Microsoft discontinues the Xbox One X, Xbox One S All-Digital Edition

By Don Reisinger Updated April 25, 2023

As Microsoft prepares to launch its Xbox Series X this holiday season, it’s decided to shelve two of its current-generation consoles.

Recommended Videos

Microsoft discontinued the Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, the company told The Verge in a statement on Thursday. Microsoft called the move a “natural step” as it prepares for the next generation of consoles, but added that consumers will still be able to buy the hardware while supplies last.

The Xbox One S, unlike the All-Digital Edition, offers disc support, and it will remain in production and continue to be sold around the globe.

“Gamers can check with their local retailers for more details on Xbox One hardware availability,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.

Microsoft’s Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition have been hard to find in recent weeks. The All-Digital Edition is already sold out on Microsoft’s Xbox site, and GameStop is only selling the consoles in-store.

Microsoft hasn’t said why it discontinued two of its consoles but kept the Xbox One S in production, and has not yet responded to a Digital Trends request for comment. We will update this story when we hear back. The company also hasn’t provided insight into why it shelved the consoles now. Last generation, Microsoft discontinued the Xbox 360 in 2016 — nearly three years after the Xbox One launched in 2013.

The Xbox Series X is slated to launch this holiday season. It could be accompanied by a long-rumored but unconfirmed disc-less alternative called the Xbox Series S.

Xbox chief Phil Spencer has said on several occasions that Microsoft’s next-generation hardware will work with games made for all four Xbox generations. That, along with a desire to clear its manufacturing line to produce more next-generation units in time for the holidays, could have been enough for Microsoft to discontinue its consoles now.

Indeed, all signs point to a strong debut for next-generation hardware. Just this week, Sony reportedly doubled its PlayStation 5 forecast and now wants to produce 10 million PlayStation 5 units by the end of the year. According to those reports, Sony expects video game hardware demand to be strong this winter as people around the globe stay inside while the pandemic rages on.

Updated at 11:56 a.m. PT to include more details.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Don Reisinger is a freelance technology, video game, and entertainment journalist. He has been writing about the world of…

Gaming

The best FPS games for Xbox Series X

Apex Legends.

It's no secret that many of the best Xbox Series X games are shooters. The console was built on Halo, after all, and is still home to all the great FPS franchises. That isn't all the console has to offer since you also have a large selection of RPGs for Series X now, but shooters just feel more at home on Xbox. Since its launch, the library of FPS titles has grown to a level where there are almost too many great options to play them all. If you get hooked on one of the best multiplayer games on the Xbox Series X especially, you may miss out on tons of other great experiences. These are all the best FPS games you can boot up right now.

Alternatively, if you prefer your competitive games a bit more old-school, you can check out the best fighting games for Xbox Series X.

Gaming

The best fighting games for Xbox Series X

Kuma hitting Law causing him to fly toward the screen in Tekken 8.

Xbox missed out on a lot of fighting games in past generations, but this time around it's making sure its players aren't left out of the fight. In fact, many of the best Xbox Series X games are in the fighting genre, with more to come as the generation goes on. These games are pure tests of skill, with two players facing off with nothing but themselves to rely on. These typically were a very intimidating genre, but modern fighters are much more welcoming with tutorials and teaching tools that elevate them right next to the best FPS games for Series X. If you're ready to take on a new challenger, here are the current best fighting games on the system.

These fighting games rank among the best multiplayer games on the Xbox Series X, but you can also get great single-player games by checking out any of the best RPGs for Series X as well.

Gaming

3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (September 13-15)

Key art for Age of Mythology: Retold.

If you're a fan of strategy or simulation video games, this will be a great Xbox Game Pass month for you. Its biggest day-one releases -- Age of Mythology: Retold, Ara: History Untold, and Frostpunk 2 -- are all strategy games, while games like Expeditions: A MudRunner Game and Riders Republic are keeping things interesting on the simulation front. If you're looking for something to play this weekend, I'm highlighting a trio of games that provide entertaining sandboxes to play around in.
Age of Mythology: Retold

Following remakes of the three Age of Empires games and the launch of Age of Empires IV, World's Edge gave the series' fantasy spinoff some love. Age of Mythology: Retold is a real-time strategy game similar to the Age of Empires titles in many ways, as players are building up towns and fighting rival civilizations. The biggest twist Age of Mythology provides is the Major and Minor Gods players choose before playing, which give them additional abilities. This remake also gives the experience a graphical overhaul, lets players reuse god powers, and has well-implemented controller support. Whether you're a fan of the original or never played it before, this is worth checking out. Age of Mythology: Retold is available on PC and Xbox Series X/S via Game Pass Ultimate.
Core Keeper