The cost of gaming just got steeper. Microsoft has officially raised the price of its Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles across the globe, with the most significant hike happening in the United States.
According to The Game Business, the Xbox Series X now retails for $599 in the US, a $100 jump, while the Series S sees an $80 increase, now priced at $429.99. The new pricing follows earlier signs from French retailer Micromania, which bumped the cost of both systems by €50 overnight, sparking speculation about a wider rollout. That speculation is now reality.
Alongside the consoles, prices for official Xbox accessories like controllers and headsets are also going up. And it doesn’t stop there. Microsoft has confirmed that starting this holiday season, select new games will carry a price tag of $79.99.
What do the Xbox Series price rises mean for the industry?
The move reflects broader struggles in the gaming industry. With global inflation, currency fluctuations, and a tough economic climate, hardware pricing is becoming harder to lock down. Sony recently made a similar move by increasing the cost of its PlayStation 5 Digital Edition in Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Until now, the US had been left out, but Microsoft’s decision breaks that trend.
Looking ahead, it’s likely that next-gen consoles will enter the market at even higher price points than expected. The Nintendo Switch 2’s launch price already came in higher than many analysts predicted, reinforcing that idea. And while handhelds might soften the blow for budget-conscious players, the overall trajectory is clear: gaming is getting more expensive.
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