Ethan Crossfield 
Microsoft is using its 25th anniversary to connect Xbox hardware with one of its biggest 2026 releases. The limited-edition Xbox Series X25 will ship with a digital copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved, giving buyers the full game as part of the package rather than charging separately for it.
An Anniversary Console Built Around Halo
The Xbox Series X25 is designed as a celebration of Microsoft’s console legacy, with a translucent green finish and an exclusive controller inspired by the original Xbox. Both pieces of hardware carry the company’s 25th anniversary branding.
The major software addition is Halo: Campaign Evolved. Every console includes a digital code for the complete game, making the remake the centerpiece of the bundle. Microsoft has positioned the release as one of its most important titles of 2026, alongside Forza Horizon 6 and the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day.
Price, Release Date, and Pre-Order Details
The Xbox Series X25 is scheduled to launch on November 27 at $899.99. That places it $100 above the 1 TB Xbox Series X, according to the source material, so the free game is part of a premium anniversary package rather than a low-cost console promotion.
Availability is expected to be limited, and customers can purchase only one console each. Pre-orders opened for selected dedicated Xbox fans on August 26 before expanding to all players on August 27. The high price and restricted supply are likely to make the anniversary model more appealing to collectors than to shoppers simply looking for the standard Xbox experience.
Halo’s 2026 Release Has Wider Significance
Halo: Campaign Evolved launched in late July and marks the 25th anniversary of the original Halo, the game that helped establish the series as Microsoft’s flagship franchise. The remake also represents a major platform change for the series: it released on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox and PC, marking the first time a Halo game has launched on a PlayStation console.
That broader release makes the Xbox Series X25 bundle less about platform exclusivity and more about combining anniversary hardware with a premium version of the Xbox ecosystem. Buyers receive a collectible console, a themed controller, and a digital copy of a major franchise release in one package.
What Comes Next for Xbox
Microsoft’s anniversary year extends beyond Halo. Gears of War: E-Day remains on the horizon, while the long-awaited Fable reboot is planned for February. Grand Theft Auto 6 is also scheduled for November 2026, giving Xbox owners another major release to anticipate during the same broader period.
The Series X25 therefore arrives during a period when Microsoft is emphasizing both its established franchises and its future lineup. Its limited production and elevated price will determine whether the bundle becomes a sought-after collector’s item or a niche option for the most committed Xbox fans.
Key points
- The Xbox Series X25 includes a digital copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved.
- The anniversary console launches on November 27 for $899.99.
- The package includes a translucent green console and an original Xbox-inspired controller.
- Pre-orders began with selected fans on August 26 and opened to everyone on August 27.
Expert View
The Xbox Series X25 signals a collector-focused approach to premium console hardware. Halo: Campaign Evolved adds clear value to the package, but the $899.99 price means the bundle is unlikely to compete with the standard Xbox Series X on affordability. Its importance instead comes from how it ties Xbox’s anniversary branding to a landmark franchise while acknowledging Halo’s expanded presence across Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5.
