Before getting my Xbox Series X, I owned plenty of consoles as a kid. From a Nickelodeon game cube that connected to those boxy TVs to a Nintendo DS and a few others I can’t remember the names of, I’ve always enjoyed video games. When I was a kid, I got my first Xbox console: The beloved 360-Kinect bundle.
At first, I wasn’t allowed to play traditional video games and could only use the Kinect. However, once I grew up and made decisions for myself, I started buying video games like Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty.
I realized that I had a real, true passion for video games. I loved everything about gaming and everything about tech as well. I started looking into sweet gaming tech like keyboards, headsets, and more. I got my first gaming laptop (MSI GS66 Stealth) a few years ago. I was becoming much more dedicated to the craft than I had initially anticipated.
I also began growing a virtual photography Instagram, a TikTok related to gaming and similar content, and a YouTube page with gaming and tech as the focus.
Simply put: I love gaming.
Then, the next-gen consoles came out. And I knew that it was high-time for an upgrade.
Pre-ordering was impossible…
During the height of the pandemic, there was basically no way to get next-gen consoles on pre-order. I am not kidding when I say that every time a preorder set was dropped, they would sell out within mere seconds. I had no way of pre-ordering a new console.
I knew that I wanted the Xbox Series X. I wanted the flagship. I wanted the ultimate machine. Also, I didn’t want to leave the Xbox family since all my games were either PC or Xbox, so it made the most sense to have something connected like that.
So, up until the last second, I had no way of getting a pre-ordered console. There was nothing on Best Buy, Walmart, literally nothing.
So, I had to wait for the launch day.
The day of the launch…
On launch day, I decided to get up early and sit at my computer for when the consoles dropped. The only place that was available at the moment was Walmart, so I camped in front of my laptop and waited.
And waited. And waited. And waited some more.
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Then, the consoles suddenly came in stock. I felt my heart racing like a Formula 1 and dashed to put the console in the checkout.
I tried to get the console on its own, but there were none. I dashed my cursor towards a bundle that came with the console and an extra controller and just threw it in the cart and immediately went to the checkout.
Then, the confirmation number. The confirmation email.
I had done it. In the midst of one of the hardest console launches ever, I had secured a console on launch day.
Unboxing it
I had gotten to pick up the console in the middle of the night from Walmart and I was beyond excited to open it. My mom was equally excited even though she wasn’t a gamer herself, but she loves hearing me talk about video games all the time. I very much appreciate that about her. Thank you, mom.
I booted it up and the rest is history…
Performance and gaming
I love the Series X. I mean that with all my heart. And trust me, since I was upgrading from a 360, I felt the upgrade for sure.
The Series X genuinely pairs great with my 4K TV and it is one of the best gaming experiences I’ve ever had. The controller feels awesome and the display is just perfect. Game Pass is one of the best deals on the gaming market and I loved the backwards compatibility and the fact that I could play old and new titles.
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I’ve played next-gen games on it as well and it really is a fantastic machine. It sits proudly in my living room and I can say that without a doubt, I love this console so much.
In-game photography showcase
If you want to catch more in-game photography, check out my Instagram: @symbi.osis. I regularly post content on there about video games and I love to share some captures with everyone.
But, enjoy a sample of what photos I like to take. I took these from the Xbox Series X (with some minor editing):
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Let us know what you think in the comments below. Remember to keep all discussions polite and respectful.
Zainah Yousef is a writer for The DZSH Group. She is also the author of “The Fallen Age Saga.” Her areas of focus are on psychology, politics, public security, and war. She is also a frequent contributor in articles on video games and entertainment news.
Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
