For those who don't have Xbox Series X/S pre-orders being delivered to their doors this next-gen launch day, here's their chance: Xbox Series X/S goes for sale today at Walmart today at noon. If the pre-order debacles for both the new Xbox console family and the PS5 were any indicator of what online shoppers can expect, they'll need to have their reflexes and plenty of luck about them as they try to secure one of Holiday 2020's hottest gifts.
The lead-up to today's long-awaited Xbox launch day has been a long and harrowing one, greatly complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic for console manufacturers, sellers, and customers alike. When pre-orders for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S first opened earlier this fall, it was both a record-smashing sales success and all-around logistical nightmare for the industry and players. Not unlike the dark days of paper goods aisles stripped down during the early days of lockdown, online stocks were similarly depleted almost instantly with each restock, leaving many prospective buyers waiting until this fateful launch week to secure their entry into what is now, finally, the current generation of game consoles.
Walmart is now counting down the minutes until 9 AM PT/12 PM ET, at which point launch day sales for the Xbox Series X/S will kick off. It's unknown what kind of stock the retailer and others have set aside for today's pre-Black Friday event, but those who want the supercharged Xbox Series X or the smaller, more affordable (but still fast) Xbox Series S will have to act fast if they don't want to wait until later this year or the next to make the hardware switch. The Series X retails at $499, while the Series S will only run customers $299.
While potential buyers should keep in mind that - since the high-profile delay of Halo Infinite well out of today's launch window - there's really very little in the way of launch exclusives to incentivize early Xbox Series X/S purchases, the leap ahead in hardware is definitely a factor that some will find makes the upgrade worthwhile for them. The Series X is capable of 4K resolutions and frame rates up to 120fps (for TVs that support those high-end specs), making it the most powerful console on the market until its close rival launches on Thursday. Though not as beefy under the hood, the small form-factor Series S can still hit 120fps targets for some games, and its support for 1440p screens is still a visible difference over 1080p resolutions.
Ultimately, the biggest advantages for console players who make the jump to the Xbox Series X/S are still a ways off, so it's up to each individual customer today if Walmart's and other retailer's launch day rat races are worth it for them. The answer for many may be that it's currently too soon with such a sparse launch library and schedule, but once things get going and Xbox Game Studios exclusives like The Elder Scrolls VI begin to drop, it won't so tough of a choice for those who held off today to finally jump in.
Source: Walmart