In case you have managed to forget it, it is the Xbox 25th Anniversary this year. Among the whirlwind of Phil Spencer officially resigns last month and the unceremonious death of the “This is an Xbox” campaign Under new CEO Asha Sharma, it has certainly been easy to lose track of the celebration.
But for those of us who still have a soft spot for that thick black box from 2001, there’s good news. Xbox just launched a new collaboration with 73Studio, bringing a retro-inspired aesthetic to a new line of equipment. There are four items in this drop, ranging from graphic tees to a heavyweight zip-up hoodie, all leaning heavily on the OG Xbox DNA.
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25th anniversary console t-shirt
This might be my favorite of the bunch that just released. It features the original 2001 Xbox console stamped on the back along with that wonderfully chunky Duke controller. It’s an oversized, durable t-shirt that comes in sizes XS to 3XL.
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25th Anniversary 2001 Play Together T-Shirt
If you prefer a cleaner, high-contrast look, the “Play Together” t-shirt is the one for you. It builds on the social revolution that Xbox Live brought to the living room. You’ll also want to see this from behind with the clean Xbox ‘patent’ style drawing.
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Xbox 25th Anniversary Welder of X T-shirt
For those who like their gaming merchandise a little more abstract and “streetwear”, Welder of X’s design stands out. It has a more industrial, edgy vibe, but the writing on the back reminds me of “you wouldn’t steal a car” anti-piracy ads. I love it.
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Play More 25th Anniversary Zip Hoodie, Black
Completing the collection is the “Play More” zip-up hoodie. This is the most comfortable game piece. It has a relaxed fit with dropped shoulders and is made from a heavy fabric that’s perfect for those cold nights.
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Vintage Halo 2 Disc T-Shirt in Off Black – Xs
I also found a couple of wildcard pieces for you that aren’t part of the 25th anniversary collection but lean on the same kind of nostalgia (and the physical design of the record is cool). If you spent Friday nights in 2004/2005 in a dimly lit room with three friends and a LAN cable, this shirt is for you.
73studio X Gears of War ’08 Gears 2 Disc Hoodie Black – Xs
Instead I had to introduce an Xbox 360 piece, this one adorned with the Gears of War 2 disc graphic. It’s a heavy, oversized garment with a great drop-shoulder fit, making it ideal for relaxed gaming sessions during the colder months.
“Return to Xbox”
It seems to me, at least, that this downfall of 73Studio, and how it is shared by notable names at Xbox like Aaron Greenberg, is a physical manifestation of the change of environment currently occurring at Microsoft. Returning to Xbox is one of Asha Sharma’s first major mission statements as the new CEO.
In our recent exclusive interview with Asha and Matt BootyIt was clear that the Everything’s an Xbox era, while ambitious, had left the core community feeling fractured. By leaning into the energy of its glory days and the focus seemingly returning to the console, Xbox is signaling a retreat from the identity crisis of recent years. I take note that the Xbox Gear Shop will still be “coming soon” after a long period offline, and it seems strange to me that the new 25th anniversary team launched with a third-party site. I wonder what could come in the official store.
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