Xbox Unveils Disc-to-Digital program and range of Xbox 25th Anniversary 3rd party accessories

Microsoft has made a long-rumoured Disc-to-Digital licensing program for XBOX official overnight, as well as announcing a new range of third-party X25 XBOX accessories available for pre-order. 

Your Discs.Now Digital.

In a blog post on Xbox Wire, Jason Ronald, VP Next Generation for Xbox announced ‘Today we are introducing a feature that brings the benefits of digital to physical discs, giving players more flexibility in how they access and play supported games across the XBOX ecosystem’. 

Microsoft’s disc-to-digital program, will see you be able to claim a digital license for (most of) your XBOX One, or Xbox Series-X games. 

Microsoft has clarified that thousands of games are supported already, however not every title will be available at launch but they are continuing to add titles to the program.

The program will go live for Xbox Insiders on August 31st. According to Microsoft, ‘Players can claim their digital copy of a game by inserting the physical disc into their console and launching the game’. 

X25

The Xbox 25th Anniversary is in full swing, and after announcing a 25th anniversary XBOX Console and controller in June, the controller is now up for pre-order (though out of stock) and Microsoft has also announced a range of third-party X25 themed accessories, including a dock for the controller. 

The ‘Designed for XBOX 25th Anniversary Collection’ was shown off over on the Xbox Wire blog, with products from a range of well-known companies.

The range includes the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K – XBOX 25 Anniversary Edition wireless RGB gaming mouse and Razer BlackWidow V4 75% – XBOX 25 Anniversary Edition gaming keyboard with hot-swappable Switches and RGB, as well as the Razer Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed – XBOX 25 Anniversary Edition earbuds – all decked out in the XBOX translucent green. 

With all of it now on the Razer global main-page, however it doesn’t seem to be available to pre-order in Australia just yet – but you can keep your eye on the global landing page.

8BitDo have chimed in with an ‘Ultimate Charging Dock for XBOX Controllers—X25 Special Edition’, which launches in the familiar translucent green and is compatible with XBOX Series X|S and XBOX One wireless controllers.

The dock is available to pre-order now on their global e-shop for $39.99USD and ships on October 20. 

Backbone are getting in on the action, offering a Backbone Pro XBOX 25th Anniversary Edition for your phone. 

The limited edition phone controller will be available in three ‘heritage’ colours: Iconic Blue, Bold Orange, and Crystal Clear – with Backbone adopting a ‘blindbox’ approach to sales, so you won’t know which you’ll get.  

You can pre-order now over on the Backbone store for $249 AUD, with shipping starting in October. 

GameSir are also doing a controller, though this one comes in the same translucent green as the rest of the accessories. This controller carries Apple MFi certification  for iOS users, as well as full Android compatibility so you can use your XBOX Game Pass access on your phone. 

THe GameSir X5 Lite for XBOX 25th Anniversary Edition, is available to pre-order now for $69.99 AUD directly from GameSir, with units also shipping in October. 

Lastly, the PowerA XBox Sling Bag. Designed for your ROG XBOX Ally and ROG XBOX Ally X, it includes a crossbody design with compartments to store and organise your headset, controller, phone, and accessories as well as your device. 

Unfortunately it looks like this one isn’t available in Australia, but you can keep your eye on the powera website where it’s priced at $39.99USD.