Most gaming fanatics consider the Sony PlayStation to be THE ever-dominant gaming console that cannot be de-throned. However, Microsoft has been trying its best since 2001 to convince everyone that its Xbox console is the real deal. From the early years of the specs wars to the present-day scenario of securing exclusive titles by swallowing prominent game studios, the Xbox has written a glorious chapter in the history of gaming consoles.
Ever since its introduction in 2001, Microsoft’s Xbox has always been seen as a PlayStation alternative relying on Windows PC architecture. While that was first viewed as a desperate attempt to take on Sony and Nintendo’s empires, the advanced PC-based architecture allowed Microsoft to innovate with features that none of its rivals could fathom. Be it Kinect or the Game Pass, Microsoft has never shied away from trying to enhance the user experience.
Hence, as Microsoft revamps its current-gen Xbox models and prepares us for the next-gen consoles slated to arrive by 2028, wouldn’t it be great if we took a stroll down memory lane and explored all the Xbox gaming consoles in their chronological order of release? From the very first Xbox to the latest updates released for the Series X and Series S, here is our list of all the Xbox consoles in order of their release timelines.
Fun fact: The name Xbox is derived from ‘DirectX box’. For the uninitiated, DirectX is an application programming interface (API) on Windows that facilitates passing instructions from games and multimedia software to the hardware.
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All Xbox consoles in order of release
Xbox (first generation)
Released in: November 2001
Units sold: Over 24 million
The first generation of Xbox paved the way for Microsoft to establish its presence in the console industry and give strong competition to Sony’s PS2. Relying on its Xbox Live online service (that gained a reputation for being reliable) and the video game Halo, the original Xbox launched with a bang. Microsoft even managed to bring The Rock on stage to endorse the console! Bill Gates surely knew how to sell a product.
As mentioned above, the first Xbox was essentially based on the PC architecture. It featured an Intel Pentium 3 processor, an Nvidia NV2A GPU, 64MB RAM, 8GB HDD and an optical CD/DVD drive. The operating system was also based on Windows though Microsoft provided a cool user interface to lure players. While the console’s ‘X-themed’ design drew attention, it was the Xbox controller (with an ergonomic layout) that impressed most gamers.
Although Microsoft couldn’t compete with Sony’s PS2 sales figures (to be fair, no other console could), it had gotten off to a great start.
Xbox 360
Released in: November 2005
Units sold in this generation: Over 85 million
The Xbox 360 is, without question, one of the most controversial consoles in history. However, it was also popular among gamers as a console that took gaming to the next level.
Released in 2005, the Xbox 360 featured a refined and sleek design. In addition, the Xbox controller was vastly refined in terms of ergonomics and proved that Microsoft was capable of designing great hardware. A new Microsoft XCPU processor along with an ATI graphics card, 512MB GDDR3 RAM, 250GB HDD and a 12x DVD drive gave the Xbox 360 a major boost in performance over its predecessor. The new specs ensured that exclusive titles like Halo 3, Gears of War and Dead Rising were able to take advantage of the latest advancements in video game tech. An improved Xbox Live service, along with the Kinect controller, opened new possibilities for developers and players.
Sadly, the console was riddled with issues as well, most notably the Red Ring of Death which gave it its controversial status. Moreover, the Kinect sensor didn’t see as many takers as Microsoft had hoped for.
Xbox 360 S
Released in: June 2010
The Xbox 360 S was released as a mid-life update to the Xbox 360 that essentially brought a couple of tweaks to keep the console relevant and fresh.
While the 360 S didn’t get any notable performance upgrades over the original model, Microsoft reduced its bulk to make it thinner and lighter. The cooling system was more silent than before and a built-in Wi-Fi module made it easy to connect to Xbox Live. Microsoft also included five USB 2.0 ports for wider compatibility with accessories and storage drives as well as an HDMI port for compatibility with HD TVs. Finally, the software was refined and optimised to deliver a more reliable user experience.
Xbox 360 E
Released in: June 2013
The Xbox 360 E was sort of a last hurrah for the Xbox 360 generation of consoles as it paved the way for the next-gen Xbox One. With the 360 E, Microsoft’s goal was to make it a tempting option for those seeking a gaming console at a lower-than-usual price. It retained all the improvements made to the Xbox 360 S like in-built Wi-Fi, a slimmer design and multiple USB 2.0 ports.
The lower price meant that users had to be content with lower onboard storage and those with huge gaming libraries needed to invest in removable HDD. In terms of functionality, the Xbox 360 E was able to do everything that its predecessor did. Sadly, the arrival of the next-gen Xbox One and more demanding video games made it irrelevant to the gaming community.
Xbox One
Released in: November 2013
Units sold in this generation: 58.5 million
The Xbox One heralded a new generation of gaming consoles that focused on being a better ‘all-in-one’ entertainment centre. Hence, the name Xbox One.
The Xbox One was cutting-edge as far as its features were concerned. It came with a Blu-ray disc drive as well as DVR functionality, which was supposed to appeal to consumers seeking a powerful home entertainment system. It also featured the ability to stream content from online libraries and offered access to a vast collection of video games. The Kinect 2.0 sensor motion tracking camera was at the centre of the Xbox One’s user experience, though it was poorly received by consumers. The Xbox controller also received a refreshed design that vastly improved the ergonomics – a design that is still relevant with the current-gen Series X and Series S controllers.
While the new AMD 8-core CPU and a custom GPU promised superior performance, its higher price drove potential customers towards the Sony PS4.
Xbox One S
Released in: August 2016
The Xbox One S was a mid-life refresh of the original Xbox One and ended up being a popular choice among consumers shopping for an all-in-one modern home entertainment system. Microsoft also gave it a slight boost in terms of GPU performance to accommodate for 4K streaming from popular OTT platforms. Additionally, the Blu-ray disc drive was made compatible with 4K content, thereby making it a sweeter deal than its predecessor.
As far as gaming was concerned, the Xbox One S could now upscale new titles to 4K (read upscale, not native 4K). The slimmer chassis along with the new design also aided in superior ventilation. In addition, the console supported HDR (High Dynamic Range) output when connected to compatible TVs. The matte white colourway made it a lot more desirable than any other console of its time, especially since Microsoft colour-matched the controller too!
Upon the release of the Xbox One X, the Xbox One S continued to sell as a low-cost alternative with one major change – it lacked a disc drive.
Xbox One X
Released in: November 2017
Microsoft’s answer to the Sony PS4 Pro was the massively upgraded Xbox One X console.
Marketed as the true 4K gaming console, the Xbox One X rose to fame for being able to play games in 4K resolution and 60 fps. This was made possible by a custom-made 2.3 GHz 8-core AMD CPU and 12GB of GDDR5 RAM which, along with the beefed-up AMD GPU, meant games could load better textures faster. The 2TB HDD provided a lot of storage space for larger video games like Grand Theft Auto 5. The backward compatibility was a compelling factor for many to try the Xbox One X, as was the arrival of the desirable white colourway.
Xbox Series X
Released in: November 2020
Units sold: 28 million units (Series X and Series S combined until February 2024)
The Xbox Series X is heralded as the most powerful gaming console of its generation, surpassing the Sony PS5 in terms of raw computing capability. With a custom AMD Zen 2 AMD CPU clocked at 3.8 GHz, an AMD RDNA 2 GPU, 16GB GDDR6 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, the Series X promises to run games in 4K resolution at 120 fps with compatible TVs. It can even support 8K displays!
While the Series X retains a 4K Blu-ray disc drive, it built the core user experience around the Xbox Game Pass subscription – a monthly subscription service which gave users access to the latest exclusive games. In addition, the SSD drive allows for quick loading time and the new Xbox Velocity Architecture brings the Quick Resume feature – one that lets you resume your game from the exact point where you left it, even without saving! Not to mention, the presence of ray tracing makes developers offer beautiful gaming experiences on this console. An additional expansion card slot lets players expand storage by another 1TB.
The Xbox Wireless controller also got a minor upgrade in this generation with the addition of a new Share button. Microsoft later released a premium Xbox Elite Wireless controller with adjustable triggers and thumbsticks.
Xbox Series S
Released in: November 2020
The Xbox Series S was released alongside the Series X console as a more affordable alternative. It was essentially a successor to the Xbox One S but with performance upgrades.
Microsoft managed to deliver most of the perks of the Series X in the Series S for less than half its price. However, the cost-cutting meant that the Series S could only support 1440p output via its HDMI port. There was no Blu-ray disc drive and the onboard SSD storage was limited to 512GB. A lower-powered GPU along with a custom AMD Zen 2 CPU could only produce 4 TFLOPS of power. Unlike the all-black Series X, the Series S paid homage to the Xbox One S’ home centre design, especially with the large fan vent on the top.
Despite the lower performance ceiling, Microsoft was able to deliver a good overall experience with the release titles. The Series S was usually perceived as having better value for money and combined with the silicon shortage induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, it ended up selling more units than the Series X.
Xbox Series S Carbon Black 1TB
Released in: September 2023
Despite the good sales figures for the Series S console, Microsoft wanted to address one notable concern with a mid-life fix – its low storage. Hence, in September 2023, Microsoft announced an updated version of the Xbox Series S that came with 1TB SSD and a slight price markup. To make its presence felt, they released it in a familiar black colourway along with a complementing Xbox Wireless Controller. All the other specifications and features remained unchanged.
Xbox Series X All Digital Edition
Released in: June 2024
Four years after its release, the Xbox Series X received a new variant with a slightly lower price tag. The Xbox Series X All Digital Edition ditches the 4K Blu-ray drive completely while retaining the powerful specifications of the outgoing model, including the 1TB SSD storage. To differentiate it from the original Series X, Microsoft offers it in the same white colourway as the Xbox Series S. The Xbox Wireless Controller, as a result, also comes in a white colourway as standard. As mentioned above, the CPU, GPU and software aspects remain unchanged.
Microsoft also updated the Xbox Series S 1TB by limiting it to the older white colour variant.
Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Special Edition
Released in: 2024
For those who still prefer having a 4K Blu-ray disc drive, they can choose the Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Special Edition. Other than a mouthful name, this special edition Xbox Series X comes in a unique colourway resembling the beauty of a night sky – a sparkling effect against a black background. Microsoft also upgraded the internal storage to 2TB and painted the stand in the classic Xbox green accent. The Xbox Wireless Controller also gains a dual-tone, black and green colour combo to spice up the mood. The CPU and GPU aspects remain unchanged though.
Next-gen Xbox console
Coming in: 2028
Courtesy of Microsoft’s internal documents being leaked during its Activision-Blizzard episode, we got confirmation of the next-gen Xbox console. The successor to the Series X will be based on either an ARM64 CPU or an upgraded AMD Zen 6 CPU architecture. Additionally, an AMD RDNA 5 GPU will allow for flawless next-gen Directx ray tracing. Rumours also hint at a new Neural Processing Unit that could take advantage of Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI to boost performance and experiences in video games.
There’s also the possibility of a handheld Xbox gaming console being in the works to take on the Nintendo Switch and its successor.
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(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Microsoft)
