5 PS5 features I wish were on Xbox Series X

Opinion: Small changes can make a big difference

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TheXbox Series Xis a terrific console, but there are somePS5features that I really miss whenever I boot upMicrosoft’s diminutive tower of power. Some are minor, I’ll admit, and would ultimately be nice to have. Others, though, feel almost essential – and would only serve to improve the Xbox Series X experience as a whole.

I’d never want both boxes to be homogenous, of course – not only would this stifle innovation, but it would also make owning two consoles practically pointless – but when a competitor delivers a feature that works so well that you immediately notice it’s gone, that’s when a company should consider implementing it too.

It may seem lazy to steal ideas from a rival, but this sort of practice happens all the time – either during a console generation or after. Microsoft quickly added a headphone jack to itsXbox One controllerafter the feature was so well received on the PS4’sDualShock 4pad, and theXbox Wireless Controllerfor Series X andSeries Snow includes a share button.

The Xbox Series X has some excellent features of its own, of course, likeQuick Resumefor instance, and I’ll be turning the focus onto whichXbox Series X features I’d like to see on PS5in a follow-up article. But for now, here are five PS5 features I wish were on Xbox Series X.

1. Adaptive triggers

Perhaps the most surprising success story about the PS5 is theDualSense controller’s adaptive triggers. I’m utterly enamored with them, to the point where I’ve found myself leaning towardsbuying third-party games on PS5over Xbox Series X just tofeelhow they’ve been used.

WhenSonyfirst announced how theDualSensetriggers would change resistance to mimic the sensation of pulling back a drawstring on a bow, or replicate the kickback when firing a gun, I was initiallyskeptical. But once I experienced it for myself in game’s likeAstro’s Playroom, still my personal next-gen highlight so far, it became clear that adaptive triggers were a revelation rather than a gimmick.

Now, while I still prefer theXbox Series X controlleroverall – partly due to the asymmetrical analog layout and superior trigger shape – the fact that Sony’s pad comes alive and helps add an extra dimension to gameplay really makes me long for it on Microsoft’s console.

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Microsoft is clearly aware of the positive feedback the DualSense controller is getting from gamers, too. A recentXbox Series X surveyasked owners whether they’d like to see similar features on the Xbox controller, to which I wholeheartedly answered yes. While I’d be surprised if Microsoft did make such a drastic revision to its gamepad anytime soon, stranger things have happened.

2. Universal system settings for games

Now this is a strange one, particularly as theXbox 360used to have basically the same feature. PS5 lets you select a number of default system settings that are applied, universally, to games. This includes defaulting to performance or resolution mode in games that support it; your preferred difficulty level; whether you want to invert the controls; and if you want subtitles to be turned on or off.

The amount of time this potentially saves over the course of a console generation cannot be underestimated. I’d always choose performance mode over resolution, so knowing that all thePS5 gamesI play automatically default to my preferred setting just makes sense. I no longer need to delve into a menu to check, and for those who play inverted, this is a blessing.

As I mentioned above, Xbox 360 used to have a similar setting, so why can’t it be brought back on Xbox Series X? Fingers crossed Microsoft remembers why it was so good in the first place.

3. Mute the TV when using a headset

I cannot understate how much I miss this stupidly simple PS5 feature when playing on Xbox Series X. In fact, I’ve been pining for it ever since Sony introduced it on PS4.

Whenever you plug a headset into the DualSense controller, the PS5 recognizes this and automatically mutes the TV. It even does it when you connect a wireless headset. This prevents you from ever playing a game with the TV audio still blaring out in the background, which honestly happens more than I’d like to admit.

On Xbox Series X, when you plug a headset into the controller nothing happens. The TV isn’t automatically muted, which means you have to pick up your remote control and turn your TV volume down manually. It’s an extra, unnecessary step that I have to perform over and over again, and I can’t stress how happy I’d be if Xbox copied this seemingly basic feature from PS5. Make it happen, Microsoft.

4. Haptic feedback

While I’m not as desperate to see haptic feedback as the adaptive triggers, it’s clear that haptics are the future. The subtle effects developers can create are far superior to the older spinning motors found in the Xbox Series X pad, and it’s hard to see Microsoft sticking with the traditional rumble moving forward.

Even Nintendo opted for haptic feedback onNintendo Switch, as both the Joy-Con andNintendo Switch Pro Controllerinclude it. The implementation is pretty underwhelming compared to how it’s implemented in the DualSense, however, but it’s still capable of providing some amazing moments, like how it can simulate the sensation of moving balls inside the controller when playing1-2-Switch.

Again, I’m doubtful that Microsoft will add haptic feedback anytime soon, but I’d be surprised if it wasn’t included in the next Xbox controller.

5. Home menu music

Now thatXbox Series X supports dynamic backgrounds(finally!), it’s time that Microsoft brought a bit more life and personality to the user experience. Why not add some music when you’re on the dashboard, then? ThePS4used this to great effect during the last generation, as countless custom themes included classic tracks that really helped take things to the next level.

I’m not a huge fan of the PS5’s sombre home screen music to be honest, but it’s negated by the fact that any game you hover over plays its own individual music track, which is a really nice touch. On Xbox Series X, meanwhile, you’ll only ever hear the dull sound that occurs when you move through the menus. As daft as it sounds, it makes the Xbox Series X UI feel rather soulless in comparison.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could purchase a dynamicHalotheme that played “A Walk in the Woods” whenever you’re flicking through menus or tweaking your settings? I’d personally love it, and hope Microsoft considers adding the option for home screen music in the future.

Adam was formerly TRG’s Hardware Editor. A law graduate with an exceptional track record in content creation and online engagement, Adam has penned scintillating copy for various technology sites and also established his very own award-nominated video games website. He’s previously worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor and once played Halo 5: Guardians for over 51 hours for charity. He is now an editor at The Shortcut.

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