The Console War is Over—And this Chinese Modder Just Won It!

gaming console
Friday, 23 January 2026 at 13:21
Xbox-PlayStation-Switch-2-all-in
We’ve all been there: staring at a tangled web of HDMI cables, three different power bricks, and a shelf that looks more like a Best Buy warehouse than a living room. But while the rest of us just complain about "console fatigue," a Chinese modder known as 小宁子 XNZ decided to build a peace treaty.
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Meet the Ningtendo PXBOX 5. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a PS5, an Xbox Series X, and the brand-new Nintendo Switch 2, all crammed into a single, sleek, cylindrical chassis.

Key Points

  • Three-in-One Powerhouse: Combines the motherboards of a PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch 2 into a single cylindrical case.
  • Mac Pro-Inspired Cooling: Uses a central triangular heatsink and a large bottom-mounted fan to cool all three systems at once.
  • Smart Power Sharing: Operates on a single 250W PSU, which handles one active console while the others remain in low-power standby.
  • Removable Switch 2: Includes a custom-engineered, spring-loaded dock that allows the Switch 2 to be removed for portable use.
  • Seamless Switching: Features a top-mounted toggle button that swaps between consoles in about three seconds.

The "Trashcan" Mac Pro Strategy

Visually, the PXBOX 5 looks less like a gaming rig and more like a piece of high-end audio gear. XNZ clearly drew inspiration from the 2013 "trashcan" Mac Pro—and for good reason. The cylindrical shape allowed her to mount the motherboards of all three consoles in a triangular layout around a central core.
The engineering here is legitimately impressive. She didn't just tape them together; she stripped them down to the bare PCBs, tossed out their individual power supplies, and built a custom lost-wax casted aluminum heatsink to cool the whole trio. It’s a masterclass in thermal management that makes the original Series X cooling look amateur.

How It Actually Works

You might wonder how a single box handles three wildly different power draws. XNZ used a 250W GaN power supply, which is plenty—provided you aren't trying to run Halo, God of War, and Mario at the exact same time.
  • One-Button Switching: A large button on top cycles through the systems.
  • Color-Coded Feedback: The LED ring shifts from Blue (PS5) to Green (Xbox) and Red (Nintendo).
  • The Switch 2 Dock: Instead of burying the Switch, she built a custom 3D-printed, spring-loaded dock so you can still pop it out for handheld play.

Why We Need This (But Will Never Get It)

XNZ’s message to the industry was simple: "Quit fighting. Stop the console war." It’s a beautiful sentiment, but let’s be real—Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo would rather share a toothbrush than a chassis.
Still, seeing all three platforms live in harmony under one roof is a reminder of what the ultimate gaming experience could look like. It’s not just a joke or a "recess" project anymore; it’s a functional piece of art that proves the only thing standing between us and a universal console is corporate stubbornness.
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