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

Microsoft has announced a significant price increase on its Xbox products, impacting consoles, controllers, headsets, and select games. Effective immediately as of May 1, the price hikes on Xbox consoles and accessories are now in effect globally, with the exception of headset prices, which are only increasing in the U.S. and Canada. While game prices remain unchanged for the moment, Microsoft has indicated that new, first-party titles could see a jump to $79.99 around the holiday season.

Here are the new prices for various Xbox products in the U.S.:

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

You can find additional price changes by region on the official Xbox announcement page [here](#).

Microsoft provided IGN with a statement explaining the rationale behind these price increases, citing market conditions and the escalating costs of development:

“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 see the $80 price point 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, or Undead Labs' State of Decay 3. Additionally, Double Fine is working on a new game.

Fans 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, despite Microsoft's earlier commitment in 2022 to maintain existing prices following PlayStation's PS5 price hike. Xbox Series X prices were raised in 2023 in most countries except the U.S., and Xbox Game Pass has seen multiple global price increases.

Although the extent of these price hikes may be surprising, the move itself aligns with industry trends. PlayStation recently raised prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for the second time in three years. The broader gaming industry has been gradually increasing prices, with AAA games moving from $60 to $70 over the last five years, and Nintendo setting a $80 price for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself will launch at $450, a price that has drawn criticism yet been deemed inevitable given current economic conditions.

Nintendo had to reconsider its console pricing following newly announced and fluctuating U.S. tariffs, although the console price remained at $450, accessory prices were not spared. Analysts predict further price increases for Nintendo post-launch, and the Entertainment Software Association has warned that the entire industry will be affected:

“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 climate for gamers across all platforms.

The Best Xbox Game of 2024

View 7 Images

Xbox Games Series Tier List