Xbox has just stepped back in time. Microsoft announced the Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection, a collection of hardware with a nod to the past featuring the original (and still iconic) translucent OG Green design, on August 26, 2026. This is a bit more than a drop for fans who have been around for a while; it’s a homecoming. So far, we know that everything from pricing to release dates, everything from what’s included in the collection to its significance for the brand’s comeback is revealed below.
What Is the Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection?
The Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection is a special edition of the Xbox line of games and video games to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the original Xbox release in November, 2001. The heart and soul of this console, however, is the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console. It’s just the standard Series X with a transparent neon green plastic shell. The design is intentional, and it’s clear that the green-and-black shell of the first-generation Xbox was a big influence on the design, as it made the Xbox instantly recognizable on store shelves and living room shelves.
Each member of the collection is branded in the center of the front with “XBOX 25”, and there are also hidden remembrances of the brand’s history scattered throughout the hardware celebrating milestones, games and moments. This is not a color change, but a color switch. Microsoft has touted it as a true collector’s item, and the facts support that statement.
What’s Included in the Bundle
Three elements make up the full Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection package:
- Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console — the translucent green centerpiece, individually numbered with a unique laser engraving on each unit.
- Xbox X25 Special Edition Wireless Controller — a matching transparent green controller featuring the same anniversary branding.
- Halo: Campaign Evolved (digital download) — a modernized remake of the original.
- Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, included as a full-game code with every console.
Because the original Xbox launched alongside Halo: Combat Evolved in 2001, pairing this console with Halo: Campaign Evolved is a deliberate full-circle moment. It ties the anniversary hardware directly back to the game that helped build the Xbox brand in the first place.
Xbox Series X25: Price and Release Date
The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition is priced at $899.99 USD in the United States, with the UK price set at £759.99. That places it well above the standard Xbox Series X, reflecting its status as a numbered collector’s console rather than a mainstream refresh. Pricing varies by region, so shoppers outside the US and UK should check their local Microsoft Store or authorized retailers for exact figures.
Shipping begins on November 13, 2026. That date lands close to the actual anniversary, since the original Xbox debuted on November 15, 2001. Microsoft has confirmed that pre-orders are capped at one Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection per customer, a restriction the company attributes directly to limited supply.
How the Pre-Order Rollout Works
Xbox structured the pre-order launch in two phases. On August 26, a select group of loyal fans received early invitations by email, giving them first access before the general public. Then, starting August 27 at 7 a.m. PDT, pre-orders opened to all players in select markets through the official Xbox website and participating retailers.
If you’re hoping to secure one, act quickly. Given the individually numbered engraving and the one-per-customer limit, retailers expect stock to move fast once general availability begins. Interested buyers should keep an eye on Microsoft Store listings alongside major retail partners, since availability differs by market and supplies are described as limited.
The Xbox X25 Special Edition Wireless Controller
For fans who want a taste of the anniversary look without committing to a new console, Xbox is also selling the X25 Special Edition Wireless Controller on its own. It shares the same translucent OG Green styling as the console, along with matching “XBOX 25” details.
This standalone controller launches October 20, 2026, ahead of the full collection, and pre-orders are already open in select markets. Pricing sits at $79.99 USD (£74.99 / €79.99). The controller works across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PCs, and both iOS and Android devices, so it’s a flexible pickup even for players who don’t own the limited-edition console itself.
Designed for Xbox: The Wider Accessory Lineup
The console and controller aren’t the only pieces of this celebration. Alongside the main hardware, Xbox unveiled a broader wave of “Designed for Xbox” accessories from third-party partners, all built around the same translucent green theme. The lineup includes:
- Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K – XBOX 25 Anniversary Edition (gaming mouse)
- Razer BlackWidow V4 75% – XBOX 25 Anniversary Edition (mechanical keyboard)
- Razer Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed – XBOX 25 Anniversary Edition (wireless earbuds)
- 8BitDo Ultimate Charging Dock for Xbox Wireless Controllers – X25 Special Edition
- Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition (mobile controller)
GameSir X5 Lite for Xbox
Together, these products extend the anniversary aesthetic well beyond the console itself, giving fans multiple entry points depending on budget and setup. Whether someone wants a full battle station refresh or a single accent piece, the collaboration lineup covers a wide range of price points.
The Return of Xbox: Why This Xbox 25th Anniversary Matters
Xbox’s 25th anniversary arrives at a pivotal moment for the brand. Over the past few years, Microsoft has faced real questions about its hardware strategy, console exclusivity, and long-term direction in a market increasingly shaped by cloud gaming and cross-platform play. Against that backdrop, this collection reads as more than a nostalgia play. It’s a statement about where Xbox has been and a signal of confidence in where it’s headed.
The original Xbox launched in 2001 as Microsoft’s first serious entry into console gaming, competing directly against Sony’s PlayStation 2 and Nintendo’s GameCube. It introduced Xbox Live, redefined online console gaming, and launched Halo: Combat Evolved as its flagship title — a game that went on to shape the entire first-person shooter genre. Twenty-five years later, that legacy still anchors the brand’s identity, even as Xbox has expanded into Game Pass, cloud streaming, and multi-platform publishing.
What Is Xbox and Why Is It Still So Popular?
Xbox is Microsoft’s gaming brand, encompassing consoles, subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, and a growing library of first-party studios including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. Its popularity today rests on a few pillars: a massive back catalog of games, deep integration with PC gaming through Windows, robust backward compatibility, and Game Pass’s subscription model, which lets players access hundreds of titles without buying each one individually.
The Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection taps directly into that popularity by rewarding long-term fans with a physical piece of history. Individually numbered, limited in supply, and paired with a beloved franchise remake, it’s designed to appeal as much to collectors as to everyday players.
Final Thoughts
The Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection blends genuine nostalgia with modern hardware performance, wrapped in a design that instantly calls back to 2001. Between the numbered Series X25 console, the matching Special Edition controller, the free Halo: Campaign Evolved download, and a wide range of Designed for Xbox accessories, Microsoft has built a release that speaks directly to the community that carried the brand through the past quarter-century. With pre-orders already underway and a November 13 launch on the horizon, fans who want a piece of this milestone shouldn’t wait too long to lock one in.