Xbox is marking its 25th anniversary by giving your console a nostalgic makeover.
Xbox is approaching its 25th anniversary filled with oversized controllers, achievement hunting, and Halo gaming nights. To mark this milestone, Microsoft is allowing players to unwrap some birthday gifts early. They have launched a complimentary collection of gamerpics, profile backgrounds, themes, and a dynamic Xbox console background created by community artists Klobrille and Ben Kenobi.
The artwork is available now in advance of the original Xbox's 25th anniversary on November 15. Additionally, Microsoft is providing players with a commemorative 25th anniversary profile badge. Simply signing into your Xbox account via a console, PC, or the Xbox mobile app by the end of 2026 is all that's required to claim it.
Your Xbox gets a party-ready look
Console owners can locate the new gamerpics and themes by navigating to Settings > Profile > Customize profile. The dynamic background can be found by going to Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic background. PC users can update their gamerpic by opening their profile in the Xbox app and clicking on the pencil icon.
The corresponding profile theme is accessible through the Customize Profile menu. Microsoft is also encouraging players to submit their own anniversary artwork on X using the #XBOX25 hashtag, with chosen designs potentially becoming part of the official collection.
Game Pass is exploring Xbox's legacy
Microsoft has also launched anniversary collections within Xbox Game Pass, showcasing games from all Xbox generations. The initial lineup includes Fable Anniversary, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Fallout 4, Psychonauts 2, and Grounded. These are curated selections from the current Game Pass catalog rather than new copies for players to keep permanently.
The anniversary festivities will carry on with a global FanFest tour visiting cities such as Cologne, Tokyo, London, Mexico City, Sydney, Toronto, and ultimately Seattle. Tickets for these events will be distributed through city-specific sweepstakes.
Additionally, Microsoft plans to release a translucent green Xbox Series X25 and matching controller in November. While these nostalgic hardware items will come at a cost, the free dynamic background and profile updates are much easier birthday gifts to obtain.
Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience focusing on consumer hardware.
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Xbox is marking its 25th anniversary by giving your console a nostalgic makeover.
Xbox users can now obtain free profile artwork created by the community, a dynamic background for their console, and a special badge as Microsoft gets ready to celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary.