Pure Xbox Confirms 3 of 8 Showcase Predictions, Including 2 Release Dates

Q: What makes the new Xbox Series X25 console worth the upgrade?

The Xbox Series X25 is worth the upgrade mainly for collectors and long-time fans, not for anyone seeking better performance. Microsoft’s new Series X25 is a 25th-anniversary limited edition console built around nostalgia and exclusivity. Its biggest draw is the translucent “OG Green” design inspired by the original Xbox, along with anniversary branding and small retro touches such as a green-lit “X” on startup. It also comes with a matching special-edition controller that leans heavily into the original Xbox look, including classic ABXY colors, Duke-inspired bumper styling, and a transparent back that reveals the old Xbox logo. That makes the console appealing as a commemorative piece, especially with Xbox celebrating its 25th anniversary and positioning the hardware as a limited-run release. For dedicated Xbox fans, that scarcity and design identity are the real reasons to buy it. What it does not offer is a technical leap. Reports indicate the Series X25 has the same core power and 1TB storage as the standard Xbox Series X, meaning there is no meaningful performance upgrade, no new generation jump, and no mid-cycle hardware boost. So, if you already own a Series X, the X25 is only “worth it” if you value the anniversary design, bundled collector appeal, and limited-edition status. If your priority is faster hardware or better specs, there is little reason to upgrade.

Q: With Halo's campaign now on PlayStation, is Gears of War next?

Not for now. Despite Halo’s campaign moving to PlayStation, *Gears of War: E-Day* has been officially announced as an Xbox console exclusive for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a release date of October 6, 2026. That makes *E-Day* different from Microsoft’s recent multiplatform moves. Xbox has already shown more willingness to bring some established franchises to PlayStation, including *Halo: Campaign Evolved* and the older *Gears of War: Reloaded* on PS5. That history is why many expected *E-Day* to follow. There is credible reporting that a PS5 version may once have been planned. Reports from The Verge, Bloomberg and Jeff Grubb said *E-Day* was at one stage set for PlayStation, and pointed to signs including a PEGI rating, a retail listing and artwork that appeared to show a PS5 logo. But Xbox’s public position is clear: the game is not coming to PlayStation at launch, and The Coalition has said a PS5 version was never part of the final plan. The broader picture is that Microsoft now appears to be drawing a line between older catalog titles that can expand to rival platforms and major new releases that can still be used to sell Xbox hardware. Under that approach, *Halo: Campaign Evolved* going to PlayStation does not automatically mean every flagship Xbox game will do the same. So the answer is that *Gears* is not next in the immediate sense. *Reloaded* already crossed over, but *E-Day* is staying exclusive, at least for now.

2 articles · Updated · Pure Xbox · Jun 14

3 of 8 predictions made by Pure Xbox staff for the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 proved correct, led by Gears of War: E-Day opening the event and landing an October 6, 2026 release date.
Halo: Campaign Evolved also appeared as expected with a July 28, 2026 launch, while Microsoft unveiled new limited-edition hardware including the Xbox Series X25 console.
The outlet said it missed five calls, including predictions for an Elite Series 3 controller, new backward-compatible games, a revived OG Xbox IP, a Banjo-Kazooie return and a major Xbox initiative.
Even with those misses, Pure Xbox described the showcase as one of Xbox's most praised events, with some unannounced items still potentially arriving later in 2026.