Xbox Global Price Increase: Consoles, Controllers, Headsets, and Games Affected Due to Market Conditions and Development Costs

Okay, so here’s the thing — Microsoft, right? They just threw down some price hikes on their Xbox consoles and stuff. Nothing major… except, wait, it is? So, you’ll need more cash for the Xbox Series S and X, their controllers, headsets — the whole shebang. Kinda hits you out of nowhere, doesn’t it?

So, the Xbox Series X got a bump to $599.99 (seriously) and the basic controller is now $64.99. Games? Oh, just a casual $79.99, as if that’s nothing. And if you’re thinking Game Pass dodged the bullet — yup, it did. For now, at least. Lucky them, I guess.

Microsoft tossed out some corporate blah-blah about “adjusting retailer pricing” worldwide. Fancy way of saying, “Hey, it’s gonna cost you more now.” They’re upping first-party games too, both on Xbox and PC — $79.99 by holiday season. More spending, yay!

Let’s unravel these console prices, shall we? The Xbox Series X, 1TB storage — $599.99. Jumped by a crisp hundred. If you’re feeling fancy, the 2TB Galaxy Black special? That’s $729.99 now, $130 more — just because. No Ultra HD Blu-ray drive on your X? Oh well, still got a $100 hike — $549.99 and we’re done. Series S, 512GB, up by $80 at $379.99. The 1TB version? That’s $429.99 now.

Moseying through accessories — oh boy, they aren’t spared. The wireless controller is $64.99, and a headset’s now $119.99. Games creeped up too; $79.99 for new first-party titles come holiday season. Sounds festive, right? Nintendo did it first — Mario Kart World-style.

This isn’t just hitting the US. Nah, no such luck. Australia, Europe, UK — they’re all in for it. Microsoft says development costs and “trade policy uncertainties” pushed these price boosts. Sounds like a lot of fancy talking, but hey, what do I know.

Here’s a nugget though — Game Pass prices? Staying put. Perhaps they remembered they upped prices mid-2024. And June 2023 before that. Don’t hold your breath though.

Just to wrap things up, folks at Tom’s Hardware are out there slinging all the news as it drops. Maybe go give ’em a follow on Google News, if you’re into that kinda thing.