Microsoft Hikes Xbox Series Prices, Games to Reach $80 This Holiday

Microsoft has announced a significant price increase for Xbox products, which will impact gamers worldwide. Starting today, May 1, the cost of Xbox consoles, controllers, and headsets will rise. While the price of games remains unchanged for now, Microsoft plans to increase the price of new, first-party titles to $79.99 during the upcoming holiday season. This global price hike will not affect headset prices outside the U.S. and Canada.

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Below are the updated prices for various Xbox consoles and accessories in the U.S.:

• Xbox Series S 512 - $379.99 (up from $299.99)
• Xbox Series S 1TB - $429.99 (up from $349.99)
• Xbox Series X Digital - $549.99 (up from $449.99)
• Xbox Series X - $599.99 (up from $499.99)
• Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Special Edition - $729.99 (up from $599.99)
• Xbox Wireless Controller (Core) - $64.99
• Xbox Wireless Controller (Color) - $69.99
• Xbox Wireless Controller - Special Edition - $79.99
• Xbox Wireless Controller - Limited Edition - $89.99 (up from $79.99)
• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core) - $149.99 (up from $139.99)
• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full) - $199.99 (up from $179.99)
• Xbox Stereo Headset - $64.99
• Xbox Wireless Headset - $119.99 (up from $109.99)

For a comprehensive list of price changes by region, visit the official Xbox announcement page here.

Microsoft provided IGN with the following statement regarding the price increase:

“We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players.”

Although specific titles haven't been confirmed, it's speculated that the $80 price point may apply to upcoming first-party releases such as the next mainline Call of Duty, the new Fable (delayed to 2026), the Perfect Dark reboot, inXile’s Clockwork Revolution, Rare's Everwild, The Coalition's Gears of War: E-Day, Hideo Kojima’s OD, or Undead Labs' State of Decay 3. Additionally, Double Fine is developing a new game that might also be affected.

Gamers can expect more details at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct scheduled for June.

This marks the first price hike for Xbox Series S consoles since their 2020 launch, despite Microsoft's earlier commitment in 2022 to maintain existing prices when PlayStation increased PS5 prices. Xbox Series X saw a price increase in 2023 in most countries, excluding the U.S., and Xbox Game Pass prices have been raised globally multiple times.

While the magnitude of these price increases is surprising, the move itself is not unexpected. PlayStation recently raised prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for the second time in three years. The gaming industry has been gradually increasing prices, with AAA game prices jumping from $60 to $70 over the last five years, and Nintendo setting $80 prices for upcoming Switch 2 exclusive titles like Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself is launching at $450, a price that has drawn criticism but is considered inevitable due to economic conditions.

Nintendo had to reassess its console pricing due to fluctuating U.S. tariffs, though the console price remained at $450, while accessory prices increased. Analysts predict further price hikes post-launch, and the Entertainment Software Association has warned that the entire industry will be affected:

“You know what? It's been interesting with media coverage around video games and tariffs because just unfortunate coincidental timing that the Switch [2 reveal] was the same day as President Trump's announcement. There are so many devices we play video games on. There are other consoles, but as I was saying, VR headsets, our smartphones, people who love PC games, if we think it's just the Switch, then we aren't taking it seriously. This is going to have an impact.

“And even American-based companies, they're getting products that need to cross into American borders to make those consoles, to make those games. And so there's going to be a real impact regardless of company. This is company-agnostic, this is an entire industry. There's going to be an impact on the entire industry.”

These developments indicate that gaming is becoming more expensive across all platforms.

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