More so than any other console platform out there, Xbox is never one to turn down celebrating a special occasion through the release of some limited-edition accessories. That’s why it came as no surprise last Thursday to see them back at it again, this time to commemorate it being 20 years since the original Xbox launched with the reveal of all-new green and translucent hardware.
The news was published over on the official Xbox News Wire, where Xbox senior product marketing manager Jessica Tsujikawa explained the company’s thinking behind both the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller and 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Stereo Headset. “Sleek and Sentimental – all in one package,” she called them. “We were inspired by our favourite memories together from the last 20 years and created not one, but two unique accessories to commemorate this milestone.”
Both devices will be released on November 15th, the day the original Xbox console first launched two decades ago in North America. Touting a gorgeously slick translucent design with minor Xbox green accents on both the front and back, their design is clearly harks back to the days when manufacturers wanted you to see a console’s internals. The green Xbox button in the centre on the Wireless Controller also sets in a strong nostalgia vibe, while a classy 20th anniversary logo to the side of the right analogue stick is another subtle but appreciated touch.
The 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Stereo Headset, meanwhile, also makes use of a classic green-and-black visual style. This time the new logo is situated on the left-side earcup, while the microphone grabs the eye with a luminous green tip. The high-quality sound quality and chat audio of course remains, but now you can enjoy both while chatting in-game with friends in nostalgic style.
This is purely an aesthetic update for the Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Stereo Headset; quality and design-wise both pieces of gear feel and handle exactly the same. However, the News Wire post did also make known that any player that picked either of these up would also receive an exclusive 20th Anniversary Xbox theme for their console.
Should you choose, you can even bring either accessory to a friend to “gift them this dynamic background as well,” Tsujikawa explained. Though this theme will disappear if it is ever replaced.
Both the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller and 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox Stereo Headset are already up for pre-order ahead of release on November 15th. Do you plan on picking them up? You can find the lowest available price below:
