Every Xbox Console: A Full History of Release Dates

This article explores the history of Xbox consoles, from its debut in 2001 to the current generation. It details the evolution of the hardware, features, and the impact of each console release.

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The Xbox Family: A Generation-by-Generation Overview

Microsoft has released a total of nine Xbox consoles across four distinct generations. Since the original Xbox's 2001 launch, each iteration has introduced advancements in hardware, controllers, and overall gaming experience. This count includes revised models with enhanced features like improved cooling and processing speeds.

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Chronological Listing of All Xbox Consoles

Xbox – November 15, 2001

The inaugural Xbox, launched in November 2001, competed directly with the Nintendo GameCube and Sony PlayStation 2. This marked Microsoft's entry into the console market, establishing the Xbox brand. The launch title, Halo: Combat Evolved, became a critical and commercial success, solidifying the Xbox's position. The legacy of both Halo and the Xbox continues to this day.

Xbox 360 – November 22, 2005

The Xbox 360, Microsoft's second console, capitalized on the established brand recognition. Known for its robust multiplayer focus, it introduced innovations in accessories, most notably Kinect, a motion-sensing input device. With over 84 million units sold, it remains the most successful Xbox console.

Xbox 360 S – June 18, 2010

The Xbox 360 S featured a slimmer profile and significant internal improvements. Addressing the infamous "Red Ring of Death" issue, it incorporated 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 boasted a design aesthetic aligning with the upcoming generation. Its slimmer, less rounded form factor and integrated disc drive distinguished it from its predecessors.

Xbox One – November 22, 2013

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

Xbox One S – August 2, 2016

The Xbox One S introduced 4K output and 4K Blu-ray playback, transforming it into a versatile entertainment hub. Games benefited from 4K upscaling, and the console's 40% smaller footprint made it more space-efficient.

Xbox One X – November 7, 2017

The Xbox One X concluded the Xbox One generation, delivering true 4K gaming. A 31% GPU performance boost over the standard Xbox One, coupled with advanced cooling, ensured smoother gameplay across numerous titles.

Xbox Series X – November 10, 2020

Revealed at The Game Awards 2019, the Xbox Series X supports 120 frames-per-second, Dolby Vision, and frame rate/resolution boosting for backward compatible titles. The innovative Quick Resume feature allows seamless transitions between games.

Xbox Series S – November 10, 2020

Launched alongside the Series X, the Xbox Series S provides a more affordable entry point into the Xbox ecosystem. A digital-only console, it features 512GB of storage and supports up to 1440p resolution. 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. Microsoft aims for its next home console to represent "the largest technical leap you will have ever seen in a hardware generation."