Author: Eric Ravenscraft / Source: reviewgeek.com
Buying a console is more expensive than just the basic bundle package. How much does each one cost when you get everything you need for it, though? Let’s find out.
When you buy a console, it usually comes with a single controller, no games, and some amount of internal storage, with the option to upgrade.
But you usually want to get at least one extra controller (and maybe more). We also tend to recommend a charging station so you don’t end up spending a fortune on batteries. Finally, each console has a subscription for online game play that includes free games. This last one isn’t strictly necessary, but the free games are usually worth it, so we’ll take it into consideration.With all that in mind, here’s what it costs to get up and running with the basics on every version of the current major consoles.
Xbox One S: $365-$505
- First Party Controllers: $45
- Third Party Controllers: $25
- Subscription: $40/year
- Controller Charging Station: $30
Between all of Microsoft and Sony’s offerings, the Xbox One S is by far the cheapest and, in fact, the only one you can get for under $400 when all is said and done. It’s even comparable in price to the Nintendo Switch. It doesn’t hurt that its one of the few consoles left that you can get a 500GB model for. With a single controller, an Xbox Live Gold subscription—which you can reliably get on sale for $40/year, but sometimes goes as low as $30—and a charging station, you’re walking out the door with a price tag of around $365.
The biggest non-console expense is the controller.
Microsoft’s official controllers typically cost around $45 a piece. You can shave that down a bit if you’re willing to go third-party with the PowerA wired controller. These are usually around $25 a piece. If you need three extra controllers (for, say, a family of four), then PowerA can cut your cost down from $135 down to a mere $75. If you decide to buy all first-party controllers, and the 1TB console to boot, you’ll be dropping about $505.The Xbox One S also gets you the most side benefits. It can play 4K Blu-rays, which is one less gadget you have to buy. The Xbox in general also has a wide array of backwards-compatible Xbox 360 games in its library. Games will end up being one of the biggest expenses on your console, but with a robust library of old, cheap, and indie games, there’s a lot of ways to save money on that front.
Xbox One X: $615-$705
- First Party Controllers: $45
- Third Party Controllers: $25
- Subscription: $40/year
- Controller Charging Station: $30
Ironically enough, Microsoft’s more powerful console is on the complete opposite side of the price spectrum from the One S. The Xbox One X—which, at least on a technical level, is capable of the best 4K gaming graphics—starts at a whopping $500 for 1TB. Fortunately, that’s the biggest expense and the add-ons don’t change much from there compared to the One S, but it can be a tough pill to swallow. For a single controller, Xbox Live Gold subscription, and a charging station, you’ll be paying $615.
Adding three wireless controllers will set you back another $135 (or, again, $75 if you choose to go the third-party, wired route). That brings the maximum total to about $705, which is the highest out-of-pocket bundle in the console game right now. Oh, and speaking of games, you’ll probably need a few. While the Xbox One X has access to the same huge library of backwards compatible Xbox 360 games, if you want to get the most out of your fancy new 4K gaming console, you’ll probably find yourself spending an extra $30-60…
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