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With the Xbox Series X now in homes across the world, the new generation of consoles is here in full force. As upcoming games like Starfield, Halo Infinite, and Forza Horizon 5 get players excited, they may neglect the fantastic artistic potential of the console on their shelf.
Making a gaming space as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional is a tricky balance to strike, but when it's done well, it can enhance any gaming experience. The console is a massive part of that. Thankfully, as a relatively simple shape compared to the PS5, creating custom skins and designs for the Xbox Series X has been a breeze for many artists.
7 The Borg Cuboid
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Image By: Extereme Consoles
Perhaps one of the most obvious comparisons when seeing an ominous black cube is that of the Borg from Star Trek. This terrifying and powerful race assimilates all in their path and has machines of war more powerful than anything else in the galaxy.
This design takes the iconic design of a Borg Cube and slaps it all over the console. The quiet green glow adds a little bit of color to the console, and it's on-theme with Xbox's traditional color scheme too. It may be a simple design, but it's one bound to make any Star Trek fan smile.
6 Spongebob and Ninja Turtles With Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
Image By: Xbox
These two official Xbox custom consoles were released to tie in with the new Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl and feature two of the brand's most iconic characters. Filled with the fun and vibrant energy that those who watched Nickelodeon in their childhood will remember, these consoles look fantastic and help it stand out from its main competitor, Super Smash Bros.
Spongebob is an obvious fit for a Square console, and unsurprisingly, his design feels right at home on the Series X. The Ninja Turtles are typically not as square, but the design accommodates well for it, using the turtle's iconic design on the front face, but covering the rest in fun memorabilia and references that fans of the show will appreciate.
5 Time And Relative Dimension In Space
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Image By: Extreme Consoles
While a Bord Cube isn't quite as tall as the Xbox Series X, there is one piece of Sci-Fi iconography that fits perfectly into the console's shape, the TARDIS. With Doctor Who: Flux on everyone's minds, the TARDIS is something that looks cool on any nerdy shelf.
With the art cleverly designed to give the console a false sense of depth when first looked upon, everything is there. The Xbox logo is neatly tacked on to the writing along the top, with the disc slot is cleverly disguised by the edge of the door. The eject button is also wonderfully hidden as the openable flap on the door.
4 Spartan 117 With Halo Infinite
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Image By: XboxPope
There is perhaps no other franchise as synonymous with Xbox as Halo, and hype for the franchise is nearing an all-time high with Halo Infinite close at hand. Incorporating Master Chief's iconography into the design is a bit of a challenge, and there are many different ways to go with it.
This design takes a somewhat minimalist approach that will please people who prefer subtler designs. The large black section of the design feels very close to the original Series X design but with a little more energy. This is accentuated by the military green and faded 117 on the edge of the front face. It's a simple design, but there's no mistaking what franchise it's from.
3 Alduin Metalic Mural With Skyrim
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Image By: XboxPope
With 10 years (and twice as many releases) under its belt, Skyrim is a game that will never be forgotten by gamers, even three console generations on. This design harkens back to the original Skyrim trailer, where the story of the Dragonborn is introduced through a massive mural.
However, instead of the Dragonborn, the centerpiece of this mural is none other than the big-bad Alduin himself. The designs around Alduin's face are detailed and beautiful. The smooth curves create a great sense of style and play well with the metallic texture.
2 Yellow and Black Interface With Cyberpunk 2077
Image By: Game Reaper 187
The controversial but ever-relevant and ambitious Cyberpunk 2077 has one of the most clearly defined art styles of the past generation. Yellow isn't typically a cool color, but this game mixed it with the Cyberpunk style to make something very pleasing to look at.
This console has it all. It uses yellow to highlight the black with clear electronic designs. On top of that, the whole console has a depth to it with how the logo and side plate stick out from the black background. It even goes down to the little details, highlighting the disk slot as a "Data Transfer Bay" and the USB slot as the "Neural Port".
1 A Castle Tower With Hood: Outlaws & Legends
Image By: TheRelaxingEnd
This console represents perhaps the pinnacle of what custom console designs can truly be. Truth be told, if the controller weren't in the image, most people probably wouldn't even realize that was an Xbox Series X. It's so brilliantly designed to the end of looking more like a model than a console. It fits so seamlessly with the game's medieval setting.
Everything about the castle is so carefully crafted to look as realistic as possible. The way each brick is a slightly different shape and has weathered in different ways. The moss that grows out of various areas around the place. Once again, the disk drives and USB slots are masterfully disguised as part of the design. This could sit on absolutely any shelf, and people would appreciate it.