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A disc-drive Xbox Series X can play supported physical Xbox games; Xbox Series S cannot play discs at all. Both consoles play supported digital games, but backward compatibility is limited to specific titles. Check the exact Series X edition and the compatibility list before buying.
At a glance: what can each console play?
| What you want to play | Disc-drive Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Physical game discs | Supported discs can be played. Some games require the disc to remain in the drive as the play license. | No. Xbox says, “Disc-based games are not supported.” |
| Digital games | Supported digital games | Supported digital games; the console is all-digital |
| Backward-compatible games | Select Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games; support varies by title. | Eligible digital titles from the supported catalog; no disc-based titles. |
| Display target listed by Xbox | Native 4K | Designed for 1440p, with the ability to upscale to 4K |
| Storage configurations listed | 1TB and 2TB | 512GB and 1TB |
These resolution and storage figures describe the listed console models, not a guarantee that every game will render at a particular resolution or that every display supports every feature. Xbox lists up to 120 FPS for supported content and displays. See the Xbox Series X and Series S comparison for model details.
Can you play Xbox discs on Series X?
Yes, if you have a Series X edition with an optical drive and the game is supported. Xbox describes Series X as supporting thousands of games across four Xbox generations, but that does not mean every Xbox disc works. Check the backward-compatible games catalog for eligible Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles.
How disc-based backward-compatible games work
For a supported backward-compatible disc game, insert the disc into the drive. The console downloads and installs the game; the disc is not necessarily the complete game data. Keep the disc inserted when you play, because it can serve as the license check. Digital backward-compatible games do not require a disc.
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
Check which Series X edition has a drive
The Series X name alone does not guarantee a disc drive. Xbox lists a 4K UHD Blu-ray optical drive on the Carbon Black and 2TB Galaxy Black models, and separately lists a 1TB all-digital Robot White Series X. Verify the exact edition in the product listing before purchasing. Details are on the Xbox Series X product page.
Will Xbox Series S play game discs?
No. All listed Series S models are all-digital, including the 512GB and 1TB versions. They cannot read physical game discs, including discs for backward-compatible games. A disc you already own does not grant access to its game on Series S; you need an eligible digital copy instead. See the Xbox Series S product page.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
What about the disc-to-digital feature announced in 2026?
In an August 26, 2026 Xbox Wire announcement, Microsoft described a feature for claiming a digital entitlement for most supported Xbox One and Xbox Series X disc games. The announced process requires inserting an eligible disc into an Xbox One or Series X and launching the game. Microsoft said the feature was entering Insider testing, would start with thousands of titles, and would gain titles over time.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
This is a separate, title-dependent entitlement process—not a way to put a disc into Series S, and not confirmation that every disc qualifies or that the feature is generally available. The announcement does not give an exact title count. Check current Xbox guidance and eligibility for the game you own before relying on this option.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Which console fits your game library?
- Choose a drive-equipped Series X if using supported physical discs matters to you, including compatible backward-compatible discs. Verify the precise model before buying.
- Choose Series S if you are comfortable with a digital-only library and your games are available digitally. It cannot use discs you own.
- Check title support first if your decision depends on a particular Xbox One, Xbox 360, or original Xbox game. Compatibility varies; the backward-compatible catalog is the useful starting point.
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