Microsoft is raising the global prices of its Xbox consoles, accessories, and some upcoming games, marking one of the most widespread cost increases the platform has seen in years. The move, effective May 1, affects the Xbox Series X and Series S systems across multiple markets, along with a selection of controllers, headsets, and future first-party titles.
The price of the Xbox Series S 512GB has jumped significantly in many regions, moving from a previous baseline of around $299 to roughly $379, while the 1TB model has risen to about $429. The Xbox Series X, once widely available for $499, now sits closer to $599 globally. Special edition versions, such as the 2TB Galaxy Special Edition, have climbed as high as $729 depending on the market.
Accessory pricing has also been revised. While the standard Xbox Wireless Controller remains unchanged in many regions, limited and special edition models have seen increases of approximately $10. The Xbox Elite Series 2 controller (Full package) now retails for around $199 in several markets, up from $179, while the wireless headset has been raised by a similar margin. Microsoft confirmed that prices for accessibility-focused devices like the Adaptive Controller and Adaptive Joystick will stay the same, underscoring a continued commitment to inclusive hardware.
The company is also preparing to raise the price of select first-party games later this year. Beginning in the 2025 holiday season, some new titles will be released at $79.99 globally. This applies to both physical and digital versions and mirrors recent trends seen with high-profile Nintendo Switch 2 titles. Microsoft indicated that not all games will adopt this price point, as “different games and expansions will continue to be offered at a variety of price points.”
Importantly, the pricing for Xbox Game Pass will remain unchanged for now. Microsoft acknowledged that these adjustments reflect the growing cost of game development and broader economic pressures impacting production and logistics worldwide. The company also emphasized its broader goal of enabling players to access games across devices, screens, and budgets—despite the rising costs.
With this pricing shift, Microsoft joins a broader industry trend of raising hardware and software prices in response to inflation, supply chain challenges, and increasingly ambitious game development cycles. For gamers around the world, it means higher upfront costs for new consoles and titles, just as competition in the subscription gaming space continues to intensify.
