Microsoft’s discless Xbox future is a slap in the face to everyone who loves physical media

Opinion
By Dave Meikleham
published

The refreshed Xbox Series X is making a colossal distake

xbox series x discless version and controller
(Image credit: Microsoft)

As someone who loves to travel, New York City is probably my favorite place on this spinning globe. But while I may love Brooklyn, I definitely harbor far less fuzzy feelings for Xbox Series X’s now all but confirmed successor, ‘Brooklin.'

The next Xbox was leaked through filed documents during the ongoing FTC lawsuit regarding Microsoft’s attempted acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Not only were images of this newly svelte Series X accidentally leaked to the public, the successor to the Xbox Series S also got a premature unveiling in the form of ‘Project Ellewood.' Both are set to launch in 2024, if the filings are accurate. 

Personally, I’ve got no problem with the latter console’s refresh. It keeps the current model’s consumer-friendly $299 price tag, while doubling the internal storage capacity of the launch console in the form of a new 1TB SSD. Not a bad deal at all. On paper, it’s also friendlier to the environment, thanks to a new low-power standby mode that runs at just 20% of the output of the current Xbox Series S. 

So thumbs up Ellewood… or Xbox Series S 2.0… or whatever Microsoft may end up calling its budget-conscious console refresh.

I’m flipping those same thumbs all the way down when it comes to Brooklin, though. While I appreciate it’s a more energy efficient version of the high-end Xbox we currently have — the PSU is 15% less power-hungry — I just can’t stomach it losing the disc drive of the OG model.

Blue-urns

Xbox Series X with Blu-ray disc drive

Yes, that is Back to Future Part III sticking out of my Xbox Series' X Blu-ray drive, thank you very much.  (Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

Recently, I wrote about how Xbox Series X is an excellent 4K Blu-ray player. As someone who still values both UHD movies and regular 1080p discs, a refreshed Series X losing a component I really value without offering any significant hardware upgrades is a tough pill to swallow.

And make no mistake, this is not an ‘Xbox One S evolves into Xbox One X’ Pokemon-style situation. Pikachu isn’t being transformed into a more powerful, console-shaped Raichu here. Aside from improved wireless connectivity in the form of Wi-Fi 6E and 2TB of storage, the refreshed Xbox Series X doesn’t look like it will provide a single meaningful hardware upgrade.

If (but most certainly when), the much-rumored PS5 Pro comes along, it should theoretically wipe the floor with Brooklin. This is a machine tipsters suggest could be a 4K ray tracing powerhouse, and a console with a significantly upgraded GPU and RAM that might even make 8K gaming on Sony’s refreshed PS5 possible.

I’ll admit my collection of Xbox discs is on the sparse side, but I still appreciate the value of physically owning something I can hold in my hands"

The PS5 Pro release date is rumored to be November 2024, and in a welcome gesture that shows Sony isn’t willing to totally ditch physical games, there are suggestions the upgraded console will launch alongside a rejigged standard PS5 that will include a detachable disc drive.

I’ll admit my collection of physical Xbox discs is on the sparse side. Currently, the only two I have knocking around my flat are slightly tattered copies of Mirror’s Edge and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Working on a former Xbox magazine, I’ve been lucky enough to amass a huge digital library that I paid diddly squat for, so I can’t exactly claim to be a gatekeeper of physical game editions.

Yet I absolutely do want current and past Xbox gamers to still be able to savor, say, their old Xbox 360 discs. Ultimately, I believe physical copies have a significant part to play in the role of game preservation going forward. After all, you never know when a digital storefront could be pulled out of the blue.

Future

I may not have many Xbox discs left in my collection, but I fully respect a gamer's right to hoarde a ton of boxed titles.  (Image credit: Future)

Speaking of, Microsoft is shuttering the Xbox 360 Store and Xbox 360 Marketplace in July 2024, so I’d advise you keep hold of gems like the original Crackdown and Mirror’s Edge, both of which can be played in 4K thanks to free Ultra HD patches by sticking their discs into either an Xbox One X or Series X. On that front, Microsoft’s commitment to digital backwards compatibility is at least commendable.

As someone with a colossal Blu-ray collection, I fully intend to keep using my Xbox Series X as an excellent movie player for years to come… even if I’ll probably only be firing up the console to play actual games on the odd occasion. Although my fridge-shaped console is very much looking forward to Forza Motorsport 8.

In an era of Xbox Game Pass, where the model around games ownership has completely changed (another issue I’m somewhat uncomfortable with), the days of Xbox discs are clearly cooked.

For all you games collectors out there who take pride in amassing shelves upon shelves of classic boxed titles, the future looks bleak. You have my sympathies.

Although I’m ashamed to admit, I really do dig that cylindrical design of the refreshed Xbox Series X.

Stupid, sexy Brooklin.

More from Tom's Guide

Dave Meikleham
Dave Meikleham
UK Computing Editor

Dave is a computing editor at Tom’s Guide and covers everything from cutting edge laptops to ultrawide monitors. When he’s not worrying about dead pixels, Dave enjoys regularly rebuilding his PC for absolutely no reason at all. In a previous life, he worked as a video game journalist for 15 years, with bylines across GamesRadar+, PC Gamer and TechRadar. Despite owning a graphics card that costs roughly the same as your average used car, he still enjoys gaming on the go and is regularly glued to his Switch. Away from tech, most of Dave’s time is taken up by walking his husky, buying new TVs at an embarrassing rate and obsessing over his beloved Arsenal. 

11 Comments Comment from the forums
  • twlvtwlv
    Why keep around a feature that almost nobody uses anymore for the few people to do? I'm sure there'll be some sort of external drive available for you people that need to have your discs. And before anybody comes whining about having to pay more money for that option, that's what EVERYBODY would have to do if it were kept as a feature on the machine. This way, just the people (oh so few people too) that need it will pay for it.
    Reply
  • theflo
    twlvtwlv totally respect your opinion. I am a collector. I still have games that go back to the OG Xbox that are backwards compatible. I like to have a console that can still run those games. Now Blue Ray that can be omitted from the new Xbox Console and if Microsoft want to charge a PREMIUM to those who still want to purchase the disc then do so. Is that now what we have now. The Series S and Series S Black outselling the Series X. Choices are good cause everyone gets what THEY want. You can live without the disc. That is GOOD for YOU. I like the discs and when the internet or online features not working I am okay with that I have a disc and still can play my games.
    Reply
  • funnlivin001
    I think a discless xbox would be great in the hopes that it allows for a better performance. I buy everything digital and is just way more convenient. I mean the same ppl complained about the audio jack being removed from smart phones and now there are adapters. But to remove it for no reason or not take of any advantage of the extra space would be stupid. Sorry if your still the one to buy phyaical discs, but we don't pay in checks anymore. We are heading to the digital era and I'm all for it!!
    Reply
  • Ak789
    twlvtwlv said:
    Why keep around a feature that almost nobody uses anymore for the few people to do? I'm sure there'll be some sort of external drive available for you people that need to have your discs. And before anybody comes whining about having to pay more money for that option, that's what EVERYBODY would have to do if it were kept as a feature on the machine. This way, just the people (oh so few people too) that need it will pay for it.

    Almost nobody? You're completely out of touch. Plenty of us play backwards compatible games, let alone use the console as a 4k bluray player. For modern games digital is only superior for convenience. If your account gets hacked and your info changes, you're screwed. You get banned for a reason you can't appeal? You're screwed.
    Reply
  • Ak789
    funnlivin001 said:
    I think a discless xbox would be great in the hopes that it allows for a better performance. I buy everything digital and is just way more convenient. I mean the same ppl complained about the audio jack being removed from smart phones and now there are adapters. But to remove it for no reason or not take of any advantage of the extra space would be stupid. Sorry if your still the one to buy phyaical discs, but we don't pay in checks anymore. We are heading to the digital era and I'm all for it!!

    Why would that allow for better performance? They're making the console slimmer in return. They're sacrificing the disc port for looks and that's it, it's still the same price. The increased performance is seperate.
    Reply
  • funnlivin001
    Ak789 said:
    Why would that allow for better performance? They're making the console slimmer in return. They're sacrificing the disc port for looks and that's it, it's still the same price. The increased performance is seperate.
    Maybe better cooling or more USB ports, that is what I mean. I'm not taking about the graphics card or processor. I play backwards camptiable games digitally.
    Reply
  • Ajax Slamgoody
    Well is it true the Xbox series x will play physical games offline? and if so, do you have to buy a certain year and model?
    Reply
  • funnlivin001
    Ajax Slamgoody said:
    Well is it true the Xbox series x will play physical games offline? and if so, do you have to buy a certain year and model?
    Yes it is true you can play games offline and are even backwards compatible. But as far as being rural, what games are you playing anyways with the dial up connection 🤣. All joke aside I know elon musk has created fast internet for an affordable price. I would recommend you look into it. It's perfect for rural areas. It's call starlink.
    Reply
  • Ajax Slamgoody
    funnlivin001 said:
    Yes it is true you can play games offline and are even backwards compatible. But as far as being rural, what games are you playing anyways with the dial up connection 🤣. All joke aside I know elon musk has created fast internet for an affordable price. I would recommend you look into it. It's perfect for rural areas. It's call starlink.
    I'm playing with ps4 and have internet but my PS4 is not hooked up...I simply put the disc in like I did my 360 and play games...But I'm going to have to buy the Xbox series x simply because of Bethesda are my favorite games besides Rock Star. (will Xbox buy them next LOLOL) I think I borrowed my preachers' internet (mine is just Wi-Fi) and used the internet once to start my PS4...Is that what you have to do with Xbox series X? and I heard rumors that you had to buy a certain date (similar to buying a 360 after 2008, in order not to get the red ring of death) ...if so what date...a lot of questions but thank you for your responses.
    Reply
  • CourtJustCourt
    Get over it and welcome to the future? Or should I say present? If some can't handle disc-less, how they gonna handle console-less when cloud gaming takes over? It's called progress folks and it's for the better. Give me the power of cloud computing, lower utility bills, noise, and heat in my home. No more hoping to be able to get one on release day because scalpers bought them all. And maybe a universal platform where devs can go independent without the headaches of console exclusivity. Everyone can be a dev and put out media, everyone can game anywhere at anytime on any platform without hardware limitations, A GAMING UTOPIA. I'll gladly take that over owning some plastic any day!
    Reply