Xbox Hardware and Games Get a Significant Global Price Increase
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I was caught off guard by the news: Microsoft has increased the price of almost every Xbox product worldwide. From consoles to peripherals, everything is going up. The Xbox Series X—Microsoft’s flagship hardware—is now $100 more expensive, and first-party games are expected to cost $79.99 this Holiday season. Even accessories aren’t spared, with select Xbox controllers and headsets receiving price hikes.
Microsoft shared the following statement with IGN:
“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.”
Here’s a breakdown of the updated Xbox hardware pricing, courtesy of The Game Business:
Xbox Console Price Increases (2025)
Xbox Series S 512GB
Old Price: $299.99 / £249.95 / €299.99 / AUD$499
New Price: $379.99 / £299.99 / €349.99 / AUD$549
Xbox Series S 1TB
Old Price: $349.99 / £299.99 / €349.99 / AUD$549
New Price: $429.99 / £349.99 / €399.99 / AUD$599
Xbox Series X Digital
Old Price: $449.99 / £429.99 / €499.99 / AUD$699
New Price: $549.99 / £449.99 / €549.99 / AUD$749
Xbox Series X
Old Price: $499.99 / £479.99 / €549.99 / AUD$799
New Price: $599.99 / £499.99 / €599.99 / AUD$849
Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black
Old Price: $599.99 / £549.99 / €649.99 / AUD$999
New Price: $729.99 / £589.99 / €699.99 / AUD$1,049
Xbox Controller and Accessory Price Changes
Xbox Wireless Controller (Core)
Old Price: $64.99 / £59.99 / €64.99 / AUD$99.95
New Price: $64.99 / £59.99 / €64.99 / AUD$99.95
Xbox Wireless Controller (Color)
Old Price: $69.99 / £64.99 / €69.99 / AUD$104.95
New Price: $69.99 / £64.99 / €69.99 / AUD$104.95
Xbox Wireless Controller – Special Edition
Old Price: $69.99 / £74.99 / €79.99 / AUD$99.95
New Price: $79.99 / £74.99 / €79.99 / AUD$119.95
Xbox Wireless Controller – Limited Edition
Old Price: $79.99 / £74.99 / €79.99 / AUD$109.95
New Price: $89.99 / £74.99 / €89.99 / AUD$129.95
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core)
Old Price: $149.99 / £124.99 / €139.99 / AUD$199.95
New Price: $149.99 / £124.99 / €149.99 / AUD$229.95
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full)
Old Price: $179.99 / £159.99 / €179.99 / AUD$249.95
New Price: $199.99 / £169.99 / €199.99 / AUD$279.95
Xbox Stereo Headset
Old Price: $64.99
New Price: $64.99
Xbox Wireless Headset
Old Price: $109.99
New Price: $119.99
We’ll likely learn more about this pricing shift during the Xbox Games Showcase this June. The new hardware prices should be in effect starting May 1 as games priced at $80 is expected to start this holiday season.
Xbox Games Now Set to Cost $79.99
With this move, Xbox becomes the second major publisher to adopt a $79.99 price point for first-party titles. This is a bold jump at a time when many gamers are still adjusting to the current $69.99 standard—already a $10 hike from the longtime $59.99 norm.
Interestingly, Nintendo was the first to push past the $70 ceiling. When they fully revealed the upcoming Nintendo Switch successor the Nintendo Switch 2. It came with news that Mario Kart World and other first-party games would retail for $80 starting this June.
What’s Causing the Increase?
Global economic shifts and rising tariffs—especially from U.S. trade policies—appear to be major drivers behind the sudden spike. As countries impacted by these changes adjust prices accordingly, products like video game consoles have become more expensive to produce and distribute. It’s a complex issue, but the bottom line is clear: gaming hardware is no longer guaranteed to get cheaper with time.
Will PlayStation Respond With a Price Increase?
Among the big three, PlayStation currently offers the most affordable option. Even the beefy PlayStation 5 Pro, which launched at $699, is cheaper than the new 2TB Xbox Series X, which now costs $729.99.
But thinking Sony will hold out forever might be wishful. If economic pressures continue, a PlayStation price hike seems inevitable. And if that happens, we may be looking at the most expensive console generation in gaming history—a generation where prices rise instead of fall over time.
Whether you’re team Xbox, PlayStation, PC or Nintendo, one thing’s certain: it’s getting more expensive than ever to be a gamer.
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