Xbox 25th Anniversary Release Sells Out Within Minutes, Despite $899 Price

The original Xbox console was released in November 2001, and to mark its 25th anniversary, Microsoft launched a celebratory special edition of the Xbox Series X this week. Pre-orders for the Xbox Series X25 limited edition console officially went live at 10 a.m. EDT on Thursday. At 10:01 a.m., they were already sold out. By the time Xbox tweeted about pre-orders going live, the 25th anniversary collection was out of stock.

The Xbox Series X25 console includes a special edition controller with the same translucent OG green style and a digital copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of one of the most important Xbox titles.

Image: Xbox

Scalpers are taking advantage of Xbox’s limited release

Even though it’s a special edition console, some fans were shocked when it was revealed that the Xbox Series X25 would cost $899.99. When the original Xbox Series X came out six years ago, it cost $499.99. Due to an increase in hardware prices, it’s gone up to $799.99. On one hand, the $100 on top of the base price tag isn’t that much considering it’s a special limited-edition console with a game included. On the other hand, it’s a six-year-old console being sold for $899.99.

Whether it’s too expensive or not doesn’t seem to matter, as the anniversary-themed Xbox sold out within seconds. It is unknown whether Microsoft prepared for demand or bots and scalpers, but the truth is it’s completely gone from the official Microsoft Store and other retailers.

On eBay, scalpers are asking anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 for the console and a few have already succeeded in profiting from fans. eBay’s sold items listings reveal that buyers have paid up to $2,995 to get the console from these second-hand sellers — more than triple its original price.