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If you want to keep playing games you own on disc, choose an Xbox Series X configuration that explicitly includes an optical disc drive. Xbox Series S is digital-only, and some Series X configurations are digital-only too. Before buying, verify the exact console model and check whether your important games are supported.
Which Xbox can use a physical game collection?
| Console configuration | Can use physical discs? | Fit for a disc collection |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X with disc drive | Yes, for compatible games. | Best fit if the games you want to play are supported. |
| Xbox Series X all-digital | No. | Not suitable if disc ownership is your only access to wanted games. |
| Xbox Series S | No. | Not suitable if you need to play physical discs. |
Microsoft lists both disc-drive and all-digital Series X configurations, while Series S does not play physical discs. Check the full configuration on the Xbox console comparison page; the name “Series X” alone does not confirm that a drive is included. Regional models and listings can change.
Will your older Xbox discs work on Series X?
Not every disc from an earlier Xbox generation is compatible. Xbox supports selected Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games on Series X|S; Xbox says most Xbox One games are playable, but that is not a guarantee for every title. Check each game you care about in Xbox’s backward-compatibility catalog before choosing a console.
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- Insert the disc for a supported game. The console begins downloading the game to its storage; the disc is not necessarily a complete offline installer.
- After the download, leave the disc in the drive when you play. It is still required to verify access to the disc-based game.
These steps apply to supported disc-based games on a Series X with a drive. An all-digital Series X or a Series S cannot use a disc as proof of ownership, even if the game is available digitally.
#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.
Do backward-compatible games get upgraded?
Some do, but enhancements are not universal. Xbox says select backward-compatible titles can benefit from higher resolution, faster frame rates, and/or improved textures; features vary by game. Treat these as title-specific possibilities, not a promise for every game in your collection. Xbox also reports that Series X|S backward-compatibility gameplay and quality standards involved more than 500,000 hours of testing; that is Microsoft’s own reported figure, not an independent test result.
How to choose before you buy
- Confirm the drive. Read the complete Series X product configuration and make sure it explicitly says it has a disc drive.
- Check your must-play games. Look up each disc in Xbox’s compatibility catalog. A console’s generation label does not establish that a particular older game works.
- Account for downloads. A supported disc starts a download, and the disc must remain available for play.
- Consider digital access separately. If you choose an all-digital console, make sure you have digital access to the games you want; owning their discs is not enough.
Does extra storage help with a disc collection?
Storage expansion can add room for installed games, but it does not make a digital-only console capable of reading discs. Microsoft lists an Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Card that connects to the dedicated port and provides storage with the console’s custom SSD experience. Consider it only if installed-game capacity is a separate concern, and check Microsoft’s console comparison page for current product details.
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.
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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
