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 headset prices, which will only increase in the U.S. and Canada. While game prices remain unchanged for now, Microsoft plans to raise the cost of new first-party games to $79.99 during the upcoming holiday season.
Here are the updated prices for 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 detailed breakdown of price changes by region, visit the official Xbox announcement page here.
Microsoft provided IGN with a statement explaining the rationale behind these price adjustments: "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."
Although the specific first-party titles that will see a price increase to $80 remain undisclosed, potential candidates could 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, or Undead Labs' State of Decay 3. Additionally, Double Fine, the developer behind Psychonauts, is working on a new game.
More details about these games may be revealed 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 increases.
Microsoft's decision to raise prices follows a trend in the gaming industry, with PlayStation recently increasing prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for the second time in three years. The industry has been gradually implementing price hikes, with AAA game prices rising from $60 to $70 over the last five years, and Nintendo setting $80 prices 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 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 newly announced and fluctuating tariffs in the U.S., leading to adjustments in accessory prices. The Entertainment Software Association has warned that the impact of these tariffs will be felt across the entire gaming industry, affecting all platforms and companies.
In these challenging economic times, it's becoming increasingly costly to be a gamer, regardless of your preferred platform.
The Best Xbox Game of 2024
View 7 Images
