2026 seems to be the year of significant anniversaries in the gaming industry, with major franchises and companies celebrating all sorts of important dates in their history. Pokémon is 30 this year, while The Legend of Zelda is somehow marking 40 years since the first game took its first shaky steps onto our pixelated screens.
Xbox is no exception, as 2026 marks 25 years since the launch of the first Xbox console, which remains underrated, if only for the games that it hosted during its period of relevance. As part of that occasion, the company is releasing several pieces of hardware that reference that golden era of gaming, and we might now have a release date and price for one of those.
Back in June, Xbox confirmed the release of a special edition Xbox Series X and accompanying controller, which are designed in the transparent green that so many still associate with the brand. They look awesome, but at the time, they didn’t go as far as giving us a specific release date or price for either.
Now, as first reported by Pure Xbox, well-known insiders Dealabs have seemingly confirmed that the Xbox X25 Controller will release on October 20, but will be available for pre-order from August 26, the same day as the company’s first broadcast at Gamescom.
At the same time, it’s supposedly going to retail for £74.99/€79.99/$79.99, with that relatively low price likely meaning you’ll need to move fast to secure one. In explaining the design of the controller, Xbox shared some insight into their inspirations, saying:
“We’re also introducing the XBOX Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition in translucent OG Green, showcasing 25 years of play inside. From the original ABXY colors, to the timeless green, every detail calls back to the beginning, including the bumpers honoring the original black and white buttons on the original “Duke” controller. The back case and battery door are fully transparent, revealing the classic XBOX logo.”
There hasn’t been any further information on the console itself just yet, though we can probably expect more on that around the same time, including what will presumably be a significant price. The controller will also supposedly be included if you buy a console, though that is unconfirmed at the time of writing.
At the same time, we also know where Xbox is planning to go next, with Project Helix set to serve as the next major hardware release for the company. That will supposedly bridge the gap between console and PC further, though the company has remained tight-lipped on exactly how they plan to do that.
- Founded
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November 15, 2001
- Owner
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Microsoft
- Known For
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Halo, Forza, Gears of War
