You really need this Xbox Series X/S accessory

For Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S there are already many accessories for the release. Here we tell you which accessories are really useful for the consoles.

For more space: external hard drive

1 terabyte is not a lot of storage space in times when games easily break the 100 gigabyte mark. But the Xbox Series X has nothing more. The Xbox Series S even comes with only 512 GB and is fully digital. Sooner rather than later you will want to expand the storage. Luckily that’s still going USB hard drives that no longer cost a fortune, even with large capacities. You can even launch games for Xbox One, Xbox 360 and the original Xbox running on the backward compatible Xbox Series X/S directly from the external drive. After all, you can store next-gen games there and copy them to the internal memory for playing.

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For faster space: SSD storage expansion

A special feature of the new Xbox is the slot for special memory expansions on the back. Here is a special one 1 TB SSD memory card manufactured by Microsoft and Seagate in the consoles, which has a major advantage over an external USB HDD: it directly intervenes in the memory architecture and offers the same read and write speeds as the internal memory. Therefore, next-gen games also start from this expansion. You also continue to benefit from fast SSD loading times.

Disadvantage: The cards are significantly more expensive than HDDs and at launch there are hardly enough next-gen games to even fill them up. But if you have the money, you can make ideal provisions. Or use them until then to save backward compatible games.

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For non-stop gaming: rechargeable batteries

The new Xbox controller, like the old one, also uses batteries and does not have a built-in rechargeable battery. The console comes with two AA batteries to get you started, but they will eventually run out. It makes sense and is sustainable to then switch directly to rechargeable batteries. Here you have two advisable options: either, you buy AA rechargeable batteries with the appropriate charger. You have to take these out of the controller to charge them – if you want to continue playing seamlessly, it’s worth having a second pair so that you can always charge alternately.

Alternatively, Microsoft offers an official battery pack for the controller. The so-called Xbox Play & Charge Kit works like an internal battery for retrofitting and can also be charged while playing via an included USB-C cable.

For multiplayer fans: A second controller

Do you want to play on your new console with friends on the couch? Then you need a second controller – Xbox Series X/S only comes with a gamepad ex works. You don’t necessarily have to buy one of the brand new Xbox controllers though – old wireless controllers for the Xbox One also work perfectly with the new consoles. Important: Here, too, you have to think about the supply with batteries or rechargeable batteries!

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For the right connection: USB-C & -LAN cable

If you want to do without batteries or rechargeable batteries altogether, you can also connect the controller to the Xbox Series X/S with a cable. You need a standard one for this USB-C cable, which should be long enough. Since many devices, including smartphones and tablets, have supported the USB standard for a long time, you may already have such a cable at home. The only important thing to know is that it is not included with the console as standard.

It is also worthwhile, especially for owners of the Xbox Series S network cable, which you use to connect the console directly to the LAN output of your router. This means that downloads are much faster than via WLAN – you will have more fun with the Xbox Game Pass in particular.

For games without end: Xbox Game Pass

With the Xbox Game Pass makes the new Xbox consoles really make sense. For a monthly subscription price, you get access to “over 100 games” – that’s Microsoft’s official statement, in fact there are many more. You can download these games to your console and then play them as long as you subscribe. Among the games available are indies as well as AAA blockbusters. All new titles from Microsoft Studios are part of the Xbox Game Pass from day one, and the offer from Electronic Arts’ EA Play is also included.

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