Microsoft raises the prices of its Xbox Series S and X consoles, Xbox controllers, and some new Xbox games globally; the consoles are priced $80 to $100 more

New first-party Xbox games are moving from $69.99 to $79.99 later this year, but there are no Xbox Game Pass increases.

The Verge 2025-05-01 Tom Warren

Context & Ripple Effects

Microsoft had already moved to raise the price of new first-party Xbox releases to $70 after a long $60 era, establishing a higher software-price baseline before this broader hardware-and-accessories move. That earlier first-party game price increase makes the shift to $79.99 a continuation rather than an isolated change.

The company had also raised Series X prices in most markets and introduced its first Game Pass increase in 2023. That earlier split between regional console pricing and subscription pricing gives significance to the decision to leave Game Pass unchanged here.

First-order effects

Xbox hardware and controller buyers face higher upfront costs globally, with Series S and Series X prices rising by roughly $80 to $100.
Buyers of new Microsoft first-party games will pay $79.99 later in the year, while existing Game Pass pricing remains unchanged.

Second-order effects

Keeping Game Pass flat makes the subscription comparatively more attractive against a higher console-and-per-game purchase cost, particularly for players weighing access to new first-party releases.
The combined increases reset Xbox's retail price architecture across hardware, accessories, and premium software, giving retailers and consumers fewer low-cost entry points within the Xbox ecosystem.

Third-order effects

If repeated across the industry, higher hardware and software prices would make platform subscriptions and digital libraries more central to the console value proposition, rather than optional add-ons.
The pattern points to console makers seeking more revenue across the installed base as well as at the point of hardware sale; whether that holds depends on how demand responds to higher entry prices.

The trend: This is one data point in console platforms shifting from subsidized hardware and fixed game-price norms toward broader monetization of hardware, content, and ecosystem access.

Discussion

Gameranx Dennis Patrick on x
Xbox Is Raising The Price For Consoles, Games & Accessories
@tomwarren.co.uk Tom Warren on bluesky
BREAKING: Microsoft is raising prices on Xbox consoles, controllers, and games worldwide. The Xbox Series X is going up by $100 to $599.99, the Xbox Series S is now $379.99, and some new Xbox games will be $79.99 later this year. Full details 👇 www.theverge.com/news/659430/ ...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
if the Xbox Series X is now $599.99, just imagine how much the next-gen Xbox is gonna be 😵
@ballmatthew Matthew Ball on x
And a month after this, Xbox announces its standard game prices will go to $80 later this year, too
r/hardware r on reddit
Xbox raises prices on consoles, games and controllers worldwide
r/playstation r on reddit
Is PlayStation next?
r/XboxSeriesS r on reddit
Microsoft Raises the Price of All Xbox Series Consoles, Xbox Games Confirmed to Hit $80 This Holiday - IGN
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Microsoft Raises the Price of All Xbox Series Consoles, Xbox Games Confirmed to Hit $80 This Holiday
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Microsoft Raises the Price of Controllers, Games $80 starting this Holiday
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Microsoft Raises the Price of All Xbox Series Consoles, Xbox Games Confirmed to Hit $80 This Holiday - IGN
r/SocialistGaming r on reddit
Microsoft Raises the Price of All Xbox Series Consoles, Xbox Games Confirmed to Hit $80 This Holiday - IGN
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Xbox reveals global price increases for hardware and games
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Xbox reveals global price increases for hardware and games
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Xbox raises prices on consoles, games and controllers worldwide
r/technews r on reddit
Microsoft is raising prices on Xbox consoles, controllers, and games worldwide

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