Limited Xbox Series X25: Microsoft unveils green nostalgic console

Microsoft is celebrating 25 years of Xbox with a limited Series X in a transparent-green retro design. The console and the associated controller are visually based on the first generation. The release is planned for November 2026.

Green nostalgia for the anniversary

Microsoft has a special edition of the current console at the Xbox Games Showcase presented. To celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary, the Xbox Series X25 will be released in November 2026. The device takes up the design of the original console from 2001. The manufacturer is bringing the striking aesthetics of the early 2000s back into modern living rooms. The edition’s housing is in a transparent green.

The color scheme is based on the special Halo special edition of the first Xbox. This was released in 2004 to coincide with the launch of the second part of the popular game series and is still a sought-after item among collectors today. As a homage to the past, the power button on the front lights up in the classic green when starting. Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection | Xbox Games Showcase

A matching retro-look controller is included with the console. The gamepad features the original colors of the ABXY action buttons. The shoulder buttons are also in black and white. This is reminiscent of the additional input buttons on the massive first-generation Duke controller. This original controller was known at the time for its enormous size and pushed many gamers to their ergonomic limits. Therefore, it was quickly replaced by the more compact Model S. The back and the battery cover of the new controller are now completely transparent. They reveal the classic Xbox logo. Because of the special production, a high price is expected.

Price and availability open

The manufacturer has not yet given any specific details about the costs. For comparison: The regular Xbox Series X currently costs 549 euros in the digital version. The standard version with drive costs 599 euros. The anniversary edition is likely to be priced higher than these models. The console and gamepad bundle is scheduled to hit the market in November. If you just want to expand your collection, you can purchase the controller separately.

According to Jason Ronald, a senior developer at Microsoft, the designers incorporated some hidden surprises into the design. Easter eggs like this have a tradition at the company. A tiny Master Chief from the Halo series was already engraved inside the Xbox One S console. Experts suspect similar details in the new model. The company plans to announce detailed information about pre-orders shortly.