Microsoft is known for two things: playing catch-up to Sony and making strange-looking devices. And, oh, there's a third one we can add to that: Microsoft isn't afraid to embrace the quirkiness of its gaming consoles.

Case in point, Microsoft is making an Xbox Series S toaster (feel free to read that again).

When the Xbox Series X first came out in late 2020, fans criticized it for looking like a huge black brick. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves and redesigning the console, the design guys over at Xbox doubled down. The result is an Xbox Series X mini-fridge, which is literally what the name suggests it is.

It's still available if you'd like to order one for yourself and it would go nicely with the upcoming Xbox Series S toaster.

The leaker from the Xbox Squad (via VGC) reveals that the Xbox Series S toaster will be released later this year and retail for roughly $100.

So, technically, for close to the same price as the Xbox Series S, you can get yourself both the Xbox Series S toaster and the Xbox Series X mini-fridge. Now, wouldn't that be something?

It's refreshing to see a tech giant like Microsoft leaning into a joke. There have been too many instances of corporations taking themselves too seriously when people meme about their products online.

On a more serious note, Microsoft still struggling to get the ball rolling on the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Sony is pretty adamant about not letting Microsoft acquire one of the largest video game publishers in the world.

But, there's a glimmer of hope for Microsoft. Sony was recently ordered to reveal its trade secrets to Microsoft to support its argument about the effect of the mega-merger on the gaming industry.

All the while, Microsoft has shored up its defenses by striking a deal with Nintendo and offering the same deal to Sony albeit one regulator isn't quite convinced that this is enough.