Microsoft has announced a significant price increase on its Xbox products, effective immediately from May 1. This hike affects Xbox consoles, controllers, headsets, and select games. While game prices remain unchanged for the moment, Microsoft plans to introduce $79.99 price tags on new, first-party games during the upcoming holiday season.

These price adjustments are being implemented worldwide, with the exception of headset prices, which will only increase in the U.S. and Canada.

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Here are the updated prices for various 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, please visit the official Xbox announcement page [here](link).

Microsoft provided IGN with the following statement regarding these 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.”

Although it's unclear which first-party Microsoft games will see the $80 price point, potential candidates might 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. Double Fine, the developer behind Psychonauts, is also crafting a new title.

Fans can look forward to more details at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, scheduled for June.

This marks the first price hike for Xbox Series S consoles since their 2020 launch, despite Microsoft's earlier commitment in 2022 to maintain existing prices following PlayStation's PS5 price increase. Notably, Xbox raised the price of the Xbox Series X in 2023 in most countries, excluding the U.S., and has increased Xbox Game Pass prices globally multiple times.

While the scale of these price increases is significant, Microsoft's decision to raise prices aligns with industry trends. Just last week, PlayStation increased prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for the second time in three years. Over the past few years, the gaming industry has seen AAA game prices rise from $60 to $70, and Nintendo has set $80 prices for some upcoming Switch 2 exclusives, including Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a price that has sparked debate among fans and analysts, who see it as a necessary adjustment given current economic conditions.

Nintendo's pricing strategy faced further scrutiny due to fluctuating tariffs in the U.S., leading to a reevaluation of console and accessory prices. Although the Switch 2's price remains at $450, accessory prices have been affected. Analysts predict that Nintendo might increase prices post-launch, and the Entertainment Software Association has warned that this trend is not limited to Nintendo:

“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.”

In these challenging economic times, gamers across all platforms are facing increased costs.

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