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Modder Recreates Microsoft’s 2000 Aluminum Xbox Prototype as a Working Console

Photographic 3D modeling from a New York display produced exact dimensions, enabling a safe, modernized build around real Xbox internals.

Overview

  • Macho Nacho Productions led the effort, commissioning PCBWay to mill a solid aluminum shell that was then polished to a mirror finish.
  • The aluminum parts cost $5,622.66, compared with the original showpiece’s reported $18,000 in 2000, or roughly $36,000 today.
  • The console uses original Xbox hardware to run games natively, augmented with HDMI output, an SSD, and software for fan control.
  • For safety in a conductive enclosure, the team adopted an external USB‑C PD power design credited to Redherring32.
  • A circular LCD “core” driven by a Raspberry Pi Pico replaces the static jewel, and the creator plans to show the build at gaming events.