Xbox Series Price Hike, Games at $80 This Holiday

Microsoft Implements Significant Price Hikes Across Xbox Ecosystem

The tech giant announced sweeping price increases today affecting Xbox consoles, accessories, and upcoming first-party game titles. Effective immediately (May 1), hardware costs will rise globally except for headsets, which only increase in U.S. and Canadian markets. Game pricing adjustments will follow later this year, with new Microsoft-published titles expected to reach $79.99 during the holiday season.

The Best Xbox Game of 2024

View 7 Images

Here's the adjusted U.S. pricing structure taking effect:

• Xbox Series S 512GB: $299.99 → $379.99
• Xbox Series S 1TB: $349.99 → $429.99
• Xbox Series X Digital: $449.99 → $549.99
• Xbox Series X: $499.99 → $599.99
• Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Special Edition: $599.99 → $729.99
• Controllers range from $64.99 (Core) to $89.99 (Limited Edition)
• Headsets: Stereo at $64.99, Wireless at $119.99

Microsoft explained the pricing decision: "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."

This marks the first Xbox Series S price increase since its 2020 launch. While Microsoft maintained pricing during PlayStation's 2022 PS5 adjustment, gradual increases have occurred elsewhere - Series X rose internationally (excluding U.S.) in 2023, and Game Pass subscriptions have seen multiple global hikes.

The industry-wide trend continues as PlayStation recently implemented its second price increase in three years across select markets. Game pricing has steadily climbed from $60 to $70 for AAA titles in recent years, with Nintendo reportedly planning $80 pricing for Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World. The upcoming Switch 2 itself debuted at a controversial $450 price point before recent tariff fluctuations.

Analysts warn these pricing pressures may continue: "This is company-agnostic...There's going to be an impact on the entire industry." With major showcases planned for June including Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, Microsoft will likely detail upcoming premium titles like:

• Next Call of Duty installment
• Fable reboot (delayed to 2026)
• Perfect Dark revival
• Clockwork Revolution from inXile
• Everwild from Rare
• Gears of War: E-Day
• Hideo Kojima's OD
• State of Decay 3

The gaming landscape continues evolving toward premium pricing structures across all platforms, suggesting gamers should brace for increased costs regardless of their preferred console ecosystem.

Xbox Games Series Tier List