Nintendo PXBOX 5: the console that unites PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 in a single system

For years, one of the biggest debates among fans has been which is The best console for gaming: PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch 2In practice, those who want access to almost the entire current catalog usually end up with several devices connected to the TV, with the resulting problem of space, cables and plugs everywhere.

In the midst of that panorama, a Chinese content creator has decided to go one step further and manufacture what many users have once imagined: a single tower that combines PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch 2 into one deviceHis project, humorously named as Nintendo PXBOX 5It is not a simple aesthetic experiment, but a deep reconstruction of the hardware of the three consoles so that they share components and function as an "all-in-one" system.

What exactly is the Nintendo PXBOX 5?

The call Nintendo PXBOX 5 It's a homemade modding project, not an official product or something you can buy in stores in Spain or Europe. Its creator, known as Xiao Ningzi or XNZ on platforms like Bilibili, He has disassembled a PS5, an Xbox Series (X or S, depending on the project version) and a Nintendo Switch 2 to relocate them within a single three-sided vertical housing.

The basic idea is simple on paper: only take advantage of the essential features of each console. (motherboard and soldered components) and leaving out everything redundant: original cases, separate heatsinks, fans, and separate power supplies. The result is a compact tower, very similarly inspired by the cylindrical 2013 Mac Pro, where Each face of the triangle houses the hardware of one of the three platforms.

What is striking is that, despite being a handcrafted project, The machine is fully operational.It allows you to turn on PS5, Xbox or Switch 2 independently, play their digital games and switch from one to the other in a matter of seconds using a physical button located on the top, with an LED light system that indicates which console is active.

These kinds of experiments are not new in the modding scene, but It's not common to see a "3 in 1" that combines next-generation consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendomuch less in a relatively compact format and with shared cooling that maintains reasonable temperatures.

How this console that combines PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 was built

The first step of the project was the most painful for any collector: take apart the three original consolesXiao Ningzi completely disassembled the PS5 and Xbox Series, removing casings, heatsinks and fans, until he was left with practically only the motherboard, where the CPU, GPU, memory and other critical chips are integrated.

With that starting point, the goal was to achieve a common cooling system inspired by the design of Apple's Mac ProThat professional computer incorporated a central aluminum block to which the motherboards were attached, with air flowing from bottom to top. The modder replicated that philosophy with a triangular tower: each side houses a motherboard (PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2), while in the center sits a large metal block responsible for absorbing and dissipating heat.

Manufacturing that block wasn't exactly cheap using industrial methods, so the creator opted for a technique of lost-wax casting using 3D printingFirst, he created the heatsink mold using PLA plastic, coated it with a high-temperature resistant material, heated it to remove the interior, and then... He filled the gap with molten aluminumAfter several attempts, he obtained a functional central piece capable of making contact with the critical areas of both the PS5 and Xbox motherboards.

To complete the thermal system, it was installed at the base a Phanteks T30 fanOne of the most powerful models on the PC market, it draws fresh air from the bottom to the top of the tower. This replicates the vertical airflow philosophy of the original Xbox Series X, but applied to all three motherboards simultaneously. According to the tests shown, Temperatures remain around 60 degrees Under load, without serious overheating problems.

Regarding power, instead of retaining each original source, the Nintendo PXBOX 5 uses a single 250W GaN power supplyThese types of chargers, already common in Europe for laptops and high-power devices, deliver a lot of energy in a very compact format. Since the three consoles never operate simultaneously, the actual maximum power consumption is reduced. At full load, the PS5 and Xbox Series combined do not exceed 225Wwhile the Switch 2 has a much more contained power consumption.

The role of Switch 2: hybrid console also within the mod

Although the PS5 and Xbox Series share the bulk of the cooling system and power supply, Switch 2 presents a different scenario Due to its hybrid nature, the Nintendo console is designed to function both in handheld mode and connected to the TV via a dock, which conditioned how to integrate it without losing one of its greatest advantages.

The modder's solution consists of disassemble the original dock and create a custom 3D case with an ejection mechanism. Using a USB-C connector and a printed part, the Switch 2 is inserted into the tower as if it were a cartridge from the classic consolesBy pressing a button, the console "jumps" out and can be used in handheld mode as normal.

This system allows the Nintendo Switch 2 to behave like an integral part of the Nintendo PlayStation 5 in the living room. sharing the HDMI output when docked. But, at the same time, it remains a standalone console that can be taken out and carried on trips, maintaining its main distinguishing feature: portability.

To make all of this work smoothly, the creator has set up a small Arduino board responsible for managing the power-up of each console and the video signal switching. A top button serves as a selector between PS5, Xbox, or Switch 2, and in just three seconds the tower switches from one machine to another. Furthermore, A front LED strip indicates the system is active with different colors: red for the Nintendo console, blue for the Sony console, and green for the Microsoft console.

The result is reminiscent of an advanced HDMI selector integrated into the casing itself, with the difference that Here the change not only affects the video input, but also the power supply of each board.In fact, one of the limitations of the project is that none of the consoles can remain in standby mode: since they depend on a single power source and centralized control, they must be completely turned off before starting another one.

Limitations: Digital games only and no commercial plans

Despite how spectacular it is to see a single tower capable of running PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 gamesThe project has several major limitations that keep it far from any commercial possibility, at least in the short term.

The first is that There are no disk drives installed for PS5 or Xbox. To keep the case size down and simplify the internal layout, the modder based it on digital versions of both consoles, completely omitting the optical drive. This means that, in practice, Only games purchased in digital format can be used on these platforms, something that is already common in Spain and the rest of Europe, but which still leaves out complete collections of physical titles.

The second limitation has to do with the very concept of the machine: Multiple consoles cannot operate simultaneouslyThe 250W GaN power supply is designed to power one of the systems, not all three. From a user's perspective, this isn't a major issue (we don't usually play PS5 and Xbox simultaneously), but it limits more advanced uses, such as having background downloads on one console while using a different one.

Added to this is the fact that It is a unique, handcrafted piece.There are no public plans, no official assembly guide, and no guarantee that anyone can safely replicate the invention at home. Although the console and PC modding community in Europe is very active, an integration of this scale requires... Knowledge of electronics, thermodynamics and metal parts manufacturing that go far beyond the typical case replacement.

For now, the creator herself has made it clear that It has no intention of marketing the Nintendo PXBOX 5At least in finished product form. There's also no news of legal kits or empty chassis available for purchase in European stores. Even if they shared designs or schematics, the warranty issue would remain: disassembling the PS5, Xbox, and Switch 2 means completely forfeiting official support from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo.

However, the project serves to highlight an increasingly evident reality: Many gamers use multiple consoles at the same time. They are looking for clean solutions for space, cabling and HDMI input management, especially in small living rooms or shared apartments, which are very common in large cities in Spain and other European countries.

The context: Switch 2 is a sales smash and the catalog keeps growing.

The emergence of a home console that combines PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 also comes at a particularly interesting time for current hardware. Nintendo Switch 2 is posting exceptional sales figures in Japan and, by extension, very strong commercial performance globally, with Europe as one of its key markets.

According to the latest data published by media outlets such as Famitsu and collected in the West by portals such as Gematsu, The Switch 2 has already surpassed four million units sold in Japan alone. between its launch in June 2025 and the first weeks of January 2026. In that same time frame, Nintendo's hybrid console has sold almost 314.000 units in the Asian country, selling around 6,7 units for each PS5 marketed during that period.

Looking at the total sales figures, Nintendo's new console has sold around 10 million units worldwide, with Japan accounting for approximately half. This success is based on... a catalog that mixes Switch 2-specific releases with adapted versions of major franchises also available on PS5 and Xbox Series.

In the Japanese physical sales charts, Mario Kart World for Switch 2 continues to lead the rankingswith over 2,7 million copies sold in that territory. It is closely followed by titles such as Pokémon Legends AZ (in its editions for the original Switch and Switch 2), as well as other Nintendo productions like Kirby Air Riders, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which is launching an optimized version for the new console.

Meanwhile, PS5 continues to consolidate its user baseThe all-digital model has already surpassed one million units sold in Japan, and in Europe the console remains one of the preferred platforms for major multiplatform releases. Meanwhile, Xbox Series consoles maintain a more discreet presence in the Japanese market, but they remain one of the pillars of the gaming ecosystem in Spain and other European countries, especially thanks to services like Game Pass.

Release schedule: an intense year for PS5, Xbox and Switch 2

This balance between three major platforms is also reflected in the release schedule planned for 2026, which is packed with titles for PS5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, both in Europe and in the rest of the Western markets.

In the first few months of the year, the list of premieres shows strong presence of multiplatform games that will arrive simultaneously (or within a few weeks of each other) on Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo consoles. Projects like I Am Future, 2XKO, Highguard or Speedball They have confirmed versions for PS5 and Xbox Series, and in some cases also for Switch and Switch 2, reinforcing the idea that there are fewer and fewer truly exclusive titles.

Nintendo's hybrid console, however, will continue to receive original productions or releases that, at least for the moment, do not leave their ecosystemAmong the highlights on the calendar are new releases from Mario, Pokémon and other classic sagasas well as specific adaptations of third-party games that take advantage of the machine's features.

The list of premieres planned throughout the year also includes big names that attract media and community attention, such as Grand Theft Auto 6 for PS5 and Xbox Seriesas well as new installments in popular European action, role-playing, and horror franchises. Simultaneously, the Switch 2 will expand its library with titles ranging from remasters of classics to entirely new projects, some shared with PS5 and Xbox, and others designed exclusively for Nintendo's hardware.

This context of cross-releases explains why more and more gamers are considering having more than one console at home. Anyone who wants to play the latest Nintendo games and also keep up with the big AAA titles on PS5 and XboxIt ends up assuming the cost (and space) of several machines connected to the same television, something that experimental projects like the Ningtendo PXBOX 5 try to solve creatively.

Deals and purchases in Europe: how the console "war" is playing out

While the Switch 2 comfortably leads the sales charts in Japan, the situation is more balanced in Europe, with constant promotional campaigns for PS5, Xbox and NintendoIn countries like Spain, large electronics chains and supermarkets frequently launch VAT-free days, temporary discounts, and bundles with games to encourage people to upgrade their console or make the leap to a second platform.

Recent promotions have shown, for example, Nintendo Switch 2 bundles with Mario Kart World at a reduced priceAdditional Joy-Con controllers specifically designed for the new console and discounts on PlayStation and Xbox accessories, from the DualSense Edge for PS5 to Xbox Elite controllers, are also on offer. These deals aim to entice both first-time console buyers and those who already own one and want to expand their gaming ecosystem with another brand.

The reality of the European market is that Many users combine a Nintendo console with one from Sony or MicrosoftThe first brings the portable gaming experience and the Japanese company's historical franchises, while PS5 and Xbox Series take care of the more technically ambitious titles and a good part of the Western multiplatform catalog.

Given this situation, inventions like the Nintendo PXBOX 5 are still... a striking oddity that raises, in the form of an experiment, what it would be like to simplify that domestic ecosystem: a single tower next to the TV, a single power cable, a single HDMI output and a selector that takes us from PS5 to Xbox or Switch 2 in a matter of seconds, without having to move from the sofa or struggle with the input menu.

Although its creator does not plan to commercialize it and the project is not easily replicable, It focuses on a real need for order and comfort. in living rooms increasingly filled with devices: consoles, sound bars, players, decoders and other gadgets that compete for a space on the shelf.

The Nintendo PlayStation 5 remains a curious symbol of this era of video games, in which PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 coexist more than they compete And players jump from one platform to another almost daily. Although for now the only way to combine the three consoles into a single chassis involves the extreme work of an enthusiastic modder, the project makes it clear that the idea of ​​a unified experience, with fewer cables and more organization, would still be appealing if major companies ever decided to pursue something similar.

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Alberto Navarro

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.

If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.