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Every Xbox Console: A Full History of Release Dates

by Aaron Feb 20,2025

The Xbox: A Retrospective Look at Nine Generations of Consoles

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

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The Xbox Family: A Complete Lineup

A total of nine Xbox consoles span four generations. Since the original 2001 release, each iteration has showcased advancements in hardware, controllers, and overall functionality. This count includes revised models offering improved cooling, faster processing speeds, and other enhancements.

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Chronological Order of Xbox Consoles

Xbox – November 15, 2001

Microsoft's inaugural console, launched as a direct competitor to the GameCube and PlayStation 2. The launch title, Halo: Combat Evolved, proved pivotal in establishing the Xbox brand and its lasting legacy. Many of the original Xbox's best games remain fondly remembered.

Xbox 360 – November 22, 2005

Building on its established reputation, the Xbox 360 emphasized multiplayer gaming and introduced innovations in accessories, most notably the Kinect motion-sensing technology. With over 84 million units sold, it stands as the most successful Xbox console to date. Its top titles continue to resonate with players.

Xbox 360 S – June 18, 2010

Image Credit: iFixit
This slimmer iteration addressed the infamous "Red Ring of Death" issue of its predecessor through a redesigned cooling system and offered increased hard drive storage (up to 320GB).

Xbox 360 E – June 10, 2013

Image Credit: iFixit
Released shortly before the Xbox One, the Xbox 360 E featured a design aesthetic foreshadowing the next generation, with a slimmer profile and an internal disc drive.

Xbox One – November 22, 2013

Image Credit: iFixit
Initiating Microsoft's third console generation, the Xbox One offered increased power and application capabilities. It included Kinect 2.0 and a redesigned controller, a design that continues to influence subsequent controllers.

Xbox One S – August 2, 2016

The Xbox One S supported 4K output and acted as a 4K Blu-ray player, enhancing its entertainment capabilities. Games were upscaled to 4K, and its compact size made it more space-efficient.

Xbox One X – November 7, 2017

Concluding the Xbox One line, the Xbox One X delivered true 4K gaming with a significantly improved GPU and enhanced cooling. It boosted performance across numerous 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 boosts for older games. The innovative Quick Resume feature allows for seamless transitions between games.

Xbox Series S – November 10, 2020

Launched alongside the Series X, the more affordable Series S offered a digital-only experience (no disc drive) at a lower price point. Initially featuring 512GB of storage, a 1TB model was later released.

The Future of Xbox

PlayWhile specifics remain unannounced, Microsoft has confirmed development of at least two new consoles: a next-gen home console and a handheld device. Microsoft aims for a "largest technical leap" with its next home console.