Gaming on Xbox is about to cost more. Microsoft has announced a sweeping global price hike across its Xbox product line, including consoles, controllers, headsets, and even games. This move impacts both current Xbox fans and prospective buyers, who will now need to set aside more cash if they want to upgrade their hardware or enjoy the latest first-party releases.
What’s Going Up and Where?
The price changes vary by region, but nearly every major Xbox product is affected, including the Xbox Series X, Series S, and various controllers. According to gaming business analyst Christopher Dring, the U.S. will experience some of the most dramatic increases, with certain models jumping by as much as $100.
The increase affects not only base models but also premium versions like the Galaxy Black 2TB Series X and special edition controllers. Here’s a detailed look at some of the biggest price changes:
United States (USD)
-
Xbox Series S 512 GB: $299.99 → $379.99
-
Xbox Series S 1 TB: $349.99 → $429.99
-
Xbox Series X Digital: $449.99 → $549.99
-
Xbox Series X: $499.99 → $599.99
-
Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black: $599.99 → $729.99
-
Wireless Controller (Color): Unchanged at $69.99
-
Special Edition Controller: $69.99 → $79.99
-
Limited Edition Controller: $79.99 → $89.99
-
Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full): $179.99 → $199.99
-
Xbox Wireless Headset: $109.99 → $119.99
Europe (EUR)
-
Xbox Series S 512 GB: €299.99 → €349.99
-
Xbox Series S 1 TB: €349.99 → €399.99
-
Xbox Series X: €549.99 → €599.99
-
Elite Controller Series 2 (Full): €179.99 → €199.99
United Kingdom (GBP)
-
Xbox Series S 512 GB: £249.95 → £299.99
-
Xbox Series X: £479.99 → £499.99
-
Elite Controller Series 2 (Full): £159.99 → £169.99
Australia (AUD)
-
Xbox Series S 512 GB: $499.99 → $549.99
-
Xbox Series S 1 TB: $549 → $599
-
Xbox Series X: $799 → $849
-
Series X Galaxy Black 2TB: $999 → $1,049
-
Elite Controller Series 2 (Full): $249.95 → $279.95
Why the Price Hike?
Microsoft hasn’t released an official statement detailing the exact reasons for the increase, but industry observers point to several contributing factors:
-
Rising manufacturing costs: Global inflation has driven up the price of electronics components, logistics, and labor.
-
Exchange rate volatility: Currency fluctuations may be pushing Microsoft to balance prices across international markets.
-
Increased hardware capability: New models, such as the 2TB Galaxy Black Series X, pack more storage and performance, justifying a higher premium.
-
Positioning for next-gen: As the Xbox brand moves closer to releasing new titles and potentially refreshed hardware in 2025–2026, Microsoft may be realigning pricing tiers to fit future strategy.
Games Are Getting Pricier Too
Price hikes aren’t just limited to hardware. Upcoming blockbuster titles like Doom: The Dark Ages are expected to launch with higher-than-average base prices, especially for next-gen editions. This follows a broader trend across the industry, with many publishers, including Sony and Nintendo, gradually increasing standard game prices to $69.99 or more in recent years.
What This Means for Players
For budget-conscious gamers, these changes make it harder to jump into the Xbox ecosystem, especially for those considering an upgrade. The Xbox Series S was previously celebrated as a highly affordable entry point into next-gen gaming, but at nearly $380 in the U.S. and £300 in the UK, that narrative is changing.
Meanwhile, the Series X’s jump to $599 in the U.S. places it closer to premium PC territory, which may push some users to reconsider their investment.
However, Microsoft continues to promote Xbox Game Pass as a value-driven subscription model, offering hundreds of games for a monthly fee. For now, Game Pass pricing remains unaffected, but that could also change in the future.
Final Thoughts
While Microsoft’s decision to raise Xbox prices may make sense from a business standpoint, it puts added pressure on consumers at a time when affordability is already a concern in the gaming industry. Whether these changes will affect sales or prompt more aggressive promotional offers remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: playing on Xbox is no longer as wallet-friendly as it used to be.
