Xbox Confirms New X25 Console At Showcase, Retro Inspired Look

Xbox has unveiled an intriguing new console at today's Xbox Showcase but it's not, unfortunately, Project Helix.

At the time of writing, Xbox's next-gen console is nowhere to be seen - although there's still time for that to change.

What Xbox has unveiled though is a remix on the Series X. The Xbox Series X25 is launching later this year in celebration of the company's 25th anniversary.

The console and its accompanying controller both feature a green transparent shell. Anyone who gamed in the 00s will remember that transparent hardware was all the rage back then.

It's a stunning looking console, I must say. It'll likely fly off the shelves as it's being advertised as limited edition.

The console is due to launch in November of this year.

Microsoft

"To celebrate 25 years of Xbox built alongside players, we’re introducing the Xbox 25th anniversary collection," read a post on the Xbox Wire blog.

"Inspired by the look and feel of the original Xbox console, both the console and controller feature a translucent OG Green design, with subtle tributes to the journey we’ve been on together. You’ll also discover a few hidden surprises throughout, as a thank you to the community."

The console boasts the usual Series X features and includes a whopping 1TB of storage so you can have plenty of games installed without having to worry about running out of room all of the time.

"From the moment you power it on, those details come to life," the post continued.

"The iconic X lights up in green, a nod to the original Xbox start up, complemented by the Xbox 25th Anniversary logo on the front and other design elements that celebrate XBOX fans and classic hardware designs."

The controller, which will be available to purchase on its own, brings back the original ABXY button colours which should please Xbox loyalists.

As for what Xbox has to say about this one: "From the original ABXY colours, to the timeless green, every detail calls back to the beginning, including the bumpers honouring 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."

The X25 Launch Seemingly Rules Out Project Helix Coming This Year

Unfortunately, Microsoft isn't yet ready to announce pricing for either of these products, nor do we know what availability will look like in territories across the globe. That information is advertised as coming "soon".

There was some speculation that we could see Xbox's next-gen console land sometime this year. It feels as if the Xbox Series X25 pretty much rules that out.

With this limited edition console launching in late 2026, it essentially occupies the only potential window that Project Helix might have launched in.

Fair to say then, that we're looking at a 2027 launch for Project Helix at the very earliest. It'll likely go head to head with the PlayStation 6 either then or in 2028.