Xbox 25th Anniversary Console Revealed: The X25 is Here!

Happy 25th Birthday, Xbox: Microsoft Just Revealed the Ultimate Nostalgia ‘X25’ Anniversary Console!

If you have been gaming since the early 2000s, you definitely remember the magic of turning on that massive, black-and-green original Xbox, hearing that iconic sci-fi boot-up sound, and jumping straight into Halo: Combat Evolved. Believe it or not, it has officially been 25 years since Microsoft entered the console wars and changed gaming forever.

To celebrate this massive milestone, Microsoft just dropped a huge surprise at the recent Xbox Games Showcase 2026. According to the latest official announcements, they are releasing a heavily limited special-edition hardware drop, officially codenamed the “X25” Xbox 25th Anniversary Console. If you are a hardcore gaming nerd or a console collector, you are going to want to get your wallet ready right now. Here is everything you need to know about the nostalgic X25 lineup.

The X25 Console: Pure Translucent Green Magic

Microsoft knows exactly what the fans want: pure nostalgia. Instead of just slapping a cheap sticker on a normal console, the X25 edition is a complete visual throwback to the early days of gaming.

The console features a stunning translucent green shell, directly inspired by the legendary “Halo: CE” special edition original Xbox. You can actually see the heavy, high-tech internal fans and vapor chambers working inside the machine. To make it even better, the glowing power button has been replaced with the classic old-school silver-and-green “X” logo.

But the best part? It comes with a custom system update. When you press the power button, the console literally plays the exact same deep, alien-like startup sound from the original 2001 Xbox!

The Anniversary Controller: Modern Tech, Classic Vibes

You can’t have a nostalgic console without an epic controller to match it. Included in the box (and also sold separately) is the Xbox 25th Anniversary Wireless Controller.

While it has all the modern features you expect—like textured grips, Bluetooth, and a USB-C port—it is wrapped in that same gorgeous translucent green plastic. The XYAB face buttons have been reverted to their classic bright, punchy colors, and there is a beautiful silver “25 Years” badge engraved right in the center. It is basically the modern version of the classic controller we all grew up with.

Release Date and How to Pre-Order

Because this is a celebration of 25 years of gaming history, Microsoft is treating this as a highly limited Collector’s Edition.

The official release date for the X25 Console and Controller is set for 15 November, exactly 25 years to the day the original Xbox launched. However, pre-orders are expected to go live much sooner. If the history of limited-edition consoles has taught us anything, scalpers will be hunting these down aggressively. If you want that translucent green beauty sitting on your TV stand, you will need to keep a very close eye on the official Microsoft Store in the coming weeks.

The Verdict

Microsoft has had its ups and downs over the last few generations, but its hardware team never misses when it comes to special editions. The X25 is a beautiful love letter to the fans who have been there since the Halo 1 and Gears of War days. Are you going to try and snag one, or is your current console enough for you?