Microsoft has recently confirmed price hikes for Xbox consoles and controllers around the world. The company indicated that some first-party games may also see a price increase to $80 starting this holiday season. This change isn’t minor; the cost for several console models has surged by at least 20%.
The most affordable option, the Xbox Series S 512GB, will rise from $300 to $380. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X will now cost $600, up from $500. For those looking to purchase the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black SE model, be prepared to spend an impressive $730. As for controllers, the new starting price is $65, and the Xbox Wireless Headset will now retail for $120. Fortunately, the price of the Xbox Adaptive Controller will remain unchanged.
This price increase is significant. However, there’s a silver lining: Xbox Game Pass pricing is not affected, and the increased game pricing will only apply to new titles debuting this holiday. Existing titles should see no price changes, although Microsoft has not specified which new games might experience a price hike.
These price adjustments are not limited to the United States. Microsoft has announced that this global increase will impact customers in Europe and Australia as well.
According to Microsoft, these changes were made after careful consideration of market conditions and the rising costs associated with game development. The company remains committed to providing more avenues for gamers to enjoy a variety of titles across different devices.
This announcement follows a similar decision by Nintendo, which has faced backlash regarding the pricing of first-party Nintendo Switch 2 games. Additionally, Microsoft recently reported its third-quarter earnings, showing increased revenue largely due to Xbox Game Pass and other cloud-based services.
The new prices may encourage more players to utilize subscription services like Game Pass, where nearly all first-party Xbox titles are accessible from day one. This will likely appeal to budget-conscious gamers who wish to enjoy new releases without spending excessively.
