Microsoft has announced a significant price increase across a range of Xbox products, effective immediately as of May 1. This includes a broad spectrum of Xbox consoles, controllers, headsets, and select games. 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. The price adjustments are being implemented globally, with the exception of headset price increases, which are limited to the U.S. and Canada.
For those keen on staying updated with the latest in gaming, the new prices for Xbox products in the U.S. are as follows:
For detailed pricing in other regions, visit the official Xbox announcement page here.
Microsoft provided IGN with a statement explaining the rationale behind these price hikes:
“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 that will see the $80 price tag remain undisclosed, speculation points towards high-profile releases such as the next mainline Call of Duty, the delayed Fable game 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 project from Psychonauts developer Double Fine.
Gamers can look forward to more information at Microsoft's 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 earlier commitment to maintaining prices when PlayStation raised PS5 prices in 2022. Xbox did, however, raise Series X prices in 2023 in most countries, excluding the U.S., and has increased Xbox Game Pass prices globally multiple times.
Microsoft's move follows a trend across the gaming industry. PlayStation recently increased prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, marking their second price hike in three years. The industry has seen AAA game prices rise from $60 to $70 over the past five years, and Nintendo has set a $80 price for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a decision that has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, given current economic conditions.
Nintendo had to reconsider its pricing due to fluctuating U.S. tariffs, although the console price remained at $450, accessory prices were affected. Analysts predict further price adjustments post-launch, and the Entertainment Software Association emphasized the industry-wide impact of these economic pressures:
“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 may need to brace for higher costs.
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