Microsoft Raising Xbox Prices—And $79.99 Games Are Next
Microsoft is raising the prices of nearly its entire catalogue by a significant margin. In an announcement today, the company introduced a revised pricing structure that takes effect May 1, impacting Xbox Series consoles and accessories. The new structure includes a proposed $10 increase on software, adding more than 10 percent to the cost for consumers. However, this change to software pricing is scheduled to go into effect at a later date. Price hikes on Xbox hardware are being rolled out globally, with the exception of wireless headsets, which will only see increases in the U.S. and Canada.
All price adjustments are listed in the chart below. (If an item is not listed, its price remains unchanged.)
Item
Old Price
New Price
Price Differential
Xbox Series S 512GB Edition
$299.99
$379.99
$80
Xbox Series S 1TB Edition
$349.99
$429.99
$80
Xbox Series X Digital Edition
$449.99
$549.99
$100
Xbox Series X
$499.99
$599.99
$100
Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Edition
$599.99
$729.99
$130
Xbox Wireless Controller – Limited Edition
$79.99
$89.99
$10
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core)
$139.99
$149.99
$10
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full)
$179.99
$199.99
$20
Xbox Wireless Headset
$109.99
$119.99
$10
The new pricing on Xbox consoles and peripherals is already live, according to the official Xbox announcement. Microsoft also stated: 'We also expect to adjust the pricing of some of our new, first-party games starting this holiday season to $79.99,' referencing Mario Kart World's confirmed $79.99 launch price for the Nintendo Switch 2, announced during the recent Nintendo Direct.
Xbox issued the following statement on the new pricing: '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 both Xbox and Nintendo have committed to increasing software prices, it remains to be seen whether Sony will follow suit.
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