Christmas may be just a couple of days away, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to pick an Xbox One, which is arguably the best gift a gamer could receive this holiday season.
Microsoft’s eighth-generation console has survived just a full year after its original launch on November 22nd, 2013. Although many gamers were skeptical of the console given Microsoft’s hasty decisions in changing some last-minute features, it’s safe to say that the Xbox One is on top of its game when compared to the PlayStation 4 and Wii U at this time of year.
There are over a dozen reasons why an Xbox One would make the perfect Christmas gift for a gamer of any age, but we’re going to break down the top five reasons why this console is a must-have right now.
5. Monthly Updates
Microsoft’s commitment in delivering the best console has not gone unrecognized. After a full year from the game’s initial launch, the company has provided gamers with dozens of service updates that have aimed to innovate and redesign key features provided by the Xbox One. In addition, these service updates have also added brand new features as per the request of the Xbox community.
There are tons of updates to take into consideration, actually. From the customizable backgrounds, a new achievements application, and mobile purchasing through the SmartGlass mobile app, to the extended media player support and activity feed refinements, Microsoft has proven to have gone the extra mile in providing the most user-friendly and innovative console a gamer could ask for.
In the past year alone, these updates have been met with praise by the Xbox community. With additionally monthly updates planned for the road ahead, Xbox One owners can rest easy knowing their console will only continue to get better after each and every month.
4. A Library of Unbeatable Exclusives
There’s no denying the fact that exclusive titles play a significant role when deciding which console to choose. There is also no denying that Microsoft’s library of exclusives is unbeatable at this time of year.
Maybe you’re in the mood for an episodic detective narrative or a motion sensor dance-based workout session. Perhaps you’re a racing fanatic or maybe you enjoy the thrill of a solid first person shooter. Maybe you’re the type of gamer who enjoys something big, open, and crazy and at other times, something slower and relaxing. At the end of the day, it’s a sure bet that Microsoft’s exclusives appeal to a wide variety of gamers.
In fact, some of the biggest games of 2014 are on Xbox One, just take a look: Dark Dreams Don’t Die, Dance Central Spotlight, Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Forza Horizon 2, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Killer Instinct, Sunset Overdrive, Titanfall, and Zoo Tycoon.
Simply put, with a library of exclusives that are both innovative and entertaining, there’s no reason in choosing any other console this holiday season.
3. The Price Drop
When the Xbox One first launched in November of 2013, the price tag was a little steep. Setting gamers back $499.99, the standard Xbox One bundles would include the console, one controller, and the Kinect 2.
After the Xbox community made themselves extremely vocal across various gaming websites and forums, expressing their distaste for the Kinect and the price of the Xbox One bundle, Microsoft soon revealed during mid-2014 that all future standard Xbox One bundles would only cost $349.99. As a bonus, in order to appeal to the community, the Kinect 2 would be dropped from all these standard bundles.
The best part about this extraordinarily generous price drop are the games that come packaged within each bundle. Whether it’s the Assassin’s Creed: Unity Bundle or Special Edition Sunset Overdrive Bundle, the fact that gamers can receive the console, a controller and a full game all for just $349.99 is remarkable.
There’s even the Limited Edition Call of Duty: Advance Warfare Bundle to choose from as well. Although this particular bundle is still priced at $499.99, it includes a 1TB hard drive (as opposed to the standard 500GB) for the Xbox One which will prove to be extremely useful given the large library of games that require a mandatory installation before they can be played.
2. Games with Gold
As a continuation of Microsoft’s successful program on the Xbox 360, Games with Gold on Xbox One offers Xbox Live Gold members one free downloadable title per month. Over the past year, most of the games made available through this program have been met with some sour reception by the Xbox community given the fact that most of the selected games were small indie titles that didn’t appeal to the masses.
Despite this, picking up an Xbox One this holiday season might be the greatest decision you’ve ever made. As we’re entering a new year, bigger triple-A titles have the potential of being chosen for Games with Gold. Think of the chances in receiving Call of Duty: Ghosts or Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag as a free downloadable game.
The possibilities are endless with Microsoft’s Games with Gold program.
1. The Future of Exclusives
With an already unbeatable library of exclusive titles on Xbox One, next year is shaping up to be even better. Between a couple of fan-favorite sequels of Xbox’s biggest games and the introduction of some fresh new IPs, there’s great potential on the horizon.
We’ve got Crackdown, Fable Legends, and Gears of War (Tentative Title). Then there’s Halo 5: Guardians, Ori and the Blind Forest, and Quantum Break. Finally, there’s Rise of the Tomb Raider (Timed Exclusive) and Scalebound.
Simply put, 2015 is looking great for Xbox One gamers. There’s not much else we can say other than the future of exclusives makes purchasing an Xbox One this holiday season a great investment.
There you have it. When broken down to the top five most significant reasons, its clear to see why an Xbox One makes a perfect gift this holiday season.
Christmas is just two days away so hurry up, head out to your nearest retailer, and purchase an Xbox One already! It’s a gift like none other.
