Xboxis raising the prices of its console, controllers, an accessory, and some first-party games. The console and controller price changes are set to occur today, with pricing varying across regions. Game prices will follow later, with some first-party games retailing at a higher price this holiday season. Nintendo announcedMario Kart Worldwould cost $80last month, and it now seems other companies are following suit.
According toXbox,the price changes will begin on May 1, today, with the consoles and controllers first.Xboxis making new recommendations to retailers for the prices. The cost of the base Series X will be $599, while the base Series S will cost $379.99. Normal Xbox controllers will cost $64.99. Later this holiday season,some first-party games will cost $79.99instead of their current $69.99 price tag. Accessories, like the official Xbox headsets, will see price increases only in the US and Canada.
Xbox Is Increasing Prices Of Its Products In 2025
Games, Headsets, And Consoles Will All Be More Expensive
Almost every Xbox product is seeing a price increase, but the pricing is variable based on regions as well. Xbox made a statement that says,“We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development.“Xbox added,“Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players.“Nintendo was forced todelay pre-orders for the Switch 2due to tariff concerns, but Xbox’s official statement is a lot broader.
Since some prices are only being adjusted in the US and Canada, it’s reasonableto assume the tariffs are at least partially responsible for Xbox’s decision on this matter. Xbox has also stated that any game purchased from the Xbox Store can take advantage of the Xbox Play Anywhere feature, so the more expensive games can be played on Xbox consoles and PC at no additional charge.
Our Take: The Price Increase Is Disappointing
But It Seemed Inevitable After The Switch 2 Reveal
A price increase is almost always a frustrating thing for consumers. Nintendo shocked the video game industry with its price increases last month, and when the pre-orders were delayed due to tariff concerns,it seemed inevitable that other companies would follow suit. There are probably a multitude of reasons for the price increase, which could range from how fast the Switch 2 sold during its pre-order launch, even with ahigher-than-expected price, to more genuine concerns about development costs.
No matter the reasoning, this news is sure to disappoint many Xbox fans or prospective Xbox customers. The big question that might be on most people’s minds now iswhether Sony will follow this new market trend and increase the price of the PS5, controllers, and games too. Only time will tell, but at any rate, it’s certainly getting more expensive on theXboxside of the equation.
