Xbox Series X, three free games on the Microsoft Store

Xbox Series X, three free games on the Microsoft Store

Xbox Series X

It is useless to deny that being able to download free games is always a pleasure for users, who can often get their hands on quality titles and who may not have had the opportunity to play previously. While PC gamers are used to gifts, between Epic Games Store and Amazon Prime Gaming, this time Xbox One and Xbox Series X users also have a chance to rejoice. In the last few hours, in fact, three games in particular have become free on the Microsoft Store, although no one knows for sure why.

Let's talk about three titles beloved by fans of Telltale Games games, namely The Walking Dead: Season Two. Specifically, the first, third and fourth episodes are free, thus leaving the second and fifth chapter out of the equation. It is not clear why this choice is made, but the hypothesis of many is that what we are talking about is nothing more than a mistake from the Microsoft Store, which is currently bringing the price of games back to zero.

Any is the motivation, we will certainly not miss these three excellent Telltale titles, which have managed to carve out a good slice of fans over the years. The Walking Dead: Season Two managed to convince both the players and the specialized press, obtaining generally very good votes but which, evidently, failed to stop the closure of the software house. Moreover, let's not forget that even an important game exclusively for Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC is free these days.

In the last few hours, other titles, such as chapters of the Warhammer or Battlefield series, have also become free download. Furthermore, we also leave you with a long list of free games to try on both PC and console. Are you going to download The Walking Dead: Season Two to try it on your Xbox or did you already play it years ago? Let us know with a comment and stay connected on our pages to not miss news about new free games.

On Amazon you can buy The Walking Dead: The Final Season for PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.






Xbox Series X restock update: Track on Twitter, Walmart, Target and more

A note on Xbox Series X restocks


Xbox Series X restock is incredibly difficult to pin down. Despite our best efforts to bring you timely updates, Tom's Guide can't guarantee you'll be able to purchase an Xbox. Nevertheless, we are committed to bringing you up-to-the-minute information on all restocks as soon as they happen. 


Xbox Series X restock has been hard to come by this past week. Outside of restocks at Costco and Best Buy, there were no Xbox Series X restocks this past week. However, there's still hope we could see console drops from the likes of GameStop and Amazon. 


As such, we're tracking the latest Xbox Series X restock rumors, tips, and drops. We've also pulled together a list of U.S. retailers so you have a one-stop shop for finding where to buy the Xbox Series X and Series S.  

Where to buy Xbox Series X: Restock links and updates

As of 7:20 a.m. ET on June 5, there is no Xbox Series X restock available. However, our Xbox Series X restock tracker indicates that various retailers could have restock in the coming days. Given that developers haven't scratched the surface of the Xbox Series X yet, now is a good time to get one ready for true next-gen gaming later this year. So check out the links below for the retailers to watch. 


Xbox Series X: $499 @ AmazonThe Xbox Series X is Microsoft's new flagship console. It features 12 teraflops of graphics power, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and Blu-ray drive. It runs games at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second with a max of 8K at 120 fps. The Editor's Choice console represents the pinnacle of Microsoft's gaming efforts. Amazon is currently out of stock.View Deal


Xbox Series S: $299 @ AmazonThe Xbox Series S is a less expensive and less powerful version of the Xbox Series X. The Series S has a GPU with up to 4 teraflops of output, 10GB of RAM, 512 GB SSD storage, and no disc drive. It has a max resolution of 1440p with 120 fps. Amazon is currently out of stock.View Deal

Xbox Series X restock tracker — where to lookXbox Series X — latest news and rumors 

It's been a slow couple of weeks in terms of Xbox Series X restocks, but we're hoping that will soon change. Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy could all restock Microsoft's bulky black box in the coming days, although nothing is yet confirmed.  


Meanwhile, Target has just announced a huge change to how it handles Xbox Series X restocks. No longer will it be waiting to drop stock in batches as it does with PS5 restock, instead Xbox Series X consoles will be available to buy when stores receive stock. 


This essentially means that Target will no longer have nationwide stock drops, and instead, the console will just be available when each individual location receives inventory. We saw this new system come into effect on Tuesday  (May 18) when several Target stores offered the Xbox Series X for sale. 


If you want to gain an edge on Xbox Series X restocks, check out these Twitter accounts for the latest updates. We especially recommend following Xbox Series X|S Stock Alerts and Wario64. The latter account tracks both Xbox restocks as well as general gaming sales. 


While they won't always give you a heads up, it's also a good rule of thumb to follow retailers on Twitter, such as Best Buy and GameStop. Any edge you can get is crucial when trying to score an Xbox Series X restock. 


There's a good reason Microsoft's new consoles are flying off shelves. In our Xbox Series X review, we gave the new system major props for its blistering performance, zippy load times and comprehensive backwards compatibility with every generation of Xbox. And as we noted in our Xbox Series S review, the cheaper next-gen Xbox still delivers many of the same great features for those with 1080p TVs.


With that in mind, see the latest Xbox Series X stock updates and tips for getting your new Microsoft console below.

Where to buy Xbox Series X: check for stock

We've included handy links to every notable store page below. In some instances, you may be able to sign up to be notified of the latest Xbox Series X restock. However, they're all currently out of stock. 

Xbox Series X at Amazon


Xbox Series X: $499 @ AmazonThe Xbox Series X is Microsoft's new flagship console. It features 12 teraflops of graphics power, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and Blu-ray drive. It runs games at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second with a max of 8K at 120 fps. The Editor's Choice console represents the pinnacle of Microsoft's gaming efforts. Currently out of stock. View Deal


Xbox Series S: $299 @ AmazonThe Xbox Series S is a less expensive and less powerful version of the Xbox Series X. The Series S has a GPU with up to 4 teraflops of output, 10GB of RAM, 512 GB SSD storage, and no disc drive. It has a max resolution of 1440p with 120 fps. Currently out of stock.View Deal

Xbox Series X at Microsoft


Xbox Series X: $499 at MicrosoftYou can get a Series X direct from Microsoft. As with other stores, Microsoft's stock sells out quickly, so we recommend bookmarking their page. Microsoft is currently out of stock.View Deal


Xbox Series S: $299 at MicrosoftThe more affordable next-gen Xbox is also listed at Microsoft. This console is limited to 1440p output, but still promises fast loading, ray tracing and high frame rates. As with the Xbox Series X, you'll need to check the page to see when the console is back in stock. View Deal

Xbox Series X at Best Buy


Xbox Series X: $499 @ Best BuyBest Buy is one of many stores selling the Xbox Series X. Best Buy tends to restock on Thursdays and Fridays, although they've also held a Monday restock. They're currently out of stock, but when they do stock they release inventory in waves that have lasted as short as 20 minutes or as long an hour. View Deal


Xbox Series S: $299 at Best BuyBest Buy also carries the Xbox Series S for $299. It's currently out of stock, but still a store worth checking. View Deal

Xbox Series X at GameStop


Xbox Series X: $499 @ GameStopThe Xbox Series X comes in and out of stock at GameStop. However, when they do have stock it tends to come in the form of bundles that include an extra controller, gift cards, and more. View Deal


Xbox Series S: $299 at GameStopThe Xbox Series S is typically sold as part of a bundle at GameStop. The bundle typically includes a free game and gift card. They're currently out of stock.View Deal

Xbox Series X at Target


Xbox Series X: $499 @ TargetXbox Series X restocks are a thing of the past. The retailer announced it won't hold restock events per se, but will instead release inventory the minute it receives it. (As opposed to waiting for all of their nationwide stores to receive stock and then holding a restock event). They're currently out of stock. View Deal


Xbox Series S: $299 at TargetWe haven't seen Xbox Series S stock at Target in quite some time.  They're currently sold out, but offer a listing page for the console. View Deal

Xbox Series X at Walmart


Xbox Series X: $499 at WalmartThe Xbox Series X is offered at Walmart, but stock is now sold out. You can sign up for in-stock alerts, though.View Deal


Xbox Series S: $299 at WalmartIt's the same story for the Xbox Series S. Current stocks of the console are gone, so you'll need to wait for the new Xbox to be restocked.View Deal

Xbox Series X at Lenovo


Xbox Series X: $499 @ LenovoPC manufacturer Lenovo is also selling the Xbox Series X, and might be a good retailer to check off-hours. (Should they replenish stock). Currently, they have no stock of either console. View Deal


Xbox Series S: $299 @ Lenovo Lenovo also offers the Series S, but like most others, is currently out of stock.View Deal

Xbox Series S at Newegg


Xbox Series S: $299 @ NeweggNewegg doesn't offer restock events per se. Instead they offer raffles, where shoppers can win a chance to purchase a next-gen console. View Deal

Where to buy Xbox Series X buying tips and resources

Xbox Series X restock

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apart from refreshing retailer websites, there are other tips you can use to increase your chances of scoring an Xbox Series X. One secret Amazon tip which we tested allowed us to put an Xbox Series X in our shopping cart four times without fail. In addition, there are other online channels you can check to see when a unit might become available.


Twitter


On Twitter, we suggest following @Wario64. The handle is known for updating users on the latest deals and restocks faster than anyone else on the platform. 


Shopping forums


Slickdeals, the online deal repository, has a forum thread dedicated to ordering an Xbox Series X through Microsoft. The thread is constantly being updated, so jump to the last page and click refresh for the latest intel on when units will become available. 


PopFindr


PopFindr is a site that checks local retail inventories based on your zip code. For example, you can check local Target stores in your area to see if any Xbox Series X's are available. Do note, that just because it shows in stock, it might be out of stock by the time you arrive at the store. 


It’s also not a bad idea to make an account on Slickdeals and set a deal alert for “Xbox Series X.” You’ll get an email alert when a new thread is made about replenished stock. But we’ve found that sometimes Slickdeals doesn’t email users fast enough. So it might be better to type in “Xbox Series X” in the search bar and sort by new. Be willing to check in multiple times a day.


CheapAssGamer is a long-running video game deals website that too has a forum thread dedicated to the Xbox Series X. As of writing, the thread is over 63 pages long, and users are discussing where to find units.


Facebook and Reddit


Facebook too can be a good source of information. There are multiple Xbox Series X fan groups that keep users up to date on where the latest restocks are happening. Feel free to join a few of these groups.


And be sure to subscribe to the Xbox Series X subreddit. Sure, most of the page is dedicated to discussions and memes, but if a user notices a restock, they’ll let the community know. For example, one user found Xbox Series X units in stock at their local Walmart, with others too discussing similar finds. Again, it seems that some Walmart locations may be holding on to units to sell on Cyber Monday. 


Wholesale retailers


Another set of retailers to keep an eye on are subscription-based wholesalers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Because it requires a paid account to get access to these wholesalers, there are often fewer people jumping over each other to find a unit. If you don’t have a subscription to any of these retailers, ask a few friends or family members. 


Unfortunately, wholesalers tend to bundle new consoles with either extra games or accessories. So you will likely have to pay more than the standard $500.


Check at specific hours


Generally, retailers like to make stock available at certain times. The time when new Xbox Series X stock is most likely to be made available is at midnight ET, on certain days. Check all the retailers and you just might get lucky.


Other retailers favor times like 7 a.m. ET, for when customers wake up, while others will aim at midday to give everyone the best chance of finding a new Xbox Series X console. 


If the units are out of stock online, it might be worth going to a physical location. You must bring your membership card, or go with someone who has a membership. And be sure to wear a face mask (over your nose) or retail associates will ask you to leave. If none are available in store, then at least you can walk out with a $5 rotisserie chicken. 

Xbox Series X deals

Unfortunately, there are no Xbox Series X deals to report on at the moment. Demand for Microsoft's console is so high — and supply so low — that retailers simply have no incentive to offer Xbox Series X deals. In fact, we don't expect to see any Xbox Series X deals till the next major retail holiday — Prime Day. And when Xbox Series X deals do show up, we expect the sales to come in the form of bundles and freebies rather than dollar-off discounts. 


However, it's possible to score Xbox Series X deals on games and accessories. Amazon frequently has Xbox controllers and accessories on sale, whereas Best Buy usually has  multiple games on sale. 

Xbox Series X restock — avoid the scalpers

One of the reasons for Xbox Series X and Series S stock shortages is due to scalpers snapping up large amounts of next-gen consoles in one big sweep and then selling them for extortionate prices; we’re taking thousands of dollars for a $499 games console. 


VGC reported that a now infamous PS5 scalper group going by the name of CrepChiefNotify managed to snap up 1,000 Xbox Series X consoles as soon as they became available at U.K. retailer Very. But in a twist of fate, Very cancelled 1,000 Xbox Series X pre-orders, somewhat torpedoing the efforts of the scalpers. 


As frustrating as it can be to find an Xbox Series X or Series S, we suggest you avoid buying a console from these scalpers. Paying massively over the odds for a console that doesn't have a huge range of new Xbox Series X games isn’t a shrewd move in our opinion. If you can hold out, Microsoft should have more Xbox Series X units to ship, as well as the promise of more exclusive games for the console. 


Shop must-have Xbox Series X accessory deals