If Nintendo lit the price hike match, Microsoft and Xbox just tossed gasoline on the fire.
Following the controversial pricing rollout of the Nintendo Switch 2—including $500 hardware and $80 games—Microsoft has now confirmed a major price hike across nearly every facet of its Xbox brand. That includes consoles, accessories, and, by the holiday season, first-party games.
A screenshot from Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (2020), 343 Industries
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As of May 1, the cost of Xbox Series consoles and accessories has officially increased, with the Xbox Series X now retailing at $599.99, up from $499.99. Even the more budget-friendly Series S saw a bump, rising from $299.99 to $379.99 for the 512GB model. The new Series X Digital Edition is launching at $549.99, while the 2TB Galaxy Special Edition tops the charts at $729.99.
And the changes don’t stop at consoles. Controllers, headsets, and other hardware are getting price adjustments globally. The standard wireless controller in black is now $64.99, with color variants at $69.99 and special editions climbing to $89.99. Even the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core) has gone from $139.99 to $149.99, while the full kit now sells for a steep $199.99. Headset prices are going up as well, but only in the U.S. and Canada.
A screenshot of Master Chief via Halo YouTube
As for games, Microsoft says the current pricing will remain—for now. But by the end of 2024, the company expects new first-party games to begin launching at $79.99, pushing the industry ever closer to the $80 standard once feared but now seemingly inevitable.
In a statement provided to IGN, a Microsoft spokesperson acknowledged the frustration this would bring to consumers.
“We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development,” Microsoft said. “Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players.”
The Xbox Series X Console – YouTube, Xbox
The phrasing—particularly “we understand that these changes are challenging”—has already sparked backlash online, with many fans noting the disconnect between record-breaking corporate revenues and the continued climb in consumer costs.
Microsoft’s move follows a pattern already seen with Sony and Nintendo. PlayStation previously raised the price of the PS5 in several markets, and now sells some special editions for up to $599. Nintendo, meanwhile, shocked fans by announcing that titles like Mario Kart World would retail for $80, and the base Switch 2 console would cost $499, despite offering power comparable to last generation’s PlayStation 4.
The fully revealed Nintendo Switch 2 console – YouTube, Nintendo of America
But while Nintendo’s premium pricing came wrapped in nostalgia and hybrid portability, Microsoft’s situation is more complex. The Xbox Series X is a powerful machine—but one that has struggled with software delays and inconsistent first-party output. Major exclusives like Avowed and Fable have been delayed into 2025 or beyond, and the brand’s biggest recent hits (Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, STALKER 2, and Hellblade II) either launched cross-platform or leaned more on Game Pass availability than retail purchases.
Nonetheless, Microsoft has an ambitious slate of upcoming releases—at least on paper. Potential $80 titles could include Perfect Dark, Clockwork Revolution, State of Decay 3, The Coalition’s Gears of War: E-Day, and Hideo Kojima’s mysterious project OD. The company’s upcoming Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, both slated for June, may reveal more.
The Main Character in Fable – YouTube, GameSpot
This marks the first price increase for the Xbox Series S since its debut in 2020. While Microsoft previously raised the price of the Series X internationally in 2023, the U.S. had been spared—until now. Game Pass, the company’s subscription service, has also seen multiple global price hikes over the past two years.
Much of the pressure stems from rising hardware costs, game development budgets, and ongoing supply chain complications—many of which were exacerbated by new tariffs on imported electronics. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) previously warned that these pressures would impact the entire gaming industry, not just Nintendo.
A screenshot from Halo: The Master Chief Collection (2019), 343 Industries
“There are so many devices we play video games on,” said an ESA spokesperson. “If we think it’s just the Switch, then we aren’t taking it seriously. This is going to have an impact… even American-based companies are getting products that need to cross into American borders to make those consoles, to make those games. This is company-agnostic, this is an entire industry.”
In that sense, Microsoft’s sweeping price hike may not be surprising—but it is still jarring.
A screenshot from Fable (TBA), Playground Games
What began as a cautious push into higher-priced territory is now becoming the norm. For gamers hoping to stick to a budget, it seems the message from all three major platforms is increasingly clear: get ready to pay more.
How do you feel about this major Xbox price hike? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
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That dude in the Fable screenshot is weird looking…
Bidenflation isn’t going away.
Good. Those companies who want to continue to support China will lose on customers due to their high prices.
And of course economically illiterate tariff nuts are blaming everyone but themselves
Meh… it is Microdick. Don’t care since they make an EA and kill studios.
And even if games get a 80+ bucks price, means only I buy less games
per year. I hope this is worth it for those companies. Reminds me actually
to the 80s and 90s, where we could only buy one or two games per year.
But hey, Steam still here with Indies, that cost less than a buck… for now.
Microsoft no longer wanted hardware within its ecosystem. With these crazy prices, they’re sure not going to sell a single console in the coming months.
Microsoft doesn’t want me to find boxed games anymore? Okay.
Microsoft doesn’t want me to buy their consoles anymore? Okay.
Microsoft doesn’t want my money anymore? Okay.
But the Series X will definitely be my last console. I’ll never buy the Switch 2 or even the PS5, and even less so their future 100% digital consoles. 20 years later: this format has won, they’ve finally managed to make the second-hand market disappear…
A long time ago in another galaxy, fanboys thought Microsoft would be the “savior” of video games, because the acquisition of Bethesda and Activision was going to change that! Poor fools… naive as you are. Now you’ll pay a premium price for bland games, riddled with DEI (all recent Microsoft games contain it).
“The message from the three major platforms seems increasingly clear: prepare to pay more.” Okay, BUT “the message from players will also become increasingly clear: prepare to lose customers.”
With the price increase
Xbox Series X: 87,980 yen = approx. $606.84
Xbox Series S (512G): 62,480 yen = approx. $430.96
There were already very few people buying Xboxes in Japan, so now there’s even less reason to buy one.