Image via Xbox
Xbox has increased console and controller prices in all eligible markets worldwide.
In an announcement with zero mentions of the word "tariffs," the company said the price hikes will take effect today, May 1, and shared an updated MSRP list for the United States, Europe, United Kingdom, and Australia.
It noted that other markets not listed will also be affected and local pricing "may differ by country to reflect exchange rates and market conditions," although there are no specific details. In the U.S. and Canada, specifically, the price of headsets has also increased.
In the United States the Xbox Series S (512GB) will now retail for $380—up from $300. The price of the Xbox Series X will rise to $600 from $500. As for accessories, the Xbox Wireless Headset is now $120, up from $110, and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full) is now $200, up from $180.
What's more, some first-party titles will begin retailing for $80 starting from the upcoming holiday season. This includes both physical and digital versions. This is the second price hike in two years, with the company bumping first-party titles to $70 in 2023.
"We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development," the company said in the announcement, following quarterly financial reports stating a decline in Xbox hardware revenue. "Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players."
This is the second wave of Xbox price hikes in a two-year span
The last time Xbox increased console prices—affecting the Series X in Europe, Canada, and Australia—the company said it made the change to "reflect the competitive conditions in each market." While the latest wave has a global impact, the timing goes hand-in-hand with the Trump administration announcing tariffs on April 2, 2025.
The government backed down the following week, setting a temporary 10 percent tariff for most countries during a 90 day period. China, however, received a 145 percent tariff. In January 2020, GameIndustry.biz reported that over 96 percent of consoles imported into the US in 2018 came from China, according to figures from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo.
The Xbox news comes weeks after Nintendo delayed Switch 2 pre-orders in response to tariffs. When the company announced the new April 24 date, it stated that console prices would remain as is, but most accessories saw "price adjustments."
After the reveal that Mario Kart World will cost $80, Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser said the situation is an example of the "variable pricing" philosophy that has been adopted by the company. Similarly to Xbox, it‛s not the universal price tag moving forward, but depending on the game, first-party titles could be sold for $80.
