Microsoft made headlines on Thursday with the announcement of price increases for its Xbox consoles, controllers, and select games. The affected consoles, including the popular Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S models, will see a price hike ranging from $80 to $100 each, depending on the specific console model.
These consoles, which were initially released nearly five years ago, had an original price of $299.99 for the Xbox Series S and $499.99 for the Xbox Series X. However, Microsoft is recommending that retailers adjust the prices to $379.99 for the basic Xbox Series S model and $599.99 for the Xbox Series X.
In addition to the console price increases, the standard Xbox Wireless Controller will now be priced at $64.99, while the Elite Series 2 controllers will range from $149.99 to $199.99, depending on the model. Furthermore, Microsoft is raising the prices of its first-party games, with some titles set to cost $79.99 starting this holiday season.
This move by Xbox mirrors a similar price adjustment by Nintendo, which raised the standard price of its first-party games to $79.99 for titles on the upcoming Switch 2 console. While Microsoft did not provide detailed reasoning behind the price hikes, it mentioned that the decision was made after careful consideration of market conditions and the increasing cost of game development.
The decision to increase prices may be influenced by the impact of tariffs on goods from other countries, as well as the preorder process for the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite the price adjustments, Nintendo maintained its plan to release the console for $449.99, while also raising prices on some accessories.
Overall, Microsoft’s price increases for Xbox consoles, controllers, and games reflect the changing landscape of the gaming industry and the economic factors at play. Players and fans will need to adjust to these new price points as they continue to enjoy the latest gaming experiences on Xbox platforms.
