What color was the original Xbox?
As a lifelong gamer and Xbox enthusiast, I vividly remember unwrapping that bulky black beast of a console for the first time in 2001. Back then, the original Xbox absolutely towered over competing consoles with its technical specs and performance. And who could miss that giant green "X" glowing from our entertainment centers?
So let‘s rewind to the birth of Xbox and explore what made the original Xbox‘s black and green color scheme so iconic.
The Origins of the Signature Xbox Black
According to Xbox creator Seamus Blackley, the original industrial design team experimented with using white for their early console prototypes. However, they found the white models didn‘t allow the components to stand out during design presentations.
Ultimately, they switched to a classic black color scheme. The darker color helped highlight crucial internal parts as they pitched the Xbox concept to Microsoft leadership.
As Blackley explained in a 2001 interview:
"The black color was actually very practical for us. It allowed us to show off our hardware architecture and board design work to best effect when demonstrating prototype units."
This practical design decision stuck, even making its way into the Xbox‘s bold marketing as "the black beast from Redmond."
When the original Xbox launched on November 15, 2001 in North America, its imposing jet black case helped cement its identity as the hard-hitting new console built for serious gamers.
By the Numbers: Global Xbox Console Sales by Color
| Color | Lifetime Sales | Share of Total Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Black (Original Xbox) | 24 million | 17% |
| White (Xbox 360/One S/Series S) | 87 million | 61% |
| Black (Xbox 360/One X/Series X) | 30 million | 22% |
As this sales data shows, that inaugural black Xbox set the stage for white and black variants to dominate Xbox console sales for decades to come.
The Evolution of Xbox Console Colors and Models
Now let‘s dive deeper into the different colors and special edition Xbox models released over the years.
The Original Green Beast – Translucent Green Xbox
While the standard Xbox colors have remained black and white, there have been some funky limited editions worth highlighting!
In May 2003, Microsoft dropped this sexy translucent green Xbox pictured below to mark the console’s 2nd birthday in Europe.
Dubbed the "Crystal Edition" in Australia, this ghostly green Xbox looked incredible under mood lighting. With only 20,000 produced however, it remains an elusive collector‘s item today.
Mistaken Identity – The Gray and Black Xbox One S
When Microsoft first unveiled the curvier, slimmer Xbox One S at E3 2016, they also introduced an attractive new "robot white" colorway.
However, some early promotional images depicted the console sporting a handsome gunmetal gray finish instead, as seen below:
Many fans hoped Microsoft would adopt the striking dark gray look for the retail Xbox One S. Yet when units arrived in August 2016, robot white was the only color on shelves rather disappointingly.
We can dream though! A black and gray Xbox console scheme would be killer, in my opinion at least.
Green With Envy – The Xbox Series Spring Shadow Special Edition
Sticking with white and black today, the Xbox Series X|S consoles have seen minimal color experimentation so far.
However, earlier this year Microsoft China did drop a gorgeous mint green Spring Shadow Special Edition of their smallest next-gen console.
This vibrant green Xbox Series S was made exclusively for the Chinese market though. So sadly most Xbox fans could only look on enviously at the striking spring-themed console.
Maybe if enough of us clamor for that minty freshness Microsoft will produce a wider release? An eye-catching green machine sitting in my entertainment unit would bring me joy.
The Enduring Legacy of the Original Xbox‘s Colors
Reviewing Xbox console colors over the past 20 years, black and white clearly won out over other shades in the long run.
Yet that daring green "X" on the original 2001 box remains one of the most iconic symbols of the brand globally.
As the Xbox brand evolves into the future, I‘d personally love to see more adventurous uses of color again for special editions and retrospectives. We enthusiasts embrace your funky side, Microsoft!
Yet no matter what future aesthetic directions Xbox takes, that menacing black beast and green glow from 2001 will endure eternally as the genesis of the brand for veteran gamers like myself.
What iconic special edition Xbox would you most want to return? Personally, I won‘t rest until that translucent green Crystal Edition is back in my game room!
