For over 2 decades the Xbox series of consoles has been a major player in the console market. Originally conceived as the "Direct-X Box", the system was developed to counter the meteoric rise of Sony's Playstation consoles and the perceived threat that they posed to Microsoft's dominance in the realm of home computing. Since then the Xbox has endured through 3 console generations and has sold hundreds of millions of units. Today Xbox is one of the most widely recognized brands in the industry, and it shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
For this list we will be taking a look at every major home console in the Xbox Line, we will not be considering small hardware revisions such as the Xbox 360 Elite. They will also be listed in order of launch price adjusted for inflation. Without further ado, lets jump in.
6 Xbox Series S: Launch Price $299
In 2020, it came as quite a shock to many fans to learn that Microsoft would be releasing two consoles in their foray into the 9th console generation. Both could play the same games, but where otherwise fairly different with the Series S positioned as a cheaper budget option for consumers. Unlike its bigger brother the Series X, Series S is unable to display in 4K resolutions, it is also far smaller than the X.
Perhaps the single most striking difference between the two systems is that the Xbox Series S completely lacks a disc drive, or any way to play physical games. It is clear that this system is primarily meant for those who primarily wish to get their games from Microsoft's Game Pass service. With a launch price almost $200 less than the series X, the S is certainly an attractive option for those on a budget.
5 Original Xbox: Launch Price $299, $438.08 Adjusted For Inflation
The one that started it all, when the original Xbox hit store shelves in fall of 2001 few could have imagined the impact it would have. Easily the most powerful of all the 6th generation consoles, the Xbox helped to standardize numerous features that we now expect from home consoles. These range from the use of an internal hard drive to popularizing online gaming with the original incarnation of Xbox Live.
The system had a great library of games with many titles now considered classics such as Halo, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. For many gamers this was their introduction to genres that had existed primarily on the PC. The Xbox was also notable to being the first widely successful western developed console since the Atari 2600.
4 Xbox Series X: Launch Price $499
Microsoft's entry into the 9th console generation, the Xbox Series X is a beast of a machine. Designed as the more expensive, higher end alternative to the Series S, X comes with all the features and options that one could expect from a modern high-end console, including the ability display in 4K resolutions at a consistent frame rate.
While not a massive leap from the Xbox One, the Series X nonetheless manages to offer plenty of great games, and impressive graphics. The system is also fully backwards compatible with software from its predecessor the Xbox One, ensuring that gamers always have plenty to play. This console is also the largest of all the Xbox consoles.
3 Xbox 360: Launch Price $399, $524.83 Adjusted For Inflation
When the Xbox 360 was released in 2005 it ushered console gaming into the HD era with style. While it initially suffered from major hardware malfunctions, the 360 soon proved its worth with a massive library of games spanning nearly every genre imaginable.
While it ultimately ended up coming in third place in overall sales during the 7th generation, the system was able to maintain a comfortable lead over the Playstation 3 throughout most of its life. The 360 was undoubtedly the system of choice for online multiplayer, with a revamped Xbox Live that set the standard for the industry going forward.
2 Xbox One X: Launch Price $499, $525.80 Adjusted For Inflation
While not a full generational upgrade the Xbox One X was a fairly impressive piece of technology for its time. The system was created to take advantage of emerging 4K displays, offering a crisper image to those on the cutting edge. This did unfortunately often come at the cost of a game's framerate, but the system offered users the option to choose between better image quality and better performance.
The system also featured lower loading times overall. Despite all of these improvements it was still not enough to turn the tide of the 8th generation console war in Microsoft's favor.
1 Xbox One: Launch Price $499, $556.48 Adjusted For Inflation
Microsoft's 8th generation home console, the Xbox One got off to a very rocky start due largely to bad PR on Microsoft's part. In spite of its rough start the console was still able to garner a hardcore following. Though it never managed to overtake Sony's PS4, the Xbox One still managed to offer plenty of great games for players to sink their teeth into.
It also featured several services such as limited backwards compatibility with original Xbox and Xbox 360 games. Perhaps its greatest saving grace was the introduction of Xbox Game Pass; a subscription service that gave players easy access to many excellent titles.