Microsoft is increasing the prices of Xbox consoles, controllers, headsets, and select games starting today, May 1. While game prices remain unchanged for now, new first-party titles are expected to rise to $79.99 during the upcoming holiday season.
This price adjustment applies globally, except for headset price increases, which are limited to the U.S. and Canada.
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Here’s a breakdown of the updated U.S. pricing for various Xbox consoles and accessories:
For region-specific changes, you can view the full list on the official Xbox announcement page here.
In a statement provided to IGN, Microsoft acknowledged the impact of these changes:
“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 no specific titles have been confirmed at the $80 price point yet, potential candidates include the next mainline Call of Duty, the newly delayed Fable (now set for 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. A new Psychonauts title from Double Fine is also in development.
Fans will likely learn more during the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase 2025 and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct event in June.
This marks the first price increase for the Xbox Series S since its 2020 launch. In 2022, Microsoft maintained console pricing while Sony raised PS5 prices in certain regions. However, the Xbox Series X did see a global price hike in 2023—except in the U.S.—and Xbox Game Pass has undergone multiple price adjustments over time.
Though surprising in scale, this move aligns with broader industry trends. PlayStation recently increased prices in several international markets for the second time in three years. AAA games have steadily climbed from $60 to $70 over the past five years, and Nintendo plans to charge $80 for some upcoming Switch 2 titles, including a new Mario Kart World. The Switch 2 itself is set to launch at $450, a figure that has drawn mixed reactions despite analyst expectations due to current economic pressures.
### Xbox Games Series Tier ListNintendo was recently forced to reassess its pricing strategy following fluctuating U.S. tariffs. Although the Switch 2 remains priced at $450, accessory costs have risen, and further increases may follow post-launch. According to the Entertainment Software Association, this isn’t just a Nintendo issue:
“You know what? It's been interesting with media coverage around video games and tariffs because of the 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—other consoles, VR headsets, smartphones, and PC games. 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 rely on products crossing into U.S. borders to build consoles and games. There's going to be a real impact regardless of company. This is company-agnostic—it’s an entire industry shift.”
In short, gaming is becoming increasingly expensive across all platforms. Whether you're invested in Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo, the trend toward higher prices shows no signs of slowing down.
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