Microsoft has announced a significant price increase for Xbox products, affecting consoles, controllers, headsets, and some games. Starting today, May 1, the price hike for 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 will remain unchanged for now, Microsoft plans to charge $79.99 for new first-party games during the upcoming holiday season.
Below are the new prices for various Xbox consoles and accessories 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 price changes in other regions, visit the official Xbox announcement page [here](#).
Microsoft provided IGN with the following statement explaining the price increases:
“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 it's unclear which specific first-party titles will see the $80 price tag, potential candidates include the next mainline Call of Duty, the new Fable, 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.
Fans can look forward to more information 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. Although Microsoft had promised to maintain existing prices in 2022 when PlayStation raised PS5 prices, they did increase Xbox Series X prices in 2023 in most countries, excluding the U.S. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass has seen multiple global price hikes.
Microsoft's decision to raise prices is part of a broader industry trend. Just last week, PlayStation increased prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for the second time in three years. The gaming industry has seen AAA game prices rise from $60 to $70 over the past five years, with Nintendo setting a $80 price for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself was revealed to launch at $450, prompting criticism from fans despite analysts noting the inevitability of such pricing given current economic conditions.
Nintendo faced additional pricing challenges due to fluctuating U.S. tariffs, leading to adjustments in accessory prices while maintaining the console's price at $450. Analysts speculate that Nintendo may raise prices again 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 underscore the rising costs that gamers across all platforms are facing in today's economic climate.
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