Microsoft Increases Xbox Series Prices; Games to Reach $80 This Holiday Season

Microsoft has announced a significant price increase on its Xbox lineup, affecting consoles, controllers, headsets, and some games. As of today, May 1, the new prices for Xbox consoles and accessories have taken effect globally, with the exception of headset prices, which are only increasing in the U.S. and Canada. While game prices remain unchanged for now, Microsoft has indicated that new, first-party titles will be priced at $79.99 starting around the holiday season.

Here are the updated prices for various Xbox products 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, you can visit the official Xbox announcement page here.

Microsoft provided IGN with a statement explaining the rationale behind these price increases:

“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.”

While it's not yet clear which first-party titles will see the $80 price tag, potential candidates include 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, and Undead Labs' State of Decay 3. Double Fine is also working on a new game that could be part of this lineup.

Microsoft has scheduled an Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and an The Outer Worlds 2 Direct for June, where more details are expected to be revealed.

This marks the first price hike for Xbox Series S consoles since their launch in 2020. Microsoft had previously committed to maintaining existing prices in 2022 when PlayStation raised PS5 prices, but it did increase Xbox Series X prices in 2023 in most countries, excluding the U.S. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass has seen multiple global price increases.

The move by Microsoft isn't surprising, as PlayStation recently implemented similar price increases in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The gaming industry as a whole has been gradually adjusting prices, with AAA game prices rising from $60 to $70 over the last five years, and Nintendo setting $80 for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World and other Switch 2 Edition games. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a price that has drawn criticism from fans but was deemed inevitable by analysts given current economic conditions.

Nintendo had to reevaluate its console pricing due to fluctuating tariffs in the U.S., though the console price remained at $450, while accessory prices were affected. Analysts predict that Nintendo may raise prices again post-launch, and the Entertainment Software Association has warned that the entire industry will feel the impact of these economic pressures:

“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 highlight the challenging economic environment for gamers across all platforms.

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