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With over two decades of successes and stumbles, Microsoft has five decades of Xbox console generations available, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Innovations like Xbox Live, the Kinect, and compelling new IP helped it compete with rival consoles from Sony and Nintendo.
While the new Series X and Series S aren’t selling as fast as the PS5, they still command a sizable user base.
From innovations to tech misfires and pro-consumer moves, here are all the Xbox consoles in order.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft’s first Xbox was launched in 2001. The tech giant has since released nine consoles across four generations, the latest being the Xbox Series X and S.
- The Xbox 360 was Microsoft’s most popular console, selling over 84 million units over its lifetime.
- The Xbox One was criticized for its focus on media consumption but was a notable upgrade over the Xbox 360.
- The mid-gen Xbox One X featured native 4K support and enhanced performance.
- Today, the Xbox Series X and Series S provide players with options at multiple price points.
List of Xbox Consoles in Order
So far, Microsoft has released nine Xbox consoles across four generations. Note that we’ve also included console revisions that were minor iterations of existing consoles.
Here are all the Xbox consoles in order:
- Xbox (November 15, 2001)
- Xbox 360 (November 22, 2005)
- Xbox 360 Elite (April 29, 2007)
- Xbox 360 Arcade (October 22, 2007)
- Xbox 360 S (June 18, 2010)
- Xbox 360 E (June 10, 2013)
- Xbox One (November 22, 2013)
- Xbox One S (August 2, 2016)
- Xbox One X (November 7, 2017)
- Xbox Series S (November 10, 2020)
- Xbox Series X (November 10, 2020)
- Xbox Series S 1TB (September 1, 2020)
- Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black (October 15, 2024)
Xbox Consoles Timeline
Read on for a deep dive into every Xbox console that Microsoft released, starting from the classic Xbox in 2001 to the Xbox Series X and Series S in 2020.
Xbox (2001)
Microsoft’s first Xbox launched to compete with Sony’s PlayStation 2 and Nintendo’s GameCube. Notable for its debut title, Halo: Combat Evolved, the Xbox established its brand with impressive visuals and gameplay. Its bulky Duke controller later slimmed into the Xbox S Controller, contrasted with Sony’s sleeker DualShock 2. The console featured hits like Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and Project Gotham Racing 2, along with The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to rival PS2’s JRPG library.
A year later, Xbox Live revolutionized online gaming by connecting players globally.
| Xbox | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 15, 2001 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Units Sold | 24+ million worldwide |
| Release Price | $299 |
| CPU | Intel Pentium III – 733 MHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA NV2A – 233 MHz |
| Memory | 64 MB DDR SDRAM |
| Hard Drive | 8 GB HDD |
| Optical Drive | CD Rom/DVD Rom |
Xbox 360 (2005)
The Xbox 360 solidified Microsoft’s position in gaming despite initial issues like the infamous Red Ring of Death (RRoD), which the company addressed promptly. Priced at $399, it outpaced Sony’s $599 PlayStation 3 and launched with hits like Call of Duty 2 and Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The console later featured celebrated exclusives like Gears of War 3 and Fable 2.
Its redesigned controller set a new standard for gamepads, while innovations like the Kinect and Xbox Live Arcade enhanced the gaming experience. The Kinect became a record-breaking device, and Xbox Live Arcade delivered memorable titles such as Pac-Man Championship Edition and Castle Crashers.
| Xbox 360 | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 22, 2005 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Units Sold | 84+ million worldwide |
| Release Price | $399 |
| CPU | PowerPC tri-core Xenon – 3.2 Ghz |
| GPU | R500 Xenos chip (ATI/AMD) – 500 MHz |
| Memory | 512 MB GDDR3 RAM |
| Hard Drive | 20 – 120 GB HDD |
| Optical Drive | DVD |
Xbox 360 S (2010)
The Xbox 360 S introduced a compact, glossy design with an improved cooling system that eliminated the Red Ring of Death issue. Variants with up to 320 GB of storage allowed for more installed games, and a touch-sensitive power button added a modern touch. The console also featured a smaller power brick, making it more appealing to new buyers and those previously wary of hardware failures.
| Xbox 360 S | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 14, 2010 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Units Sold | 84+ million worldwide |
| Release Price | $299 |
| CPU | Custom tri-core XCGPU – 3.2 Ghz |
| GPU | Custom XCGPU |
| Memory | 512 MB GDDR3 RAM |
| Hard Drive | 4 – 320 GB HDD |
| Optical Drive | DVD |
Xbox 360 E (2013)
The Xbox 360 E acted as a transitional console between the aging Xbox 360 and the upcoming Xbox One. Featuring a redesigned look and exclusive HDMI support, it catered to players hesitant to adopt the Xbox One due to its high price and initial always-online requirement. As the last Xbox with a tray-style disc drive, it marked the end of an era before newer hardware embraced fully internal mechanisms.
| Xbox 360 E | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 10, 2013 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Units Sold | 84+ million worldwide |
| Release Price | $199 |
| CPU | Custom tri-core XCGPU – 3.2 Ghz |
| GPU | Custom XCGPU |
| Memory | 512 MB GDDR3 RAM |
| Hard Drive | 4 – 250 GB HDD |
| Optical Drive | HD DVD |
Xbox One (2013)
Released on November 22, 2013, the Xbox One aimed to redefine entertainment but struggled against its competition. Its $499 price, bundled with Kinect, made it less appealing than the $399 PlayStation 4, especially with weaker launch titles. However, the console delivered a significant performance boost over the Xbox 360 and hosted standout games like Halo 5: Guardians, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Forza Motorsport 5.
In 2015, backward compatibility added value, allowing select Xbox 360 games to run with improved resolution and frame rates.
| Xbox One | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 22, 2013 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Units Sold | 58+ million approx. worldwide |
| Release Price | $499 with Kinect, $399 non-Kinect |
| CPU | AMD Octa-Core APU – 1.75 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon GCN – 853 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR3 RAM |
| Hard Drive | 500 GB – 1 TB HDD |
| Optical Drive | Blu-Ray/DVD |
Xbox One S (2016)
Released three years after the Xbox One, the Xbox One S introduced 4K output support and doubled as a 4K Blu-ray player, appealing to media enthusiasts. Games were upscaled to 4K, making it a great option for gamers with 4K TVs. The redesign reduced its size by 40%, giving it a sleeker appearance, while a price drop made it a more competitive alternative to the PlayStation 4.
| Xbox One S | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | August 2, 2016 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Units Sold | 58+ million approx. worldwide |
| Release Price | $299 |
| CPU | AMD Octa-Core APU – 1.75 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon GCN – 914 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR3 RAM |
| Hard Drive | 500 GB – 2 TB HDD |
| Optical Drive | None (all-digital) |
Xbox One X (2017)
The Xbox One X delivered a major performance boost with a GPU over 30% faster than the base Xbox One and an improved cooling system. It offered true 4K support, enhancing games like Halo 5: Guardians and Forza Horizon 4, along with third-party titles. Released three days before Sony’s PS4 Pro, it provided a competitive edge, despite a shorter lifespan compared to the original Xbox One.
| Xbox One X | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 7, 2017 |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Units Sold | 58+ million approx. worldwide |
| Release Price | $499 |
| CPU | AMD Octa-Core APU – 2.3 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon GCN – 1.172 GHz |
| Memory | 12 GB DDR5 RAM |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB HDD |
| Optical Drive | UHD Blu-Ray/DVD |
Xbox Series X (2020)
The Xbox Series X, Microsoft’s most powerful console, delivers top-tier performance with 60 FPS and 120 FPS support for modern titles. Its bulky black tower design reflects its impressive hardware capabilities, showcasing a significant leap over the Xbox One.
Though early sales were impacted by launch shortages, improved availability has made it easier to find this gaming powerhouse. Developers initially supported the older Xbox One due to supply challenges, but next-gen exclusives like Baldur’s Gate 3, Forza Motorsport, and Alan Wake 2 now fully utilize the Series X’s advanced tech. Notable releases include the 2 TB “Galaxy Black” model and a $99.99 Xbox Mini Fridge designed to mimic the console’s shape.
| Xbox Series X | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 10, 2020 |
| Status | Available |
| Units Sold | 28.3 million approx. worldwide |
| Release Price | $499 |
| CPU | AMD Octa-Core Zen 2 – 3.8 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Custom RDNA 2 – 1.825 GHz |
| Memory | 16 GB DDR6 RAM |
| Hard Drive | 1-2 TB SSD |
| Optical Drive | UHD Blu-Ray/DVD |
Xbox Series S (2020)
Launched alongside the Series X at $299, the Xbox Series S offered an affordable next-gen option but sacrificed features like a disc drive, making it digital-only. With 512 GB of storage and 1440p output instead of 4K, it trades power for price. A 1 TB variant released in 2023 addressed storage concerns.
Despite its limitations, the Series S runs all Series X games, albeit with reduced resolution and frame rates. While games like Baldur’s Gate 3 perform better on the Series X, the Series S provides a budget-friendly way to enjoy next-gen gaming.
| Xbox Series S | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 10, 2020 |
| Status | Available |
| Units Sold | 28.3 million approx. worldwide |
| Release Price | $299 |
| CPU | AMD Octa-Core Zen 2 – 3.6 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Custom RDNA 2 – 1.55 GHz |
| Memory | 10 GB DDR6 RAM |
| Hard Drive | 512 GB – 1 TB SSD |
| Optical Drive | UHD Blu-Ray/DVD |
What Is the Best Xbox Console Ever Made?
The Xbox 360 is often considered the best Xbox console ever made due to its groundbreaking games, Xbox Live innovations, and lasting impact on the gaming industry.
While it might have stumbled at the start due to the Red Ring of Death, it offered excellent titles throughout its lifespan. New IP as well as established titles flourished on the platform. The console also capitalized on the PS3’s steep price point and its development challenges.
Xbox 360 games looked stunning for their time, making the console a compelling upgrade over the aging Xbox. Enhancements to Xbox Live accounts and the achievement system helped extend the Xbox 360’s shelf life. While its servers are no longer functional, merely mentioning the console evokes fond memories of video games for millions.
