Before the first Xbox launched in 2001, Microsoft revealed a massive silver prototype that looked more like a futuristic sculpture than a console. Now, YouTuber Macho Nacho Productions has recreated it from scratch, spending nearly $6,000 to bring the design back to life.
YouTuber Macho Nacho, known for retro console restorations, built the replica using custom-milled aluminum and slightly upgraded internals to make it functional in 2025.
To capture the exact size of the original prototype, the team compared early 2000s photos showing the console beside a Microsoft Sidewinder controller.
When that method wasn’t accurate enough, they flew to New York to photograph a real prototype on display and used those images to build a precise 3D model.
YouTuber builds a replica Xbox prototype
The final design uses an external power supply for safety, replacing the unprotected one found in the original Xbox.
The internal hardware fits into custom T-shaped grooves, and a small LCD screen sits in the center to match the prototype’s “reactor core” look. The console also includes an HDMI modification kit, a solid-state drive, and software that lets the user adjust fan speeds and other settings.
According to Macho Nacho, Microsoft’s original prototype reportedly cost $18,000 to produce in 2000, or roughly $36,000 when adjusted for inflation. Their version cost $5,622.66 in aluminum parts alone, excluding travel, time, and electronics.
At its core, the recreated system functions like any original Xbox, running classic games on modern displays while showcasing the striking design that defined Microsoft’s entry into gaming.
Predator: Badlands director reveals why he missed out on Stranger Things Season 5