3 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Xbox

Microsoft’s Xbox has been around since 2001, and over that time the gaming brand has given us huge hits like Halo, Gears of War, Forza, and more. Today, the Xbox brand covers consoles like the Xbox One, PC gaming, and has even expanded to other platforms. You can play Minecraft on everything from a computer to an iPhone to a Nintendo Switch. Along the way, Microsoft has pioneered modern services like Xbox Live and Game Pass, introducing new ways to play games. And with Project Scarlett on the horizon, the Xbox looks to have a bright future.

Emma Roth
Emma Roth
The Silent Hill 2 remake heads to Xbox.

Over one year after its release on PS5 and PC, the Silent Hill 2 remake has finally made its way to Xbox Series X | S consoles. To celebrate its release, Konami is making Silent Hill 2 available on Xbox and PS5 for $34.99 instead of $69.99 for a limited time, with a similar discount coming to PC next week.

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Tom Warren
Tom Warren
Xbox Partner Preview returns on Thursday.

This year’s Xbox Partner Preview will include 007 First Light, Tides of Annihilation, Reanimal, and other games from Microsoft’s partners. All games featured at Xbox Partner Preview will be Xbox Play Anywhere titles, meaning you can buy a single copy that works across Xbox console and PC. Microsoft’s event starts on November 20th at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM UK.

Image: Microsoft
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Backbone gives Master Chief an upgrade.

Following the Xbox-branded Backbone One controller that launched earlier this year, the Backbone Pro is getting a similar translucent green facelift. The $179.99 Backbone Pro Xbox Edition is available today with the same functionality as the standard Pro including Bluetooth connectivity, but adds Xbox-specific buttons and shortcuts.

<em>The Backbone Pro Xbox Edition features the same green tint as the </em>Halo <em>version of the original Xbox Controller S.</em>
<em>The controller expands to accommodate phones of various sizes, but it can also be used on its own as a wireless Bluetooth controller.</em>
1/2
The Backbone Pro Xbox Edition features the same green tint as the Halo version of the original Xbox Controller S.
Image: Backbone
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Nostalgic modders have recreated Microsoft’s X-shaped Xbox prototype.

Before the original Xbox’s design was finalized, Microsoft created a massive X-shaped prototype back in 2000 made from machined aluminum that cost $18,000 to manufacture. Tito Perez from YouTube’s Macho Nacho Productions and a few other modders built a functional replica with the guts of an original Xbox and a few upgrades.

Xbox hardware sales continue to tankXbox hardware sales continue to tank
Terrence O'Brien
The Outer Worlds 2’s satire has a Microsoft-shaped problem

The team at Obsidian talks about returning to the RPG series after becoming part of a giant corporation.

Joshua Rivera
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Microsoft claims its new Xbox AI isn’t training itself when it collects screenshots of your games.

When you’re actively using Gaming Copilot in Game Bar, it can use screenshots of your gameplay to get a better understanding of what’s happening in your game and provide you with more helpful responses. These screenshots are not used to train AI models, and Gaming Copilot is an optional feature that only has access to gameplay when you’re playing a game and actively using it.

The words “will never” do not appear in Microsoft’s statement.

Jay Peters
Jay Peters
PlayStation is posting about Halo.
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a gorgeous remake that debuts on PS5 and Xbox in 2026

Halo Studios has rebuilt Combat Evolved for a new generation of players.

Tom Warren
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
I bought Hallmark’s light-and-sound Xbox 360 Christmas ornament and here it is.

That was fast! I slapped down my $29 the day we wrote about Hallmark’s new ornament and it’s already here. Watch when I press the power button — and see how it compares to my Sega Genesis one Hallmark released in 2022! There’s an NES, SNES and OG Xbox too.

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The new Xbox is not an XboxThe new Xbox is not an Xbox
David Pierce
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
GuliKit is bringing anti-drift joysticks to the ROG Xbox Ally.

The company was one of the first to release Hall effect joysticks for the original Switch, but now it’s partnered with ROG for a new kit that upgrades the Xbox Ally with anti-drift TMR sticks. It will launch in December, while a version for the Xbox Ally X is still being tested.

Replacement joysticks for the ROG Xbox Ally handheld hidden in shadows.
GuliKit worked with ROG to create its new replacement TMR joysticks for the Xbox Ally.
Screenshot: X
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Vampire Survivors is getting online co-op.

Vampire Survivors developer Poncle is drip-feeding new features coming in the game’s 1.14 update, and online co-op is the first of five teased announcements.

Local co-op came to Vampire Survivors back in 2023, but I’m excited I’ll be able to bother someone other than my wife to play with me.

Welcome to the Xbox $360 eraWelcome to the Xbox $360 era
Tom Warren
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Did someone say ‘inflation’?

You might have noticed tech is getting just a little more expensive these days. SteelSeries’ new $599.99 Arctis Nova Elite headset is only the latest example, but at least it means fans of spending money can complete the set.

Holmeser:

Pairs perfectly with my $999 Xbox Ally X and $750 PS5 Pro

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Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
A very Microsoft problem.

There’s been a bit of backlash to the Xbox Ally handheld’s $999 price tag, which will be a stiff test of consumer interest in expensive console hardware. But it’s also a test of Microsoft’s “everything is an Xbox” philosophy, because this sure is expensive for an Xbox that only plays PC games, and not everyone is sold:

Dkfkhfkwkdnc:

Only Microsoft can release a thousand dollar device branded “Xbox” that can’t play Xbox games. Only a millionaire executive at this specific company could have hallucinated this.

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