Home News Xbox Series Prices Rise, Games to Cost $80 This Holiday Season

Xbox Series Prices Rise, Games to Cost $80 This Holiday Season

Author: Michael May 27,2025

In a significant move that will impact gamers worldwide, Microsoft has announced a substantial price increase for its Xbox ecosystem. Starting today, May 1, the cost of Xbox consoles, controllers, and select accessories will rise, with game prices set to follow suit during the upcoming holiday season.

New Pricing Details

The new pricing structure for Xbox products in the U.S. is as follows:

Xbox Series S 512GB: Now $379.99, up from $299.99
Xbox Series S 1TB: Now $429.99, up from $349.99
Xbox Series X Digital: Now $549.99, up from $449.99
Xbox Series X: Now $599.99, up from $499.99
Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Special Edition: Now $729.99, up from $599.99

Controller Prices:

Xbox Wireless Controller (Core): $64.99
Xbox Wireless Controller (Color): $69.99
Xbox Wireless Controller - Special Edition: $79.99
Xbox Wireless Controller - Limited Edition: Now $89.99, up from $79.99
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core): Now $149.99, up from $139.99
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full): Now $199.99, up from $179.99

Headset Prices:

Xbox Stereo Headset: $64.99
Xbox Wireless Headset: Now $119.99, up from $109.99

For a comprehensive list of price changes across different regions, visit the official Xbox announcement page here.

Justification for Price Increases

Microsoft provided a statement to IGN explaining the rationale behind these 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.”

Impact on Game Prices

While current game prices remain unchanged, Microsoft has indicated that new, first-party titles will be priced at $79.99 starting around the holiday season. Potential titles that may see this price increase include the next mainline Call of Duty, the delayed Fable set for 2026, the Perfect Dark reboot, inXile’s Clockwork Revolution, Rare's Everwild, The Coalition's Gears of War: E-Day, Hideo Kojima’s OD, Undead Labs' State of Decay 3, and a new title from Psychonauts developer Double Fine.

Upcoming Events

Gamers can anticipate further details at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and the The Outer Worlds 2 Direct scheduled for June.

Historical Context

This marks the first price hike for Xbox Series S consoles since their launch in 2020. Microsoft had previously committed to maintaining existing prices in 2022, despite PlayStation raising prices on the PS5. However, Xbox did increase the price of the Xbox Series X in 2023 in most countries, excluding the U.S., and has raised Xbox Game Pass prices globally multiple times.

Industry Trends

Microsoft's move aligns with broader industry trends, as evidenced by PlayStation's recent price increases in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The gaming industry has been gradually shifting to higher prices, with AAA game costs rising from $60 to $70 over the past five years. Nintendo has also announced $80 price tags for some Switch 2 exclusives, including Mario Kart World, and set the Switch 2 console at a controversial $450, amidst economic pressures.

Tariffs and Economic Impact

The announcement comes amidst fluctuating tariffs in the U.S., which have forced companies like Nintendo to reevaluate their pricing strategies. Although the Switch 2 remained at $450, accessory prices were adjusted. Analysts and the Entertainment Software Association have warned of widespread impacts across the gaming industry, affecting all platforms due to global economic conditions.

Conclusion

These price increases reflect the challenging economic environment and rising development costs, signaling more expensive times ahead for gamers across all platforms.