The Xbox Series X launched on November 10, 2020, at $499, on the same day as the $299 Xbox Series S.
This article covers the full timeline from the December 2019 reveal to launch day, how the rollout worked across markets, which games were playable, how it lined up against the PlayStation 5, and the release dates of the later Series X models.
The official Xbox Series X release date
Microsoft's own Xbox Series X product page still states that the console launched at participating retailers on November 10, 2020.
Use the row that matches the date you are actually looking for.
| What you want to know | Date | Source of the date |
|---|---|---|
| Day you could buy and play an Xbox Series X | November 10, 2020 | Xbox Wire launch-day post and xbox.com |
| Year the console came out | 2020 | Same launch date |
| Day preorders opened | September 22, 2020 | Xbox Wire, September 9, 2020 |
| Day the launch date and price were announced | September 9, 2020 | Xbox Wire announcement |
| Day the Xbox Series X name was revealed | December 12, 2019 | The Game Awards, per Xbox Wire |
If a store listing shows a later date, it is usually the release date of a newer model or bundle, not the original console.
How the Xbox Series X global launch rolled out
Microsoft announced one worldwide date instead of a staggered regional schedule. The September 2020 announcement said both consoles would "launch globally November 10."
On launch day, Xbox Wire said the consoles were available in 40 markets, with more to come.
| Launch detail | What happened | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Launch date | November 10, 2020 in every launch market | The UK, US and Australian release dates are the same day |
| Number of markets | 40 markets on day one | Some countries got the console later |
| Launch time | No single unlock time; Microsoft streamed a launch show at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET | Store opening hours decided when buyers got a console |
| Where to buy | Local retailers, including Microsoft Store | Stock came through retail, not a single online drop |
| Financing | Xbox All Access in 12 countries | Monthly plans were not available in every launch market |
Midnight openings and online order times were set by individual retailers, so launch-day stories differ by country and store.
Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S launch timing
The two consoles were not revealed together, but they shipped together. Series X was named in December 2019, while Series S was formally introduced on September 9, 2020, with its own November 10 date and $299 price.
| Detail | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Name revealed | December 12, 2019 (The Game Awards) | September 2020 (Xbox Wire introduction, September 9) |
| Release date | November 10, 2020 | November 10, 2020 |
| Launch price (US estimated retail) | $499 | $299 |
| Xbox All Access at launch | $34.99 a month for 24 months | $24.99 a month for 24 months |
| Disc drive | 4K UHD Blu-ray drive | All-digital, no disc drive |
| Launch storage | 1TB custom NVMe SSD | 512GB custom SSD |
| Performance target | 4K, up to 120fps, 8K HDR capable | 1440p at 60fps, up to 120fps |
Series S was the smallest Xbox Microsoft had made at that point, and it shared the same launch-day game library as Series X.
Xbox Series X preorders, announcements, and why dates get confusing
Five official dates sit between the first reveal and launch day, so search results often mix them up. The launch date is the only one when you could actually play the console.
| Date | Event | Why it gets confused with the release date |
|---|---|---|
| December 12, 2019 | Xbox Series X name revealed at The Game Awards, slated for Holiday 2020 | Coverage of the reveal reads like a launch |
| August 11, 2020 | Xbox Wire confirms a November 2020 launch; Halo Infinite moves to 2021 | First month confirmed, but no day |
| September 9, 2020 | November 10 launch date and prices announced; Series S introduced | Announcement day, not availability |
| September 22, 2020 | Preorders open | Preorder buyers paid weeks before delivery |
| November 10, 2020 | Xbox Series X and Series S launch in 40 markets | This is the release date |
Later model launches also blur the picture. A 2TB Galaxy Black edition and a Digital Edition arrived in holiday 2024, so "Xbox Series X release date 2024" searches usually mean those models.
What games were available at the Xbox Series X launch
Xbox Wire's launch-day post said Series X|S launched with more than 40 new games playable that day, 30 of them with Smart Delivery. The Xbox Game Pass library added 100+ games on top of that.
Backward compatibility meant thousands of older Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games also ran from day one.
| Game | Launch-day status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed Valhalla | Available November 10, 2020 | Optimized for Series X|S |
| Watch Dogs: Legion | Available at launch | Optimized for Series X|S |
| Yakuza: Like a Dragon | Available November 10, 2020 | Launched on Series X|S that day |
| Gears Tactics | Available November 10, 2020 | Included with Xbox Game Pass, Smart Delivery |
| Tetris Effect: Connected | Available at launch | Named by Microsoft as a day-one optimized game |
| Gears 5 | Relaunched November 10, 2020 | Updated for Series X|S |
| Halo Infinite | Not a launch game | Moved to 2021 in August 2020 |
Smart Delivery is why many launch games were cross-generation releases: one purchase gave you the best version for whichever console you owned.
How the Xbox Series X launch compared to PlayStation 5
The Xbox Series X arrived two days before the PS5 in North America and nine days before it in Europe. Sony used a two-wave launch, while Microsoft used one global date.
| Detail | Xbox Series X | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Release date (US) | November 10, 2020 | November 12, 2020 |
| Release date (UK and Europe) | November 10, 2020 | November 19, 2020 |
| First-wave markets | 40 markets on one day | US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea on November 12 |
| Launch price, disc model | $499 | $499.99 |
| Launch price, digital model | $299 (Series S) | $399.99 (PS5 Digital Edition) |
| Launch format | One global date | Two waves, one week apart |
Sony's announcement left the China launch date for later, and Microsoft's launch-day post also said more markets were still to come.
Xbox Series X release date price and MSRP
At launch the Xbox Series X had a US estimated retail price of $499, and Series S was $299. Xbox All Access spread the cost over 24 months with Game Pass Ultimate included.
Today's price is different. Microsoft's Series X page now says prices and availability vary by retailer, so check the current figure there before you buy.
| Model | Announced US price | When it launched |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X (1TB, disc) | $499 | November 10, 2020 |
| Xbox Series S (512GB) | $299 | November 10, 2020 |
| Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition (Robot White) | $449.99 | Holiday 2024 |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition | $599.99 | Holiday 2024, limited quantities |
| Xbox Series S 1TB (Robot White) | $349.99 | Holiday 2024 |
| Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection | $899.99 | November 13, 2026 |
Launch and 2024 prices are Microsoft's estimated retail prices in US dollars. Prices in the UK, Europe and Australia were set per market.
Xbox Series X 2TB, Digital Edition and X25 release dates
The original Xbox Series X has not been replaced, but Microsoft has added new versions of it. Each one has its own release date, which is why newer dates show up in searches.
| Model | Announced | Release | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition | June 9, 2024 | Holiday 2024 | Robot White, no disc drive |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition | June 9, 2024 | Holiday 2024 | 2TB SSD, celestial design, matching controller |
| Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection (X25 Limited Edition Series X) | August 26, 2026 preorders | November 13, 2026 | Translucent green design, engraved number, Halo: Campaign Evolved included |
The xbox.com Series X page lists the 1TB Carbon Black, 1TB Digital Edition, 2TB Galaxy Black and X25 models, and no successor console under a Series X 2 name.
Xbox Series X release date: frequently asked questions
When was the Xbox Series X officially released?
The Xbox Series X was officially released on November 10, 2020. Microsoft launched it in 40 markets that day at a US estimated retail price of $499, alongside the $299 Xbox Series S.
What year did the Xbox Series X come out?
The Xbox Series X came out in 2020. Microsoft revealed the name in December 2019 with a Holiday 2020 window, confirmed November in August 2020, and released the console on November 10, 2020.
Did the Xbox Series X launch worldwide on the same date?
Yes, in every launch market. Microsoft announced a global November 10, 2020 date and launched in 40 markets that day, with more countries added afterwards. There was no staggered regional schedule like Sony's two-wave PS5 launch.
What was the Xbox Series X release date in the UK?
The UK release date was November 10, 2020, the same day as the US. Microsoft used one global launch date for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S across its launch markets.
What was the Xbox Series X release date in Australia?
Australia also got the Xbox Series X on November 10, 2020. Microsoft's single global launch date covered its day-one markets, and stock was sold through local retailers, including Microsoft Store.
What time was the Xbox Series X released in 2020?
Microsoft did not set a single unlock time. Retailers chose their own opening and order times, and Microsoft held a launch livestream at 11 a.m. PT, 2 p.m. ET on November 10, 2020.
What was the Xbox Series X price at release?
The Xbox Series X cost $499 in the US at release, as Microsoft's estimated retail price. Xbox All Access offered it for $34.99 a month for 24 months, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Did the Xbox Series S come out at the same time as the Xbox Series X?
Yes. Both consoles launched on November 10, 2020. Series S was introduced later, on September 9, 2020, at $299, but it shipped the same day as the $499 Series X.
Why do some people confuse the Xbox Series X release date with other dates?
Several official dates came first: the December 12, 2019 name reveal, the September 9, 2020 date announcement and the September 22, 2020 preorder start. Newer models from 2024 and 2026 add more dates.
How did the Xbox Series X launch compare with the PlayStation 5 release?
Xbox Series X launched first. It arrived on November 10, 2020, while PS5 launched on November 12 in seven markets, including the US, and on November 19 in Europe and most other regions.
When did the 2TB Xbox Series X come out?
The 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition Xbox Series X launched in holiday 2024. Microsoft announced it on June 9, 2024 at $599.99, in limited quantities in select markets.
When is the Xbox Series X 25th anniversary edition released?
The Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection releases on November 13, 2026. Public preorders opened on August 27, 2026, with a $899.99 MSRP and Halo: Campaign Evolved included.
Bottom line: when did the Xbox Series X actually launch?
Use November 10, 2020 as the Xbox Series X release date for every launch market, including the US, UK and Australia. That is the day Microsoft put the console on sale in 40 markets. December 2019, September 9 and September 22, 2020 were the reveal, announcement and preorder dates, and the 2024 and 2026 dates belong to later Series X models.
