Xbox Series Prices Rise, Games to Cost $80 This Holiday

Microsoft has announced a significant price increase for Xbox products, affecting consoles, controllers, headsets, and select games. Starting today, May 1, the new prices for Xbox consoles and accessories will take effect globally, with the exception of headsets, which will only see a price hike in the U.S. and Canada. While game prices remain unchanged for now, Microsoft has hinted that new first-party titles might retail at $79.99 come the holiday season.

Here's a breakdown of the new prices for Xbox products in the U.S.:

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

For a comprehensive list of price changes across different regions, you can visit the official Xbox announcement page here.

Microsoft provided IGN with a statement explaining the price increases, citing market conditions and rising development costs. They emphasized their commitment to providing diverse gaming experiences and ensuring value for Xbox players.

While it's unclear which specific first-party titles will see the $80 price point, 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, Undead Labs' State of Decay 3, and a new game from Psychonauts developer Double Fine.

Gamers can look forward to more details at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct in June.

This marks the first price increase for Xbox Series S consoles since their launch in 2020, despite Microsoft's earlier commitment to maintaining prices when PlayStation raised PS5 prices in 2022. Xbox Series X prices were raised in 2023 in most countries, excluding the U.S., and Xbox Game Pass has seen multiple global price hikes.

The gaming industry has been gradually implementing price increases, with AAA game prices rising from $60 to $70 over the last five years. Nintendo has set a $80 price for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World, and the Switch 2 itself will launch at $450, a move that has drawn criticism from fans but was deemed inevitable by analysts given current economic conditions.

Nintendo's pricing strategy was further complicated by fluctuating U.S. tariffs, leading to a reevaluation of console and accessory prices. The Entertainment Software Association has warned that the entire gaming industry will feel the impact of these economic pressures, regardless of the platform.

In these challenging economic times, gamers across all platforms are facing higher costs, reflecting a broader trend in the industry.

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