In brief: We’ve heard a lot about the PlayStation 5 DualSense drift issues recently, but it seems Sony isn’t the only company with problematic controllers. While not drifting, Microsoft’s new Xbox Wireless Controller is failing to register button presses for some people, a problem that’s present on both the Xbox consoles and PC. The Redmond firm has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix.

Drifting has been a blight on controllers for years. The most famous sufferer is Nintendo’s JoyCons, though Microsoft’s previous Xbox One controllers, including the $180 Elite Controller, experience the same problem.

Last month brought reports of some PS5 DualSense units experiencing drift, leading to Sony facing a class-action lawsuit over the matter. Nintendo and Microsoft are also dealing with class actions over their controllers.

As reported by The Loadout , the new Xbox Wireless controller that arrived alongside the Xbox Series X/S occasionally fails to register button presses. A user called SK Lee bought one of the controllers as an upgrade from their Logitech F310 but found the Y button often doesn’t work, which is particularly annoying for someone who mostly plays FIFA.

“The controller consistently failed me several times in a 15-minute game,” said SK Lee, who notes that the A and X buttons also occasionally fail, though not as often as the Y button. They’ve now gone back to their Logitech controller.

Microsoft said it is aware of the situation and is working on a solution, though we don’t know when it might arrive or what it might entail. “At Microsoft, we put all of our products through rigorous quality assurance testing and are committed to providing customers with an unparalleled gaming experience,” the company said. “We are aware some players may be experiencing unresponsiveness with their new Xbox Wireless Controllers and our teams are actively working on a solution. For the best experience, we encourage customers to visit Xbox Support for assistance.”

A recent teardown of the DualSense controller showed part of the problem is that Sony, along with other companies, use components with low durability as a “wilful cost-saving calculation on the consoles makers’ part,” according to iFixit.

The usual disclaimer is that not all new Xbox Wireless Controllers are experiencing the problem; this writer’s is working fine after a few months of use. But it’s disappointing to see so many reported issues with the new devices, especially when they cost $60 and more.

Outriders is just over a month away from release, and developer People Can Fly has now released a demo for the upcoming RPG shooter. You can download and play the demo now on PC via Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

As detailed on a recent Outriders Broadcast, the demo includes all four character classes for both single-player and co-op, and progress from the hands-on preview will also carry forward to the full game if you choose to purchase it on the same platform. There are about three hours of gameplay available to try, so you should get a good sense of what the game will be like.

Originally meant to launch earlier this year, People Can Fly delayed Outriders so that more time could be spent on fine-tuning it. The studio behind games such as Bulletstorm and Gears of War Judgment has also pledged that Outriders will have no microtransactions and is not a games-as-service title .

Outriders will be available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia on April 1, with free PS5 and Xbox Series X/S upgrades coming later in the year.

Phil Spencer is the head of Xbox, but that doesn’t stop him from being a big fan of Nintendo. In fact, he spoke about the company’s influence and boldness in a new documentary series that you can watch right now.

Playing With Power: The Nintendo Story is a five-part documentary series available to stream for free on Crackle. It features interviews with a wide variety of video game experts and industry legends, Spencer being among them. According to VGC , Spencer praised Nintendo’s focus on creating a family-friendly and inviting atmosphere for gaming, adding that he doesn’t think it’s possible to decouple Nintendo from the industry as a whole.

Spencer also admitted he didn’t understand the N64 controller’s design–to be fair, few people do–but praised how Nintendo boldly innovates in ways its competitors don’t. We’ve certainly seen that several times, from the DS to the Wii, along with less-successful examples like the Virtual Boy and Wii U.

He also stressed that sometimes, it’s the strengths of Nintendo’s brands that help it succeed. With Pokemon Go, for instance (Nintendo is a partial owner of The Pokemon Company), Microsoft’s internal team saw its success and an employee thought it meant AR was the future.

“And I challenged him a bit to say, ‘Well, really what you have, is you’re seeing the strength of Pokemon,'” Spencer added. “And it just happens to be an AR game.”

Microsoft and Nintendo are still technically competitors, of course, but this has turned into something of a symbiotic relationship for the companies in recent years. Microsoft publishes games on Nintendo’s platforms, including Minecraft, and both companies allow cross-play in several titles. Sony eventually jumped on board the cross-play train, as well, after holding out initially.

Playing With Power: The Nintendo Story is available on Crackle now. All five episodes can be streamed here , and they chronicle its history from the earliest days of playing cards to the Nintendo Switch today.

Though the Xbox Series X and Series S are somewhat easier to secure than the PS5, neither console is readily available at major retailers, despite us being several months out from the consoles’ launch. In general, the Xbox Series X continues to sell out fast, and buying one is largely a matter of luck and being ready at the right time. And while the Series S tends to stick around longer during restocks, buying one at list price is no easy task either. That doesn’t mean securing the Xbox Series X|S is impossible, however–here are some things to keep in mind if you’re looking to buy a new Xbox:

How to buy an Xbox Series X: Our best tips

• Follow restock accounts on Twitter and turn on notifications : When it comes to buying an Xbox Series X, it’s helpful to follow Twitter accounts that tweet about restocks. You may want to turn on notifications for those accounts as well, though keep in mind some of them tweet about deals and other news as well. Wario64 is a great account to follow, as is Xbox Stock Alerts . Of course, we tweet about Xbox restocks on our GameSpot Deals account as well.
• Stay logged in at major retailers and ensure info is up to date : To help checkout go as smoothly as possible, it’s best to have up-to-date accounts at all major retailers, such as GameStop and Walmart. Double-check that your shipping and billing information is accurate as well–you don’t want to be updating these sections during a restock when the Series X could sell out any second.
• Be ready at exact restock times when announced beforehand : Generally, Xbox Series X restocks happen without much warning, but Walmart and GameStop in particular are known to announce restocks beforehand, though this could range from days prior to an hour before the restock. These pre-announced restocks can sell out particularly fast, but being ready at your computer with payment information on hand will give you the best chance at snagging an Xbox Series X.
• Keep an eye on smaller retailers : Stores like Amazon and Best Buy aren’t the only places to buy an Xbox Series X. You can also find next-gen consoles at stores like Newegg and Antonline. Stores that require certain membership can also be a good option, like the Exchange (military only) and Costco.
• Know whether you’re willing to buy a bundle : Some retailers only sell the Xbox Series X in expensive bundles–these include the console along with other items like a bonus controller, a Game Pass subscription, and games. You’re paying a premium here to get products you may or may not want, so you should consider if you’re willing to pay above MSRP just to own the Xbox Series X.
• Bookmark the product pages : It’s a good idea to know exactly where to buy the Xbox Series X at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers. Save the direct listings for these stores so you know exactly what page to refresh. We’ve rounded up those links further down in this article.

When will Xbox Series X|S stock stabilize?

Don’t expect the Xbox stock situation to improve much until this summer at the earliest, as Microsoft recently admitted Xbox Series X|S stock will be “constrained at least through June,” according to The New York Times . The company apparently sold every Xbox Series X|S unit it had last quarter, and it hasn’t shared any specific restock news for 2021.

Where to buy the Xbox Series X|S

In the meantime, you can check the Xbox Series X listings at major retailers as well as the latest restock news below. It could be a few weeks before you actually get the system once you order it, so keep that in mind when planning your downtime. As of now, you still can’t really find the console in retail stores without a pickup order. While you can more easily buy the Xbox Series X above MSRP in bundles or on reseller sites like StockX , we do recommend waiting to buy the new Xbox for its list price of $500.

Xbox Series X availability at GameStop

GameStop restocked the Xbox Series X and Series S on February 24, but they were only available in bundles. The retailer also had standalone Xbox Series S consoles available on February 25.

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Xbox Series X availability at Best Buy

We don’t know when you’ll be able to buy an Xbox Series X from Best Buy again. Best Buy didn’t have any Xbox Series X or Series S units in stores in 2020, but the retailer has stated that stock will be on store shelves this year. We don’t know an exact date for when in-store stock will be available, though. We’ve seen next-gen consoles pop up on Best Buy’s website without much warning.

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Xbox Series X availability at Walmart

Walmart restocked the Xbox Series X and Series S on March 4. The retailer followed its usual approach of releasing waves of consoles every 10 minutes. As usual, the consoles sold out almost immediately each time they were made available.

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Xbox Series X availability at Amazon

We don’t know when you’ll be able to buy an Xbox Series X from Amazon again. While we’ve seen it restock the PS5 a few times, Amazon has had very little Xbox Series X|S inventory since the consoles first launched on November 10, and there’s no word on a restock in the near future. Amazon’s listings even say, “We don’t know when or if this item will be back in stock.”

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Xbox Series X availability at Target

Target last had the Xbox Series X available for purchase on February 25. This time, it was available for shipping rather than only in-store pickup, and the system didn’t appear to be immediately snagged by bots.

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Xbox Series X|S accessories

• See Xbox Series X accessories at Amazon
• See Xbox Series X accessories at Best Buy
• See Xbox Series X accessories at Walmart
• See Xbox Series X accessories at GameStop

The great thing about Xbox Series X accessories is that the vast majority of products that were compatible with Xbox One work with the Series X and S as well, including headsets and controllers.

New Xbox Wireless Controllers released alongside the Xbox Series X and Series S, and they’re available in Carbon Black, Robot White, and Shock Blue. They feature a more ergonomic design; textured grips on the bumpers, triggers, and back case; and an Elite controller-inspired hybrid D-pad for improved precision. The updated controllers also have a new integrated Share button for capturing and recording gameplay moments.

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Xbox Series X|S games and Game Pass subscription

Microsoft is pushing its Xbox Game Pass subscription for next-gen, which grants access to a massive, rotating library of games for a monthly fee, including the ability to play first-party games like Halo Infinite on day one. New subscribers can sign up for their first month of Game Pass Ultimate for $1–do this before you take advantage of any Game Pass deals online. You’ll also get an extra month of Game Pass Ultimate for free if you turn on recurring billing (it has to be turned off before you redeem a code in order to get the prompt).

Check out our list of all the Xbox Series X launch games available at launch as well as new Xbox games coming soon.

The Xbox Series X UI has often been criticized for being overly convoluted. And with its myriad of tiles, menus and submenus, it’s easy to see how new players might find the experience rather daunting at first. There’s a lot of information squirreled away.

Personally, though, I’ve always enjoyed the granularity that the Xbox UI offers. Sifting through the menus to find exactly what I want to tinker with is a strangely satisfying experience, and sometimes, it can even lead to an unexpected discovery.

Case in point: notifications. During an evening of messing around with the Xbox’s personalization options (yeah, I’m a riot), I decided to delve into this long-forgotten submenu just for kicks. Cue my surprise, then, when I found out there’s a feature that I never knew existed.

• Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S : the two consoles compared
• Best Xbox Series X games : don’t miss these top titles
• Best Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S accessories : get in the game

Now, this might not have the type of seismic impact on your life as it did mine, but I found out there’s an option to move the classic notification pop-up that appears whenever you unlock an achievement or a friend comes online to entirely new locations. Mind blown.

I like to move it, move it

For someone who has always had notifications appear in the bottom center of the screen, having the ability to move the pop-up around is surprisingly liberating after all these years of living in the dark. Some games have implemented this feature in the past, and I’d always wondered whether this was only available to developers, but no, it turns out it’s been available all this time, just waiting to be found by a curious dashboard explorer like myself.

If you’d like to witness this magic of moving the notification pop-ups yourself, simply head to ‘Settings’, scroll down to ‘Preferences’ and click on ‘Notifications’. From here, head to ‘Default notification position’ and you can select exactly where you want those handy pop-ups to appear. There are five positions to choose from, so take your time and experiment with each one (I know I did, because again, that’s kind of fun that takes place in my life).

The future is now

Of course, you could point the finger at Microsoft and argue that if the Xbox UI wasn’t so overwhelming, I’d have discovered this option far sooner. The fact it’s taken so long is a testament to how badly the user interface is designed. To that I say… yeah, fair enough.

Sometimes, though, Microsoft doesn’t do itself any favors by failing to highlight genuinely cool features. It’s only just come to light that you can switch between an Xbox console and PC or phone simply by tapping the sync button , and did you know that the Xbox Series X dashboard and achievements take advantage of spatial audio like Dolby Atmos ? Probably not.

Nevertheless, whenever I hear that soothing “achievement unlocked” sound, I’m now treated to a lovely pop-up in the top left corner of the screen, which believe it or not, combined with the dynamic backgrounds on Xbox Series X , helps make Microsoft’s next-gen console feel a little bit more fresh and new. The future is now, people, and I’m living in it.

• Where to buy Xbox Series X : all the retailers checked