Microsoft increases price of Xbox consoles, controllers and games; says 'we understand that these changes are…'

Microsoft has announced a global price hike for its Xbox Series S/X consoles, controllers, and select games, with the changes taking effect starting today (May 1). The company has confirmed that it has revised its recommended retail pricing for these products in various markets. The pricing update comes amid ongoing uncertainty related to trade tariffs and follows Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s recent statement during the company’s Q3 fiscal earnings call, where he noted that Microsoft finished the quarter as the top publisher by pre-orders and pre-installs on both Xbox and PlayStation platforms. Additionally, Microsoft also reported a 45% year-over-year increase in revenue from its PC Game Pass service, highlighting growth in its gaming division despite the rising hardware costs.


What Microsoft said about increasing prices of its Xbox products and games


In a support page, the company wrote: “As of May 1, we have adjusted recommended retailer pricing for our consoles and controllers worldwide. We also expect to adjust the pricing of some of our new, first-party games starting this holiday season to $79.99. Those titles purchased on the Xbox Store have the benefit of Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing players to buy once and play on console and PC at no additional cost.

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.”


Xbox products and games' new prices: Here’s what's changing


Microsoft is revising the prices of its Xbox hardware and games across several regions, including the US, UK, Europe, and Australia. The Xbox Series X will now retail for $599.99, marking a $100 increase. The Xbox Series S (512GB) model is jumping from $299.99 to $379.99, while the 1TB version is set at $429.99. The digital-only Xbox Series X will cost $549.99, and the 2TB Galaxy Black special edition will be priced at $729.99.

Alongside console price adjustments, Microsoft is also updating the suggested retail prices for accessories. The base Xbox wireless controller is now listed at $64.99, while the wireless headset moves to $119.99—pricing that’s already visible at several retailers.

Some first-party Xbox titles launching this holiday season will see price tags rise from $69.99 to $79.99, bringing them in line with top-tier Nintendo Switch 2 games. However, pricing for Xbox Game Pass remains unchanged.

These price changes are also rolling out in other markets. In Europe, the Xbox Series S (512GB) will cost €349.99, and the Series X (1TB) will be priced at €599.99.

In the UK, the same models will sell for £299.99 and £499.99, respectively. This follows similar pricing adjustments made by Sony for its PS5 consoles in the region.

The latest price hike comes after Microsoft raised the price of its Xbox Series X console in June 2023. This move was part of broader pricing adjustments affecting both hardware and services. Around the same time, Xbox Game Pass also experienced a price increase, which coincided with the introduction of a new standard subscription tier.