Leaked pricing details have confirmed what many Xbox fans suspected: Microsoft's 25th anniversary translucent green Xbox Series X will carry a premium price tag of $899.99. The information comes from reliable leaker billbil-kun via Dealabs, who previously uncovered accurate details on the anniversary controller's October 20 release date. This special edition console arrives nearly a quarter-century after the original Xbox launched, sporting a see-through green shell that directly evokes the system that started Microsoft's gaming journey in 2001.
Quick Facts
| Publisher | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | Xbox Series X |
| Release Date | November 27 |
| Price | $899.99 |
The November 27 launch date aligns perfectly with Black Friday week, positioning the console as a high-end holiday gift option. For players who have followed Xbox since the Duke controller era, this release represents more than just a cosmetic variant — it's a tangible piece of brand history. The translucent design is reminiscent of the original Xbox console launched a quarter of a century ago, but at nearly $900, Microsoft is testing whether nostalgia commands the same premium as advanced hardware.
Microsoft's Mega-Priced 25th Anniversary Xbox
The leak shows the 25‑year Xbox Series X will carry a European price of €899.99, which converts straight to $899.99 in the U.S. market. That amount matches what Sony charged for the PlayStation 5 Pro, putting Microsoft’s anniversary model right up against Sony’s mid‑generation upgrade. The catch? It offers none of the extra horsepower that the Pro brought, so the new console is essentially the same as the standard Series X in performance. The bundle comes with
Notably, the console releases over a month after the standalone controller hits shelves. This staggered approach suggests Microsoft wants to capture early accessory sales from existing Series X owners before the full bundle arrives. The €899.99 figure represents roughly €100 more than the current standard Xbox Series X with disc drive, a gap that has narrowed following recent price increases across the console market.
The $899.99 Xbox That Nobody Asked For
If accurate, this pricing signals Microsoft's confidence in the collector's market. The translucent green shell and anniversary branding target long-time fans willing to pay a premium for design heritage rather than technical advancement. At the same price as a PlayStation 5 Pro — which delivers genuine hardware upgrades — the value proposition rests entirely on aesthetics and emotional resonance with the brand's history.
The Black Friday timing is no accident. Releasing during peak holiday shopping maximizes visibility when consumers are actively hunting for premium gifts. But the late November date also means limited stock could create artificial scarcity, driving secondary market prices even higher. For average players, the standard Series X remains the rational purchase; this edition exists for enthusiasts who view the console as a display piece as much as a gaming machine.
The collector's tax: $899.99 for plastic nostalgia
Billbil-kun's track record on Dealabs lends credibility to this leak — the same source accurately predicted the October 20 controller launch date before it appeared in official channels. Microsoft is expected to make its special edition 25th anniversary Xbox Series X pricing and availability official next week at Gamescom, and the leaker indicates an official announcement is expected at next week's show in Cologne. The company has not commented on the leak, maintaining its typical silence on unconfirmed product details.
This pricing also reflects broader industry trends. Nintendo recently confirmed the new U.K. pricing for Switch 2, which will rise in cost within the U.S. and Europe from September 1. Console manufacturers face mounting component expenses with no corresponding performance leap to justify them to mainstream buyers. Special editions like this translucent Series X absorb those cost increases while targeting a niche willing to pay above the baseline.
Official confirmation should arrive within days at Gamescom, where Microsoft typically uses the European showcase for hardware announcements. Until then, the $899.99 figure remains unconfirmed — though the leaker's history and the logical Black Friday alignment make it highly plausible. Players interested in the anniversary console should prepare for pre-order competition; limited-run hardware at this price point tends to sell through quickly regardless of value debates. The real question isn't whether it will sell out, but whether the translucent green shell delivers enough nostalgia to justify the $100 premium over the standard model sitting on store shelves right now.
