Xbox Series X: A Console with a More Flexible Disc Drive Than the PS5?

The Xbox Series X offers an advantage for physical media collectors with a 4K UHD Blu-ray optical drive that not only plays games from multiple generations, but also films and audio CDs. The console is an appealing choice amid the ever-accelerating shift toward digital.

Unlike the Xbox Series S, which relies on digital games, the Xbox Series X comes with a disc drive that lets users buy and run physical versions of games. Moreover, thanks to backward compatibility, players can use discs from previous-generation Xbox consoles—Xbox One, Xbox 360, and the original Xbox—on this device. However, not all titles are supported; Microsoft provides a whitelist covering more than 600 games across generations. Interestingly, the old disc serves as a license, and the console will download the latest version of the game.

Unfortunately, Kinect-exclusive games cannot be played because the motion sensor was discontinued in the Xbox One era. Even so, compatible classic titles can be enjoyed with performance improvements, such as faster load times, higher frame rates, and sharper resolution.

Beyond games, the Xbox Series X serves as a home entertainment hub. Its optical drive is compatible with various disc formats, including 4K UHD Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray, and DVD. To access them, users need to download the free Blu-ray Player app from the Microsoft Store. However, there is a limitation: the console cannot play Blu-ray 3D discs because Microsoft has ended support for them.

Another feature rarely found on modern consoles is the ability to play audio CDs. After installing Windows Media Player from the Microsoft Store, users can play music CDs directly from the console. If the disc does not play automatically, users can open the app and select tracks manually.

Compared with the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X is superior in terms of disc compatibility. The PS5 can only play PS5 and PS4 discs, while PS3, PS2, and PS1 discs do not work. To play classic PlayStation games, users must subscribe to PlayStation Plus Premium, which provides access to a catalog of older games. Meanwhile, the PS5 does not support audio CD playback at all, unlike the Xbox, which still gives it room.

Both consoles support playback of 4K UHD Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray, and DVD, but the differences in backward compatibility and audio CD support make the Xbox Series X friendlier for users who still keep a collection of physical media.

For the Indonesian market, the presence of the Xbox Series X with its extensive disc features could be an added value, especially among gamers who have old game collections or want to enjoy physical films. Although official Xbox distribution in Indonesia is limited, the console is still sought after through the grey market. Going forward, Microsoft's policy on supporting physical media will determine the console's appeal amid the dominance of digital games.