Every Xbox Console: A Full History of Release Dates

The Xbox: A Retrospective of Nine Generations

Xbox, one of the three major console brands, has significantly impacted the gaming landscape since its 2001 debut. Initially an underdog, it's evolved into a multimedia powerhouse, encompassing TV, streaming, and the popular Xbox Game Pass subscription service. As we reach the midpoint of the current console generation, let's explore the rich history of Xbox consoles.

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The Xbox Family: A Complete Timeline

A total of nine Xbox consoles span four generations. Beginning with the original 2001 release, each iteration has introduced enhanced hardware, refined controllers, and innovative features. This count includes revised models offering improved cooling, faster processing speeds, and other enhancements.

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Every Xbox Console: A Chronological Overview

Xbox – November 15, 2001

Launched as a direct competitor to the GameCube and PlayStation 2, the original Xbox established Microsoft's presence in the console market. The launch title, Halo: Combat Evolved, proved a critical success, solidifying the Xbox brand and its enduring legacy. Many of its classic titles remain fondly remembered.

Xbox 360 – November 22, 2005

Building on its established reputation, the Xbox 360 emphasized multiplayer gaming. Microsoft introduced innovative accessories, notably the Kinect motion sensor. With over 84 million units sold, it remains the most successful Xbox console to date, and its game library continues to hold significant appeal.

Xbox 360 S – June 18, 2010

The slimmer Xbox 360 S addressed the overheating issues of its predecessor, implementing a redesigned cooling system. It also offered increased hard drive storage options (up to 320GB).

Xbox 360 E – June 10, 2013

Released shortly before the Xbox One, the Xbox 360 E featured a sleeker design, aligning with the aesthetic of the upcoming generation. It marked the last Xbox with an externally ejected disc drive.

Xbox One – November 22, 2013

Initiating Microsoft's third console generation, the Xbox One offered increased processing power and expanded application capabilities. Kinect 2.0 and a redesigned controller further enhanced the gaming experience. The controller's design remains largely influential today.

Xbox One S – August 2, 2016

The Xbox One S introduced 4K output and 4K Blu-ray playback, transforming it into a comprehensive entertainment center. Games benefited from 4K upscaling, and its compact size (40% smaller than the original Xbox One) made it more space-efficient.

Xbox One X – November 7, 2017

The Xbox One X delivered true 4K gaming, boasting a 31% GPU performance increase over the standard Xbox One. Improved cooling technology managed the increased heat output. Its enhanced performance significantly improved many existing Xbox One titles.

Xbox Series X – November 10, 2020

Revealed at The Game Awards 2019, the Xbox Series X supports 120fps, Dolby Vision, and frame rate/resolution boosting for older games. The Quick Resume feature allows seamless transitions between multiple games. It remains Microsoft's flagship console.

Xbox Series S – November 10, 2020

Launched alongside the Series X, the Xbox Series S provides a more affordable entry point to the Xbox ecosystem. As a digital-only console (no disc drive), it offers 512GB of storage and up to 1440p capabilities. A 1TB model was released in 2023.

The Future of Xbox

While specifics remain unannounced, Microsoft has confirmed development of at least two new consoles: a next-generation home console and a handheld device. Both are expected to be released in the coming years, with Microsoft promising a substantial technological advancement for its next home console.