Xbox Series X25 pre-orders open at $899.99 with a free copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved
Microsoft has officially confirmed that the Xbox Series X25, a translucent green console celebrating the platform’s 25th anniversary, will retail for $899.99 and include a free digital copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved. Pre-orders for the limited-edition system opened today, August 27th, through the Xbox website and select retailers, following a leak last week that proved accurate.
The announcement came during Microsoft’s broadcast at Gamescom 2026, where the company revealed both the console and a matching controller. While pre-orders are now open to the general public, a small group of dedicated fans received emails on Wednesday granting them early access to secure their units. The console ships on November 13th, 2026, while the controller will be available separately from October 20th.
At $899.99, the Xbox Series X25 becomes the most expensive home console Xbox has ever sold. The included copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved, which normally costs $49.99, does little to offset the price — subtracting that value leaves the console at $850, which is $50 more than the most expensive standard Xbox currently on the market. This price point also matches the PlayStation 5 Pro, which is also $899.99, though the PS5 Pro offers 2TB of storage — double the Series X25’s capacity — and is considered a more powerful machine. The key difference is that the Xbox bundle includes a free game, while the PlayStation equivalent does not.
Despite the steep price, the console is expected to sell out quickly. The limited-edition nature of the design, combined with the nostalgia factor of the translucent green finish that pays homage to the original Xbox, is likely to drive demand among collectors. Many of those who purchase the Series X25 will probably already own a copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved or a standard Series X, making the free game a less compelling incentive for the core audience.
The controller that comes with the console is also available to buy separately for $79.99. It features the same translucent green design and can be pre-ordered now, depending on the region. The controller will be released on October 20th, 2026, ahead of the console’s November 13th launch.
The Xbox Series X25 represents a significant milestone for the brand, marking 25 years since the original Xbox first launched. The translucent green aesthetic is a direct callback to the original console’s iconic design, and the inclusion of a Halo game — a franchise that has been synonymous with Xbox since its early days — reinforces the nostalgic theme. However, the high price tag and the relatively modest storage capacity compared to competing consoles may give some potential buyers pause.
For those who are not interested in the full console bundle, the standalone controller offers a more affordable way to own a piece of the anniversary memorabilia. The controller’s release date of October 20th means it will be available several weeks before the console itself, giving fans a chance to get their hands on the design early.
As pre-orders go live, it remains to be seen how quickly the limited stock will be claimed. Given the history of special-edition consoles and the strong emotional connection many players have to the original Xbox, the Series X25 is likely to be a hot commodity, even at its premium price point.