Xbox Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition: $79.99 Price, October Launch and Windows PC Support

What Microsoft has confirmed​

Retail listings for the controller went up on August 26, 2026, with a release date of October 20, 2026. Xbox Wire said the controller is also sold on its own, with pre-orders open in select markets. Its launch is October 20.

The US price is $79.99. Microsoft's own store listing shows $79.99 and an October 20, 2026 release date. The "$79" figure in the Windows Central pitch is a retailer price. A deals roundup shows Walmart at $79, and Best Buy and Microsoft at $79.99. A dollar of difference isn't a big deal, but the list price is $79.99.

International pricing, per Pure Xbox: £74.99 and €79.99 alongside the $79.99 US price.

Pre-orders are not available everywhere. Xbox Wire limits them to select markets. Retailer pricing and stock can differ, and Xbox's product page carries a note saying prices and availability may vary by retailer.

Design details​

The controller is a 25th-anniversary tribute to the original 2001 Xbox. Microsoft's product page lists these features:

• A translucent "OG Green" finish.
• A see-through top case and back case.
• A first-ever translucent battery door on an Xbox controller (per Microsoft's product page; the cited snippet lists only the page title and price).
• A green Xbox button, inspired by the green "X" from the original launch.

Xbox Wire's June 7 showcase recap added two more details. The ABXY buttons use the original Xbox colors. The bumpers honor the black and white buttons on the original "Duke" controller.

Words like "stunning" are Windows Central's opinion. They aren't product specifications.

Why PC gamers should care​

Microsoft's product page says the controller works with Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, and iOS and Android devices. It also lists:

• Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth connections, for pairing and switching between console, PC, phone and tablet.
• Button remapping through the Xbox Accessories app.
• A compatibility note: it works with controller-compatible games, and Microsoft points to its controller compatibility page for details.

Microsoft's materials don't describe new internals, a performance upgrade or special software requirements. Treat it as a cosmetic edition of the standard Xbox Wireless Controller. That is my reading of the product page, which lists styling features rather than hardware changes. By comparison, Microsoft's standard Xbox Wireless Controller starts at $64.99 on its store, so the premium for this edition is roughly $15. That is based on a Microsoft Store listing in the search results.

Controller versus console bundle​

Don't mix up the controller with the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console collection.

Per Xbox Wire, the collection console is individually numbered with a unique engraving. Pre-orders for the collection are limited to one per customer. Microsoft's product page says the digital content is delivered to the console during setup and is attached to the first Microsoft account that redeems it.

The scalper claim​

Windows Central urges readers to pre-order early to beat scalpers. That is a prediction, and Microsoft's materials don't back it up. One thing is verifiable: Microsoft's own store page listed the controller as "Out of stock" when the search result was captured, about five weeks ago. That snapshot is old, and I can't tell you what the stock is today. Check the retailer yourself before you order.

Before you buy​

1. Confirm the price and the release date at your retailer. Expect $79.99 in the US, with some stores at $79.
2. Check that your country is among the select markets.
3. Read the retailer's pre-order terms, including cancellation and delivery.
4. On PC, pair it over Bluetooth or Xbox Wireless, then use the Xbox Accessories app for remapping.
5. If you only want the look, skip the $899.99 bundle. The controller is sold on its own.

For anyone who wants a piece of the 25th anniversary without buying a console, the controller is the cheap way in. It looks the part, and it works with Windows.