Pre-orders are now open for what many consider the most visually striking Xbox controller Microsoft has ever produced, and locking one in early is your best defense against scalpers. The Xbox Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition, a translucent ‘OG Green’ gamepad built to celebrate the console maker’s 25th anniversary, is available right now through Amazon.
The controller retails for $79.00, a fraction of the cost of the matching Xbox Series X25 console it pays homage to. Here’s everything you need to know about the design, the anniversary details, and why you should move quickly if you want one at the standard retail price.
An ode to Xbox’s 25th anniversary
Microsoft unveiled the Xbox Series X25 console earlier this year as the centerpiece for the brand’s silver jubilee. The console itself is a gorgeous refresh, but at $899.99 it’s a serious investment for people who already own an Xbox Series X. The X25 Special Edition controller offers a way to join the celebration without replacing working hardware.
The standout feature is the translucent shell, marketed as ‘OG Green,’ which exposes the internal components of the gamepad. That design choice is deliberate nostalgia bait: fans have long campaigned for a green Xbox controller, and this is Microsoft finally delivering on that long-running request.
Smaller details reinforce the throwback theme. The ABXY buttons are colored to match the original Xbox controller, and the bumpers use a black-and-white scheme reminiscent of the infamous ‘Duke’ launch pad that shipped with the very first console. The black Xbox button glows green, echoing the early days of the brand, while a see-through rear panel displays the classic XBOX logo.
What you get for $79
At its $79.00 price tag, the X25 Special Edition sits at the standard retail point for premium Xbox Wireless Controllers, so you aren’t paying a premium just for the anniversary styling. You’re getting the full functionality of a current-generation Xbox controller dressed in collectible cosmetics.
The special edition is cosmetic first, but for collectors that distinction matters. It’s the kind of detail that separates a $79 controller from a $200 resale, which is exactly why the launch price is worth protecting while it lasts.
Why preordering matters right now
As with most anniversary and collectible hardware, expect scalpers to sweep up a large share of the initial stock. Limited-run themed controllers tend to disappear fast and reappear on secondary markets at inflated prices, so the window to buy at the $79.00 retail price is likely narrow.
Locking in a pre-order now is the most reliable way to guarantee you pay face value rather than whatever the resale market settles on. If you’ve been eyeing this controller, treating the pre-order as a firm commitment is the pragmatic move.
How to get it
Pre-orders are live on Amazon for the Xbox Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition at the $79.00 price point. The listing carries the ASIN B0H6KT7BDP, which you can use to verify you’re looking at the correct product if you search elsewhere.
Because it’s a themed release tied to the 25th anniversary, availability may be limited compared to standard-color controllers. Placing your order as soon as possible, rather than waiting to compare prices, is advisable given the scalper risk.
What this means for you
For everyday gamers, the Xbox X25 controller is a legitimate way to celebrate Xbox’s quarter-century milestone without spending nearly $900 on a new console. For collectors, it’s one of the most visually distinctive Xbox controllers to ship in recent memory, and buying at retail now protects you from resale markups.
Whether you’re playing titles announced at the Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026 or games converted through the Xbox disc-to-digital program, this controller is built to pair with current Xbox and PC gaming. The question is simply whether you want one at the $79.00 launch price before scalpers drive it up.
Source: Latest from Windows Central
Over to you: Would you grab the Xbox X25 Special Edition at $79 now, or wait and risk paying scalper prices later?
You may also like
Dutch Tax Authority Plans to Move Off Microsoft 365 Toward Open Source
Windows 11 Market Share Hits 71.5% as Windows 10 Security Costs Double
US Tech Jobs Fall in September as Rising Costs and Economic Instability Squeeze the Market
Microsoft to Block More Outlook Email Attachments in New Outlook and Web
