• 👏 A new console update brings customizable boot screens, profile badge showcases, and improved search

• ☁️ Remote Play gains 1440p resolution support, while Cloud Gaming adds background downloads during streaming

• 🗣️ Party chat introduces ‘Voice Clarity’ to suppress background noise in supported games

• 🤝 Microsoft has now partnered with Hideo Kojima for PHYSINT alongside the upcoming Xbox exclusive OD

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Microsoft is pulling out all the stops recently to win back the hearts and minds of disillusioned Xbox gamers – and even those who have pledged their allegiance to Sony PlayStation.

As shared on Xbox Wire, a new console update is on the way that lets players choose the boot screen of different Xbox generations, whether that’s Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X|S, or the default ‘We are Xbox’ logo. Sadly, there’s no Xbox 360 or original Xbox boot screens, though perhaps they’ll be added at a later date.

Microsoft is also adding new customization options for players that let them showcase up to five badges they’ve earned on their public profile, and the console’s search functionality is being improved.

Remote Play is getting a surprise update, too, with support for up to 1440p resolution and increased video bitrates for sharper visuals and smoother gameplay on supported devices. You’ll need to make sure your console is set to 1440p or 4K to take advantage of the new resolution bump.

Those who use Xbox Cloud Gaming – despite the new limits – will be pleased to hear that downloads will continue in the background when you stream a game, when network conditions allow, allowing you to play while a game installs or updates without any interruptions.

Party chat, one of Xbox Live’s most iconic features, is also getting an update, with an enhanced audio experience that helps reduce everyday background noise. It’s called ‘Voice Clarity’ and it will be enabled by default in party chat in most games released since 2020.

If the latest Xbox console update wasn’t enough to get excited about, Microsoft announced it has picked up Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT, after the legendary Japanese developer parted ways with Sony.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently visited Kojima Productions in Japan, which is also developing another Xbox exclusive called OD.

Sony announced it was parting ways with Hideo Kojima in a shock announcement on X. Since starting his own studio, Kojima has closely aligned with Sony, using Guerrilla Games’ graphics engine ‘Decima’ to create Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2, both of which released on PS4 and PS5 as timed exclusives.

Up next: Xbox Project Helix release window narrowed down as Xbox CEO hints at multiple next-gen consoles

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• ☁️ Starting in November, Xbox Cloud Gaming will implement monthly playtime limits of 5 to 15 hours depending on the user’s Game Pass subscription tier

• 🤔 Microsoft states these changes will only affect 4% of subscribers who currently exceed these usage limits

• 💰 Users will be able to purchase additional playtime hours through the Xbox Store if their monthly allowance is exceeded

• 🤷‍♂️ A new, non-subscription option will allow players to purchase individual cloud gaming hours to stream owned games directly

Microsoft has announced that, beginning in November, Xbox Cloud Gaming will be limited to 15, 10 and 5 hours of playtime a month, depending on the Game Pass plan you subscribe to.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will be able to play Xbox Cloud Gaming for 15 hours a month, Premium can play for 10 hours, and Essential subscribers get five hours of playtime.

Previously, and until November rolls around, Game Pass subscribers could use Xbox Cloud Gaming without monthly time limits. However, Microsoft says that this upcoming change will only impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers, which suggests only a small percentage use Xbox Cloud Gaming for more than 5 hours a month.

If you go over your included hours, you’ll be able to purchase additional cloud playtime through the Xbox Store. Microsoft hasn’t shared the pricing yet, but further details will be shared before the changes take effect.

Microsoft is also introducing a new way to use Xbox Cloud Gaming without subscribing to Game Pass. Players will be able to purchase cloud playtime hours through the Xbox Store and stream eligible games they own on supported devices, giving players another option who want occasional access to cloud gaming but do not want to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft is making the change because the cost of providing cloud gaming has grown as more people use it and play for longer. Moving to a monthly limit allows Microsoft to keep offering the service while continuing to invest in its reliability and performance.

For comparison, Nvidia’s GeForce Now service – which requires you already own a game on Steam, the Epic Games Store, Xbox, or GOG – limits players to one-hour, six-hour, and eight-hour sessions. But these reset with each play session, which makes Microsoft’s new time limits look extremely restrictive.

Sony also doesn’t limit the amount of time players can use its cloud gaming service, though it is locked behind the most expensive tier of PlayStation Plus, PS Plus Premium.

Up next: Xbox Project Helix release window narrowed down as Xbox CEO hints at multiple next-gen consoles

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 👀 Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has teased that Project Helix could be more than one console

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 In a recent interview, she stated that it’s being designed as a family of devices

• 🤔 It also means third-party Helix consoles are a possibility

• 🤷‍♂️ Sharma notably dodged questions about whether Helix is going to play discs or not

We might have just gotten a better indication of when we can expect Microsoft’s next-gen console, Project Helix, to be released, plus more details on the hardware.

As per a recent interview Xbox CEO Asha Sharma gave to BBC News at Gamescom last week, Project Helix is being designed as a family of devices, rather than one singular console.

Microsoft had noted when it announced more details on a strategic partnership with AMD that the two would be working together on “a portfolio of devices” of which Project Helix presumably forms a key part, whether as one device or multiple.

This move towards a multi-device ecosystem had prompted speculation about what forms this could take, whether it’s simply multiple Xbox Helix consoles, like we saw with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, or devices from different manufacturers.

The comments have been left open to interpretation, especially after Xbox’s VP for next generation Jason Ronald posted on X that Project Helix “will be available as a 1st party Xbox console”.

It could be the case that other brands, such as Asus or MSI, may also have their own Helix consoles, if Microsoft decides to go for the same route as Valve did with the original pitch for the Steam Machine and as we’ve seen with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.

Questions over whether Project Helix will support discs were deflected by Sharma, although Microsoft has introduced its new “disc to digital” option for Xbox One and Xbox Series X games to allow users to transfer a disc licence to digital to help users migrate a physical game library to a digital one.

Microsoft confirmed in March that alpha dev kits for Project Helix should be rolling out next year, which could point to a release in 2028 or 2029 at the earliest.

Up next: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20: specs, price and release date

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 💰 The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition, a translucent OG green console, is priced at $899.99 and launches on November 13, 2026

• 🔜 Pre-orders for the console begin on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 7am PT / 10am ET

• 🔫 Every console purchase includes a digital copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved, adding value to the $100 price increase over the standard model

• 📅 The standalone Xbox X25 controller is available for pre-order now for $79.99 and will be released on October 20, 2026

Best Buy: Xbox X25 controller

Amazon: Xbox X25 controller

Microsoft Store: Xbox X25 console

If you were hoping the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition wouldn’t break the bank, we’ve got some bad news.

Microsoft has finally shared the pre-order date and price of the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition. And while the price matches what was leaked last week, there is one surprise no one predicted.

In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft confirmed the translucent OG green Xbox Series X costs $899.99 and launches on November 13, 2026. Pre-orders begin tomorrow, Thursday, August 27, at 7am PT / 10am ET.

Every Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition will also include a digital copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved, which is a nice touch.

If you’re just interested in the Xbox X25 controller, it’s available on October 20, 2026. Pre-orders are open now, and it costs $79.99.

At a price of $899.99, it means the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition is $100 more expensive than the standard 1TB Xbox Series X. However, you’re also getting Halo: Campaign Evolved as part of the deal, which costs $59.99 digitally.

It’s worth noting that the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition will sell out fast, and it isn’t the type of item that restocks. Make sure you get your pre-order in if you’re interested, otherwise you’ll be at the mercy of scalpers and resellers.

Up next: Steam Frame release date narrowed down, thanks to upcoming sale

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

The Xbox Series X supports ray tracing, a graphical technology that wasn’t previously possible on Xbox One or Xbox One X. However, only a select number of Xbox titles feature ray tracing in 2026.

If you're new to ray tracing technology, here's what you need to know: it enables developers to implement realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows into video games, making virtual worlds look more believable and closer to what you’d expect to see in real life.

It’s a computationally expensive technology to implement, though, which means not every Xbox Series X game has ray tracing support. Out of all the titles on our best Xbox games list, only three games support ray tracing, which shows it isn’t a must-have feature for most players and is challenging to implement on the current hardware.

That doesn’t mean ray tracing isn’t worthwhile. The main problem is that it takes a lot of processing power and therefore isn’t a priority for some developers or even possible to include in certain titles. Developers have to sacrifice resolution or frame rate if they want to implement ray tracing on consoles, which isn’t always a trade-off gamers want to make.

Xbox games at Walmart

Xbox games at Best Buy

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Xbox games at Amazon

If you’re looking for every Xbox Series X game with ray tracing support, though, check out the full list of titles below. 

If you’re not interested in ray tracing and would rather play games at a higher frame rate, our PS5 120fps games and Xbox Series X 120fps games list every title that supports 120Hz. You can also see every PS5 game with ray tracing support.

Xbox Series X games with ray tracing

The majority of Xbox Series X games do not support ray tracing because it has a significant impact on performance. Titles that support the feature rarely run at 60 frames per second (fps), so expect a drop in frame rate to 30fps if you want to experience the extra graphical fidelity that ray tracing can provide.

While more games will probably have ray tracing support in the future, it's unrealistic to expect it in every new release.

Here’s every Xbox Series X game with ray tracing in 2026:

• 🔥 Arcadegeddon

• 🦖 Ark: Survival Ascended

• 🥷 Assassin’s Creed Shadows

• 💙 Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

• 💭 Bright Memory: Infinite

• 🪖 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

• 🪖 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

• 🌊 Call of the Sea

• ⚠️ Chernobylite

• 🚀 Chorus

• 👩‍🦰 Control: Ultimate Edition

• ⚔️ Crimson Desert

• 🦾 Cyberpunk 2077

• 💀 Darksiders 2: Deathinitive Edition

• 💀 Deathloop

• 🌕 Deliver Us The Moon

• 😈 Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition

• 😈 Diablo 4

• 🌎 Dimensions

• 🚘 Dirt 5

• 🐲 Dragon Age: The Veilguard

• 🔥 Doom Eternal

• 🔥 Doom: The Dark Ages

• 🐲 Dragon’s Dogma 2

• 🧟‍♀️ Dying Light 2: Stay Human

• 🏈 EA Sports College Football 26

• 💍 Elden Ring

• 🏎️ F1 21

• 🏎️ F1 22

• 🏎️ F1 23

• 🏎️ F1 24

• 🏎️ F1 25

• 🪂 Fortnite

• 🚘 Forza Motorsport

• 👻 Ghostrunner

• 🗼 Ghostwire: Tokyo

• 🚨 Grand Theft Auto 5

• 🔫 Halo: Campaign Evolved

• 🔫 Halo Infinite

• 🪓 Hellblade 2

• 👔 Hitman 3

• 🪄 Hogwarts Legacy

• ⛳ House of Golf 2

• 💫 Immortals of Aveum

• 🤠 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

• 🦖 Jurassic World Evolution 3

• 😱 Layers of Fear

• 🧱 LEGO Builder’s Journey

• 😱 Little Nightmares 2

• 👑 Lords of the Fallen

• 🦈 Maneater

• 🌌 Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

• 🚇 Metro Exodus

• 🏀 NBA 2K21

• 🏀 NBA The Run

• 👀 Observer: System Redux

• 🏫 Persona 3 Reload

• 🕹️ Pinball FX

• 🎢 Planet Coaster 2

• 🦏 Planet Zoo 2

• 🃏 Poker Club

• 🧑‍🚀 Pragmata

• 👮‍♀️ Resident Evil 2

• ⭐️ Resident Evil 3

• 🪓 Resident Evil 4

• 🚪 Resident Evil 7

• 👒 Resident Evil Village

• 🏍️ Ride 4

• 👮 RoboCop: Rogue City

• 😱 Silent Hill 2

• 🛹 Skate

• ✨ Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

• ✨ Star Wars Outlaws

• 💧 Still Wakes the Deep

• 🔨 Smite 2

• 🔫 The Callisto Protocol

• 🪨 The Casting of Frank Stone

• 🔫 The Finals

• 😱 The Medium

• 🍑 The Last Descendant

• 🧩 The Talos Principle 2

• ⚔️ The Witcher 3: Wildhunt

• 🤖 Quantum Error

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Watch Dogs Legion

• 💨 Where Winds Meet

Have we missed any Xbox Series X games with ray tracing support on this list? Let us know in the comments below.

What is ray tracing?

Ray tracing is a graphical technique that accurately simulates how light behaves in the real world. Instead of the traditional “baked” lighting, which has several limitations, ray tracing can calculate how light reflects, refracts, and interacts with objects and materials. This can dramatically change the appearance of a game, as ray tracing comes in various forms such as ray traced reflections, shadows, and lighting, all working together to make things look more realistic.

The main issue with ray tracing, especially on consoles, is that it requires a lot of computational power. It’s why the majority of games that support ray tracing on Xbox Series X tend to sacrifice resolution and frame rate to make up for the expensive performance hit.

It’s fair to say that ray tracing is the future, but one that requires powerful hardware to get the most out of it. With that in mind, only a few Xbox Series X games will support ray tracing this generation and it isn’t possible on the last generation of consoles.

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Last updated: August 21, 2026

• 💰 The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition is expected to cost $899.99, higher than the predicted $799.99

• 🎂 The console features a translucent “OG Green” design, inspired by the original Xbox console

• 🎮 A matching anniversary-themed controller will be sold separately for $79.99

• 📅 The console is predicted to launch on Black Friday, November 27, 2026

If you were hoping the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition wouldn’t break the bank, we’ve got some bad news.

According to trusted leaker billbil-kun of Dealabs, who has an exceptional track record, the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition costs more than we predicted. It looks like it will cost $899.99 in the US, which is more than the $799.99 we originally hoped for.

A limited edition was always likely to cost more, as our prediction was made before Microsoft’s third price hike – but $100 is a big jump.

The console’s reveal was well-received, as it features the translucent “OG Green” design inspired by the original Xbox console that kick-started Microsoft’s journey into console gaming.

A price of $899.99 for the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console means it will cost the same as Sony’s PS5 Pro, which is significantly more powerful, includes an extra 1TB of storage, though it doesn’t have a disc drive.

We recently learned the Xbox X25 controller will be $79.99, the usual price we’ve come to expect from special Xbox controller colors. The anniversary-themed gamepad will be sold separately, which may be the preferred option for many if the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition does indeed cost $899.99.

While the controller is expected to release on October 20, 2026, billbil-kun predicts the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console will arrive later on Friday, November 27. That’s Black Friday, though don’t expect any discount on this model.

It’s unclear when pre-orders will go live, but we’ll alert The Shortcut subscribers as soon as we know more and give you the direct links to retailers you’ll need.

Up next: Xbox is finally copying PlayStation’s best feature

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 📅 The Xbox X25 controller is expected to be released on October 20, 2026, with an announcement likely at Gamescom 2026

• 💰 Pre-orders for the controller, priced at $79.99, are set to open on August 26, 2026

• 🎂 The controller features a translucent “OG Green” design reminiscent of the 2001 console, with an “Xbox 25” logo

• 👀 A limited edition Xbox Series X25 console may also be announced for October 20, 2026, with estimated pricing between $799.99 and $849.99

Xbox fans have been patiently waiting for Microsoft to reveal the release date and price of its upcoming Xbox Series X25 limited edition console and controller – but we finally have a better idea of what to expect.

According to trusted leaker billbil-kun from Dealabs, the Xbox X25 controller release date is scheduled for October 20, 2026. It’s likely an announcement will take place during Gamescom 2026, which takes place from August 20 to August 30.

The price is also what we’ve come to expect from limited edition Xbox wireless controllers. It will cost $79.99, and pre-orders will open on August 26, 2026.

The Xbox X25 controller is bound to be popular, as it features the translucent “OG Green” design inspired by the original 2001 console. There’s also a nice Xbox 25 logo on the right-hand grip.

We should also hear about the Xbox Series X25 limited edition console during Gamescom, too. It’s likely the console will cost between $799.99 and $849.99 now that the new price rises are in effect. A release date of October 20, 2026, would also make sense to tie in with the release of the controller.

However, with market conditions continuing to be turbulent, Microsoft may be holding off making any announcement until it can guarantee it doesn’t have to raise the price of the Xbox Series X25 again.

Up next: GTA 6 leaks escalate as new gameplay videos emerge online

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

Microsoft has released dozens of Xbox controller colors and special editions since the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launched in 2020, and continues to drop new colors and variants every few months. There are standard colors like Carbon Black, Robot White and Shock Blue, along with camouflage designs, transparent controllers, game-themed limited editions and plenty of other eye-catching options.

We’ve rounded up every Xbox Wireless Controller color and special edition below, including how much each controller costs and when it was released. We’ll continue to update this page whenever Microsoft announces a new design, so you can see all the Xbox Series X|S controller colors in one place.

The good news is that most Xbox controllers don’t cost significantly more than the standard Carbon Black and Robot White models. However, limited editions tend to command a premium and can quickly sell out, making some older designs difficult to find.

All the controllers below work with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and Windows PCs, while Bluetooth support also lets you connect them to compatible Android and iOS devices.

Xbox controller colors at a glance

Standard Xbox controller colors

Carbon Black

• Release date: November 10, 2020

• Launch price: $59.99

Carbon Black is the standard Xbox Series X controller color. Now I know what you’re thinking: black isn’t a color, it’s an absence of light. How could the boffins at Microsoft make such an elementary mistake? I have no answer for you. Just accept that this is what most people will be holding when they’re playing on their Xbox.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Carbon Black)

Amazon: Xbox controller (Carbon Black)

Robot White

• Release date: November 10, 2020

• Launch price: $59.99

There can’t be black without white – the two sides of the controller colorway universe are forever locked in a battle for dominance. This is the controller color that comes with every Xbox Series S. Those who grew up in the age of the Xbox 360 and associate the Xbox brand with white over black might be drawn to this one.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Robot White)

Amazon: Xbox controller (Robot White)

Shock Blue

• Release date: November 10, 2020

• Launch price: $64.99

The third color to be released alongside the Xbox Series X|S at launch was Shock Blue. It costs a touch more than the black and white options, so weigh up whether that extra $5 is really worthwhile.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Shock Blue)

Amazon: Shock Blue

Pulse Red

• Release date: February 12, 2021

• Launch price: $64.99

The Pulse Red gamepad was the first non-launch Xbox Wireless Controller color scheme to be released in February 2021. It’s a bright, almost crimson color. And it’s named to evoke images of blood and high-octane racing, so you know it must be really, really cool.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Pulse Red)

Amazon: Pulse Red

Electric Volt

• Release date: April 27, 2021

• Launch price: $64.99

Electric Volt is so enigmatically alluring that its name doesn’t even indicate its color. It’s green. Although not the classic dark Xbox green. More like a Mediterranean lime green that makes it look closer to candy than a gamepad. PSA: don’t chew your controllers.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Electric Volt)

Amazon: Xbox controller (Electric Volt)

Deep Pink

• Release date: May 3, 2022

• Launch price: $64.99

Despite what its name suggests, this Xbox controller color is actually quite bright. A little gaudy, even. It’s the pink of roses or an unripe radish. If nothing else, it’s distinctive. You don’t often see pink controllers out in the wilds of brick-and-mortar shop shelves. Will it make you the talk of the town? I can’t say. Will it add a splash of color to your set-up? Most definitely.

Walmart: Deep Pink

Amazon: Deep Pink

Velocity Green

• Release date: March 7, 2023

• Launch price: $64.99

Back in March, Microsoft revealed yet another green Xbox controller. This one’s called Velocity Green, although Slime Green or Plutonium Rod Green might be more appropriate. It’s certainly bright and closer to the hue of the classic Xbox logo than the Electric Volt controller above.

Walmart: Velocity Green

Amazon: Velocity Green

Astral Purple

• Release date: September 19, 2023

• Launch price: $64.99

Love the color purple? Microsoft’s Astral Purple controller features a deep purple shell with a white back plate. It comes with all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from an Xbox pad, including textured triggers and bumper buttons, a dedicated Share button, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Walmart: Astral Purple

Amazon: Astral Purple

Special edition Xbox controllers

Daystrike Camo

• Release date: May 4, 2021

• Launch price: $69.99

The Daystrike Camo was the first special edition color scheme to be released after the launch of the Xbox Series X|S. It features a red and gray camouflage pattern.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Daystrike)

Amazon: Xbox controller (Daystrike Camo)

Aqua Shift

• Release date: August 31, 2021

• Launch price: $69.99

Possibly the flashiest of all the Xbox Series X|S controllers, Aqua Shift features a shimmering blue finish. Add to that its rubberized grips with a two-tone swirl that catches the light, and it has a galactic, space-age quality. Fans were so happy with it that finding it in stock can be tricky.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Aqua Shift)

Amazon: Xbox controller (Aqua Shift)

Forza Horizon 5 Limited Edition

• Release date: November 9, 2021

• Launch price: $75

Released to coincide with Forza Horizon 5, this limited edition controller might just be the most striking gamepad Microsoft has released for the Xbox Series X|S. Its translucent yellow body is a first for an Xbox controller, and the pink and blue splatter looks halfway between paint and Sherbert. The controller sold out very soon after launch, so finding it for a reasonable price can be tricky.

Amazon: Forza Horizon 5 controller

20th Anniversary special edition

• Release date: November 15, 2021

• Launch price: $69.99

Released to celebrate 20 years of Xbox, this anniversary controller features a translucent black front, solid black grips and green back panels. It’s a hit of nostalgia, from the translucent plastic that mimics gaming merch of the 2000s, to the bright green Xbox button that riffs on the original Xbox logo. It received a very limited release, however, and is very difficult to find stocked today.

Amazon: Xbox controller (20th edition)

Mineral Camo

• Release date: October 21, 2022

• Launch price: $69.99

Think Daystrike Camo but in submarine blue. Mineral Camo was the second camo-themed controller Microsoft released.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Mineral Camo)

Amazon: Xbox controller (Mineral Camo)

Lunar Shift

• Release date: November 11, 2022

• Launch price: $69.99

The Lunar Shift is essentially a pearlescent version of the Aqua Shift. Its silver-gold finish shimmers in light, and its all-white buttons and bumpers look pretty slick.

Walmart: Xbox controller (Lunar Shift)

Amazon: Xbox controller (Lunar Shift)

Stellar Shift

• Release date: February 7, 2023

• Launch price: $69.99

You thought Microsoft had run out of ways to repackage subtle variations of what is essentially the same controller? Think again. Blue is passé and mother-of-pearl is so last season. What’s in right now is purple.

Walmart: Stellar Shift

Amazon: Stellar Shift

Xbox Remix

• Release date: April 18, 2023

• Launch price: $84.99

The Xbox Remix controller is a little different from the other special edition gamepads Microsoft has put out. Released to coincide with Earth Day, one-third of the controller’s components are made from recycled and reclaimed materials, including leftover Xbox One controllers.

Amazon: Xbox Remix

Starfield Xbox controller

• Release date: June 11, 2023

• Launch price : $79.99

To celebrate the launch of Starfield, Microsoft and Bethesda released a special edition Starfield Xbox controller – and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s intricately detailed and features some unique aspects that we haven’t seen before, like transparent triggers.

Amazon: Starfield Xbox controller

Stormcloud Vapor

• Release date: August 8, 2023

• Launch price: $69.99

The Stormcloud Vapor Special Edition features a dynamic dark navy swirl, inspired by clouds and storming skies. The controller also comes with an exclusive dynamic theme, rubberized grips, and the usual bells and whistles like Bluetooth support, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a dedicated share button.

Walmart: Stormcloud Vapor

Amazon: Stormcloud Vapor

Gold Shadow

• Release date: October 17, 2023

• Launch price: $69.99

With a striking gold-to-black metallic finish, the Gold Shadow Special Edition Xbox controller is another gorgeous design that collectors won’t be able to resist. It’s a little reminiscent of the Xbox 360 C-3PO gold controller, which may tug at the heartstrings of nostalgic fans.

Walmart: Gold Shadow

Amazon: Gold Shadow

Dream Vapor

• Release date: January 31, 2024

• Launch price: $69.99

The Dream Vapor controller features a pink and purple top case, soft pink thumbsticks, bumpers, triggers, and a hybrid D-Pad. The rubberized side grips are purple, and the soft pink ABXY buttons have purple accents. You also get an exclusive dynamic background for your Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Best Buy: Dream Vapor

Amazon: Dream Vapor

Arctic Camo

• Release date: June 11, 2023

• Launch price: $79.99

A stealthy, covert option, the Arctic Camo Xbox controller blends into its surroundings and into the comfort of your hands.

Amazon: Arctic Camo

Nocturnal Vapor

• Release date: April 9, 2024

• Launch price: $69.99

Inspired by nature at night, the Nocturnal Vapor Xbox controller is the third release in Microsoft’s Vapor series. Like the Dream Vapor and Stormcloud Vapor, you get the usual bells and whistles like Bluetooth support, a 3.5mm audio jack, a rubberized, green diamond-pattern grip, and a dedicated share button.

GameStop: Nocturnal Vapor

Amazon: Nocturnal Vapor

Fire Vapor

• Release date: May 7, 2024

• Launch price: $69.99

Microsoft’s Fire Vapor Xbox Wireless Controller is inspired by flames. Every red and orange color swirl is an expression of blazing fire. The controller comes with rubberized, red diamond-pattern grips on the back case. You also get an exclusive dynamic background.

Sky Cipher

• Release date: August 13, 2024

• Launch price: $69.99

The Xbox Sky Cipher Special Edition controller features a transparent shell, letting you see the inner workings of your Xbox gamepad. Along with a striking, retro look, the Sky Cipher controller was the first to ship in a newly designed package that removes all single-use plastics and is now 22% smaller and 21% lighter, reducing its environmental footprint. The paper manual has been replaced with a QR code for a digital quick-start guide.

Amazon: Xbox Sky Cipher

Ghost Cipher

• Release date: October 8, 2024

• Launch price: $69.99

Joining the Sky Cipher in Microsoft’s line of transparent controllers is the Ghost Cipher Special Edition. It features all the perks we’re used to, like Bluetooth, a 3.5mm audio jack, and rubberized back grips, and means those who love transparent tech will have another controller to collect.

Amazon: Ghost Cipher

Pulse Cipher

• Release date: February 4, 2025

• Launch price: $69.99

Continuing with the Cipher theme, the Pulse Cipher features the same translucent plastic but in a fiery red color. As expected, it comes with Bluetooth support, so you can use it on PC or mobile, and it works with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One consoles.

Amazon: Pulse Cipher

Doom: The Dark Ages Limited Edition

• Release date: April 18, 2025

• Launch price: $79.99

The Doom: The Dark Ages Limited Edition controller is designed for those who are ready to rip and tear their way through the gates of Hell. It features runes instead of the usual ABXY buttons and is styled like Doom Guy’s suit.

Amazon: Doom: Dark Ages

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 10th Anniversary Special

• Release date: May 22, 2025

• Launch price: $79.99

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Xbox Wireless controller was designed in collaboration with CD Projekt Red and features key iconography from The Witcher’s world, like Geralt’s wolf medallion. The controller also features Glagolitic script and the iconic red claw mark from The Witcher 3’s logo.

Ice Breaker

• Release date: September 3, 2025

• Launch price: $79.99

The Ice Breaker Xbox controller is the very definition of cool. Its glacier-blue design almost makes it seem cold to the touch, with a frosted, translucent finish. The Ice Breaker will look great all year round.

Best Buy: Ice Breaker

Storm Breaker

• Release date: September 3, 2025

• Launch price: $79.99

A refined Xbox controller based on a black, white, gray, and silver color palette, Storm Breaker is an eye-catching gamepad. It sports a metallic D-pad and an opaque top to complete the look.

Best Buy: Storm Breaker

Heart Breaker

• Release date: September 3, 2025

• Launch price: $79.99

A loud, vibrant design that combines pinks and purples with strokes of blue, the Heart Breaker controller is unapologetically bold. The translucent top case adds depth and makes this unique Xbox controller stand out even more.

Best Buy: Heart Breaker

Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition

• Release date: May 19, 2026

• Launch price: $79.99

Another bright and bold design, the Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition controller launched alongside the game and features the winding Touge roads of Japan.

Amazon: Forza Horizon 6

Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition

• Release date: August 30, 2026

• Launch price: $79.99

The Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition controller features a striking design and a tactile, cracked leather-like material on the grips.

Amazon: Gears of War: E-Day

X25 Special Edition

• Release date: November 26

• Launch price: TBC

A gorgeous throwback to the original Xbox, the X25 Special Edition controller features the same translucent green plastic shell, colorful buttons, and an Xbox 25 logo.

Xbox Elite Series 2 controller colors

Xbox Elite Series 2 Black

• Release date: November 4, 2019

• Launch price: $179.99

The original color of the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller was – you guessed it – black! And it’s stayed a firm favorite ever since. Well, perhaps not so much a favorite as the default option for every gamepad manufacturer the world over. Handy if you want some consistency across your hardware.

Walmart: Xbox Elite Wireless 2

Amazon: Xbox Elite Wireless 2

Xbox Elite Series 2 Halo Infinite Limited Edition

• Release date: November 25, 2021

• Launch price: $199.99

Another tie-in controller for Xbox’s favorite green power-armored super soldier, this Elite Series 2 controller was released to coincide with Halo Infinite. Aside from its paneled front, it includes adjustable-tension thumbsticks, shorter hair trigger locks, and a wrap-around rubberized grip. As you’d expect, it was in pretty high demand at launch and very quickly sold out at retailers.

Xbox Elite Series 2 Core – White

• Release date: September 21, 2022

• Launch price: $129.99

In September 2022, the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller got a makeover. Its drab black shell was swapped out for white. Is it a big change? Absolutely not. But those playing on an Xbox Series S might prefer to pick up a pro controller that matches the color of their console. It comes with fewer accessories than the black Elite Series 2, however, hence the price cut.

Walmart: Xbox Elite Series 2 White

Amazon: Xbox Elite Series 2 White

Xbox Elite Series 2 Core – Red

• Release date: April 11, 2023

• Launch price: $139.99

Since releasing the white Xbox Elite Series 2 Core, Microsoft has put out a red version to join it. It’s identical from a hardware perspective but has a snazzy crimson coat.

Walmart: Xbox Elite Series 2 Red

Amazon: Xbox Elite Series 2 Red

Xbox Elite Series 2 Core – Blue

• Release date: April 11, 2023

• Launch price: $139.99

Like the red gamepad above, this blue version of the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core is also effectively the same controller.

Walmart: Xbox Elite Series 2 Blue

Amazon: Xbox Elite Series 2 Blue

Xbox Elite Series 2 Core – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 10th Anniversary Special

• Release date: May 23, 2025

• Launch price: $169.99

Inspired by Geralt’s steel and silver swords, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 10th Anniversary Special is a standout collector’s item for fans of the series.

Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller – Doom: The Dark Ages Limited Edition

• Release date: 2025

• Launch price: $199.99

  

Alongside a Limited Edition controller, Microsoft also celebrated the launch of Doom: The Dark Ages with a custom Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller.

Xbox controller colors FAQ

How many Xbox controller colors are there?

Microsoft has released dozens of Xbox controller colors and special editions since the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launched. There are eight standard colors available – Carbon Black, Robot White, Shock Blue, Pulse Red, Electric Volt, Deep Pink, Velocity Green and Astral Purple – along with numerous limited editions and Xbox Design Lab designs.

What is the newest Xbox controller color?

Microsoft regularly releases new Xbox controller colors and limited editions, and we’ll update this page whenever a new design is announced. You can find the latest Xbox controllers at the top of our special edition section.

Do Xbox Series X controllers work with Xbox Series S?

Yes. Xbox Wireless Controllers work with both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. They’re also compatible with Xbox One consoles and Windows PCs, along with supported Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth.

Do Xbox Series X controllers work on PC?

Yes. You can connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to a Windows PC using Bluetooth, Xbox Wireless or a compatible USB-C cable.

Can you customize an Xbox controller?

Yes. Xbox Design Lab lets you customize an Xbox Wireless Controller with different colors for the body, buttons, thumbsticks, D-pad and other components. Microsoft also offers special Xbox Design Lab designs based on games and other franchises.

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Last updated: August 14, 2026

• 👀 Microsoft’s rumored Xbox Elite Series 3 controller has been leaked on Reddit

• 🎮 A post on r/Controllers showed off the unit that the original poster had reportedly purchased on OfferUp

• 🤔 The controller appears to be a prototype and has some interesting new features

• ☁️ These include two scroll wheels and a ‘Pair’ button that reportedly switches between a local Xbox console and the Cloud Gaming servers

Microsoft has been heavily rumored to be working on a new Xbox Elite controller, and it’s now been spotted in the wild in the weirdest of circumstances ahead of an official reveal.

A seemingly innocuous post on the r/Controllers subreddit asked if the community could identify a controller, with images supplied.

Users over on Reddit believe it to be the as-yet-unannounced Xbox Elite Series 3, with the original poster getting a prototype of the controller that only blinks a red light, meaning it’s tied to a dev console of some form.

It closely matches the Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller pictures that were leaked by the Brazilian regulator earlier this year.

As The Verge’s Tom Warren noted, the original poster said they purchased the controller on the online marketplace OfferUp, which is strange in itself as this prototype controller shouldn’t be anywhere, let alone sold on a marketplace.

However, the gallery of images provided on the original Reddit post has now disappeared – presumably as a result of a cease-and-desist from Microsoft, although that is speculation.

It could be the case that the images are faked, and it’s worth taking things with a pinch of salt. That being said, there is a notice on the rear of the controller’s battery compartment stating it to be a prototype.

At a glance, things don’t seem to have changed that much between the Elite Series 3 and its predecessor, apart from different grips and two-stage trigger locks.

That being said, analysis from The Verge shows some more interesting changes. The controller may have two scroll wheels along the bottom edge, a wireless mode for connecting directly to the Xbox Cloud Gaming servers, and a ‘Pair’ button that switches between a local Xbox console and the Cloud Gaming servers.

Up next: GTA 6 price won’t drop anytime soon, with players flocking to the $100 Ultimate Edition

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🏆 PlayStation’s Platinum Trophy is widely considered more desirable than Xbox’s Achievement system, which has lagged behind in popularity

• 🙏 Xbox is finally planning to introduce an equivalent to the Platinum Trophy later this year

• 🥳 This update comes after user feedback requested a way to celebrate earning 100% in games

• 🔜 Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the team is actively working on a solution to address this long-standing request.

Forget the DualSense controller or Tempest 3D Audio. One of the most appealing features of the PlayStation ecosystem is earning a Platinum Trophy. It’s an award that signifies you’ve earned every achievement, and for many, it’s become a huge draw over Microsoft’s Xbox Achievements.

Xbox may have pioneered Achievements, but Sony introduced Trophies later in the PS3’s lifecycle. Sony’s take has become more popular, but at long last, it seems like Microsoft will finally have an answer to the coveted Platinum Trophy.

Xbox revealed it is implementing some of the most requested features from the recently launched Xbox Feedback site, including the ability to record voice clips and party chat alongside gameplay captures.

Xbox is also introducing new ways to view Achievements, prompting one user on X to ask Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, “When [are] you gonna solve the Platinum trophy equivalent with Achievements?”.

Surprisingly, Sharma responded saying, “[The] Team is working on something for later this year!”

It may seem insignificant, but Microsoft’s Achievements system has long been viewed as inferior to Sony’s, even though Sony essentially copied the idea and refined it.

If Xbox finally introduces a Platinum Trophy equivalent, it'll close one of the few remaining gaps between its Achievements system and PlayStation's Trophies. More importantly, it continues Microsoft's recent trend of responding to player feedback as it builds toward the launch of its next-generation console, Project Helix, and the launch of the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console.

Up next: Xbox 360 games are finally heading to PC and Project Helix, according to a leaked document

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 👀 Microsoft is porting Xbox 360 games to PC via the Xbox app, with compatibility for handhelds and the next-gen Project Helix console

• 🤔 Developers will decide whether these titles are available for purchase or included in Game Pass

• 👏 Project Helix, which is expected to lack a disc drive, will support these games alongside a reported disc-to-digital feature for game preservation

• 📅 The rollout for these titles across next-gen devices is anticipated to begin between 2027 and 2028, featuring perks like improved frame rates and resolution scaling

A few weeks after it was announced that original Xbox games were coming to PC, a new leak suggests that Xbox 360 games will also be heading to the personal computer, bringing many titles that were previously locked on consoles to more players.

In a document seen by The Verge, Microsoft recently informed developers that Xbox 360 games will be ported to PC through the Xbox app, and that the titles will also be able to run on handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally X and its next-gen console, Project Helix.

Microsoft is leaving it up to developers whether they want to make the older titles available for purchase or part of Game Pass, but it means titles like Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, and many other iconic Xbox 360 games could finally be playable on PC.

It’s also good news for Microsoft’s next-gen console, Project Helix, which promises to bridge the gap between a console and PC. Microsoft has committed to game preservation, and is even reportedly working on a disc-to-digital feature, as Project Helix – like Sony’s PS6 – is expected to ditch the disc drive.

Expect Xbox 360 games on PC to feature a few perks, such as a resolution scaler, more stable frame rate, and of course, support for Achievements.

It’s unclear exactly when we’ll be able to play Xbox 360 games on PC, but it’s expected to begin gradually rolling out sometime between 2027 and 2028 “across next-gen devices”, according to the leaked document.

Up next: Every major game releasing in August 2026 that should be on your radar

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🆚 Microsoft is already being tipped to lose the next console war to Sony

• 😬 One analyst has predicted year one sales of just two million units for Microsoft’s Project Helix

• 🤷‍♂️ This is based on Microsoft’s limited official messaging about whether it’s going to be a proper console or simply a PC with Xbox branding

• 🤔 We don’t know much officially about Project Helix, although it’s rumored that Microsoft may not ship it with a disc drive

One analyst is already predicting Microsoft will lose the next console war that will see Xbox Project Helix face-off against the PlayStation 6.

According to Forbes, Neil Barbour from S&P Global predicts that Project Helix will only sell two million units in its first year, below the Xbox Series X/S’s 3.2 million units shifted last year, which would be the worst on record for Microsoft if it were to be the case.

In an interview Barbour did with GamesIndustry.biz, he stated that “our forecast is functionally splitting the difference between a proper Xbox successor and an Xbox-certification program with PC OEMs, and readers should treat the post-2027 Microsoft trajectory as a range of outcomes contingent on decisions yet to be made or revealed.”

In essence, his prediction is based on the little official information Microsoft has shared on Project Helix. If the console turns out to be an open PC platform with Xbox branding, in a similar vein to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, then it wouldn’t count towards typical console sales. In Barbour’s eyes, a proper console would appeal to “a narrower, more enthusiast-oriented audience.”

It’s worth noting that this is just a prediction based on what we know so far, and if we knew more, then perhaps analysts might be a little more optimistic. However, based on the tumultuous time Microsoft’s gaming division has had in recent times, things don’t look too good for Project Helix.

It’s rumored that Microsoft is also set to ditch physical games for Project Helix after Sony recently announced it’s discontinuing physical game disc production for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028 – a decision that has sparked outrage across the industry on its own.

We don’t know much about Project Helix in terms of release date aside from a vague 2027 target, and that it will be a hybrid console for Xbox and PC games. Microsoft has also stated that the next-gen console’s price will be affected by the memory.

Alpha dev kits for Project Helix should be rolling out next year, as Microsoft confirmed in March, which could point to a release in 2028 or 2029 at the latest.

Up next: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 will be sold separately after all – though don’t expect it to be cheap

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🤔 Microsoft has expanded sign-ups for the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition to the UK, US, Germany, and France, hinting at an upcoming announcement

• 📅 Pre-orders for the Xbox 25th Anniversary Controller may launch during Gamescom 2026, with an expected price of $79.99

• 😬 Microsoft is expected to reveal pricing and release details for the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console, which may be priced at $899.99

• 😮 Amidst recent layoffs and price hikes, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated that Microsoft is resetting its content portfolio and operations

After announcing even more layoffs and that another price hike for Xbox Series X|S will take place in August, fans of Microsoft’s gaming division could use some positive news. Hopefully, that could happen next month.

Microsoft has expanded notification sign-ups for the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition to additional regions, hinting that an announcement about the console’s price and pre-order date could happen soon.

You can sign up to be notified in the UK, US, Germany and France, though you’re better off subscribing to The Shortcut for an instant alert that won’t get lost in your spam folder.

One rumor from eXtas1s on X suggests that pre-orders for the Xbox 25th Anniversary Controller could open during Gamescom 2026, which takes place from August 26 to August 30. The price is expected to be $79.99, which would match other limited-edition controllers, and a release date is expected in October.

It’s likely that Microsoft would also share the pre-order date, price, and release date of the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console, as Gamescom has traditionally been an event where Microsoft shares a big announcement or two. As the controller is releasing alongside the console, it’s likely both will share the same release date.

Unfortunately, as gorgeous as the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition is, it’s going to cost a lot more than we first expected. With the Xbox Series X increasing to $799.99 in August, our previous prediction of $749.99 seems unrealistic. Instead, the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition price could be $899.99, making it only viable for the most dedicated fans.

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently shared another candid insight into the state of Xbox right now, and shared that Microsoft is resetting its content portfolio, its platform, and how it operates. The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition may be a homage to Microsoft’s past, but it’s clear the future of Xbox is all but certain.

Up next: Xbox Project Helix will also ditch discs for digital, though Microsoft may be working on a solution

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 💿 Microsoft is reportedly ditching physical discs for its upcoming Project Helix console

• 📅 The report follows Sony’s confirmation that its stopping physical disc production for new PlayStation titles in January 2028

• 🤔 Instead, Microsoft is working on a “disc to digital” feature to allow the rights of a disc to be transferred to a digital game, tying it to the account of the console the disc is inserted into

• 🤷‍♂️ We don’t know when Project Helix is set to launch, although Microsoft is sending alpha dev kits out next year

Microsoft is reportedly set to ditch discs for digital with its upcoming games console, but it could also be working on a solution for those who prefer buying physical copies.

As per a Windows Central report, Xbox Project Helix is set to drop the disc drive altogether, leaving digital games as seemingly the only option for purchasing and playing next-gen games.

This news follows yesterday’s bombshell that Sony is discontinuing physical game disc production for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028.

In a statement, Sony called it a “natural direction” as a result of “consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs.”

However, a report from The Verge notes that Microsoft is working on a solution to help digitize existing games you own.

A so-called “disc-to-digital” feature will allow players with Xbox One and Xbox Series X games to obtain digital licenses for the discs they own, negating the future need for the disc to play the game. However, it reportedly doesn’t cover original Xbox or Xbox 360 games, according to The Verge’s sources.

The digital entitlement is reportedly tied to the specific disc, meaning it’s possible for players to share discs. When a disc is shared, the entitlement travels from one account to another, but it seemingly can’t be used by two separate accounts concurrently.

The idea of the feature is to save you from inserting a disc every time you want to play without taking the freedom that comes from owning a physical copy.

Intriguingly, though, Warren’s report notes that Microsoft hasn’t fully decided on whether Project Helix will ship with a disc drive or not, so it’s up in the air whether we’ll get physical games on Microsoft’s next-gen console or not.

We don’t know much about Project Helix in terms of release date, but Microsoft has stated that the next-gen console’s price will be affected by the memory.

Alpha dev kits for Project Helix should be rolling out next year, as Microsoft confirmed in March, which could point to a release in 2028 or 2029 at the latest.

Up next: PS6 release date likely 2028 – and it’s almost guaranteed to be a digital-only console

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 📈 Microsoft announced price increases for Xbox Series X and S consoles of up to $150, effective August 1, 2026

• 💰 These price hikes will directly impact the upcoming Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition

• 😭 Due to rising component costs, expect the limited edition console to be priced as high as $899

• 😤 Microsoft attributes these increases to surging costs for console storage and memory, which are projected to continue rising through 2027

Microsoft just stormed into the Xbox’s 25th anniversary party, ripped down the decorations, stamped on the cake, and made all the kids cry because the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition price has already received a substantial increase over what many will have hoped to pay.

Microsoft revealed that the price of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles will increase by up to $150 on August 1, 2026, which means the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition will also be directly affected when it releases in November.

I predicted that, based on the current pricing, the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition would fall between $699 and $749 – basically in between the standard Xbox Series X and the soon to be discontinued 2TB Galaxy Black Xbox Series X.

However, with the price of the 1TB Xbox Series X increasing from $650 to $799, my prediction has been blown out of the water. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft charged $899 for the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition to recoup as much cash as possible.

As Microsoft explained in a post on Xbox Wire, “Console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027. The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles. Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make.”

Sadly, there’s no way that a custom, limited-run edition of the Xbox Series X will wind up any cheaper than the standard version, let alone be the same price.

If you want to own a piece of Xbox history or are simply waiting to pick up the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition, you’ll have to delve deeper into your wallet to get one.

Up next: New Steam Frame details emerge, as we wait patiently for a pre-order and release date

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🚨 Starting August 1, 2026, the Xbox Series X price will rise to $799.99 and the Xbox Series S to $499.99

• 📈 Microsoft attributes these price hikes to significant increases in the cost of console storage and memory driven by demand from AI data centers

• 💰 To mitigate the impact, Microsoft is introducing new ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ and interest-free financing programs.

• 🤷‍♂️ The company is also promoting certified refurbished consoles and second-hand options to provide more affordable alternatives for consumers.

Walmart: Xbox Series X

Best Buy: Xbox Series X

GameStop: Xbox Series X

Amazon: Xbox Series S

If you’ve been on the fence about buying an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, you have until August 1, 2026, to get one – otherwise you’ll have to pay up to $150 more.

As if Microsoft wasn’t struggling enough to sell Xbox consoles this generation, the company that is partly responsible for the component crisis has hiked the price of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S up yet again.

Starting August 1, 2026, the Xbox Series X is increasing from $649.99 to $799.99 – $50 less than a PS5 Pro. Remember: the Xbox Series X launched for $499.99 in 2020.

The Xbox Series S, which was the most affordable console on the market, will cost the same as a Nintendo Switch 2 in August and as much as an Xbox Series X launched for in 2020. It’s increasing by $100 from $399.99 to $499.99.

Microsoft’s 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition is also being discontinued.

In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft blamed the price hike on console storage and memory prices, which have exploded in price thanks to the demand from AI data centers.

“Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027,” the post reads. “The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles. Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make.”

To soften the blow somewhat, Microsoft is offering a new ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ program, along with interest-free financing. It’s also working with retail providers on new programs that will make previously played consoles cheaper for those who want to pick one up second-hand. Microsoft is also selling certified refurbished consoles directly for up to $100 off MSRP.

Despite its new $499.99 price tag, the Xbox Wire post ends by saying the Xbox Series S is the “lowest-cost way to enjoy the biggest hits this year, including Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4, Gears of War: E-Day, Grand Theft Auto VI, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Madden NFL 27.

We’ve seen the memory and component crisis continue to make consoles increasingly unaffordable, with PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 prices increases. It’s even derailed the launch of the Steam Machine, which many believe is overpriced for what it offers.

Clearly, the next-generation of consoles from Microsoft and Sony – Project Helix and the PS6 – will be affected, with many tipping “RAMaggedon” to continue until at least 2028.

Up next: Apple hikes prices of iPad, Mac, and more as RAM and component costs soar

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 👋 Microsoft plans to close three gaming studios acquired between 2018 and 2019: Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine

• 📉 The decision follows a “reset” announced by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, aiming to improve profitability amid declining annual revenue

• 😔 Despite receiving resources and creative freedom, the studios failed to produce commercially successful titles that boosted Xbox’s financial performance

• 😬 This move continues a trend of restructuring at Microsoft, following previous closures of other acquired studios like Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin

After an extremely positive showing at the Xbox Games Showcase this year, reports indicate that Microsoft is set to close three studios it acquired in 2018 and 2019.

The studios that are reportedly on the chopping block are Ninja Theory (as reported by The Verge), which created Senua’s Saga 2: Hellblade II, Compulsion Games (as reported by Kotaku), responsible for South of Midnight, and Double Fine, which recently released Kiln.

Double Fine’s social media account responded to the news with a sweating face emoji.

The news broke after new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed Microsoft’s gaming division was undergoing a reset, which hinted at potential layoffs.

However, no one expected Microsoft to close three studios that it recently acquired, though it’s not all that surprising, really.

Since its acquisition in 2018, the only game Ninja Theory released was Senua’s Saga 2: Hellblade II, which, by all accounts, didn’t exactly sell well. A new game was announced at the Xbox Games Showcase called Senua, but it’s not out until next year.

Compulsion Games released South of Midnight, a game that may have attracted a few niche industry awards, but that praise never materialized into sales.

Finally, Double Fine technically released three games since its 2019 acquisition in Psychonauts 2, Keeper, and Kiln. Aside from Psychonauts 2, which was crowdfunded before Microsoft’s acquisition and a multiformat release from day one, both Keeper and Kiln weren’t exactly popular by any means.

To Microsoft’s credit, all three studios were seemingly given the resources, time, and freedom to focus on the projects they wanted to make. However, none of the games they made have helped transform Xbox’s fortunes.

Clearly, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has identified the three studios as being a drain on the coffers, especially as we recently found out that the Xbox division, while still profitable, has seen its annual revenue decline by almost half a billion in the past five years.

As Sharma’s public memo to staff on Xbox Wire highlighted, “We will end this fiscal year at about a 3% accountability margin, down year-over-year. Excluding Activision Blizzard King, over the past five years, we have spent over $20 billion on ongoing investments in our content, platform, and hardware subsidy, but our annual revenue has declined nearly half a billion during that time. Going forward, this cannot continue.”

The last studios Microsoft shut down were Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, and two other Bethesda-owned studios.

Microsoft famously went on a buying spree between 2018 and 2021, acquiring Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Playground Games, Undead Labs, Double Fine, ZeniMax Media/Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard/King.

While the move sent shockwaves through the gaming industry at the time, there’s no doubt that the acquisitions made Xbox a more bloated, and significantly more expensive division. Expect more changes to come as Xbox resets, to use Sharma’s term.

Up next: Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition: price, pre-order, and release date

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 💰 The price of the new Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console could be higher than first thought

• 📈 New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been candid about how high component and memory prices have risen in very recent times

• 😬 It’s feared this could push the X25 Limited Edition ahead of the $749 price we’d predicted

• 🤔 We already know Xbox is likely to undertake some radical business decisions to try and navigate this difficult market situation

Everyone seems to be in love with the recently announced Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console, although a new Microsoft memo has added fuel to the fire that it might cost more than we hoped.

In a new Xbox Wire post, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been remarkably transparent regarding component pricing, noting that when she joined Xbox as CEO in February, “the price we paid for console storage components was over 2x as high as we paid last fall.”

If that wasn’t already bad enough, Sharma has stated that those costs have “since doubled again”, and that by the 2027 holiday season, Xbox is expecting “another significant increase, taking us over 5x the prices we paid only two years earlier”. Sharma also notes that “Memory costs have followed a broadly similar trajectory.”

This obviously puts a large spanner in the works for any future releases from Microsoft’s not least the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console that should be available in November 2026.

We initially predicted a $749 price tag for this limited edition Xbox Series X model based on the price of the standard 1TB Series X at $649.99 and the 2TB Galaxy Black edition at $799.99.

However, Sharma’s recent comments imply we may see an even higher price than initially predicted. The extent to which this price could increase from the potential $749 price tag is, of course, unknown, not least because Microsoft is remaining coy on an official price thus far.

Sharma has recently teased some “radically different business models” as a means of overcoming the difficult market conditions Microsoft’s gaming division finds itself in, which has brought into question the potential revival of Project Keystone, Microsoft’s abandoned cloud gaming streaming stick.

She has also previously noted that the price of the upcoming Xbox Project Helix console would be impacted by the memory crisis, so these new comments reiterate how long-term current issues are likely to be.

Up next: Xbox CEO admits Microsoft hasn’t done enough to ‘compete and win’ in candid new memo

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🤔 Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty released a candid memo, “Next 100 Days: XBOX Reset,” acknowledging both recent progress and significant long-term challenges

• 📈 The gaming division faces a severe hardware component crisis, with soaring costs and supply shortages limiting console production capacity

• 💰 Over-expansion and insufficient funding for key franchises have hindered Xbox’s competitiveness, necessitating a strategic reassessment of investments

• 👉 To drive future success, Xbox plans to streamline operations, rebuild its platform infrastructure, and refocus on exclusives, while signaling potential upcoming layoffs

After a successful Xbox Games Showcase, fan-pleasing decisions, and the reveal of a gorgeous Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition, the future of Microsoft’s gaming division was looking brighter than it’s been in years.

However, as we’ve come to expect with Xbox in recent years, the feel-good spirit it generated has all but been wiped out today, as new CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty released a candid memo to staff, which has been published on Xbox Wire.

Titled ‘Next 100 Days: XBOX Reset’, the memo highlights the positive changes that have been made, but also the stark realities the gaming division is facing over the next few months and years.

“Our platform teams have already shipped more updates in the last 100 days than during the prior year combined. We now have more active partners on XBOX than ever before. Our Game Pass team set to work fixing our offering and after 8+ months of decline, our service has started to grow again. And through Player Voice, we have a 24/7 channel to hear directly from players, creators, and developers,” the memo reads.

“These results are early, but they demonstrate what is possible when we move faster, stay close to our community, and align behind a shared vision. We have made mistakes, and will continue to make them, but what matters is that we listen, learn, and adjust the course where needed. Remember, our fans are rooting for us.”

The component crisis

The memo outlines the difficulties Microsoft and other gaming companies are facing, including an insight into how the hardware component crisis is affecting Xbox.

“We are in a hardware component crisis. When I joined as CEO in February, the price we paid for console storage components was over 2x as high as we paid last fall. These costs have since doubled again. And as we plan for the 2027 holiday season, we expect another significant increase, taking us over 5x the prices we paid only two years earlier. Memory costs have followed a broadly similar trajectory. While the entire industry is facing a components crisis, we believe we have been impacted more greatly than many of our peers due to the choices we made over the last half decade. We are currently unable to make as many consoles as players want to buy, and we need a new business model and partnerships for hardware as we remain committed to [Xbox Project] Helix.”

A renewed focus on Xbox IP

Sharma and Booty also explain why Xbox is returning to exclusives, how the wave of studio acquisitions have over extended the team, and that a lack of investment has led to several games falling short of expectations.

“We expanded our studio system when we needed a pipeline of content to meet multiple strategies across subscription, streaming, and devices. In the process, we have found ourselves over extended as we executed on changing strategies in a landscape of more readily available content. We are the fortunate stewards of industry-defining franchises that have enormous potential and player demand, but we have not adequately funded them to compete and win. At the same time, as we saw this past weekend at Showcase, a reliable pipeline of first- and third-party exclusives and new IP are critical to our success. We need to reassess the balance between these and our investment priorities for the next 5 years.”

Layoffs loom ahead

Unfortunately, the memo hints at future layoffs, as the Xbox division shifts its priorities and focus.

“Our current platform infrastructure is not built for the battle ahead. Our systems are overly complex, spanning hundreds of dependencies, which hinders our ability to move fast. We’ve become too reliant on vendors to operate our systems and must become more self-reliant as an engineering culture to build for the future. We must increase the value we ship to players while decreasing the time it takes to do so. Going forward, we’ll evolve and rebuild our stack and look at capabilities across all of XBOX and potential M&A to help us win in hardware, PC, mobile, and streaming.

“For some of you, these realities will be surprising and even frustrating to discover. We won’t succeed by hiding hard truths, nor will we succeed by doing the same thing and expecting different results. Like the ‘everyday wins’ mentality from the first 100 days, we will sprint to make progress against hardware, content, experience, and services together.”

While some will see the memo as a grim reality check, the transparency provided to Xbox fans is refreshing. Sharma has been surprisingly honest so far, and being honest about Xbox’s failings and how it wants to improve will only help the brand return to a position of strength.

Up next: Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition pre-orders will be protected from scalpers, as Microsoft says ‘it’s top of mind’

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🤔 New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has teased “radically different business models” may be needed for Xbox to overcome the horrible current market conditions

• 💰 People think this could mean more affordable consoles, or a different approach to getting Xbox hardware into people’s hands

• 🎮 It could see the revival of Project Keystone, Microsoft’s affordable Xbox game streaming stick

• 😬 Sharma had previously said Project Helix, Microsoft’s upcoming hybrid console, would be affected by the current memory crisis

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has hinted that Xbox may need “radically different business models” to navigate the brutal market conditions Microsoft’s gaming division is facing.

People are already speculating about what that could mean, whether that’s more affordable hardware to entirely new ways of getting Xbox devices into players’ hands. Some even think it could lead to a revival of Project Keystone, Microsoft’s long-shelved Xbox game-streaming stick.

Sharma’s comments follow her recent interview with Fortune, where she suggested that Xbox may need to rethink the traditional console model to stay competitive. She also noted that Project Helix, Microsoft’s upcoming next-gen hybrid console, has been affected by the ongoing memory crisis impacting the industry.

Sharma said the Xbox hardware division is “in a crisis”, due to the exponential rise in component and manufacturing costs compared to previous generations. Typically, console costs fall over time, and Sharma noted that at this point in the lifecycle, hardware is usually “about 50% usually expect to see consoles come down in price over their life cycle – by her admissions, costs are usually “about 50 percent of the [launch] cost”. Instead, Xbox hardware costs are currently “2.75x” higher.

That reality has pushed Microsoft to explore new approaches to reduce the impact on consumers, including ways to optimize the cost of building the console itself.

More interestingly, Sharma said Microsoft has been developing “different plans” to let more people “participate in the console”. That’s as far as she went, though looking to the past, Microsoft has tried different approaches in the past.

The Xbox All Access program allowed users in select regions to rent-to-own an Xbox Series X or S by paying a monthly fee for two years with no upfront cost, and it came bundled with an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Xbox All Access was killed in mid-2024, but it may be a more ‘affordable’ means of getting Xbox consoles into the hands of users today.

Sharma’s reference to “radically different business models” that Microsoft “never expected” seems to hint at more affordable consoles. One possibility could be a lower-power console that offloads some processing to the cloud.

Microsoft had a similar idea for a streaming-based console or stick with Project Keystone, which was mothballed back in October 2022.

The plan was to have a small, almost Amazon Fire Stick-like device that could access Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service with a Game Pass subscription to provide access to AAA games without an expensive console.

Whether Project Keystone or another derivative may see the light of day is anyone’s guess, but it’s refreshing to see Microsoft potentially cater to the more affordable end of the market, especially when prices are only going up.

Sharma had previously noted that the price of Project Helix, the next-gen Xbox, would be impacted by the memory crisis.

And it isn’t just Microsoft that has been affected by the current horrible market conditions, either. Sony cited “continued pressures in the global economic landscape” for its recent hefty PS5 price rise. Likewise, even Nintendo has decided to raise Switch 2 prices by $50 in September.

Up next: Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition pre-orders will be protected from scalpers, as Microsoft says ‘it’s top of mind’

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.