Xbox Consoles: Complete Release Date History

Xbox has become a household name since its debut in 2001, evolving from a newcomer to a major player in the gaming industry. Microsoft's commitment to innovation has led to a series of consoles that have not only pushed the boundaries of gaming but also expanded into multimedia and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. As we reach the midpoint of the current console generation, it's an ideal time to explore the rich history of Xbox consoles.

How Many Xbox Consoles Have There Been?

In total, there have been nine Xbox consoles released across four generations. Since the first Xbox hit the market in 2001, Microsoft has consistently introduced new models, each with enhanced hardware, innovative controllers, and other improvements. This count includes console revisions, which are updated versions with better cooling systems and faster performance.

Latest Budget Option### Xbox Series S (512GB - Robot White)

1See it at AmazonEvery Xbox Console in Order of Release

Xbox - November 15, 2001

Launched in November 2001, the original Xbox entered the market to compete with the Nintendo GameCube and Sony PlayStation 2. As Microsoft's first foray into gaming consoles, it marked the beginning of the Xbox brand. The launch title, Halo: Combat Evolved, became a pivotal success, helping Xbox carve out a significant share of the console market. Both Halo and Xbox have since built a legacy spanning over two decades, with many original Xbox games still celebrated today.

Xbox 360 - November 22, 2005

Microsoft's second console, the Xbox 360, was released to a market already familiar with the Xbox brand. It emphasized multiplayer gaming and introduced several innovations, including the Kinect motion-sensing accessory. The Xbox 360 became the best-selling Xbox console to date, with over 84 million units sold, and its games continue to be relevant in the gaming community.

Xbox 360 S - June 18, 2010

Image Credit: iFixitThe Xbox 360 S introduced a sleeker design and addressed the notorious overheating issues of the original model, known as the "Red Ring of Death." With a revamped cooling system and increased hard drive space up to 320GB, the 360 S was a significant improvement.

Xbox 360 E - June 10, 2013

Image Credit: iFixitThe Xbox 360 E, released just before the Xbox One, featured a design that aligned with the upcoming console's aesthetics. It was the last Xbox model with a pop-out disc drive, marking a transition in console design.

Xbox One - November 22, 2013

Image Credit: iFixitThe Xbox One marked the beginning of Microsoft's third console generation, offering increased power and new applications. It launched with the Kinect 2.0 and a redesigned controller, which has remained largely unchanged in subsequent models.

Xbox One S - August 2, 2016

With the Xbox One S, Microsoft introduced 4K support and a 4K Blu-ray player, transforming the console into a comprehensive entertainment system. The console was 40% smaller than its predecessor, making it more compact and stylish.

Xbox One X - November 7, 2017

As the final model in the Xbox One line, the Xbox One X offered true 4K gaming. Its GPU performance was 31% higher than the standard Xbox One, and it improved gameplay on numerous titles.

Xbox Series X - November 10, 2020

Revealed at The Game Awards 2019, the Xbox Series X supports up to 120 frames-per-second, Dolby Vision, and features like Quick Resume for seamless game switching. It remains Microsoft's flagship console, with a range of top-tier games available.

Xbox Series S - November 10, 2020

Launched alongside the Series X, the Xbox Series S offers a more affordable entry into the Xbox ecosystem. As a digital-only console, it lacks a disc drive but provides up to 1440p resolution and 512GB of storage. A 1TB model was released in 2023 to offer more storage options.

Future Xbox Consoles