What is a Microsoft Xbox Research Console?

Every now and then, there is a discovery in the tech world, that just leaves you in awe: for example, did you know that there is a Microsoft Xbox Research console?

Yes, you read that right. An Xbox Research console. According to an Xbox enthusiast, there is a prototype for an Xbox console, with a ‘Microsoft Research’ logo on it. And it’s not a hoax. The console actually exists, and it is a build product.

However, it is out of production, so there aren’t any Microsoft Research Xbox consoles on the official market.

This console made its way out to the surface, in light of Xbox’s new roadmap and its future, as a console. Just this week, Microsoft announced that over 5000 new games are in development for Xbox. Can you imagine some of those games running on a Microsoft Research Xbox console?

So are there any details on this unique console?

Microsoft Xbox Research Console: here’s what we know about it

Apparently, the console is a research version of Xbox 360, released more than 10 years ago, around 2011-2012. According to consolevariations.com, the Microsoft Xbox research console was official release by Microsoft.

It was officially released on May 17, 2012, so more than 10 years, however, we do not know for sure. And it was a limited edition console: it’s estimated that somewhere between 100 and 500 of this Microsoft Xbox variation were made back then.

It has a rarity score of 86, labeled as ‘Epic’, and it seems that these consoles were given to the community research team. It comes printed on the matte black case and under the control settings, there is also an Xbox companion feature. This feature makes the console available to companion devices.

This Microsoft Xbox variant is pretty expensive, now, as a limited edition console. On eBay, you can find it at a hefty sum of $2000, which is a lot, but given its limited availability, it’s worth it. You can also find it at ‘only’ $1799, if you’re a fan of the never-seen Xbox variants.

Would you pay that much for it? What do you think about this variant of Xbox? We do wonder what games can we try on it, but what about you?

Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.