Calling all Barbie girls living in their Barbie worlds. Iāve got new plastic; itās fantastic. It can also control your Xbox and help you look cool while gaming. Plus, Microsoft announced a new, specially made Barbie-themed Xbox that sadlyāalong with the controllersācanāt be bought, but can be won as part of an upcoming giveaway. And Forza Horizon 5 fans will be able to drive around in Barbieās iconic pink convertible, too.
The film Barbie is coming to theaters on July 21. Based on the trailers, it looks amazing, and Iāll be in theaters on day one to watch the upcoming film starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken. The new film, directed by Greta Gerwig (Little Women), is inspired by the super famous and successful Barbie doll line from Mattel. And to help promote this upcoming movie, the toy company has partnered with Microsoft on some cool-looking (and very pink) Xbox hardware and other crossover goodies.
The new Barbie-themed Xbox console and controllers arenāt for sale
On Monday, Xbox showed off a new Barbie-themed Xbox Series S console that is hot pink and features the Barbie movie logo slapped on the front. Honestly, Microsoft should just release versions of Xbox Series X and S in that color, without the logo. But sadly, this one-of-a-kind Xbox will only be provided to one person via a special giveaway.
Xbox also revealed a rad-looking controller with four additional faceplates based on Barbie and Kenās outfits from the film. Iām extremely annoyed that these designs are only faceplates and will only be available via the previously mentioned giveaway. Nope, these awesome designs wonāt actually be sold anywhere. Based on the amount of online hype and excitement surrounding these new controller designs, Iām likely not alone in my disappointment that these wonāt be easily purchasable closer to the Barbie movieās launch.
If a Microsoft executive is reading this right now, hereās an idea: Sell some of these designs as official controllers in time for the movieās eventual physical release.
Is that a new Xbox Series X/S controller design?
Some eagle-eyed Xbox and Barbie fans spotted a new mic mute button on the front of the Xbox controller seen in the promo image for the pink hardware.
However, I donāt think this is a tease of a new controller design. Instead, this is likely just a sign that this special controller isnāt being produced by Xbox, but rather a third-party company. This makes sense, as there wonāt be many of these controllers made, so Microsoft likely teamed up with a hardware company to produce a small batch of these to be giveaway prizes.
In fact, the controller in the promo art looks a lot like a Scuf-produced Xbox controller, complete with that same mute button. And that Scuf Xbox controller also supports custom and easily swappable faceplates, too.
Kotaku has reached out to Xbox about the controller and new Barbie console.
Forza Horizon 5 gets some Barbie content, too
While itās annoying that I canāt buy these new controller designs, at least another part of this big promotional crossover event is obtainable: The new Barbie-themed vehicles added to Forza Horizon 5.
Hello Barbie, let's race Barbie
Check your @ForzaHorizon 5 Message Center today to receive the very special 'Barbie Movie' 1956 Chevrolet Corvette EV and Kenās 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup, now available for download!
Don't miss #BarbieTheMovie, Only In Theaters July 21 pic.twitter.com/SAxH8NtBmu
ā Xbox (@Xbox) June 26, 2023
All Forza Horizon 5 players will be gifted Barbieās pink 1956 Corvette as well as Kenās less-iconic 2022 GMC Hummer Pickup. I donāt want to be mean to Ken, but dude, get a cooler car. I know which one of these two Iāll be driving around in the next time I load up Forza Horizon 5 Hint, itās not the boring Hummer.
Xbox says players just need to play Forza to gain access to these free cars, which can be downloaded from the in-game message center. After that, theyāll be in your garage waiting for you.
