The Original Xbox Is Back, And This Time You Have To Build It Yourself
Overview & Key Takeaways
The original Xbox is still one of the best-looking consoles ever: a big black box that's instantly recognizable thanks to some clever design choices. If you've ever wanted to own and build one of these, you're in luck, as Mattel has just opened up preorders for a 1:1 replica that you can put together alongside several accessories. It's a bit pricey at $330, but it includes a few neat features that make it a cool display piece.
The Lego-like build includes 3,509 pieces, and you can use those to build a life-sized Xbox console with realistic lights and sounds, a Duke controller with working buttons, and three diorama pieces that slot right into the console. Once fully constructed, the controller has four unique light and sound sequences that can be activated by pushing the buttons. The buildable dioramas are themed around Halo: Combat Evolved, Psychonauts, and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and each one comes with a set of one-inch NanoWorld minifigures.
These will start shipping out in October, just in time for the silver anniversary of Xbox. It's not the first time an Xbox console has been recreated in a blocky physical format; a couple of years ago, the officially licensed Xbox 360 from Mega launched. A smaller replica of the original machine--and thankfully not prone to the Red Ring of Death--it came with all the pieces you'd need to construct a detachable hard drive, Xbox 360 controller, and Halo 3 game box. If you're interested, you can pick one up on Amazon for $180.
Microsoft's plans to celebrate 25 years of Xbox come during a turbulent time for the gaming brand, as the years has been marked by mass layoffs, console price increases, and a massive $1.7 billion decline in revenue last quarter. Taking place during a company-wide "reset" that saw major changes across the board, Xbox is aiming to rebuild and grow its presence in the industry by focusing on its biggest IP, like Fallout and Gears of War.
Best Original Xbox Games Of All Time
The original Xbox is still one of the best-looking consoles ever: a big black box that’s instantly recognizable thanks to some clever design choices. If you’ve ever wanted to own and build one of these, you’re in luck, as Mattel has just opened up preorders for a 1:1 replica that you can put together alongside several accessories. It’s a bit pricey at $330, but it includes a few neat features that make it a cool display piece.
The Lego-like build includes 3,509 pieces, and you can use those to build a life-sized Xbox console with realistic lights and sounds, a Duke controller with working buttons, and three diorama pieces that slot right into the console. Once fully constructed, the controller has four unique light and sound sequences that can be activated by pushing the buttons. The buildable dioramas are themed around Halo: Combat Evolved, Psychonauts, and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and each one comes with a set of one-inch NanoWorld minifigures.
These will start shipping out in October, just in time for the silver anniversary of Xbox. It’s not the first time an Xbox console has been recreated in a blocky physical format; a couple of years ago, the officially licensed Xbox 360 from Mega launched. A smaller replica of the original machine–and thankfully not prone to the Red Ring of Death–it came with all the pieces you’d need to construct a detachable hard drive, Xbox 360 controller, and Halo 3 game box. If you’re interested, you can pick one up on Amazon for $180.
Microsoft’s plans to celebrate 25 years of Xbox come during a turbulent time for the gaming brand, as the years has been marked by mass layoffs, console price increases, and a massive $1.7 billion decline in revenue last quarter. Taking place during a company-wide “reset” that saw major changes across the board, Xbox is aiming to rebuild and grow its presence in the industry by focusing on its biggest IP, like Fallout and Gears of War.
