There are so many versions of Xbox now... Is the Xbox Series S latest gen?

[Actual_Criminal]

I am looking at buying an Xbox to put in my living room to play some older games on the Xbox (OG), Xbox 360 and Xbox One (OG). 

 

I know for sure that the 'Xbox Series X' is the latest one, which is the standing cuboid shape. 

 

However, when I am looking at some pre-owned ones on Ebay, I can see Xbox Series X but there is also a horizontal version? Then the Xbox Series S, which is a White-coloured horizontal version?

 

Can anyone explain differences? The latest console play DISC versions of some old Xbox games right?

[Hinjima]

7 minutes ago, Actual_Criminal said:

I am looking at buying an Xbox to put in my living room to play some older games on the Xbox (OG), Xbox 360 and Xbox One (OG). 

 

I know for sure that the 'Xbox Series X' is the latest one, which is the standing cuboid shape. 

 

However, when I am looking at some pre-owned ones on Ebay, I can see Xbox Series X but there is also a horizontal version? Then the Xbox Series S, which is a White-coloured horizontal version?

 

Can anyone explain differences? The latest console play DISC versions of some old Xbox games right?

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the fourth generation consoles in the Xbox series. Released on November 10, 2020, the higher-end Xbox Series X and lower-end Xbox Series S are part of the ninth generation of video game consoles, which also includes Sony's PlayStation 5, released the same month

 

Here is a link to the difference between the X and S.  One is 'high end' and one is 'low end'

The Series S is Digital only.
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/consoles/compare

 

And a video comparing them with gameplay by our favorite host.

 

 

[SkilledRebuilds]

Current Generation (Much faster CPU/RAM/SSD/GPU than the Xbox-One/X of previous generation)

Xbox Series X (Dynamic or Native 4K)

Xbox Series S (Dynamic or Native 1080p/1440p)

 

Previous Generation

Xbox One X

Xbox One

 

For your backwards compatible question I am not sure on the specifics... sorry.

[Middcore]

The Series S is current, but has weaker specs than its Series X sibling. 

[OhioYJ]

6 hours ago, Actual_Criminal said:

I am looking at buying an Xbox to put in my living room to play some older games on the Xbox (OG), Xbox 360 and Xbox One (OG).

You need to check the "backwards compatibility" list very carefully. As I don't consider it backwards compatible at all. As someone who owns quite a collection of 360 and Xbox games, very few of my games are playable on the new console.  While there are few "normal" titles that people would play, there are a ton of popular titles that are not on that list at all (read it's more common for "big" titles to not be on the backwards compatibility list).

 

To add to this problem, as 360 controllers, and xbox controllers are starting to die, and Alps no longer makes replacement joysticks for these anymore. So many games will be trapped on these platforms, until emulation really gets up and running.