5 PS5 features I wish I'd seen on Xbox Series X

5 PS5 features I wish I'd seen on Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X is a great console, but there are some features of the PS5 that I really miss every time I turn on Microsoft's little power tower. Some are minors, I admit, and would be nice to have. Others, however, feel almost essential and would only serve to enhance the Xbox Series X experience as a whole. I would never want the two boxes to be homogeneous, of course, not only would this innovation stifle, it would also make having two consoles virtually pointless, but when a competitor comes up with a feature that works that well, you'll immediately notice it when it disappears, that's when a company should also consider implementing it. It may seem lazy to steal ideas from a rival, but this kind of practice happens all the time, whether it's during a console generation or later. Microsoft was quick to add a headphone jack to its Xbox One controller after the feature was so well received on the PS4's DualShock 4 platform, and the Xbox Wireless Controller for Series X and S now includes a share button. The Xbox Series X, of course, has some great features, like Quick Resume, for example, and I'll focus on Xbox Series X features I'd like to see on PS5 in a follow-up post. But for now, here are five PS5 features you wish you'd seen on Xbox Series X.

1. Adaptive triggers

Controlador PS5 DualSense vs Xbox Series X

(Image credit: TechRadar) Perhaps the PS5's most surprising success story is the DualSense controller's adaptive triggers. I'm completely enamored with them, to the point where I found myself leaning into buying third-party PS5 games on Xbox Series X just to get a feel for how they've been used. When Sony first announced how DualSense triggers would change resistance to mimic the sensation of pulling a cord in an arc, or mimic the bounce when firing a gun, I was skeptical at first. But once I experienced it for myself in games like Astro's Playroom, which remains my personal next-gen highlight thus far, it became clear that adaptive triggers were more of a revelation than a gimmick. Now, while I still prefer the Xbox Series X controller as a whole, partly due to the unbalanced analog design and superior trigger shape, the fact that Sony's pad comes to life and helps add an extra dimension to the game really appeals to me. makes you want it in the Microsoft console. Microsoft is also aware of the positive feedback the DualSense controller is receiving from gamers. A recent Xbox Series X survey asked owners if they would like to see similar features on the Xbox controller, to which I honestly answered yes. While I'd be surprised if Microsoft made such a drastic overhaul to its gamepad any time soon, strange things have happened.

2. Universal system settings for games

Configuración universal de PS5

(Image credit: Sony) That's weird, especially since the Xbox 360 had essentially the same functionality. PS5 allows you to select a number of system defaults that apply, universally, to games. This includes default switching to performance or resolution mode in games that support it; your preferred difficulty level; if you want to invert the controls; and whether you want subtitles on or off. The time this can potentially save when building a console cannot be underestimated. I would always choose performance mode over resolution, so knowing that every PS5 game I play automatically defaults to my preferred setting makes sense. I no longer have to dig through a menu to check, and for those playing backwards, that's a godsend. As I mentioned earlier, the Xbox 360 had a similar setup, so why can't it be downgraded to Xbox Series X? Fingers crossed Microsoft remembers why it was so good in the first place.

3. Mute the TV when using headphones

Apex Legends

(Image credit: Respawn Entertainment) I can't underestimate how much I miss this stupidly simple PS5 feature when playing on Xbox Series X. In fact, I've been pining it ever since Sony introduced it to PS4. Whenever you connect headphones to the DualSense controller, the PS5 recognizes them and automatically mutes the TV. It does this even when you plug in wireless headphones. It keeps you from messing with the TV audio in the background, which honestly happens more than I'd like to admit. On Xbox Series X, when you connect a headset to the controller, nothing happens. The TV doesn't automatically mute itself, which means you have to grab the remote and turn the volume down on the TV manually. It's an extra, unnecessary step that I have to take over and over again, and I can't stress enough how happy I would be if the Xbox copied this seemingly basic functionality from the PS5. Make it happen, Microsoft.

4. Haptic feedback

PS5 DualSense

(Image credit: Sony) While I'm not as desperate to see haptic feedback as adaptive triggers, it's clear that haptics is the future. The subtle effects that developers can create are far superior to the older gyro engines found on the Xbox Series X platform, and it's hard to see Microsoft sticking to the traditional course in the future. Even Nintendo has opted for a haptic return to the Nintendo Switch, because the Joy-Con and the Nintendo Switch Pro controller include it. However, the implementation is quite disappointing compared to how it's implemented in DualSense, but it's still capable of delivering some awesome moments, like how it can simulate the feeling of moving balls inside the controller when playing 1-2-Switch. Again, I doubt Microsoft is adding haptic feedback anytime soon, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't included in the next Xbox controller.

Pantalla Astro Playroom PS5

(Image credit: Future) Now that Xbox Series X supports dynamic backgrounds (finally!), it's time for Microsoft to bring more life and personality to the user experience. So why not add some music while you're on the dash? The PS4 has made good use of this over the last generation, as countless custom themes included classic tracks that really helped take things to the next level. To be fair, I'm not a big fan of the obscure music on the PS5's home screen, but that's undone by the fact that any game you mouse over plays its own music track, which it really is. pleasant. On Xbox Series X, you will only hear the muffled sound that occurs when you scroll through the menus. As silly as it sounds, the Xbox Series X UI feels pretty soulless by comparison. Wouldn't it be great if you could buy a dynamic Halo theme that plays "A Walk in the Woods" every time you scroll through the menus or change settings? Personally, I would love it and hope that Microsoft considers adding the Home Screen Music option in the future. Today's best Xbox and PlayStation deals Microsoft Xbox Series X -... Microsoft Xbox Series S -... DualSense Wireless Controller