Microsoft Raises the Price of All Xbox Series Consoles, Xbox Games Confirmed to Hit $80 This Holiday

Microsoft has announced significant price increases across its Xbox ecosystem, affecting consoles, controllers, headsets, and some games. Starting today, May 1, the new pricing for Xbox consoles and accessories will go into effect globally, with the exception of headset prices, which will only rise in the U.S. and Canada. While current game prices will remain unchanged for now, Microsoft plans to introduce $79.99 pricing for new, first-party titles during the upcoming 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 detailed price changes in other regions, you can visit the official Xbox announcement page here.

In response to these changes, Microsoft provided IGN with the following statement:

“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 the specific titles that will carry the new $80 price tag remain undisclosed, potential candidates include the next mainline Call of Duty, the delayed Fable (2026), the Perfect Dark reboot, inXile’s Clockwork Revolution, Rare's Everwild, The Coalition's Gears of War: E-Day, Hideo Kojima’s OD, Undead Labs' State of Decay 3, and a new game from Psychonauts developer Double Fine.

Gamers can look forward to more information at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, scheduled for June.

This marks the first price increase 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. However, Xbox Series X prices were raised in 2023 in most countries except the U.S., and Xbox Game Pass has seen multiple global price hikes.

These price increases from Microsoft follow similar moves by PlayStation, which raised prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand last week, marking the second price adjustment in three years. The broader gaming industry has been gradually implementing price increases, with AAA game prices rising from $60 to $70 in the last five years, and Nintendo setting $80 prices for some upcoming Switch 2 exclusive titles like Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a decision that has been met with criticism from fans amidst economic pressures.

Nintendo's pricing strategy was influenced by fluctuating tariffs in the U.S., affecting accessory prices while the console price remained at $450. Analysts suggest 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 changes.

It's clear that these are challenging times for gamers across all platforms, as the industry navigates rising costs and market conditions.

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