Microsoft has handed gamers who missed out on the Xbox Series X25 a second chance, announcing a limited last-minute restock of the sold-out 25th anniversary console in time for launch.

The official Xbox account confirmed the news in a post on X on 10 November, saying a limited number of Xbox 25th Anniversary consoles and controllers will be available at launch on 12 November through the Microsoft Store and participating retailers. Availability begins at midnight local time, which is midnight Eastern Time in the United States, and Microsoft says quantities and availability will vary by market and retailer.

A console that sold out in hours

The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition has been one of the hardest consoles to buy since it first went on pre-order in August. The limited-edition system sold out quickly and became a target for scalpers within 24 hours, according to Pure Xbox, leaving many fans empty-handed ahead of launch.

The console marks 25 years of Xbox with a translucent OG Green shell, a direct callback to the original Xbox from 2001, and each unit is individually numbered. Only 25,000 numbered units were made, according to The Shortcut, which is why the restock is expected to disappear just as fast as the first allocation.

The collection costs $899.99 in the United States, which is $100 more than the standard Xbox Series X, and includes a 1TB console, a matching Xbox Series X25 Special Edition controller and a digital copy of Halo: Campaign Evolved. The controller, which brings back the original coloured ABXY buttons, is also sold separately for $79.99.

Where to look for stock

The Microsoft Store is the main place to try first, but other retailers are also in play. Best Buy and Amazon have announced their own Xbox Series X25 restock plans, so shoppers who miss out at Microsoft may still have a chance elsewhere. Pure Xbox advises buyers to search around at midnight local time if the Microsoft Store version sells out quickly, and to have payment details ready before stock goes live.

Anyone hoping to buy should sign into the Microsoft Store before 12 November so checkout is as quick as possible, and consider requesting an invitation to buy through Amazon and downloading the Best Buy app, where a separate restock is planned through its Drops app on 25 November.

What to expect on the day

Microsoft has not said how many consoles will be in the restock, and with only 25,000 numbered units in existence, the launch-day allocation is likely to be small. The company has also not named every participating retailer, so availability will differ from country to country.

For collectors, the appeal is clear: a numbered, translucent green console celebrating a quarter-century of Xbox, bundled with a matching controller and a new Halo game. For everyone else, the message from Microsoft is simple. Be ready at midnight, be signed in, and do not expect the stock to last long.