Xbox Announces Price Hikes for Consoles, Controllers & Games in 2025 – Here’s What’s Changing
In a move that’s making waves across the gaming industry, Microsoft has announced a sweeping round of Xbox Price Increase for its Xbox product lineup, including consoles, accessories, and first-party titles. The adjustments are effective immediately for hardware, with game prices set to rise by holiday 2025.
What’s Changing: Xbox Hardware Prices (Effective Now)
Since the launch of the Xbox Series X and Series S in 2020, Microsoft had largely maintained stable pricing—especially in the U.S.—despite global inflation and rising production costs. That ends now.
Here’s a look at the new pricing:
Xbox Price increase Consoles:
-
Xbox Series S 512GB: $379.99 (⬆ from $299.99)
-
Xbox Series S 1TB: $429.99 (⬆ from $349.99)
-
Xbox Series X Digital Edition: $549.99 (⬆ from $449.99)
-
Xbox Series X Standard: $599.99 (⬆ from $499.99)
-
Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Special Edition: $729.99 (⬆ from $599.99)
Xbox Controllers:
-
Core Controller: $64.99
-
Color Variants: $69.99
-
Special Edition: $79.99
-
Limited Edition: $89.99 (⬆ from $79.99)
-
Elite Series 2 (Core): $149.99 (⬆ from $139.99)
-
Elite Series 2 (Full): $199.99 (⬆ from $179.99)
Xbox Audio Accessories:
-
Xbox Wireless Headset: $119.99 (⬆ from $109.99)
-
Stereo Headset: $64.99
Xbox First-Party Games Getting Pricier Too
As part of this pricing overhaul, Microsoft also announced that first-party AAA Xbox titles will jump to $80 USD, starting during the 2025 holiday season. This aligns Xbox pricing with global industry trends and reflects the rising cost of game development.
Why the Sudden Hike?
While Microsoft hasn’t provided a detailed explanation, industry experts point to:
-
Increased manufacturing costs
-
Supply chain pressures
-
Rising development budgets for AAA games
-
Currency adjustments in global markets
What This Means for Gamers
The changes signal a new era of pricing for Xbox. While hardware and software innovation continues to advance, gamers will need to weigh value more carefully when investing in consoles and games going forward. On the bright side, Xbox Game Pass still offers a cost-effective alternative for many players, which could also be adjusted in the future.
️ Final Thoughts
With Xbox now joining PlayStation in hiking prices, it’s clear the next generation of gaming comes with a heavier price tag. Whether you’re planning to upgrade your console or stock up on accessories, it might be smart to do it sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, check out other blogs – Expedition 33 Surpasses Oblivion Remastered
