Summary
Microsoft has announced sweeping price hikes across the entireXboxhardware line, including the Series X/S consoles, controllers, and headsets. These increases go into effect immediately, but that’s not all, asXboxfirst-party game prices will also be hiked to $80 later in the year.
Ever since the Xbox Series X/S launched in late 2020, Microsoft has maintained steady pricing for the current-gen systems in the US, at $500 and $300 respectively. TheSeries X did receive international price bumpsin 2023, but even in the face of industry-wide inflation and financial challenges, Microsoft has notably held firm on its home turf. However, that changes now, as Microsoft has levied the largest across-the-board price increase for Xbox in years.
Effective immediately, the Xbox Series S (512GB) jumps from $300 to $380, while the Series S (1TB) rises from $350 to $430. Thestandard Series X will now retail for $600, just $100 shy of thePS5 Pro’s price tag, and its 2TB Galaxy Special Edition will cost a hefty $730, surpassing the stronger Sony console. Xbox controllers now fall in the $65-90 price range, depending on the model, and the Elite Series 2 controllers cost up to $200. The Xbox Wireless Headset prices will also be increased to $120 in the US and Canada.
Xbox Hardware
Xbox Games
Alongside the hardware price increases, Microsoft confirmed that it will begincharging $80 for new Xbox first-party titles starting holiday 2025. This makes Xbox the second publisher to officially adopt the controversial pricing strategy recentlyimplemented by Nintendo for certain first-party Switch 2 games. Upcoming Xbox games expected to launch at the new $80 price point include the nextCall of Dutyentry,Fable,Perfect Dark,Clockwork Revolution,Gears of War: E-Day, and more. Microsoft issued a statement citing “market conditions and the rising cost of development” as core reasons behind the price increases.
Expectedly, many Xbox fans have voiced disapproval over the blanket price hikes, especially the $80 AAA first-party games. Interestingly, Microsoft raisedfirst-party Xbox game prices to $70from $60 in 2023, and just about two years later, the gaming giant has opted for another $10 increase. Such frequent base price increases for games have never happened in the industry before, and Nintendo’s foray into the $80 price point for first-party games seems to be making other publishers and platform holders more confident in exploring the idea. It remains to be seen if major companies like Sony, EA, Take-Two, and the like follow suit in the coming months.
