XBOX Series X25 announced, the translucent console pays homage to the original XBOX

Microsoft used the XBOX Games Showcase 2026 to announce a nostalgia-heavy hardware drop: the XBOX Series X25 Limited Edition, a special edition console dressed in translucent OG Green to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the XBOX brand.

The design pulls directly from the original XBOX, right down to the iconic "X" lighting up green when you power the console on. It's a detail longtime fans will recognize immediately, and it's a smarter tribute than just slapping a logo on a colored faceplate. The console carries 1TB of storage and features an "X25" logo on the translucent green chassis. Under the hood, nothing has changed. This is still a standard XBOX Series X, so you're paying for the look, not a hardware bump.

Alongside the console, Microsoft is also releasing the XBOX Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition in the same translucent OG Green finish. It brings back the original ABXY button colors and features black and white bumpers, a direct nod to the classic "Duke" controller's iconic face buttons. The controller will be sold separately as well, which is good news for anyone who already owns a Series X but still wants the throwback aesthetic on their desk.

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Both the console and controller are set to launch together in select markets in November, though pricing and preorder details have not yet been announced. Given tariff pressures pushing console prices up across the board, expect Microsoft to charge a meaningful premium over the standard Series X price.

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The timing of this release also tells you something about where Microsoft's hardware roadmap stands. With the X25 Limited Edition occupying the late 2026 window, it strongly implies Project Helix, XBOX's next-generation console, is unlikely to arrive before 2027 at the earliest.

For collectors and longtime fans, this one is an easy target. For anyone waiting on next-gen XBOX hardware, the X25 is a fun detour, but the wait for a meaningful upgrade continues.