Xbox’s Global Price Increases: A Breakdown
Microsoft has announced a new wave of price increases affecting Xbox Series X|S consoles, various controllers, and select first-party game titles. These adjustments are being rolled out globally and will impact new purchases starting today.
“We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development,” a Microsoft representative told IGN.
With development costs climbing and market conditions shifting, the company says it remains focused on “offering more ways to play more games across any screen,” while emphasizing its ongoing commitment to value.
New Xbox Pricing Breakdown
| Product | Old Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 512GB | $299.99 / £249.95 / €299.99 / AUD$499 | $379.99 / £299.99 / €349.99 / AUD$549 |
| Xbox Series S 1TB | $349.99 / £299.99 / €349.99 / AUD$549 | $429.99 / £349.99 / €399.99 / AUD$599 |
| Xbox Series X Digital | $449.99 / £429.99 / €499.99 / AUD$699 | $549.99 / £449.99 / €549.99 / AUD$749 |
| Xbox Series X | $499.99 / £479.99 / €549.99 / AUD$799 | $599.99 / £499.99 / €599.99 / AUD$849 |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black | $599.99 / £549.99 / €649.99 / AUD$999 | $729.99 / £589.99 / €699.99 / AUD$1,049 |
| Xbox Wireless Controller (Core) | $64.99 / £59.99 / €64.99 / AUD$99.95 | $64.99 / £59.99 / €64.99 / AUD$99.95 |
| Xbox Wireless Controller (Color) | $69.99 / £64.99 / €69.99 / AUD$104.95 | $69.99 / £64.99 / €69.99 / AUD$104.95 |
| Xbox Wireless Controller – Special | $69.99 / £74.99 / €79.99 / AUD$99.95 | $79.99 / £74.99 / €79.99 / AUD$119.95 |
| Xbox Wireless Controller – Limited | $79.99 / £74.99 / €79.99 / AUD$109.95 | $89.99 / £74.99 / €89.99 / AUD$129.95 |
| Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 Core | $149.99 / £124.99 / €139.99 / AUD$199.95 | $149.99 / £124.99 / €149.99 / AUD$229.95 |
| Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 Full | $179.99 / £159.99 / €179.99 / AUD$249.95 | $199.99 / £169.99 / €199.99 / AUD$279.95 |
| Xbox Stereo Headset | $64.99 | $64.99 |
| Xbox Wireless Headset | $109.99 | $119.99 |
A Shift in the Console Landscape?
With these changes, Microsoft has pushed its hardware pricing even closer to PlayStation territory—while narrowing its gap with Nintendo in an unexpected way. The Switch 2 is confirmed to launch at $450 USD, placing it between the newly priced Xbox Series S and Series X models. While the 512GB Series S sits at $379 and the 1TB at $429, both models lack a disc drive, restricting users to digital purchases only—no physical games, no Blu-ray or DVD playback.
Nintendo, by contrast, continues to offer greater flexibility. The Switch 2 retains its signature portability, supports digital downloads via the eShop, and includes a cartridge slot—offering backward compatibility with most of the existing Switch library alongside upcoming titles. That gives Nintendo a strong position as the most versatile and accessible premium console for those who want both digital convenience and physical game support at a competitive price.
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