Due to a rather rocky launch and Sony knocking it out of the park with the PlayStation 4, Microsoft’s Xbox One has been treated as something of an afterthought. In terms of raw processing power, there is little separating the home consoles; consequently, customers tend to focus on a hardware’s catalog of software. Now, in all fairness, games should be given precedence above anything else, but there is more to a console than exclusives. While Microsoft has been making great strides to amend this shortcoming, the Xbox One’s successor is likely to be the main benefactor of the company’s shift in prioritization. One cannot help feel like the eighth generation has been a write-off for Xbox.
Moving past the shortage of exclusive IPs, Microsoft’s brightest recent moments have revolved around services like the Xbox Game Pass, a monthly subscription that provides access to countless titles from all three Xbox generations. Alongside EA Access, another service accessible via Microsoft’s console, Game Pass is comfortably the most recommendable service of its ilk. Xbox One’s failings are hard to ignore, but the console has a lot to offer!
Presented as an entertainment device rather than a gaming system, Microsoft’s marketing department dropped the ball during the Xbox One’s debut. Nevertheless, some of the hardware’s coolest features are a direct result of this early push to be more than a console. Here are 30 things only super fans knew the Xbox One could do!
30 Bought A Disc But Still Waiting Hours For An Install? Go Offline!
Admittedly, this entry is less of a cool feature and more of a handy trick that bypasses absurd install times. As publishers gravitate closer and closer towards digital distribution, disc releases are starting to seem like an afterthought. Games with a massive Day 1 patch have become commonplace, and there is no guarantee buying the disc will bypass an hours-long installation. In order to reduce this waiting period, disconnect from the internet before entering the disc. The title will install and skip any downloads. Please note, certain updates greatly enhance the overall experience.
29 Keyboard & Mouse Support
Microsoft announced mouse and keyboard support for the Xbox One, although the developers determine whether their games should implement the peripherals. By this point, the console is practically a low budget PC. While this was a relatively recent announcement by the company, customers have always had the option to attach a keyboard or mouse; however, the process is slightly more complicated than simply attaching the devices via the USB port. CronusMAX is among the more affordable hardware designed to facilitate keyboard and mouse support on consoles, but alternatives do exist.
28 Play Xbox One Games Using A DualShock 4
Personal preference notwithstanding, the Xbox One’s controller is rather fantastic. The DualShock has a somewhat inconsistent track record, but the PlayStation 4’s iteration is the comfiest to date. For argument’s sake, let’s pretend someone owns both consoles but would rather avoid purchasing four controllers. Rather than paying the hefty fee for a second DualShock 4 or Xbox One controller, the CronusMAX PLUS permits each device to be connected to the competitor’s platform. While the adapter is far from cheap, it means only one controller is required.
27 Prioritize Downloads
Browsing the Xbox One’s Ready to Install page is akin to rummaging through a physical disc collection. Before anyone can say “data limit,” the download queue is abruptly stacked with mouth-watering properties. By default, the last added game automatically jumps to the top of the list and begins downloading. Consequently, games must be selected in ascending order of importance to ensure the right one is the first to be downloaded. If this precautionary method is not viable, press the Menu button on the fancied title and select “install now.” Honestly, the queue system could benefit from some fine-tuning, but a limited solution is better than nothing.
26 The Secret Game List
Speaking of the console’s Ready to Install page, the list can quickly balloon into the hundreds and become near unmanageable. The Xbox One attempts to mitigate this conundrum by allowing games to be sorted by name or generation; nevertheless, certain entries serve to only aggravate congestion. While hovering over such a project, click the Menu button and scroll down to “hide from list” to decrease the membership by one. Any hidden games can be revealed by pressing LB + RB + X, and then follow the previous steps to unhide them.
25 Need A Remote? Use Your Smartphone!
Tired of skimming the console’s browser with the controller? First things first: Do not browse the internet on either the Xbox One or PlayStation 4. The resulting frustration is enough to shave years off someone’s life! Moving past the browser’s laggy performance, the Xbox One SmartGlass app converts a smartphone into a make-shift remote. Once the app is installed, sign in using the Xbox One’s Microsoft account and SmartGlass should automatically discover the console. The app can be used to launch games and provides a number of playback options while streaming or watching media programs.
24 Play & Charge
With regards to a controller’s power supply, Sony and Microsoft traveled down competing roads. The DualShock 4 launched with a rechargeable battery that barely lasts a couple of hours, while the Xbox One’s controller opted for the disposable route. Both have their positives and negatives, but the Xbox’s Play & Charge Kit circumvents the need for batteries. Honestly, rechargeable AA batteries are superior to Microsoft’s solution, but the accessory has its uses. Unlike the Xbox 360’s erratic version, the Xbox One’s kit is soundly built and reliable.
23 Insider Program
Right out of the gate, we should state this feature is not intended for everyone and certain releases could yield stability issues. Joining the Xbox Insider Program means a gamer might be chosen to participate in trial runs of system updates or new services. While games are more of a rarity, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was distributed via the Insider Program. At the end of the day, participants help improve the console’s performance, but there is always the risk that an update might negatively impact the hardware. Xbox Insider Program is worth considering, but the risks should not be ignored.
22 SNES
Regardless of whether backward compatibility is available or not, emulation will forever remain an attractive prospect. As consoles steadily inch closer and closer to PCs, the hardware is more likely to support emulation. Obviously, Microsoft and Sony are hardly going to condone such practices, but workarounds nearly always exist. Browser-based emulators tend to be more than enough to run NES or SNES games, and the Xbox One’s Microsoft Edge is no exception. Now, in all fairness, SNES emulation is feasible on almost any modern device.
21 Put The Breaks On Autoplay
At the best of times, the Xbox One Store is a pain in the neck to navigate. Despite the endless resources at their disposal, Microsoft and Sony seem incapable of crafting a genuinely attractive online market for any of their consoles. When it comes to the Xbox version, visiting a product’s page automatically initiates any associated promotional trailer or teaser, and this quickly gets annoying. Luckily, the store’s settings permit autoplay to be disabled. The Xbox One Store is still a mess, but any improvements are welcome!
20 Who Said X Cannot Be Y?!?
Introduced with the Xbox Elite controller before spreading to the peripheral’s standard iteration, a controller’s keys can be remapped. The operation is carried out by the preinstalled Xbox Accessory app, which can be found under My Games & Apps. With the exception of the A and B switches, any of the keys can be altered to suit one’s preference. Due to changes occurring on a system level, a game’s prompts will not reflect the updated layout, which can be frustrating if quick time events are involved.
19 Calibrate TV
Generally, HDTV sets are shipped with predefined picture modes for specific purposes. Planning to watch a movie? Switch to “Film.” Feel like playing Titanfall 2? “Game” mode should do the trick. These options get the job done, but they cannot take into account the room’s lighting or layout. Consequently, the most desirable results require a hands-on approach. Calibrating the TV is not always an easy feat; thankfully, the Xbox One contains a program designed to simplify the process. IGN has a detailed walkthrough about the feature.
18 Full Reboot (Life Saver)
Ideally, a system reboot should never be required. Sadly, nothing runs flawlessly during every waking moment of its lifespan, and a reboot helps relieve some frustration generated by the console randomly refusing to launch a game or connect to Xbox Live. Occasionally, Microsoft’s device seems to suffer through a minor meltdown and becomes impossible to use. In such situations, press the console’s Xbox button for approximately ten seconds to trigger a full reboot. No need to worry about your games, as a restart does not affect any data.
17 Xbox Game Pass On Windows 10
Xbox Play Anywhere permits certain digital titles to be played on an Xbox One or a Windows 10 PC. The panel of included games may not be absurdly expansive, but Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 4 form part of the collection. As a subscription service, Game Pass is principally intended for the home console; however, any Play Anywhere games can be executed through Microsoft’s operating system. Ultimately, the company plans to bring the subscription service to computers, and this is a solid first step!
16 Connect A PlayStation 4 And Xbox One
Aiming to be the definitive media machine, the Xbox One’s HDMI input enables cable or a theater system to be integrated to the console. Regardless of Microsoft’s primary intention, the platform accepts a wide-variety of HDMI devices, and this extends to the PlayStation 4. Once the two consoles are linked, Sony’s system will appear on the Xbox One’s home screen. While the PlayStation 4’s visual fidelity survives the process largely intact, the same cannot be said about input lag. Beyond the novelty factor, there is little incentive for connecting the two devices.
15 Xbox One Controls The TV
Why press two buttons when one is sufficient? With exactly 30 minutes of free-time, John has no time to waste. Craving a quick match in Fortnite Battle Royale, John launches the Xbox One and turns on the TV. Thanks to a mixture of luck and skill, the gamer survives until the final two contestants. Following an intense standoff, John manages to get the drop on his opponent! Finally, victory is within reach! Mere seconds before clinching the title, John’s Xbox One is unceremoniously turned off and he has to go back to work. If John had set the Xbox One to automatically switch on the TV, disaster may have been averted!
14 Discussion Time
Discord caught the multiplayer scene by storm! Prior to the service’s debut, teams depended on apps like Skype to coordinate among themselves, but the available choices seldom felt like anything more than stopgap solutions. Primarily intended for gaming, Discord facilitates communication via microphone or text. As parties and groups can be formed, the application promotes a sense of inclusivity and community. Earlier this year, Xbox One integrated Discord into its system, and players can link their separate accounts. Want to see which games your friends are gravitating towards? Discord merits a download!
13 Jump Right Back In With Instant On Mode
The Xbox One comes with two power modes: Instant On and Energy-saving. As implied by the name, the latter helps reduce the electricity bill, but Microsoft planned for the former to serve as the default setting. Consuming 15 watts of power, Instant On consumes approximately $16 per year; on the other hand, an Xbox One on Energy-saving mode costs less than a dollar. As the disparity is somewhat negligible, we recommend sticking to the faster alternative. Nothing beats a near instantaneous startup!
12 Stream Through Twitch
Nowadays, everyone is a streamer! Who needs friends when the whole world is merely an adequate internet connection away? Sony integrated a “share” key into the DualShock 4, but the Xbox One is also no stranger to streaming. Download the console’s Twitch app and link both accounts, which will allow footage to be broadcast directly onto Twitch. For those with a Kinect, the device serves as the camera and microphone, but there is the option to use another supported accessory. Streaming has never been simpler!
11 Pin Apps To Home Screen
The Xbox One’s home screen is cluttered with untouched apps and barely played games. At times, it comes across as an advertisement block. Are there a couple of applications and titles that consistently take precedent? Pin them to the home screen to ensure they remain within grasp. While hovering over a game, press the Menu button and click “add to pins.” Eventually, Microsoft introduced groups, therefore, categorizing properties by genre is a possibility. The Xbox One’s home screen requires assistance to reach acceptability, but the effort is worth it!
