Home News Microsoft Hikes Xbox Series Prices, Games to Reach $80 This Holiday

Microsoft Hikes Xbox Series Prices, Games to Reach $80 This Holiday

Author: Ava May 26,2025

Microsoft has announced a significant price increase for its Xbox ecosystem, affecting consoles, controllers, headsets, and upcoming first-party games. Effective immediately as of May 1, the price hike extends globally, with the exception of headset prices, which will only rise in the U.S. and Canada. While current game prices remain unchanged, Microsoft plans to introduce a new standard price of $79.99 for new first-party titles around the 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 detailed pricing by region, please visit the official Xbox announcement page here.

Microsoft provided IGN with a statement explaining the 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."

While specific titles haven't been confirmed, it's speculated that the $80 price tag may apply to upcoming releases like 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, and Undead Labs' State of Decay 3, among others from developers like Double Fine.

More information is expected to be revealed 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, despite Microsoft's earlier commitment to maintaining existing prices when PlayStation raised PS5 prices in 2022. 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.

The gaming industry has been adjusting prices over the past few years, with AAA game prices moving from $60 to $70, and Nintendo setting a $80 price point for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself will launch at $450, a price that drew criticism yet was deemed inevitable by analysts given current economic conditions.

Nintendo faced potential price reevaluation due to fluctuating tariffs in the U.S., ultimately keeping the console price at $450 but adjusting accessory prices. The Entertainment Software Association highlighted the broader impact of tariffs on the industry, affecting not just consoles but also VR headsets, smartphones, and PC gaming.

In these challenging economic times, it's clear that gamers across all platforms are feeling the pinch of rising costs.