Before the original Xbox came out in 2001, Microsoft showed off a huge, silver prototype that resembled a piece of modern art more than a gaming console. Now, a YouTuber named Macho Nacho Productions has painstakingly built a replica of it, investing almost $6,000 to recreate the unique design.
Macho Nacho, a popular YouTuber who restores old video game consoles, created a working replica of the console using custom aluminum parts and some modern upgrades. He designed it to be fully functional by 2025.
The team used photos from the early 2000s, comparing the prototype console to a Microsoft Sidewinder controller, to accurately determine its original size.
When their initial approach proved inaccurate, they traveled to New York to photograph an actual prototype. They then used these photos to create a detailed 3D model.
YouTuber builds a replica Xbox prototype
For improved safety, the new design includes a standard external power supply instead of the original Xbox’s internal, unprotected one.
Inside, the components slot into specially designed grooves shaped like the letter T. A small screen is placed in the middle to resemble the original design’s “reactor core.” The console is also upgraded with an HDMI adapter, a fast solid-state drive, and software that allows users to control things like fan speed and other settings.
Macho Nacho claims the first Microsoft prototype built in 2000 cost around $18,000 to make – about $36,000 today. In comparison, the parts for their own version, made of aluminum, totaled $5,622.66, and that didn’t include the cost of travel, labor, or any electronic components.
The new system works just like the original Xbox, letting you play classic games on today’s TVs and displays, all while keeping the iconic look that made the Xbox so memorable when it first launched.
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2025-10-31 19:18