Microsoft’s “Everything is an XBOX” initiative just got a whole lot more interesting, thanks to Backbone’s latest announcement. The company is celebrating the console’s 25th anniversary with some throwback colours that will make you nostalgic for the good old days of gaming. Because, you know, what’s a better way to celebrate a console’s birthday than by releasing a limited edition controller that will inevitably sell out in seconds and become a collector’s item?
The Backbone Pro XBOX 25th Anniversary Edition: A Collector’s Dream
As announced via press release, the Backbone Pro XBOX 25th Anniversary Edition is a limited edition version of the mobile controller featuring colours inspired by some of the translucent shells for the original XBOX released in 2001. The colours include “Crystal Clear, Iconic Blue, and Bold Orange,” along with premium anniversary packaging and a collectible blind box experience. Because who doesn’t love a good blind box experience, right? It’s not like we’re just being milked for our hard-earned cash or anything.
The controller itself is designed for players who want to play XBOX anywhere, and is compatible with XBOX Cloud Gaming and Remote Play. It also includes one month of XBOX Game Pass Ultimate for eligible new subscribers, because Microsoft wants to make sure you’re locked into their ecosystem for the long haul. The Backbone Pro is also backed by USB-C and Bluetooth connectivity, a 40+ hour battery, and full-sized ALPS thumb-sticks, making it a convenient and effective option for mobile gamers.
A Solid Controller with a Few Extras
CGM’s Matt Keith has praised the Backbone Pro for its ease-of-use, impressive construction, and overall versatility for mobile gaming. He said the unit was “a solid controller that is almost perfect,” adding that “the Backbone Pro is an excellent controller and would benefit those who enjoy more competitive mobile titles and love playing with a full-sized controller.” Of course, this is just a bunch of marketing fluff, but hey, it’s nice to know that the controller is actually good, right?
Pricing and Availability: The Usual Suspects
As for pricing and availability, CGM was not provided with any details, but pre-orders are set to go live through October 2026. Pricing is expected to mirror the standard Backbone Pro, or even the Backbone Pro XBOX edition, which retails for $179.99 USD. Because what’s a limited edition controller without a hefty price tag, am I right?
In conclusion, the Backbone Pro XBOX 25th Anniversary Edition is a nice little collector’s item for fans of the console. It’s a solid controller with some neat extras, and the throwback colours are a nice touch. But let’s be real, we all know that this is just a marketing ploy to get us to part with our hard-earned cash. So, if you’re feeling nostalgic and want to celebrate the XBOX’s 25th anniversary in style, be sure to pre-order one of these bad boys. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when you’re stuck with a $200 paperweight that you’ll never use. Happy gaming, folks!
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