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Microsoft Hikes Xbox Series Prices, Games to Reach $80 This Holiday Season

Author：Kristen Update：May 25,2025

Microsoft has announced a significant price increase across its Xbox ecosystem, affecting consoles, controllers, headsets, and select games. Starting today, May 1, these price hikes will be implemented globally, with the exception of headset price increases which will only apply in the U.S. and Canada. While game prices remain unchanged for now, Microsoft has indicated that new, first-party titles may see a jump to $79.99 during the upcoming holiday season.

Below are the updated prices for Xbox consoles and accessories in the U.S.:

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

For detailed regional price changes, you can visit the official Xbox announcement page here.

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 specific titles that will see the $80 price tag are yet to be confirmed, potential candidates could include the next mainline Call of Duty, the newly delayed Fable to 2026, 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. Additionally, Double Fine is working on a new game that could be part of this pricing shift.

More details will be unveiled during 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 launch in 2020. Previously, Microsoft had promised to maintain existing prices in 2022 when PlayStation raised PS5 prices. However, Xbox Series X prices were increased in 2023 in most countries except the U.S., and Xbox Game Pass has seen multiple global price hikes.

The gaming industry has been gradually implementing price increases, with AAA game prices rising from $60 to $70 in recent years. Nintendo has announced $80 for some upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World, and the Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450. Despite initial criticism, analysts noted the inevitability of these price hikes given the current economic climate.

Nintendo had to reconsider its pricing strategy due to fluctuating tariffs in the U.S., maintaining the Switch 2 at $450 but increasing accessory prices. The Entertainment Software Association has warned that these economic pressures will affect the entire gaming industry, impacting all platforms and companies:

“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, it seems that the cost of gaming is on the rise across all platforms.