How To Turn Your Xbox From Zero To Hero

Wondering what to do with that Xbox you have maybe wasting away in the corner somewhere? Your gaming buddy deserves love (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S or even an OG Xbox 360 here).

Now do not panic — this is not rocket science. When you are done reading this your Xbox will feel like it has been to boot camp for gamers!

Clean Up, Buttercup

So step 1: Treat your Xbox like a piece of furniture. Give the vents a good dusting and wipe it down.

The point is that you would be massively surprised about how much performance you can get from a console when it is not trying to breathe through a layer of dirt and dust. Come on, your Xbox is not a Roomba!

And for crying out loud, not on the carpet. This is equivalent to instructing it to coil up and boil over quicker than an inexpensive laptop pulling AAA gameplay.

Storage Woes? Add More Space

For when you are running out of space faster than snacks. External / Portable Hard Drive / SSD: Your Best Buddy You can boot games faster, and hold more of ’em, too — whether you’re on an Xbox One or a shiny new Xbox Series X. I know, deleting a game to clear space for another is worse than stabbing your gaming buddies in the back.

Xbox Game Pass Is Life

What are you doing not on Xbox Game Pass yet, honestly? For a small amount of monthly subscription, you have access to hundreds of games, including day-one releases. Imagine Netflix but for gamers.

And yes, even for that one game you say you’re “almost done with” — yeah, it’s totally worth it.

Get That Picture-Perfect Setup

Because your Xbox Series X or Series S deserves a decent display. Connect it to a 4K HDR capable TV/monitor. Why? Because your games need to look like the chef kissed them.

And you might want to buy a decent sound system or, at least, a gaming headset. And playing through TV speakers is like dining on pancake pizza—functional and all, but a bummer.

Customize It Like a Pro

The Xbox dashboard is your sandbox. Group your games, customize the background, and pin your apps you use daily.

Pro tip: turn the Xbox app on your phone into a super powered jukebox, messaging system and clip sharing machine.

And those moving backgrounds on the Xbox Series X | S? They’re not only for decoration, they’re yours to flex.

Upgrade Your Arsenal

Still stuck with that plain old controller? Time to step it up. It might make you feel like a gaming wizard, the Elite Controller is customizable and relatively comfy.

If that seems costly, invest in a few charging dock at the very least. Nobody wants to be searching for AA batteries during a boss battle.

The Power of the Xbox App

TheXbox app is basically a hidden gem. You can use it to remote control your Xbox, browse the store, even talk to friends. Need to prep a match while you wait in line at the supermarket? Done.

Old-School Love for the Xbox 360

Got an Xbox 360? Don’t feel left out! It isn’t heavily endowed with modern bells and whistles, but is still a legend in its own right. Brush it off, play a few classics, and return to the glory days of Halo or Fable (or Kinect — we said what we said).

Pro Tip: Don’t Game Alone

Whether it is the same couch or different houses, nothing beats a game with friends. Bring your friends on Xbox Game Pass using multiplayer features or find a similar club to meet with other people.

Or so jump into a public match and make some new buds (or frenemies).

From Zero to Hero

And, with a little love, creative crafting and upgrades, you can easily transform your sad dusty Xbox box into a powerhouse console.

Every console will rise, whether that be the Xbox One, Series X, Series S or the OG Xbox 360.

Now go, gamer—show your Xbox some love. And remember, an upgraded Xbox means one thing: no excuses for losing anymore. 😉