Microsoft is raising Xbox prices—and it’s not just the consoles
Xbox joins Sony and Nintendo in pushing hardware and game prices higher.
If you’ve been holding out on grabbing a new Xbox or an extra controller, well, brace yourself. Microsoft is hiking prices across the board, not just consoles, but controllers and first-party games too.
As someone who’s been gaming long enough to remember when console prices used to drop over time, this feels like a strange moment. The company cite rising development costs, supply chain disruptions, and U.S. tariffs on Chinese electronics as key factors.
Starting in the US, the Xbox Series X will go from $499.99 to $599.99, a $100 spike. Meanwhile, the Series X digital version will now cost $549.99, with the 2TB Galaxy Black special edition model a whopping $729.99. The Series S isn’t spared either; the 512 model is going up to $379.99 while the 1TB model is going up to $429.99.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
The price of Xbox’s controller is also increasing, with the standard controller rising to $64.99 and the special edition controller now going for $79.99. And if you're eying the Xbox wireless headset, get ready to fork out $119.99. Games are seeing hikes as well. Microsoft’s first-party titles, think flagship releases like Halo or Forza, will now launch at $79.99 instead of $69.99.
These adjustments aren't just rolling out in the United States; they are also happening in other regions. In Europe, for example, the Series X (1TB) will now retail for €599.99 while the Series X (512 GB) will now be priced at €349.99.
Likewise, in the UK, the Xbox Series S (512GB) will now be priced at £299.99 and the Xbox Series X (1TB) will rise to £499.99.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
But Microsoft isn't alone in this price increment shenanigan. Sony recently raised PlayStation 5 prices in several regions, citing similar economic challenges. Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 will also launch at a higher price point ($449.99) than its predecessor ($300), reflecting broader industry trends towards increased pricing.
So in that context, Microsoft’s hike doesn’t feel completely out of left field. But it still stings. On the bright side, Xbox Game Pass pricing isn’t changing, at least not yet. For now, that remains one of the more cost-effective ways to access a big library of games.
