Xbox turns 25 on November 15, 2026, and Microsoft is celebrating with the Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection: the translucent green Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console and a matching X25 Special Edition controller. This guide covers the price, release date, what is inside the box, how pre-orders work, and how the X25 compares with a regular Xbox Series X.
Xbox 25th anniversary console at a glance
| Detail | Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 13, 2026 |
| Price | $899.99 (US), £759.99 (UK) |
| Design | Translucent OG Green, inspired by the original 2001 Xbox |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Specs | Same as the standard Xbox Series X |
| Included game | Halo: Campaign Evolved (full game download) |
| Included controller | X25 Special Edition Wireless Controller |
| Numbering | Every console individually numbered with a unique engraving |
| Pre-order limit | One per customer |
What is the Xbox X25?
The Xbox X25 (officially the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition) is a special edition of the Xbox Series X made for the brand’s 25th anniversary. It was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2026 and priced at Gamescom in August. It is the first Xbox Series X with a see-through shell. Microsoft says the design draws on the original Xbox and the rare translucent green Xbox that collectors still hunt for.
Key design touches on the 25th anniversary Xbox Series X:
- A translucent green body that shows parts of the internal structure.
- A green-lit Xbox logo on the power button, a nod to the glowing jewel of the 2001 console.
- A 25th Anniversary emblem on the front plate.
- Hidden details and tributes to Xbox history placed around the hardware, which Microsoft encourages fans to find.
- A unique number engraved on each console.
Inside, the Xbox Series X 25 is identical to a normal Series X: an 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU, a 12-teraflop RDNA 2 GPU, 16GB of GDDR6 memory, a 1TB SSD and a 4K Blu-ray drive. Games run exactly the same. See full specs on the Xbox Series X hub.
The X25 Special Edition controller
The Xbox Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition launched separately on October 20, 2026 for $79.99 (£74.99, €79.99). It has translucent green front and back plates, the original colored A, B, X and Y buttons, and bumpers that honor the black and white buttons of the original Duke controller. The back case and battery door are fully transparent and reveal a classic Xbox logo. One X25 controller also comes in the box with the console. See every other pad on the Xbox controller hub.
Halo: Campaign Evolved included
Every Xbox 25th anniversary console comes with a full-game download of Halo: Campaign Evolved, the modernized remake of the original Halo campaign from 2001. It is a fitting pairing: Halo was the game that sold the original Xbox. The remake rebuilds the campaign with modern visuals and adds new prequel missions, while keeping the structure of the original levels.
How to pre-order the Xbox 25th anniversary collection
- Some of the most active Xbox fans received email invitations to pre-order early on August 26, 2026.
- General pre-orders opened on August 27, 2026 at 7 a.m. PDT on the Xbox website and at participating retailers in select markets.
- Pre-orders are limited to one per customer, and stock is limited.
- Launch day is November 13, 2026. Retailers that still have allocation may sell units on launch day.
If the console is sold out, check the Microsoft Store, Best Buy, Target, Walmart and GameStop on launch week, as cancelled pre-orders sometimes return to stock. Be careful with resellers: limited editions often appear on auction sites at far above $899.99, and listings can be scams. Only buy from a seller with a strong rating and buyer protection.
Is the 25th anniversary Xbox Series X worth it?
Compare it with the regular consoles after the August 1, 2026 price rise:
| Console | Price | Storage | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition | $899.99 | 1TB | X25 controller, Halo: Campaign Evolved, numbered, translucent design |
| Xbox Series X (disc) | $799.99 | 1TB | Standard controller |
| Xbox Series X Digital | $749.99 | 1TB | No disc drive |
The X25 costs $100 more than the standard disc Series X. You get a $79.99 special controller instead of the standard one and a full game, so the real premium for the design is small. It is worth it if you were going to buy a Series X anyway, love Xbox history, or want a collectible. It is not worth it if you only care about performance, because it is identical inside. If you are deciding between models, read Xbox Series X vs Series S and our Xbox buying guide.
25 years of Xbox: a quick timeline
- 2001: The original Xbox launches on November 15 with Halo: Combat Evolved. See the original Xbox hub.
- 2002: Xbox Live launches and changes online console gaming.
- 2005: The Xbox 360 arrives.
- 2013: The Xbox One launches.
- 2017: Xbox Game Pass starts.
- 2020: Xbox Series X and Series S launch.
- 2025: The ROG Xbox Ally handhelds arrive.
- 2026: New CEO, the green logo returns, the X25 Limited Edition launches, and Project Helix is confirmed.
Microsoft also introduced a special Xbox 25 logo used throughout the anniversary year, and the standard Xbox logo itself switched back to classic green in April 2026. Read more in our Xbox and PlayStation logo history.
Other anniversary celebrations
Expect anniversary content across the year: Game Pass additions of classic games, profile backgrounds and gamerpics on Xbox Series X|S, and sales on older titles around November 15. Microsoft has also leaned into collaborations; see Xbox merch collaborations for the Crocs clogs, mini fridges and more.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Xbox 25th anniversary console come out?
November 13, 2026.
How much is the Xbox X25?
$899.99 in the US and £759.99 in the UK.
Is the Xbox Series X 25 more powerful than a normal Series X?
No. It has the same specs and 1TB SSD. Only the design and the bundle differ.
Does the 25th anniversary Xbox Series X come with a game?
Yes, a full-game download of Halo: Campaign Evolved.
Can I buy the X25 controller on its own?
Yes. It launched on October 20, 2026 for $79.99.
How many X25 consoles are there?
Microsoft has not given a number. Each console is individually numbered and pre-orders are limited to one per person, which suggests a limited run.
How the X25 compares with past special edition Xbox consoles
Microsoft has a long tradition of limited consoles, and collectors often compare the X25 with them. The translucent green original Xbox was a rare promotional unit that never went on general sale, which is why the X25 design feels like a dream come true for long-time fans. The Xbox 360 had the Halo 3 Spartan edition, the Gears of War 2 edition and the Star Wars R2-D2 console. The Xbox One X had the Project Scorpio Edition and the Cyberpunk 2077 edition, and the Xbox Series X had the Halo Infinite edition and the 2TB Galaxy Black special edition. Most of these held their value well, and the numbered, one-per-customer approach suggests the X25 will do the same.
Looking after a translucent console
Clear plastic shows dust and scratches more easily than matte black. A few simple habits keep it looking new:
- Place it upright with space around the vents, the same as any Series X, so it stays cool and dust is not pulled through the shell.
- Clean the outside with a dry microfiber cloth. Avoid household sprays, which can cloud clear plastic.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight, which can yellow translucent plastics over time.
- Keep the original box if you think you might sell it later. Boxed, numbered units are worth far more to collectors.
For cleaning and overheating advice that applies to every Series X, see our Xbox troubleshooting guide.
Checked October 28, 2026.