Xbox Console Wraps: Why Is Xbox Dropping The Ball?

Xbox Console Wraps: Why Isn't Xbox Maximizing This Feature?

Xbox Console Wraps offer a fantastic way to personalize your gaming experience, but many gamers are asking why Microsoft isn't fully embracing this cool customization option. The potential of Xbox Console Wraps to enhance the appeal of the Xbox Series X is clear, yet the limited releases leave fans wanting more.

The PlayStation 5 may be leading in sales, but the Xbox Series X|S has several advantages, including a user-friendly digital store, excellent backward compatibility, free cloud saves, and current-gen upgrades. Console customization, particularly through Xbox Console Wraps, is another area where Xbox could shine.

While the PS5 offers customizable side plates, the process is cumbersome. Xbox Console Wraps, reminiscent of the Xbox 360 faceplates, provide a simpler and potentially more appealing alternative. But is Microsoft truly capitalizing on this advantage?

The Allure of Xbox 360 Faceplates

Remember the Xbox 360 faceplates? They were incredibly popular and offered a wide range of designs. Applying them was easy, and the sheer variety was impressive, encompassing numerous top games and even non-gaming themes like NFL teams.

From 2005 to 2010, these faceplates were a hit, until the Xbox 360 S discontinued the system. Today, many of these faceplates are valuable collectibles, highlighting the strong interest in console personalization. This makes the current state of Xbox Console Wraps even more puzzling.

Xbox Console Wraps: A Missed Opportunity?

The announcement of Xbox Console Wraps, particularly leading up to the release of Starfield, generated excitement and nostalgia for the Xbox 360 faceplates. It seemed like a promising step towards offering better customization options than the PS5. However, the reality has been disappointing.

Since the Starfield wrap in the fall of 2023, only two more game-specific wraps have been released: one for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and another for DOOM: The Dark Ages. Even major first-party titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle haven't received their own wraps. This begs the question: why bother with these products if Microsoft isn't committed to supporting them?

While Xbox releases limited-edition controllers for many big first-party games, the same cannot be said for Xbox Console Wraps. The $55 price tag might be acceptable for dedicated fans, especially since these wraps haven't experienced the recent price increases affecting other Xbox products.

Go Big or Go Home: The Future of Xbox Console Wraps

Given the minimal support for this potentially exciting customization feature, one might wonder if Microsoft should discontinue Xbox Console Wraps altogether. Alternatively, Microsoft should significantly increase the release of wraps for its biggest games and upcoming titles.

Imagine Xbox Console Wraps for anticipated games like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered or Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4. Many fans would eagerly purchase them. As a Ninja Gaiden enthusiast, I'd personally love a wrap for Ninja Gaiden 4 upon its release.

However, the selective approach Microsoft has taken with Xbox Console Wraps makes it difficult to remain optimistic. The rarity of these wraps only amplifies the disappointment for hardcore fans who feel that many deserving games are being overlooked.

Xbox may need to abandon Xbox Console Wraps if they continue at the current, infrequent release rate. To truly succeed, Xbox needs to either fully commit to console wraps or discontinue them, as the current half-hearted approach is detrimental to the product's appeal.