XCm Third Party Shells (XBox Custom Mods)

[N163LPH03N1X]

I haven't seen many people post information about XCM shells, which some are mislead or mixed up between Ghost Cases, so I'll try to clear that up here with information I've gathered over the years.
. 
XCM stands for (Xbox Custom Mods). Originally XCM started back in the glorified days modding Original Xbox and shortly moved to other Consoles. For those who are not familiar with XCM at all, XCM is a third party company that makes thirds party accessories and replacement cases for multiple game consoles (not just Xbox). They are still in production mainly for the newer generation consoles and handhelds but as for Original Xbox the shells are long out of production. So far in my years of collecting I've only encountered 5 shell variations that XCM produced years ago. Many have tried to have the company reproduce the shells as well as suggestions for different colors other than the 5 variations and have failed so XCM shells still retain their value. Although the shells were probably equally manufactured ill list them in rarity based on my encounters an opinions. The shells are still made from cheaper plastic from the original OEM shells but much higher quality than ghost Case Shells. Finding an XCM shell in worthy condition (Not cracked or Yellowed) is hard to find nowadays and can fetch for a high price.

This is when I bought a brand new Red XCM back in the day, It's the best way I can show a parts list right out of the box. (Junkie Cheap Controller and bag of parts Not included) LOL

#1

XCM Crystal Ruby Red Edition

The beloved transparent Crystal Red XCM shell. This shell is literally the most sought after shell out of the 4 other variations mainly of course for the elegant ruby color. Microsoft never made crystal red limited editions so having a modded red console sticks out in any Xbox collection. Through the years I have seen this console shell pop up new in box like 4-5 times and personally I've owned about 4 of these myself which were sold off to new owners. The shell was a full body set with everything you need to dress the console. (Red Top, Face plate and Bottom Shell, Signature XCM DVD Red bezel, Red eject/power buttons fitted with a red ring, signature clear jewel showing "XCM Crystal" on it and 4 spongy pads for the feet)

#2

XCM Crystal Clear/Transparent Edition

This XCM shell matches Microsoft's original limited edition crystal shell. These shells in particular looked amazing with an Xecuter's Crystal Control Panel giving your Xbox an all decked out look with nothing retail. I've encountered a few people who have owned these shells but never in perfect shape. I managed to find two of them brand new in the wild and lots cracked, broken or missing the correct parts. Due to the type of plastic degrade yellowing can occur which can maybe be fixed with RetroBright or something.? People have used these for Painting... I know a crystal Orange or Green XCM would be unique but if your shell is in perfect condition it puts a pain in a collectors heart. Set comes with  (Clear Top, Face plate and Bottom Shell, Signature XCM DVD Clear bezel, Clear eject/power buttons fitted with a Clear ring, signature clear jewel showing "XCM Crystal" on it and 4 spongy pads for the feet)

#3

XCM Crystal Sapphire Blue Edition

This shell is a matching of Microsoft's Halo 2 Ice Blue Limited Edition Console. These shells are bad ass fitted with a Blue Xecuter Control Panel, I have found only one in the wild brand new, only a set few used throughout the Xbox forums and I have only owned two of these. I believe back in the day these shells were sought after big time because of it being a cheaper option than buying a Ice Blue Limited Edition. This set comes with  (Blue Top, Face plate and Bottom Shell, Signature XCM DVD bezel, Blue eject/power buttons fitted with a Blue ring, signature clear jewel showing "XCM Crystal" on it and 4 spongy pads for the feet)

#4

XCM Crystal Pure White Edition

This glacial white shell matches Microsoft's very rare limited edition pure white 2nd anniversary console. I have not found even one of these brand new in the wild and I've only owned one. These shells are made of a pure white plastic that may look painted but also can suffer yellowing over time Like the Panzer Dragoon Limited Edition. This console comes with  (White Top, Face plate and Bottom Shell, Signature XCM DVD bezel, White eject/power buttons fitted with a Clear ring, signature clear jewel showing "XCM Crystal" on it and 4 spongy pads for the feet).

#5

XCM Crystal Silver Edition.

Unlike the other XCM's this one is painted but painted by XCM themselves. I've owned 1 & 1/2 of one of these. During my hunting days I've only came across two of these shells, one with the Jewel Drilled out and missing the correct eject/power buttons. and this one here above which is near mint condition. There's not much information on these but doubtfully less appeasing to the eyes. I'm not sure why XCM went the silver route but I think they were attempting a chrome like look but in my theory I'd say this one is the hardest to find due to the lack of interest on it and the assumption that it was a crystal XCM shell not custom painted by XCM.

[eduardov94]

Found a blue 

[rodman1911]

Where would one find XCM stuff in the wild now?

[Xbmcmodsforxbox]

they are very hard to come by but if your lucky someone has one in the fourms up for sale or on ebay

 

[c0tt0nm0ufh]

I have to put up some screenshots of the one I found.  I'm pretty sure it's a XCM crystal blue, but hard to say.

[[email protected]]

That blue one is nice, but Im a sucker for the original Trans Green ones.

[MadMurdock]

Bought a blue one last year on ebay. Just got around to finishing the build. French seller has a Red and Silver listed on eBay now, but they are asking a lot of money.

[12brendon34]

I own a red xcm shell

Im not planning on selling but if you want some photos I guess I'll give my discord

12brendon34#8636

[1.21jiggawatts]

If anyone cares: 

Clear XCM Case on ebay (Currently at 81$) and looks to be in great condition. Comes with EVERYTHING except a hard drive Xecuter 3 chip. If i didnt have two I was doing right now I probably would jump on this lol.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224813756134

[MadMurdock]

Have three now.

https://imgur.com/a/kwQN7r1

[MadMurdock]

On 1/31/2022 at 9:54 PM, 1.21jiggawatts said:

If anyone cares: 

Clear XCM Case on ebay (Currently at 81$) and looks to be in great condition. Comes with EVERYTHING except a hard drive Xecuter 3 chip. If i didnt have two I was doing right now I probably would jump on this lol.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224813756134

I bought that one. It was in decent shape, small crack in the top shell, small scuffs and scrapes. It's also pretty well yellowed; hoping I can retrobrite it back to it's former glory. The mobo is a 1.0 with 5-6 leaking caps so it's not currently working. Ordered replacement caps to get it back up.

Edited February 14, 2022 by MadMurdock

[1.21jiggawatts]

@MadMurdock glad you got it! hope my link helped. You probably were already on top of it though huh?

[cyrix]

Not surprised people here snagged that one.

 

I have a clear xcm I bought ~15 years ago but the front panel is broken off. The plastic piece that goes over the power and eject buttons is long gone, but I'm wondering if I can just 3d print a clear replacement and glue everything back into place. Thoughts?

[1.21jiggawatts]

3 hours ago, cyrix said:

Not surprised people here snagged that one.

 

I have a clear xcm I bought ~15 years ago but the front panel is broken off. The plastic piece that goes over the power and eject buttons is long gone, but I'm wondering if I can just 3d print a clear replacement and glue everything back into place. Thoughts?

What would be cool is to get a full case, 3D scan it then start 3D printing your own. That would be rad.

 

[MadMurdock]

23 hours ago, 1.21jiggawatts said:

@MadMurdock glad you got it! hope my link helped. You probably were already on top of it though huh?

I occasionally search eBay for these shells. I got lucky over the last couple years, now having the red, blue, and crystal. I still have to get some of the X3CP faceplates, namely the blue and crystal (already have black).

[MadMurdock]

On 2/15/2022 at 3:36 PM, 1.21jiggawatts said:

What would be cool is to get a full case, 3D scan it then start 3D printing your own. That would be rad.

 

Somebody on the OG Xbox Facebook group 3D scanned the X3CP and posted the files. Some guys have been printing them up in resin. They look... decent, but not as good as the real thing. I imagine someone has 3D scans of the stock case out there somewhere. Pay sure you'd need a good print volume; I can't even print a faceplate on my Prusa unless I split it.

[GaminGuys]

Great informative post. I'm going to try and recreate a red soon. I have some reference parts coming from Tony Kuberka but I won't be doing anything to pass these off as legit, just some of us will never get the genuine article. Tough enough to get X3CP's in the UK, would be exceptionally lucky to find one of these and I love my Xbox designs.

[GaminGuys]

As there is extremely little chance of getting an original XCM in the UK I have been working on making myself a replica red one. I've been dyeing crystals for about 7 months now and am very good at it. I've had the DVD Drive lettering and Crystal puck jewel re-produced but those parts are not here yet, however I did make the case. Some of you may have seen it on Facebook. This one was just the colour tester, the next one will be the one I use.

I managed to buy some old red parts inc DVD Bezel, eject button and a snapped front for referencing and colour matching.

My plan is to sand the lettering off the DVD bezel before dying then add the XCM lettering afterwards. UV glue the jewel in place and well the rest is pretty much done apart from swapping out the controller logo which I hadn't really thought of.

Edited February 13, 2024 by GaminGuys

[coppermine]

Man I kind of think that's amazing as-is. How did you get started dying these plastics? I would love to be able to do them myself.

[PRince404]

On 2/14/2024 at 3:03 AM, GaminGuys said:

My plan is to sand the lettering off the DVD bezel before dying then add the XCM lettering afterwards. UV glue the jewel in place.

Uhh, Why would you do that? It looks good as it is.

[Bowlsnapper]

1 hour ago, PRince404 said:

Uhh, Why would you do that? It looks good as it is.

I agree. This looks unique, rather than simulating an XCM case. Not saying you shouldn't, but that's my two cents. It looks like something MS did. I think It's pretty rad!  Very nice work. @GaminGuys

[GaminGuys]

On 2/15/2024 at 8:15 AM, PRince404 said:

Uhh, Why would you do that? It looks good as it is.

Well it won't look like XCM unless it has the lettering

[GaminGuys]

On 2/14/2024 at 1:37 AM, coppermine said:

Man I kind of think that's amazing as-is. How did you get started dying these plastics? I would love to be able to do them myself.

I saw a couple of other orange that looked a bit crap and thought I could do better. Then I posted my orange Halo Artistic and it just blew up

[Bowlsnapper]

1 hour ago, GaminGuys said:

Well it won't look like XCM unless it has the lettering

Once again, only my opinion: I don't see what the point of simulating an XCM is. I would honestly rather have a unique, pure Xbox shell that nobody else has. I say it's perfect the way it is. XCM was meant as a fresh replacement for an old shell. You HAVE a perfect shell. I say keep it.

[GaminGuys]

I've had it all made already mate, crystal jewel puck and dvd bezel so its going ahead. I buy maybe 5 crystals a week so I can do Xbox ones too, however, not going to waste the money I spent on the parts being manufactured. I've already started this evening by removing the jewel guides from the crystal and it gets dipped tomorrow. See what you think at the end. It's only a nod to XCM for even bothering reproducing the case. Most of them look dog tired as well so I'm reproducing with a genuine case... what they reproduced lolz

Edited March 15, 2024 by GaminGuys