# Xbox Series X 19 Hacker News commenters recommended Xbox Series X and 13 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 8 of 13 months; owners who said how long report a median of 5 years (3 owners). **Verdict:** Recommended for a simple, reliable console with strong backward compatibility and good value for home entertainment; critics say the Xbox brand has lost direction and subscription costs have risen. ## Why people recommend it - Backward compatibility with Xbox 360 games (2 comments): "XboX has a really good track record of backwards compatibility. I can (and do, occasionally) play 360 games on my series X." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48815197)) "I can (and do, occasionally) play 360 games on my series X." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48816170)) - Smooth 60fps play without settings fiddling (2 comments): "All the games optimised, usually 60fps, no messing about with settings" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48864981)) "I have a plenty good time on my series x, cant think of any stutters." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45904069)) - Strong entertainment value for the money (2 comments): "Series X is a premium experience. Walmart delivered one for $350 at 4am with Diablo 4." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47419891)) "by a very large margin the most at-home-entertainment bang I have gotten for my buck" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47418757)) - Hassle-free setup and everyday use (2 comments): "logged in via QR code and Xbox app on my phone. No need to type into the console." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49181089)) "enjoy turning on an Xbox Series X and just doing what the box is there for" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47372698)) ## What people warn about - Xbox brand seen as struggling (3 comments): "After the lack of exclusives on the Xbox Series X, their game pass shenanigans, and the horrible UX decisions over the years, the Xbox brand is trash to me." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47095410)) "Xbox has ignored its userbase since XSX release" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48032219)) "Xbox is in complete disarray and is imploding" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49147320)) - Naming of consoles confusing (2 comments): "they screwed up again naming the next generation" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45971977)) "the current letters are just straight up confusing." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46408281)) - Subscription costs raised (2 comments): "After the lack of exclusives on the Xbox Series X, their game pass shenanigans, and the horrible UX decisions over the years, the Xbox brand is trash to me." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47095410)) "after they jacked the cost of their subscriptions" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49558571)) - Little improvement over earlier Xbox (2 comments): "I can't tell you why my Series X is better than my Xbox One. Literally I don't see a difference." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48806850)) "the Series X was a massive disappointment" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48994259)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [Valve Steam Machine](https://hackerapproved.com/p/steam-machine.md): 326 recommend - [PlayStation 5](https://hackerapproved.com/p/playstation-5.md): 121 recommend - [Xbox console](https://hackerapproved.com/p/xbox.md): 62 recommend - [Xbox 360](https://hackerapproved.com/p/xbox-360.md): 41 recommend - [PlayStation 2](https://hackerapproved.com/p/playstation-2.md): 40 recommend ## Where to get it - [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Microsoft+Xbox+Series+X+console&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link) - [Official site](https://www.xbox.com/en-US/consoles/xbox-series-x) ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Xbox Series X", https://hackerapproved.com/p/xbox-series-x/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).