Microsoft has announced a significant price increase across its Xbox ecosystem, affecting consoles, controllers, headsets, and some games. Starting today, May 1, prices for Xbox consoles and accessories will rise globally, with the exception of headset prices, which will only increase in the U.S. and Canada. Although game prices remain unchanged for now, Microsoft has indicated that new first-party titles will be priced at $79.99 starting around the holiday season.

Here's a look at the new pricing structure for various Xbox products in the U.S.:

• Xbox Series S 512 - $379.99 (was $299.99)
• Xbox Series S 1TB - $429.99 (was $349.99)
• Xbox Series X Digital - $549.99 (was $449.99)
• Xbox Series X - $599.99 (was $499.99)
• Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Special Edition - $729.99 (was $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 (was $79.99)
• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core) - $149.99 (was $139.99)
• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full) - $199.99 (was $179.99)
• Xbox Stereo Headset - $64.99
• Xbox Wireless Headset - $119.99 (was $109.99)

For a detailed breakdown of price changes by region, you can visit the official Xbox announcement page.

Microsoft provided IGN with a statement explaining the rationale behind 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.”

While it's unclear which specific first-party titles will be priced at $80, potential candidates include the next mainline Call of Duty, the delayed 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. Double Fine is also developing a new game that may fall into this category.

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 2020 launch, despite Microsoft's commitment in 2022 to maintain existing prices when PlayStation raised PS5 prices. The Xbox Series X saw a global price increase in 2023, except in the U.S., and Xbox Game Pass has faced multiple global price hikes.

While the magnitude of these price increases may be startling, the move itself isn't unexpected. PlayStation recently raised prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for the second time in three years. The gaming industry at large has been discussing and implementing price increases, with AAA game prices rising from $60 to $70 over the last five years, and Nintendo setting $80 for some Switch 2 exclusives, including Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a price that has drawn criticism yet acknowledged as inevitable given economic conditions.

Nintendo had to reassess its pricing strategy due to fluctuating tariffs in the U.S., ultimately keeping the console at $450 but raising accessory prices. Analysts suggest Nintendo may raise prices again post-launch, and the Entertainment Software Association has warned that these changes will affect the entire gaming industry:

“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 higher costs.

The Best Xbox Game of 2024

View 7 Images