2025 was the year Xbox died

2025 was the year Xbox died But can it be resurrected in PC form? Want to see a dead body? I present to you the Xbox. After a subdued launch at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, the Xbox Series X quickly lost the fight against the PlayStation 5 . Microsoft simply couldn't deliver enough compelling games, despite some huge acquisitions , while Sony leaned on its goodwill from the PS4 era and a handful of desirable exclusives. As prices rose due to supply chain issues and the Trump administration's volatile tariff scheme, there was even less of a reason to get an Xbox (even the cheaper Series S). When I re-reviewed the Series X last year , it was clear that it never lived up to its potential. Anyone in their right mind would be better off buying a PlayStation 5. An Xbox Series X and Xbox Controller sitting on a coffee table.(Devindra Hardawar for Engadget) Xbox Series X controller(Engadget) Xbox Series X(Devindra Hardawar for Engadget) Xbox didn't enter 2025 in a great state, and it's leaving the year grasping for help, like an Arc Raider player desperate for a revival after being knocked out. Microsoft cancelled the Perfect Dark reboot and , two of the most interesting games in its weak upcoming slate. The company Everwild brought titles like Forza Horizon 5 over to the PlayStation 5 , which prompted Engadget Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham to declare he no longer needed an Xbox . Making things worse this year, Microsoft raised prices across the board , with the Xbox Series S starting at $400 and the cheapest Series X going for a whopping $600. And slow sales prompted Costco to stop selling Xbox consoles entirely. Microsoft didn't even try to push systems during Black Friday - why go through the trouble of having sales if nobody is buying the hardware in the first place? Even Game Pass, which was once renowned as one of the best deals in gaming, almost doubled in price over the last year, reaching up to $30 a month (or $360 a year) for the Ultimate tier. Sure, Microsoft tried to add more value to its cheaper Game Pass tiers, and finally upgraded its cloud streaming platform , but the lack of consistent must-play exclusive titles has devalued the service (and Xbox as a whole). Avowed and were among the few exclusive highlights, but the latter South of Midnight will hit PS5 and Switch 2 next year . There's no word on Avowed reaching other consoles yet, but given Microsoft's current trajectory (and the fact that it's a genuinely great game), I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes available elsewhere. There was a chance for Microsoft to reinvigorate the Xbox brand with the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X gaming handhelds, but the $600 and $1,000 launch prices placed them out of reach for most gamers. It also doesn't help that Windows still isn't well-optimized for portable devices with touchscreens, and...

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