Technical Supremacy: Metal Gear Solid Delta Runs Smoother on Xbox Series X, But Series S is a Letdown

The highly anticipated remake of the classic espionage adventure, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, has made its way to consoles, and the technical analysis is in. According to a detailed report from the technical experts at Digital Foundry, the Xbox Series X version of the game consistently outperforms both the base PlayStation 5 and the new PS5 Pro, delivering a smoother and more stable experience. However, the same analysis found that the Xbox Series S version is a significant step down and is “hard to recommend” due to major performance issues and visual compromises. This is the latest example of a major game demonstrating a surprising performance gap between the two next-gen consoles, with the Series X pulling ahead as the technical victor.

The Digital Foundry analysis, which was conducted after a new patch was released, put the Xbox Series X, PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series S versions of the game through a series of demanding tests. The report found that in the game’s “Performance” mode, which aims for a consistent 60 frames per second, the Xbox Series X was the clear winner. While no version of the game could maintain a perfect 60fps at all times, the Xbox Series X had smaller and less frequent frame rate drops than its Sony counterparts. The report attributes this to the Series X’s more powerful hardware, which boasts 12 teraflops of GPU power compared to the PS5’s 10.28 teraflops. The Series X also has a slight resolution advantage, with a dynamic resolution that can reach up to 1152p in Performance mode, compared to the PS5’s 1080p.

PS5 Pro’s Unexpected Performance Issues

Perhaps the most surprising finding from the analysis was the PS5 Pro’s struggle to maintain a lead over the base PS5. The new console, which was marketed as a way to achieve better performance and visuals, often had trouble with its single, enhanced mode, which aims to balance a higher resolution with a stable frame rate. The report found that the PS5 Pro version of the game suffered from “temporal instability” and a “subpar” upscaling solution, which led to a less consistent experience than the base PS5. This is a significant setback for a console that is still trying to prove its worth and is a stark reminder that more powerful hardware doesn’t always translate into a better gameplay experience, especially when a game’s optimization is a work in progress.

The Series S Dilemma

While the Xbox Series X may have taken the crown, the Series S version of the game is another story entirely. The analysis found that the budget-friendly console, which lacks a Performance mode, struggles to even maintain a consistent 30 frames per second. The game’s dynamic resolution on the Series S can drop as low as 540p, resulting in a blurry and pixelated image. The report concludes that the performance is “simply hard to recommend” and that the game is a clear case of a major AAA title pushing the Series S to its absolute limit, with a number of visual sacrifices that ultimately compromise the core experience. This is a continuing trend for the Series S, and while it has a significant price advantage, the console is starting to show its age and is struggling to keep up with the demands of modern games.

For players who own a current-gen console, the technical analysis provides a clear guide on where to play the game for the best experience. For those with a Series X, you can enjoy a smoother, more consistent frame rate, while PS5 owners can still have a great experience, especially with a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) display. But for Series S owners, the trade-offs are significant, and it’s a clear sign that the console is being left behind as developers push the graphical boundaries of the new generation.