Xbox series X stock - live: Game restock is available now – how to get the console

Update: The Xbox series X is in stock at Game.

The Xbox series X remains sold out across all UK retailers, despite having launched almost one year ago. An ongoing shortage of microprocessors coupled with jams in the global supply chain has effectively brought production of Microsoft’s next-generation console to a stop, leaving shoppers in the UK wondering where to buy the new Xbox.

When it does appear in stock, online shoppers are quick to react. The Xbox series X sells out within minutes, sometimes seconds, so knowing when and where the Xbox will restock next is key to grabbing one in time.

That’s why we launched our Xbox stock alerts liveblog. If you’re wondering where to buy an Xbox series X in the UK today, we’re here to help. Below, we’ll update you with the latest live restock updates as soon as they happen, as well as any news on predicted restock dates, new games and accessories and milestone events.

Read more:

• How to pre-order the Xbox series X mini fridge in the UK

• Where to buy a PS5 in the UK

• Best games consoles 2021: How to choose

• Is the Xbox Game Pass worth the money?

• Where to buy Xbox series X: Tracking major UK retailers

Check stock from UK Xbox series X retailers below:

• Microsoft Store

• Box

• Amazon

• Game

• Smyths Toys

• Currys

• John Lewis & Partners

• Argos

• Asda

• AO

• ShopTo

• Very

• BT

• EE

• Ebuyer

• Simply Games

Key Points

• Xbox series X ‘Fifa 22’ bundle still available at Currys

• Xbox stock lands in Game stores for collection

• Xbox series X Halo Infinite edition sells out in minutes

• We’ve found limited Xbox series X stock in a branch of Game

Xbox stock trackers, signing off

16:57 , Steve Hogarty

That’s all from us for another day. Thank you, as always, for joining us on the Xbox stock tracking liveblog. It’s been good to have you along for the ride.

We’ve had a total of two restocks today. One from Game in the last few minutes, and another from Box, the retailer that loves to bundle the console with any old stuff it can find in the warehouse. It’s one way to weed out the scalpers, we suppose, so who can blame it?

If you didn’t manage to find your Xbox today, join us again tomorrow when we’ll be starting our hunt for Xbox series X stock all over again.

Until then, goodnight!

Aaaaand it’s gone

16:53 , Steve Hogarty

The Xbox series X is now sold out at Game.

That was a quick one, just like the old days. While it was expensive at £609.98, the bundle did include a very desirable fancy-pants Xbox controller.

I mean, we wouldn’t spend £160 on a controller, but as evidenced by the mayfly-esque lifespan of this Xbox drop, a lot of gamers will.

The Xbox series X is in stock at Game

16:36 , Steve Hogarty

Buy now

Game is selling the Xbox series X bundled with the pro-level elite controller for £609.98.

This is the high-end Xbox controller, with customisable buttons and thumbsticks, and is usually worth £160 by itself.

You can play Xbox games on your laptop

16:21 , Steve Hogarty

For £10.99 per month, you can play a selection of Xbox series X games not just on an Xbox, but in a browser window on any laptop using Microsoft’s cloud streaming service.

You don’t need a gaming laptop or even a halfway powerful device, just a fast enough internet connection, a Game Pass Ultimate subscription (£32.99, Argos.co.uk), and an Xbox wireless controller (£54.99, Game.co.uk), ideally.

Game Pass is a Netflix-style games-on-demand service that unlocks a rolling library of more than 100 games. Most can be downloaded, but some can be streamed live to a smartphone, tablet or laptop browser window.

Thankfully, decent laptops are much easier to find than the Xbox series X. If you’re thinking of upgrading, check out our list of the best laptops in 2021.

The ultimate guide to the best laptops of 2021

Differences between the Xbox series X and series S

15:22 , Steve Hogarty

While we wait for more stock, let’s address a common question about the new Xbox consoles. There are two next-gen Xboxes: the less powerful Xbox series S and the more advanced Xbox series X, which launched together in November 2020.

They both run the same next-gen games (as well as older Xbox games through backwards compatibility), but the cheaper Xbox series S has a little less processing power and half the storage space. This means graphics won’t look as detailed and performance may be a little slower, and you’ll have to use an external hard drive or delete and redownload games to make space more often on the Xbox series S.

For that reason, the Xbox series X is considered to be the “true” next-generation console here – but both consoles are excellent games machines. The Xbox series S has another big advantage in that it’s much easier to find in stock than the Xbox series X.

The Xbox series S costs £249 (Argos.co.uk), which is an enticing offer next to the Xbox series X at £449.

You could walk into an Argos today and be playing next-generation Xbox games by lunchtime, can you even imagine?

The best TVs for gaming on Xbox series X

14:27 , Steve Hogarty

You don’t need a new 4K television to play on an Xbox series X, but if you’re still using an older 1080p set then we can highly recommend it.

Many next-generation games can run in either a performance mode or a graphics mode. The former is meant for players who favour smoother framerates over visuals, while the latter enables enhanced visuals and higher resolutions, but at the expense of framerate.

If your TV’s resolution only goes up to 1080p (also known as Full HD), you won’t be getting the most out of your new Xbox series X. To help you in your quest for better graphics and higher resolutions, we’ve compiled a list of the best 4K TV deals for gaming, entertainment, and movies.

9 best 4K TVs for needle-sharp viewing

Check out some Black Friday 2021 tech deals

13:29 , Steve Hogarty

With shortages of many high-end consumer electronics and tech predicted to last until Christmas, you might want to consider getting your gift shopping out of the way earlier than usual.

To give you the best chance of finding the tech you’re after, we launched our Black Friday tech deals guide. You’ll find great deals on tech and gaming accessories from Amazon, John Lewis & Partners, Currys PC World, and Argos.

We’ll be adding new deals as they appear in the run up to the big shopping event, so check back for updates as Black Friday approaches.

Black Friday tech deals: What offers to expect this year

The Xbox series X is in stock at Box

12:50 , Steve Hogarty

Buy now

Box is selling the Xbox series X as part of a bundle costing £734.99.

That’s an expensive bundle, and includes an extra Xbox controller in pulse red, a wired Xbox stereo headset and a racing chair that looks a lot like a camping seat. The console cannot be purchased separately.

Here’s the cost breakdown, in case you’re interested:

• Xbox series X console: £449

• Extra Xbox controller: £54

• Wired Xbox headset: £54

• Racing chair: £184

The chair is the Playseat Challenge, which usually retails for around this price and has great reviews from racing fans. It folds away for convenience and portability, and offers a better driving position for players with wheels and pedal accessories.

If you were in the market for a racing chair as well as an Xbox series X, well boy is it your lucky day today.

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter for more deals

12:31 , Steve Hogarty

Want even more shopping insights? Why not sign up to the IndyBest newsletter right now to access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products, as chosen by our crack team of IndyBest experts.

Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest features items from our tried and tested reviews by experts in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.

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What’s this ‘Halo Infinite’ Xbox all about then?

11:44 , Steve Hogarty

The Halo Infinite branded Xbox series X (£479.99, Xbox.com) was announced on 25 August to commemorate 20 years of Microsoft’s seminal sci-fi FPS. It sold out in less than 20 minutes, though Game recently restocked another batch of pre-order bundles.

The super-rare, custom-designed Xbox celebrates two decades of Master Chief’s space-antics and boasts “a custom console design imprinted with stars as seen from the surface of Zeta Halo – extending onto the fan behind a blue vent inspired by Cortana.”

The Halo Infinite branded Xbox series X is only available to pre-order and doesn’t launch until November.

The Xbox One can now stream Xbox series X games

11:11 , Steve Hogarty

Microsoft has started allowing some Xbox One owners to stream Xbox series X games over its cloud gaming service.

Cloud gaming – which is basically like being on a Zoom call with a game that you’re in control of – allows anyone with a controller, a screen and a fast enough internet connection to play next-generation games without any downloads or installations. It’s already possible to play some Xbox series X games on a laptop or phone using Xbox Cloud Gaming, but until now the service hasn’t been available on older Xbox consoles.

The feature is being rolled out to early testers first, with a full launch planned the coming weeks. Soon, subscribers to Game Pass Ultimate will be able to jump into multiplayer games they don’t own to instantly join friends who are already playing online. If the feature is successful, it could spell the end of traditional consoles as we know them – as you won’t need to own a physical box in your living room to play games any more.

There are drawbacks to this technology. If your broadband speed is slow or spotty, you’ll lose your connection to the game. Slow internet speeds degrade the picture quality and delay your button inputs by a fraction of a second too, meaning games that rely on fast reaction times aren’t suitable for cloud gaming. These problems will be fixed by faster and more reliable internet speeds, but who knows how long that will take.

What’s happening with Amazon’s Xbox series X stock?

10:54 , Steve Hogarty

Amazon has been missing the Xbox series X since mid-September.

It’s occasionally been possible to buy the console from Amazon’s European sites – the Xbox was in stock at Amazon Italy twice in the last two weeks – though importing the Xbox from the EU incurs some pricey taxes, delivery charges and fees. Expect to pay at least £100 extra to buy an Xbox this way.

If you’ve given up on waiting, Amazon currently has the less powerful Xbox series S in stock (£249, Amazon.co.uk).

Timothée Chalamet was an Xbox modder

10:17 , Steve Hogarty

A bombshell report spearheaded by Motherboard journalists working in collaboration with experienced war crime investigators has revealed that Dune star Timothée Chalamet once owned and operated an anonymous YouTube channel in which he presented custom paintjobs for Xbox controllers.

And breathe.

The full investigation – titled Is This Timothée Chalamet’s Xbox Modding YouTube Channel? An Investigation – is a joy to read. Anything but trivial, this deep dive down a rabbit hole of internet sleuthing encompasses the actor’s distinctive finger scar, archival Instagram posts, a beanbag chair from his childhood bedroom, and old episodes of Law & Order.

The evidence is pretty conclusive. Before he found stardom in coming-of-age romantic drama Call Me By Your Name, the guy used to mod Xbox controllers on YouTube. Just when we thought we couldn’t love him any more than we already do.

You can still check out his handiwork on YouTube.

The PS5 is in stock at Game right now

10:02 , Steve Hogarty

Over on our PlayStation 5 stock tracking liveblog we’ve reported that Sony’s next-gen console is now in stock at Game.

It’s a bundlefest. The retailer has packaged the PlayStation 5 with Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (£561.97, Game.co.uk), Demon’s Souls (£594.96, Game.co.uk) and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Fifa 22 for £644.96 (Game.co.uk).

Go check it out, if you’re in the market for a towering white slab of a console.

LIVE: The PS5 could drop at Game today

Very is selling the 20th anniversary edition Xbox controller

09:47 , Steve Hogarty

To mark the Xbox’s 20th birthday, Microsoft is celebrating the only way it knows how: by creating a limited edition custom controller.

Like everything else Xbox-related, the 20th anniversary special edition pad is hard to find in stock anywhere. Right now, Very is selling pre-orders for £59.99.

Pre-order now £59.99, Very.co.uk

The pad is designed in translucent black and vivid green, the colours of the original Xbox console’s debug unit. That’s the version of the console sent to developers so they can test their games as they make them.

The special controller launches on 15 November to commemorate the big day.

Might Game restock the Xbox series X today?

09:32 , Steve Hogarty

Game could have more stock of the Xbox series X later today. The retailer has been restocking its physical stores around the country this week, and lately has sold a bunch more pre-orders for the Halo Infinite limited edition Xbox bundle.

It’s worth checking your local branch for fresh stock. When Game restocks the Xbox in-store, it usually doesn’t make these consoles available to purchase online, meaning you’ve got to stroll in there with your meat-legs and ask about it using your flesh-mouth. Novel, we know!

The retailer is one of three places you can buy the Xbox through the Xbox All Access scheme, the pay-monthly alternative to paying £449 for the console in one go. Since the beginning of September, Game has prioritised restocking the Xbox All Access programme rather than the standalone console.

When did Argos last restock the Xbox series X?

09:12 , Steve Hogarty

We’ve heard rumours of in-store restocks happening at Argos stores around the country, but it’s been months since the retailer last had any stock available for delivery. Hang around on the Xbox series X product page and you’ll see little pinging notices claiming dozens of Xboxes are being sold right now, but this is often a smoke-and-mirrors special effect designed to get shoppers all riled up.

Similarly, it’s possible to add the Xbox series X to your trolley when no consoles are available to buy near you.

Download the Argos app and add the Xbox to your wish list to be in with the best chance of grabbing one when actual stock appears. You can also more easily browse local branches of Argos for click and collect options as the app has a helpful map you can pan around, like you’re an enormous Xbox hunting bird.

Which retailer will restock the Xbox series X next?

08:52 , Steve Hogarty

We’ve shovelled all the historical data we’ve got about retailer’s previous restocks into our patented Xbox stock prediction engine, and it’s suggesting that the Microsoft Store could be next in line to restock.

Why? Well the official storefront typically goes two to three weeks between restocks, and fairly reliably stuck to this frequency over the summer. The most recent restock there was on 16 October. The Microsoft Store is also one of two places that stocks pre-orders of the Halo Infinite limited edition Xbox bundle.

Game recently restocked that bundle, which could indicate a similar drop is due at Microsoft. The official retailer tends to restock in the early evenings around 6pm.

Where is the Xbox series X in stock today?

08:37 , Steve Hogarty

Right now, the Xbox is sold out across the board.

Yesterday we saw a few in-store restocks at Game, and earlier in the week we had a whirlwind of Xbox restocks from EE as well as Game’s online storefront, where pre-orders for the limited edition Halo Infinite bundle appeared again for the first time in two months.

It seems we’re emerging from the Xbox drought, with more and more drops happening at a greater frequency. Let’s hope we can carry the momentum into the second half of the week.

Follow along for live Xbox restock alerts

08:28 , Steve Hogarty

Good morning, Xbox hunters!

Welcome back to Thursday’s stock tracking liveblog, where we’ll be tracking the availability of Microsoft’s newest console in the UK.

If a retailer so much as mouths the word “Xbox” at us through a distant window, an unspeakable sadness in their cold grey eyes, we’ll let you know right here!

When it appears in stock, the Xbox sells out quickly – so you have to be quick. Follow our updates to be in with the best chance of grabbing a console today.

Live blog signing off

Wednesday 27 October 2021 17:00 , Alistair Charlton

After the excitement of yesterday we shouldn’t be too surprised to have had a quiet one today. There weren’t any online Xbox restocks to speak of, but we still saw several branches of Game with series X stock on their shelves. Hopefully this is a sign of things slowly returning to normal.

As ever, we’ll be back again in the morning for another day of hunting down those Xboxes.

The best 4K TVs for the Xbox series X

Wednesday 27 October 2021 16:02 , Alistair Charlton

To get the most out of the Xbox series X, you’re going to want a 4K television. More pixels makes for a better picture, and if your TV can only manage a resolution1080p (also known as Full HD) then your 4K-ready Xbox series X isn’t delivering the image quality it’s truly capable of.

The series X can also manage a higher framerate of up to 120 frames per second – something older televisions can’t cater for. So if you want to experience series X games at their very best, a new TV is the way to go.

To help you upgrade your set without breaking the bank, we’ve pulled together a list of the best 4K TV deals for entertainment, movies and gaming.

How to buy a PS5

Wednesday 27 October 2021 15:32 , Alistair Charlton

While we wait for more Xbox stock to drop, you should know we also have a liveblog to track restocks of Sony’s latest console, the PS5.

Generally speaking, the Xbox series X has been harder to get than the PS5, with fewer restocks in the UK over the last couple of months.

The less powerful Xbox series S, on the other hand, is widely available from a number of retailers, including Amazon, Currys, and Argos.

Subscribe to the IndyBest newsletter

Wednesday 27 October 2021 15:01 , Alistair Charlton

Want more shopping insights about tech, toys, gaming and more? Then we recommend you sign up to the free IndyBest newsletter, where you can access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products, as chosen by the IndyBest experts.

Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the email is packed with products from our tried and tested reviews conducted by pros in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.

Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of The Independent’s other newsletters now. You won’t regret it.

New Xbox software update explained

Wednesday 27 October 2021 14:32 , Alistair Charlton

Did you know Microsoft has recently rolled out a new software update for the Xbox Series X?

Released last weekend, the upgraded software introduces a brand-new 4K dashboard. For context, before the upgrade, the console’s dashboard was 1080p upscaled to 4K, but now it will be rendered in the series X’s native 4K resolution.

The new software also introduces night mode, allowing players to customise and reduce the brightness, of their TV or monitor, plus a Quick Settings menu to turn on and off some accessibility settings without leaving a game.

For a complete changelog, you can check Microsoft’s official update post.

What’s the difference between Xbox series X and series S?

Wednesday 27 October 2021 14:05 , Alistair Charlton

After yesterday’s excitement it’s been a quieter one so far today. So let’s brush up on the fundamentals and remind you of the technical differences between the two versions of the new Xbox.

There are two next-gen Xboxes, the less powerful Xbox series S and the top-of-the-range Xbox series X.

All Xbox games old and new will run on both consoles, though on the less powerful Xbox series S the overall graphics quality will be dialled down. The Xbox series S does not have a disc drive, has half the storage capacity and can only play downloaded games. The Xbox series S is much easier to find in stock than the series X. It’s also cheaper and costs just £249 (Amazon.co.uk).

Here are the details, if you’re into comparing teraflops.

Xbox series S specs:

• CPU: Custom Zen 2 8-core CPU

• GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUS

• Memory: 10GB GDDR6

• Storage: 512GB SSD

• Resolution: 1440p at 60fps

Xbox series X specs:

• CPU: AMD 8-core Zen 2 @ 3.8 GHz

• GPU: 12TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz

• Memory: 16GB GDDR6

• Storage: 1TB custom WD SSD, optional 1T

Resolution: 4K at 60fps

The best games for your new Xbox series X

Wednesday 27 October 2021 13:27 , Alistair Charlton

If you’ve managed to grab an Xbox series X, or you want to start building your game catalogue for when the console finally comes back into stock, then we have a list of the best games to buy now.

The list includes vast open-world adventures such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, as well as Xbox-exclusive experiences like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Forza Horizon 4 – and on that note, don’t forget Forza Horizon 5 will be released on 5 November.

If you want to know more about these and more Xbox titles, we have compiled a handy selection of the best Xbox series X games you can play right now.

We’ll update the list as new games come out, so make sure to bookmark it to make sure you’re always up-to-date on the latest games for Xbox series X.

Nintendo Switch OLED review

Wednesday 27 October 2021 13:01 , Alistair Charlton

While we wait for more Xbox series X stock to drop, it’s worth mentioning that Nintendo’s new Switch OLED console is now available.

The Switch OLED introduces a slightly larger, brand-new screen with OLED technology for improved colours, increased contrast and deeper blacks.

There’s also a redesigned kickstand and the new console has double the internal storage of its predecessor.

But is the new Switch worth the upgrade? We have reviewed the console so you can make an informed decision.

The best gaming deals for Black Friday 2021

Wednesday 27 October 2021 12:16 , Alistair Charlton

Black Friday, the shopping event of the year, is almost upon us. For 2021, the retail bonanza lands on 26 November, but as with previous years you can expect to see retailers begin their sales early.

With the Xbox series X still tricky to buy, we’re not expecting much in the way of a discount on the Microsoft console. But that doesn’t mean retailers won’t include the readily-available Xbox series S in a discounted bundle or two. And of course there will be deals on other consoles, games, accessories and more.

To be in the know before and during the Black Friday weekend, you can bookmark our gaming deals guide.

Can you buy an Xbox series X on the high street?

Wednesday 27 October 2021 11:43 , Alistair Charlton

Yes, but stock is still extremely limited. Both Smyths Toys and Game occasionally have stock available in their stores for walk-in customers to purchase. But we’re talking single-digit quantities here.

We recommend calling up your local stores to see if stock is available, or if any is expected over the next few days. You can also check the Smyths website, which shows when individual consoles are available at all of its shops across the UK. At the time of writing, the website says there is no Xbox series X stock available in-store.

Meanwhile, Game stores tend to run fairly active Twitter accounts. These announce when Xbox (and PS5) stock is available in each store. You can follow this list of all of Game’s UK store Twitter accounts. We have seen several Game stores with Xbox stock in recent days, all promoted on their respective Twitter accounts.

When did AO last have an Xbox restock?

Wednesday 27 October 2021 11:36 , Alistair Charlton

Electronics retailer AO has already had a couple of Xbox series X restocks this month, on 12 and 19 October. As such, we’re not expecting to see more consoles from AO this week, but are hopeful of at least two restocks in November. AO’s website says the series X will be “back in stock soon”.

Prior to this month, AO had Xbox restocks on 3 August, then 1 and 17 September.

How to buy an Xbox series X online

Wednesday 27 October 2021 11:08 , Alistair Charlton

As we patiently wait for the next Xbox restock, let’s go over some of the basics when it comes to securing a console. Preparation is key to success, and there are a bunch of things you can do right now to ensure you’re ready when the next restock happens.

• Register an account and save your payment details at each of the retailers that stock the Xbox series X. They’re listed in the main article above

• Are you a BT customer, or know somebody who is? Register your interest on the BT site to get exclusive access to BT’s next drop

• Download each retailer’s app (if they have one) and add the Xbox series X to your wish list or “save for later” list

• When the console drops, use the link in your wish list to add the Xbox to your trolley – this usually has a higher success rate than navigating through the website

• Keep note of the prices of bundles to ensure you’re getting a good deal. The console itself is £450, controllers are £50, the official headset is £90, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate usually costs £11 per month. Newly released game are around £60, but retailers usually bundle older games with the console

• The pay-as-you-go Xbox All Access programme is good value for money, so long as you don’t already have a Game Pass subscription

Xbox series X stock lands at Game Cambridge

Wednesday 27 October 2021 11:07 , Alistair Charlton

As we suspected following yesterday’s in-store restocks, more Game shops have Xbox series X consoles available today. The latest is the Cambridge branch, which has a limited amount of series X consoles available to walk-in customers right now.

Microsoft has shipped more Xboxes than expected

Wednesday 27 October 2021 10:41 , Alistair Charlton

Good news, Xbox hunters! Microsoft has said how, despite the pandemic and ongoing global chip shortage, it was able to ship more Xbox consoles than it expected in the last three months.

“We were able to ship more Xbox Series X and S consoles than expected even as demand continues to exceed supply,” said Amy Hood, Microsoft’s chief financial officer, in a call with investors after the company released its latest financial results on 26 October.

Huge demand for the next-generation consoles – as well as computers for workers to log into their jobs from home during the pandemic – helped Microsoft’s hardware revenue grow by 166 per cent for the most recent quarter. Gaming revenue was up 16 per cent.

Xbox stock lands in Game stores for collection

Wednesday 27 October 2021 09:46 , Alistair Charlton

As predicted, Game now has more Xbox series X consoles in stock for collection today. We saw several shops receive Xbox stock earlier in the week, and now Game’s Isle of Wight store has tweeted to say it has series X consoles on its shelves.

Like yesterday, we expect to see several more Game stores receive Xbox stock throughout today, and for them to sell out quickly.

Is Argos due an Xbox restock?

Wednesday 27 October 2021 09:17 , Alistair Charlton

The last Xbox restock at Argos was only a few days ago, on 20 October. However, the retailer tends to have multiple restocks each month, with three happening in September. There’s every possibility that Argos will have more Xbox consoles to sell before the end of October, but it’s tricky to say for certain at this stage.

When will Very have an Xbox restock?

Wednesday 27 October 2021 09:01 , Alistair Charlton

Very currently has the cheaper Xbox series S available to buy now, with series X stock “coming soon”. There’s no specific date mentioned for Very’s next Xbox restock, but we’re hopeful of consoles arriving before the end of the month. Very last had a series X restock on 19 October, and before that restocks happened once a month, on 20 July, 24 August and 14 September.

When will Smyths Toys have an Xbox restock?

Wednesday 27 October 2021 08:45 , Alistair Charlton

Smyths Toys is on our radar for a potential Xbox restock this week. This is because the retailer’s website says a fresh round of Xbox consoles is expected to arrive in October and, well, the month’s about to end. It’s 1 November on Monday, so we’re really hoping to see Xboxes land at Smyths before then.

Smyths last had an Xbox series X restock on 15 October, and before that we saw restocks on 9 and 24 September, so a second restock this month wouldn’t be unusual.

How to check for in-store Xbox stock at Game

Wednesday 27 October 2021 08:30 , Alistair Charlton

As well as visiting your local Game or giving them a call, you can check for Xbox series X stock on Twitter too. Each Game shop has a Twitter account, which they use fairly regularly to announce in-store restocks of Xbox and PS5 consoles. Helpfully, they also say when stock has run out to save you a wasted journey.

You can view the tweets of all Game branches on this Twitter list; keep an eye on it and you should see when an Xbox restock happens at your local store. Some let customers call up to reserve a console, while others insist that you can only reserve and purchase one in person.

Xbox in-store restocks at Game

Wednesday 27 October 2021 08:23 , Alistair Charlton

Yesterday we saw a lot of Game stores announce small Xbox series X restocks. They were sold on a first come, first served basis and stock disappeared quickly, but it’s great to see the consoles are finally available on the high street. It’s worth popping into your local Game store or giving them a call to see if they expect to receive Xbox stock today, or later in the week.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for in-store Xbox stock and post on this blog about any available consoles. Good luck!

Good morning!

Wednesday 27 October 2021 08:11 , Alistair Charlton

Good morning Xbox hunters, and welcome back to the live restock blog! We already have some exciting news to share today – the bundle that dropped at Currys yesterday afternoon is still available. Yeah, we know. We’re just as shocked as you are. It’s a little pricey, we admit, as it includes Fifa 22, a three-month Game Pass Ultimate subscription and the Elite series 2 wireless controller. But as a £679 package it’s still a good deal.

What else can you expect today? We’re still hopeful for October restocks from Very and Smyths. And we also hope to see more in-store stock at branches of Game today too.

Live blog signing off

Tuesday 26 October 2021 17:00 , Alistair Charlton

What a busy day that was! At least by Xbox series X restock standards, anyway. We saw a restock at EE this morning, followed by numerous Game shops receiving consoles and quickly selling out – proof that buying a series X on the high street is just as tricky as it is online.

Then the highlight of the day came mid-afternoon, when Game opened pre-orders on over 20 bundles featuring the Halo Infinite edition of the Xbox series X. We haven’t seen these pre-orders since August, so it was a big deal. And, naturally, everything sold out in under 20 minutes. After this, Currys restocked a bundle with the Xbox series X, Fifa 22 and three months of Game Pass Ultimate for £679.

Still, so much activity brings renewed hope that the Xbox series X might – might – just becoming easier to get hold of as we head towards Christmas.

As for tomorrow and the rest of the week, we’re still hopeful for online restocks from Very, Currys and Smyths.

Xbox series X ‘Fifa 22’ bundle lands at Currys

Tuesday 26 October 2021 16:50 , Alistair Charlton

Currys is rounding out a busy day of Xbox series X restocks with a Fifa 22 bundle. Priced at £679, the bundle includes the console, Fifa 22, the Elite series 2 wireless controller, and a three-month subscription to Game Pass Ultimate.

What’s the difference between Xbox series X and series S?

Tuesday 26 October 2021 16:02 , Alistair Charlton

As we wait (and wait) for the next Xbox restock, it’s time to remind ourselves on the key differences between the series X and series S. Other than how the latter is available to buy, of course.

There are two next-gen Xboxes, the less powerful Xbox series S and the top-of-the-range Xbox series X.

All Xbox games old and new will run on both consoles, though on the less powerful Xbox series S the overall graphics quality will be dialled down. The Xbox series S does not have a disc drive, has half the storage capacity and can only play downloaded games. The Xbox series S is much easier to find in stock than the series X. It’s also cheaper and costs just £249 (Amazon.co.uk).

Here are the details, if you’re into comparing teraflops.

Xbox series S specs:

• CPU: Custom Zen 2 8-core CPU

• GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUS

• Memory: 10GB GDDR6

• Storage: 512GB SSD

• Resolution: 1440p at 60fps

Xbox series X specs:

• CPU: AMD 8-core Zen 2 @ 3.8 GHz

• GPU: 12TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz

• Memory: 16GB GDDR6

• Storage: 1TB custom WD SSD, optional 1T

• Resolution: 4K at 60fps

Xbox series X Halo Infinite edition sells out in minutes

Tuesday 26 October 2021 15:58 , Alistair Charlton

Well, that was quick. According to our stopwatch it took less than 20 minutes for Game to run out of Halo Infinite edition pre-orders. The website showed over 20 bundles to pick from, including the Halo-themed Xbox series X on its own, but there’s no telling how many (or how few) of each the retailer actually had available. If you were quick enough to get one ordered then it should be with you on 15 November.

Xbox series X Halo Infinite Edition pre-orders open at Game

Tuesday 26 October 2021 15:44 , Alistair Charlton

Game has just opened pre-orders for the Xbox series X Halo Infinite edition. There are over 20 different bundles to pick from, with the cheapest being the console itself, with Halo Infinite and a three-month subscription to Game Pass for £512.98. The Halo-themed console is also offered on its own, without the game, for £479.99.

This is big news for Xbox fans, as we haven’t seen this version of the console available to order since 25 August.

The special edition console and all bundles offered by Game today will be released on 15 November.

How to buy an Xbox series X online

Tuesday 26 October 2021 15:02 , Alistair Charlton

While we wait for the next restock, let’s go over some of the basic tips when it comes to securing a console. Preparation is key to success, and there are a bunch of things you can do right now to ensure you’re ready when the next restock happens.

• Register an account and save your payment details at each of the retailers that stock the Xbox series X. They’re listed in the main article above

• Are you a BT customer, or know somebody who is? Register your interest on the BT site to get exclusive access to BT’s next drop

• Download each retailer’s app (if they have one) and add the Xbox series X to your wish list or “save for later” list

• When the console drops, use the link in your wish list to add the Xbox to your trolley – this usually has a higher success rate than navigating through the website

• Keep note of the prices of bundles to ensure you’re getting a good deal. Rounding up, the console itself is £450, controllers are £50, the official headset is £90, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs £11 per month. Newly released game are £60, but retailers usually bundle older games with the console

• The pay-as-you-go Xbox All Access programme is good value for money, so long as you don’t already have a Game Pass subscription

Even more Game stores receive Xbox stock

Tuesday 26 October 2021 14:35 , Alistair Charlton

It’s been a busy day for in-store restocks at Game, and now we’ve seen further Xbox series X stock, available right now, at the following branches:

• Lincoln (call 01522 589453 to have one set aside)

• Doncaster (first come, first served)

• Livingston (first come, first served)

• Exeter (first come, first served)

Stock also arrived at the Game stores in Maidstone and Guildford House of Fraser earlier today, but both have now sold out.

The best gaming deals for Black Friday 2021

Tuesday 26 October 2021 14:27 , Alistair Charlton

Black Friday, the shopping event of the year, is almost upon us. For 2021, the retail bonanza lands on 26 November, but as with previous years you can expect to see retailers begin their sales early.

With the Xbox series X still tricky to buy, we’re not expecting much in the way of a discount on the Microsoft console. But that doesn’t mean retailers won’t include the readily-available Xbox series S in a discounted bundle or two. And of course there will be deals on other consoles, games, accessories and more.

To be in the know before and during the Black Friday weekend, you can bookmark our gaming deals guide.

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter

Tuesday 26 October 2021 14:01 , Alistair Charlton

Want more shopping insights about tech or anything else? Then you should up to the free IndyBest newsletter, where you can access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products chosen by IndyBest experts.

Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest comes packed with items from our tried and tested reviews by pros in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.

Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of The Independent’s other newsletters now. You won’t regret it.

You can play Xbox games on your laptop

Tuesday 26 October 2021 13:29 , Alistair Charlton

You don’t actually need an Xbox series X to play Xbox series X games. Instead, you just need a fast enough internet connection and a compatible streaming device.

Xbox Cloud Gaming streams games from Microsoft’s servers to your console, laptop or phone, via your internet browser or the Xbox app. This all works a bit like being on a Zoom call with a game that you’re controlling, meaning you can jump into new games at the push of a button rather than waiting around for an installation. Your inputs to the controller are sent to the Microsoft server running the game, and the sound and picture of the game are streamed back to you in real-time.

Cloud gaming requires a membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (£32.99, Argos.co.uk), which unlocks on-demand access to more than 100 games. Thankfully, decent laptops are much easier to find than the Xbox series X. If you’re thinking of upgrading, check out our list of the best laptops in 2021.

How to buy a PS5

Tuesday 26 October 2021 13:03 , Alistair Charlton

While we wait for more Xbox stock to drop, you should know we also have a liveblog to track restocks of Sony’s latest console.

Generally speaking, the Xbox series X has been harder to get than the PS5, with fewer restocks in the UK over the last couple of months.

The less powerful Xbox series S, on the other hand, is widely available from a number of retailers, including Amazon, Currys, and Argos.

The best TVs for gaming on Xbox series X

Tuesday 26 October 2021 12:30 , Alistair Charlton

To get the most out of the Xbox series X, you’re going to want a 4K television.

Many next-generation games allow you to choose between a performance mode and a graphics mode. The former downgrades the visuals slightly for smoother frame rates, while the latter mode enables higher resolutions and improved graphics, but at the expense of frame rate.

If your TV resolution only goes up to 1080p (also known as Full HD), you won’t be getting the most out of your new Xbox series X. To help you upgrade your set without breaking the bank, we’ve pulled together a list of the best 4K TV deals for entertainment, movies and gaming.

A third Game branch announces in-store Xbox stock today

Tuesday 26 October 2021 12:01 , Alistair Charlton

A third branch of Game has announced it has Xbox series X stock available for in-store purchasing right now. This time it’s the Game inside Guildford’s House of Fraser, which tweeted the good news at 11:35am. The consoles are available on a first come, first served basis.

Nintendo Switch OLED review

Tuesday 26 October 2021 11:28 , Alistair Charlton

While we wait for more Xbox series X stock to drop, it’s worth mentioning that Nintendo’s new Switch OLED console is now available.

The Switch OLED introduces a slightly larger, brand-new screen with OLED technology for improved colours, increased contrast and deeper blacks.

There’s also a redesigned kickstand and the new console has double the internal storage of its predecessor.

But is the new Switch worth the upgrade? We have reviewed the console so you can make an informed decision.

A second Game store announces Xbox series X stock available now

Tuesday 26 October 2021 11:19 , Alistair Charlton

Just minutes after we spotted in-store Xbox series X stock at Game Maidstone, the Stevenage store has tweeted to say it too has stock available right now. The restock is described as “very small” so you’ll have to be quick if you plan to buy one. They are available now on a first come, first served basis, and are not available for reservation.

We’ve found limited Xbox series X stock in a branch of Game

Tuesday 26 October 2021 11:13 , Alistair Charlton

The Game store in Maidenhead tweeted just a few minutes ago, at approximately 10:50am, to say it has limited Xbox series X stock available in-store, right now. So if you are in the local area we suggest you give them a call or pop in and see if those consoles are still available.

Can you buy an Xbox series X on the high street?

Tuesday 26 October 2021 11:11 , Alistair Charlton

Yes, but stock is still extremely limited. Both Smyths Toys and Game occasionally have stock available in their stores for walk-in customers to purchase. But we’re talking single-digit quantities here.

We recommend calling up your local stores to see if stock is available, or if any is expected over the next few days. You can also check the Smyths website, which shows when individual consoles are available at all of its shops across the UK. At the time of writing, the website says there is no Xbox series X stock available in-store.

Meanwhile, Game stores tend to run fairly active Twitter accounts. These announce when Xbox (and PS5) stock is available in each store. You can follow this list of all of Game’s UK store Twitter accounts.