Mattel Brick Shop has revealed an exciting new building kit designed to delight fans of retro gaming. This meticulously crafted set recreates the iconic original Xbox console, complete with its distinctive oversized Duke controller and interactive dioramas inspired by beloved titles. Available for purchase in October 2026, this product marks a significant milestone: the 25th anniversary of the Xbox, offering a unique blend of nostalgia and hands-on engagement for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Mattel Brick Shop Introduces Interactive Original Xbox Building Kit for 25th Anniversary Celebration
In a thrilling announcement for gaming aficionados, Mattel Brick Shop has unveiled its latest creation: a 1:1 scale replica building toy kit of the original Microsoft Xbox console. Scheduled for release on October 1, 2026, and retailing at $324.99, this impressive 3,509-piece set is designed to commemorate the venerable console's 25th anniversary. This intricate kit not only features the console itself but also includes a faithfully reproduced Duke controller and three integrated game dioramas.
These miniature scenes pay homage to classic Xbox titles: Halo: Combat Evolved, Psychonauts, and The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind. Ingeniously, portions of the console slide open to reveal these dioramas, allowing users to discover scenes such as Master Chief engaged in battle with the Flood. The interactive elements extend to the Duke controller, whose buttons activate unique lights and sound effects within each diorama. Furthermore, opening the console itself triggers the authentic Xbox boot audio, immersing builders in a truly nostalgic experience. These dioramas are populated with 1-inch NanoWorld figures, adding a layer of detail and charm. The set is presented as a must-have display piece for collectors, promising an engaging building journey and a proud centerpiece for any gaming collection.
Interestingly, this release highlights a shifting landscape in the gaming industry. One of the featured games, Psychonauts, was developed by Double Fine, a studio that Microsoft no longer owns. Following a substantial wave of layoffs impacting over 3,000 employees, Double Fine subsequently became independent and regrettably had to let go of approximately a quarter of its workforce. This situation subtly underscores the evolving dynamics within the industry, even as companies like Mattel and Lego continue to forge partnerships to create physical tributes to video game history. Lego, for instance, has successfully collaborated with Nintendo on numerous hardware and game-themed kits, including sets for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, and Donkey Kong arcade cabinet, alongside popular franchises like Mario, Pokémon, and The Legend of Zelda. Similarly, Microsoft's collaboration with Mattel extends beyond this Xbox kit, with a Halo toy line and an upcoming Warthog-themed Brick Shop set, suggesting that the 'console wars' are now being waged not just in digital realms but also on the shelves of toy stores.
