While Microsoft has seemingly been working towards killing off Xbox consoles in favor of turning every device you own into an Xbox, the company has reiterated multiple times that there is a next-gen console coming after the Xbox Series X|S. Microsoft has not even hinted at the potential release window, although it seems possible that the new console could release as early as 2028, based on the length of previous console generations. Since a new Xbox is seemingly on the way, now seems like a great time to put together a wishlist for the new console. For this list, I will be focusing on hardware and not software, although I would like to see Xbox stop canceling games and closing studios.

10 Steam and other PC storefronts integration

If my console can access PC storefronts that would be huge

While there has been speculation that the next Xbox could integrate other storefronts, like Steam and Epic Games Store, there hasn't been any concrete evidence that this is the case. That said, it would be a fantastic reason for someone to pick up an Xbox console. PC gaming, especially via Steam, has reached a level of simplicity that allows anyone with basic knowledge of gaming to play on a PC without issues. That said, though, it does require a bit more effort to run a PC through a television, and using a keyboard and mouse in that situation is uncomfortable. Getting to take advantage of Steam with all the ease-of-use of a console sounds like a huge win. While I'm sure PlayStation could find a way to block its PC ports on the console, this would make it possible to get games like Marvel's Spider-Man on Xbox.

9 Expanded backward compatibility program

I know Xbox said it got every game it could, but it should take another look at it

Xbox's backwards compatibility program was quite impressive when it first happened, bringing original Xbox and Xbox 360 games to the modern consoles, so series like Banjo-Kazooie don't get stuck on older hardware. That said, though, there are plenty of games from that era that shouldn't be, including a bunch of licensed games from Activision that aren't available, like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and some Transformers games. While I don't know enough about the agreements for those games in particular to know if those games could join the program, I'm fairly confident there are more games that could get added. Playing these games natively instead of via streaming like some of PlayStation's backwards compatible efforts is a huge advantage for Xbox, and bringing new games to the program would be a great way to remind people of it.

8 Improved quick resume

This feature is fantastic, but it doesn't work well with online games

One of the best new features introduced with the Xbox Series X|S is Quick Resume, a beefed-up version of leaving a game open while the console is in rest mode. The other consoles can keep one game open in rest mode, but Quick Resume allows you to do that with multiple games, and you can swap between them with basically no issue. While the feature works phenomenally with single-player games, it doesn't handle games with an online connection well at all, almost always requiring you to restart the game. Because of the way Quick Resume works, I understand it can't maintain that online connection, but I would like to see it reconnect smoothly, so it feels like Quick Resume is getting me back into the action faster than if I just booted it up.

7 Better rumble features and other controller improvements

I prefer the layout of the Xbox controller compared to PlayStation controller, but there are features I would like to see

The Xbox Series X|S controller was a slight upgrade of the Xbox One controller, and while it's my favorite controller to use, the PlayStation 5 has some features I would like to see on the Xbox controller. The main reason for my preference is the offset sticks, which is the correct way for thumbsticks to be laid out, and the angle of the handles keeps my hands from feeling uncomfortable. But the rumble in the Xbox controller leaves a lot to be desired when compared to the DualSense and the HD rumble in the Switch 2 controllers. Having a more precise and lively rumble would provide a more immersive feel to the controller. I would also like to see Xbox's take on the triggers of the DualSense, which don't feel as great as they should in practice, but certainly have the right idea.

6 Bring back Snapping

The Xbox One has a ton of bad features, but Snap was great

The Xbox One was an unmitigated failure of a console, not as disastrous as the Wii U, but pretty close. Its focus on TV was the wrong decision at the time, but it did briefly give us a fantastic feature with Snap. Snap would allow you to snap a smaller window, usually a streaming app, next to a game. While some purists might have an issue with the TikTok-style information overload, there was something nice about being able to have an MLB game on in the corner while I played something more relaxed, like a multiplayer shooter or a roguelite that doesn't have too much story content. This isn't that dissimilar to having something up on your second monitor while gaming on a PC, and it would be a great feature to bring back.

5 Normal SSD expansion

The special cards for the Xbox Series X|S aren't great

I understand the logic behind Xbox having special, Xbox Series X| S-only SSD cards that plug in, but I think that it was the wrong choice. The upsides here are that there is no uncertainty about whether the SSD will work with the console, and it doesn't require you to open the console up; instead, it just plugs into the back. But limited options meant that they were priced above the SSDs compatible with the PS5, and there were some hard limits on the size of the SSD. The PS5 could also handle a 4TB SSD, while the Xbox Series X|S cards only go up to 2TB. I understand the appeal of consoles is the ease of use, but most people can handle putting an SSD in the PS5, and I'm fairly confident they could handle putting it in the next-gen Xbox.

4 Improved cloud gaming experience

This applies across the board, but the experience on the console itself should be better

While Xbox Cloud gaming works pretty well on non-Xbox devices, with somewhat low lag that isn't too intrusive depending on the game, the console version should work better. While some of my frustrations come from the wait times, which can be upwards of 10 minutes in the worst cases, since I primarily use it to try out Game Pass games to see if I want to actually download them, and it isn't always worth the wait. The console cloud gaming should also run smoother on the hardware, since its hardware, Xbox makes and knows exactly what it is capable of. If Xbox is going to continue to push cloud gaming across all of my devices, it should work best on my Xbox.

3 No AI nonsense

If Cortana or whatever is built into the console, I'm not buying it

While Cortana from Microsoft was a Siri competitor and not an AI feature, I want to make it clear here that I don't want any of that nonsense built into my console. It's bad enough that any time I search for anything, I get an inaccurate summary, and every App I use has AI pop-ups. If I sit down to relax and an AI tries to suggest games to me or whatever, that sounds awful. I don't imagine generative AI has any functionality that makes sense in a console besides really basic stuff, but that's even more reason to not include it. Watching most tech companies shove it into places where it doesn't actually work or make sense is enough of a reason for me to be concerned, especially when it comes to Microsoft.

2 Smooth integration with a handheld

Xbox seems to be leaving the handhelds to other hardware companies, but I want it to work well with my console

Xbox is leaving the handheld market to other hardware companies, like ASUS, which is making an Xbox-branded ROG Ally, but I want the next-gen console to feel in sync with the handhelds. Currently, the handhelds run an Xbox-themed version of Windows, which is fine, but it means that not all console games are available, making it less functional than the Nintendo Switch. I want the same experiences on both, or at least the same games running at different qualities, on an Xbox handheld. The handheld device should function as a controller for the console, allowing me to seamlessly switch between the two. I don't expect stuff like Quick Resume to work between devices, but the handheld should feel like an extension of the console, and not an Xbox-branded PC.

1 Improved Achievements

Achievements have changed very little since the Xbox 360

Xbox Achievements haven't changed much since its introduction on the Xbox 360. The only major change was transitioning away from games of different sizes having different total scores, with arcade games starting at 200G total before moving to 400G. At the start of the Xbox One, all games were given the standard 1,000G, but Xbox has let other innovations pass them by. Not having some kind of PlayStation Platinum Trophy, given for earning all other trophies to a gamer, equivalent is a failure. Not having an easy way to see how many games you have fully completed is also a bummer, and its hard to compare to other friends outside of the monthly leader board. Achievements could use some love on the next-gen console.

Microsoft has an uphill battle ahead of it

Microsoft is in an incredible hole when it comes to console hardware sales, and while its transitioned its business model to selling games wherever people play, it still has to sell enough consoles to continue justifying making them. Since exclusive games appear to be off the table, having unique and enticing features is the next best bet to sell Xbox consoles. Offering other storefronts and more features that won't be on the next PlayStation is the best way for Xbox to at least feel somewhat competitive in the space.