development for a long time, even before online gaming became common.
Xbox was one of the first to test and perfect online gaming with friends, making Xbox Live one of the best online services for consoles. Xbox Live offers two services – Free and Gold. Xbox Live Free allows you to play online with friends and chat with them for free.
Xbox Live Gold is a paid service that comes with a Gold membership. With Xbox Live Gold, you get two free games every month, access to a variety of apps for sports and TV shows, and discounts on many games.
Gamers love Xbox Live Gold because it provides excellent online service, free games, and great discounts.
4. Streaming Capabilities
Xbox is a gaming console that is owned by Microsoft. Microsoft also manufactures personal computers (PCs).
Xbox Live, a subscription-based service for Xbox users, is now available on newer PCs. This means that Xbox users can stream their games on their PCs without any additional hardware.
This feature comes in handy when all the TVs in the house are occupied, and you still want to play a game. You can easily stream games from your Xbox console to your PC or laptop.
Even if you only have a basic laptop, you can still stream Xbox games. Your PC or laptop doesn’t run the game; instead, it acts as a second screen that you use to play games.
This feature is especially helpful when you want to play a game but other family members are watching TV. You can even stream games to your laptop from your yard as long as your controller remains within range.
The ability to stream games from Xbox to PC makes it very popular with gamers who have families or limited access to TVs. From your Xbox to your PC screen, it’s also possible to do it the other way around. This feature can be helpful in many ways.
For example, if you want to play PC games on a larger screen than your monitor, you could stream them from your Xbox, which is connected to a bigger screen.
Additionally, you can stream a PowerPoint presentation from your PC to your Xbox for work purposes. You can also show virtual battle maps to your tabletop players by streaming them from your PC or laptop using a projector or horizontal screen.
There are numerous ways to use this feature, but one significant reason it’s popular is that you can stream content from your PC to your Xbox.
The close connection between PC and Xbox is expected to lead to more tools and benefits in the future.
6. EA Access
Whether you are a fan of EA or not, there is no denying that they are responsible for many AAA games. This means that Xbox will become more popular with the addition of exclusive apps such as EA Access.
A subscription to EA Access for a year costs $30, which can be used to purchase a variety of things. With EA Access, you can try out EA games for free for up to 10 hours.
This is a great way to determine whether or not you want to invest your time and money into a game that is new to you. It is important to remember that these are just demos of the game, so they may not reflect the final product.
However, it is usually a good enough experience to determine how the game will be played and what it will be about. This can save you a lot of money because after you try the game, you can decide if you want to buy it or not.
Additionally, EA puts out demo versions of their games five days before the full versions come out, giving streamers a chance to review the game before anyone else. The EA Access app also grants you access to The Vault, where you can find older EA games, both in demo and full versions.
Lastly, the EA Access app offers discounts on older EA games, making it a worthwhile investment for those who play a lot of the company’s games. Xbox’s popularity is partly due to its exclusivity, as it can only be played on that console.
7. Controllers
The Xbox controller is popular due to its unique features. The analog sticks are not centered, allowing for a more natural resting position and reducing discomfort during long gaming sessions.
Impulse triggers provide realistic haptic feedback, enhancing performance in competitive games. It offers versatile charging options, unlike the PlayStation controller, which has a non-replaceable battery.
The Xbox controller is comfortable, stable, and customizable, making it a preferred choice.
8. Affordable
The Xbox is a popular gaming console because it is priced lower than most others. When new consoles are released, the Xbox is usually slightly cheaper than the PlayStation.
Although some versions with more features may be heavier, you can get a basic Xbox at a low price that allows you to play games and interact with friends.
Given that gaming consoles are generally luxury items that can be expensive, it’s no surprise that the Xbox’s affordability contributes to its popularity.
Despite its low price, the console still competes well in terms of performance, power, and features. Hence, the Xbox’s popularity is attributed to its affordability compared to other gaming consoles.
9. Game Pass
Xbox’s Game Pass is a subscription service that offers access to over 300 games for a monthly fee.
You can choose from two different Game Pass services – the cheaper one costs $9.99 per month and provides access to 300 games that can be downloaded and played for free.
The second option costs $14.99 per month and includes the same 300 games as the first option, along with PC Game Pass, EA Play, and Cloud Gaming.
If you cancel the subscription, you will lose access to the titles, but they will be made available again when you renew the subscription. Microsoft plans to add more games and features to the Pass in the future.
10. Exclusives
Xbox had struggled for a while to offer exclusive games to its users. Nevertheless, the console became well-known for enabling people to play games together.
However, everything changed when Microsoft started acquiring big developers and game studios. Among its most significant purchases was Bethesda, which was acquired under ZeniMax.
As a result of its acquisitions, Xbox’s popularity has significantly increased. People who love games from certain studios are likely to purchase a console or PC to continue playing those games.
Since Bethesda is a well-known game company, it could persuade more people to buy an Xbox rather than, or alongside, a PlayStation. Microsoft controls both the Xbox and the PC, which means that many games that are exclusive to the Xbox are also likely to be available on the PC.
Therefore, Xbox players may not feel the need to upgrade to a PC, and PC players may not feel the need to downgrade to a console. It is the players on other consoles who may switch to one or the other.
Xbox’s popularity has soared because it offers numerous games that are exclusive to the Xbox. If Microsoft continues to acquire popular studios, there is an excellent chance they will attract more gamers, and the Xbox’s popularity will continue to grow.
11. Free Games with Xbox Gold
Xbox Gold membership not only offers online multiplayer capabilities but also rewards members with free games every month.
Unlike PlayStation Plus, where access to free games is lost if the subscription lapses, Xbox Gold allows you to keep these games forever, even if you decide not to renew your membership.
This feature adds tremendous value as it builds a library of games that players own outright, enhancing the appeal of maintaining an Xbox Gold subscription.
12. User Interface
The Xbox dashboard has undergone several updates to become more user-friendly and efficient. These updates have streamlined navigation, making it easier for users to access games, apps, and social features.
The focus on a clean, intuitive interface enhances the overall user experience, making it simpler for gamers to find and enjoy their content.
13. Game Selection
While Xbox may not have as many exclusive titles as PlayStation, it still offers a strong selection of games, including flagship franchises like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza.
Additionally, Xbox’s Game Pass service provides access to a vast library of games across generations, including new releases, indie titles, and backward-compatible classics.
This extensive game selection, coupled with services like Game Pass, ensures that Xbox gamers have a wide variety of content to enjoy.
Is Xbox or PlayStation More Popular In The United States?
It is often reported in the news that PlayStation consoles are once again sold out. This gives the impression that everyone across the globe is trying to get their hands on the console.
However, this may not be the case everywhere. In the United States, for instance, the Xbox is more popular than the PlayStation. According to market research, Xbox has a 50.18 percent market share in the US, while PlayStation only has a 49.8 percent share.
There could be a reason why the PlayStation is not as popular as the Xbox. When the PlayStation 5 was first released, there was a rush to buy it.
However, due to the pandemic, manufacturing and supply chains slowed down, making it difficult to find and purchase PS5s. As a result, gamers turned to the Xbox because they could not get their hands on the PS5.
The fact that Xbox is an American company may also contribute to its popularity in the US.
Being a US-based company, they are able to market the console more effectively than a foreign company like Sony, which owns the PlayStation brand. Regardless of the reasons behind it, the Xbox has a slightly bigger share of the market in the United States compared to the PS5.
FAQs
🎮 Why do people love Xbox so much?
People love Xbox because it offers exclusive games you can't find anywhere else, a user-friendly online service with Xbox Live, and features like backward compatibility, allowing players to enjoy their old favorites on new consoles.
🕹️ What makes Xbox controllers so special?
Xbox controllers are praised for their ergonomic design, making them comfortable for long gaming sessions. They also have great battery life and the option to use them wired or wirelessly, providing flexibility for gamers.
🌍 Can I play games from other countries on Xbox?
Yes! Xbox's backward compatibility feature lets you play a wide range of games from different regions and generations, making it a hit among gamers who enjoy both new and classic titles.
💡 What's Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass is like Netflix for games, giving you access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. It includes new releases, indie games, and beloved classics, adding incredible value to the Xbox experience.
📈 How does Xbox stay affordable?
Xbox offers various models at different price points, including the budget-friendly Xbox Series S and the powerful Xbox Series X, ensuring there's an option for every gamer. Plus, services like Game Pass provide a lot of value for a low cost.
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Conclusion: What Makes Xbox So Popular Even 2024
Overall, there are a lot of reasons why Xbox is still one of the most popular gaming systems on the market today.
These include the fact that it has a wide range of games that can be bought, as well as online features that let players from all over the world play their favorite games together, and the fact that its Live Community service offers special deals and discounts on games.
With all of these benefits and the fact that more updates, like backward compatibility, are coming soon, it’s no wonder that gamers all over the world keep buying this great console.
