by Matthew May 02,2025
Microsoft has announced significant price increases across its Xbox lineup, affecting consoles, controllers, headsets, and select games. Starting today, May 1, new prices will be in effect for Xbox consoles and accessories, with game prices set to rise to $79.99 for new first-party titles during the holiday season. These changes are global, except for headset price increases, which are limited to the U.S. and Canada.
Here's a look at the new pricing for Xbox products in the U.S.:
For a detailed breakdown of price changes by region, 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 have not been confirmed, potential candidates include the next mainline Call of Duty, the delayed Fable (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. Double Fine is also developing a new game that could be part of this lineup.
More information is expected to be revealed at the 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. Microsoft had previously committed to maintaining existing prices in 2022 when PlayStation raised PS5 prices, but adjustments were made to Xbox Series X prices in 2023 in most countries, excluding the U.S. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass has seen multiple global price increases.
Microsoft's decision to raise prices follows a trend in the gaming industry, with PlayStation recently increasing prices in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The industry has been gradually moving towards higher prices, with AAA game prices increasing from $60 to $70 over the last five years, and Nintendo setting $80 for some Switch 2 exclusive titles like Mario Kart World.
Nintendo's Switch 2, set to launch at $450, faced criticism for its pricing, which analysts argue is necessary given current economic conditions. Fluctuating tariffs in the U.S. have forced Nintendo to reevaluate its pricing strategy, though the console price remained unchanged, while accessory prices were affected. The Entertainment Software Association has warned that the entire gaming industry will feel the impact of these economic pressures, regardless of the platform.
In these challenging economic times, gamers across all platforms are facing increased costs.
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