Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Smart Home Week
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • Best web hosting
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop

Recommended reading

The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense on a wooden surface in front of a white brick background
PS5 The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense is peppered with icons and graphics that are also memories and moments, and that makes it perfect for mega fans like me
Best gaming console
Consoles & PC Best gaming console in 2025: every major system tested and ranked
Xbox Wireless Controller Doom The Dark Ages edition
Gaming I'm not going to spend money on these limited edition Doom: The Dark Ages Xbox controllers, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted to pre-order them
The Super Pocket handheld games console on a pale green background.
Consoles & PC Best handheld games consoles in 2025: the top systems we've tried
Hideo Kojima holding the upcoming Death Stranding 2 DualSense.
Gaming PlayStation fans blast 'lazy' new Death Stranding 2: On the Beach DualSense Wireless Controller
Best Xbox controllers 2025
Gaming Accessories The best Xbox controllers in 2025
Nacon vs Turtle Beach controller
Gaming Nacon Revolution X Unlimited vs Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot – here’s what I learned testing two of the year’s most interesting Xbox controllers
  1. Gaming
  2. Consoles & PC

The 10 worst special edition consoles ever made

News
By Hugh Langley published 12 March 2017

The state of these

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The worst special edition consoles of all time

The worst special edition consoles of all time

When it comes to special edition consoles, it's about a 50/50 split between 'Pretty nice' and 'What the hell were they thinking?'.

A recent Game of Thrones Xbox One effort definitely falls into the latter camp. Just feast your eyes on the thing.

Not only does it look like someone left an Xbox One out to rust, the giant metal rings sticking out the top mean you won't be easily slipping this thing under the TV.

Luckily, the console is exclusive to Xbox France and only available through a competition, but it's not the first bad tie-in console that has graced us with its presence.

Here are a few of the worst.

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Mountain Dew Xbox

Mountain Dew Xbox

There's nothing I love more than the refreshing taste of Mountain Dew as I chow down on some Doritos and get stuck into a bit of Halo. If only there was a console that spoke to my lifestyle; a console my friends could look at and say, "Yes, this is a man who knows how to Dew it".

Well, turns out there was. No, that's not the Hulk you're looking at (although it's about the same size and color) but the limited edition Mountain Dew Xbox that was only made available through a sweepstakes for Dew lovers. You can still find a few knocking around on eBay.

[Image credit: Gamesmaster1 on YouTube]

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Star Wars Xbox 360

Star Wars Xbox 360

The Darth Vader PS4 may have divided opinion, but it's as hallow as Yoda compared to the ugly Star Wars Xbox 360 above.

The console was launched in a bundle with a copy of Star Wars Kinect and the Kinect sensor itself.

It's not even the unit that's the worst bit - just look at that C-3PO-inspired controller. Look at it.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Men in Black PlayStation

Men in Black PlayStation

I don't think Men in Black is a good enough movie to warrant a console tie-in. Sue me. Either way, this one's about as inspired as the second film.

[Image credit: Twinfinite]

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Call of Duty PS4

Call of Duty PS4

The 1 TB PlayStation 4 Call of Duty: Black Ops III bundle comes with a console that's meant to evoke elements of the game, but actually wouldn't be out of place in Tron. The original Tron, where - let's be honest - everything looks a bit pants if you watch it now.

Then comes the controller, which looks like it's just been used by someone with Cheeto dust smeared on their thumbs.

In sum, not great.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Hello Kitty Xbox

Hello Kitty Xbox

The Hello Kitty limited edition Xbox is a bit like the sun - in that staring at it for too long will probably cause blindness.

It was launched for the release of Hello Kitty: Roller Rescue in 2005, and the world never looked back.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Shrek Game Boy Advance SP

Shrek Game Boy Advance SP

Like Shrek, it's only ugly on the outside. It also belongs in a swamp.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Tommy Hilfiger Game Boy Color

Tommy Hilfiger Game Boy Color

"This promotion is a natural partnership, since both companies tailor to the trendsetters who dress to impress and enjoy interactive entertainment," said then-Nintendo exec Peter Main at the launch of the Tommy Hilfiger Game Boy Color.

"Finally, a console will tie my outfit together," said absolutely no one in response.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Taco Bell Xbox 360 Slim

Taco Bell Xbox 360 Slim

No joke: Taco Bell gave away a special edition Xbox 360 as part of a competition in Canada. The color is fine - it's the Taco Bell logo slapped on the side that makes us want to wrap the console in a rug like an ugly tortilla and drop it in the nearest river.

That said, only three were ever given away, so you're unlikely to ever see a wild one. If you do, be sure to express your dislike by booing at it.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Team Jordan PlayStation

Team Jordan PlayStation

Only 10 of these were ever made, and we're thankful for that. The Team Jordan Formula 1 PlayStation is so ugly it would be an offence to the trash can to bin it.

The consoles were given away by Team Jordan to tie in with the launch of Formula 1 '97, and might be worth a bit of money if you're one of the 10 people to own one. So at least there's a silver lining to this yellow monstrosity.

[Image credit: Gamekapocs]

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Bruce Lee PS4

Bruce Lee PS4

*Vomits all over the PS4*

*PS4 looks the same, if not marginally better*

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
TOPICS
Sony Microsoft Xbox
Hugh Langley
Hugh Langley
Social Links Navigation

Hugh Langley is the ex-News Editor of TechRadar. He had written for many magazines and websites including Business Insider, The Telegraph, IGN, Gizmodo, Entrepreneur Magazine, WIRED (UK), TrustedReviews, Business Insider Australia, Business Insider India, Business Insider Singapore, Wareable, The Ambient and more.

Hugh is now a correspondent at Business Insider covering Google and Alphabet, and has the unfortunate distinction of accidentally linking the TechRadar homepage to a rival publication.

Read more
The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense on a wooden surface in front of a white brick background
The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense is peppered with icons and graphics that are also memories and moments, and that makes it perfect for mega fans like me
Best gaming console
Best gaming console in 2025: every major system tested and ranked
Xbox Wireless Controller Doom The Dark Ages edition
I'm not going to spend money on these limited edition Doom: The Dark Ages Xbox controllers, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted to pre-order them
The Super Pocket handheld games console on a pale green background.
Best handheld games consoles in 2025: the top systems we've tried
Hideo Kojima holding the upcoming Death Stranding 2 DualSense.
PlayStation fans blast 'lazy' new Death Stranding 2: On the Beach DualSense Wireless Controller
Best Xbox controllers 2025
The best Xbox controllers in 2025
Latest in Consoles & PC
Sidestepper taking first place in Mario Kart World
I’ve clocked up more than 60 hours in Mario Kart World – here are my 3 top tips for getting first place
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review: a remarkable improvement
PS5
The Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, but we still consider the PS5 the best gaming console to buy in 2025 – here are the three reasons why it's number one
Leon S Kennedy, Evelyn Parker, and Isaac Clarke
Steam Summer Sale is even better than I thought – here are the most worthwhile deals
Nintendo Switch 2
Accessory maker Dbrand responds to botched Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con grips, admits its initial reaction to unhappy fans was 'a spectacularly terrible response to the issue at hand'
ROG Ally using Bazzite vs Switch 2
The Switch 2's value has just been diminished significantly due to its poor display - and it's another reason you should opt for a handheld gaming PC
Latest in News
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 27: Jake Paul weighs in ahead of his fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at Honda Center on June 27, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images)
Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr LIVE: fight stream, how to watch, cheapest PPV deals for tonight's boxing blockbuster
iPad Pro 13-inch with M4 chip on a wooden table
Apple could finally go all-screen with the iPad Pro, as new leak hints at slimmest-ever bezels
Apple iPhone 16 Review
This ‘meh’ iPhone 17 Air camera tip might give us more insight than meets the eye
A Tesla car, James Bonds and Samsung's foldable promo image
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Tesla finally launching robotaxis (kinda) to Samsung's foldables teaser
A phone showing the download page for Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft is phasing out passwords soon – here's why passkeys are replacing them and what to do next
Verizon logo on a building with blue sky above
Hackers claim to be selling 61 million Verizon records online, but it might not be what it seems

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...