Microsoft Hits Gamers’ Wallets: $80 Xbox Games, $600 Consoles, and Fan Outrage Explodes

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If Nintendo lit the price hike match, Microsoft and Xbox just tossed gasoline on the fire.

After the debatable launch pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $500 for hardware and $80 per game, Microsoft has officially announced a significant increase in prices for most parts of its Xbox lineup. This includes consoles, accessories, and it’s expected that first-party games will also see a price hike by the holiday season.

Starting from May 1st, I’ve noticed an increase in the prices of Xbox Series consoles and accessories. The Xbox Series X, which was previously priced at $499.99, is now selling for $599.99. Even the more affordable Series S has seen a rise, going from $299.99 to $379.99 for its 512GB model. The new Xbox Series X Digital Edition will retail at $549.99, and the 2TB Galaxy Special Edition is leading the pack at $729.99.

Not just consoles are experiencing alterations; globally, there are changes happening to controllers, headsets, and other hardware too. The standard wireless black controller now costs $64.99, while color versions and special editions range from $69.99 to $89.99. The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core) has increased in price to $149.99, with the full kit selling for $199.99. In the U.S. and Canada, headset prices have also risen, but elsewhere they remain the same.

Regarding games, Microsoft has confirmed that the existing prices will hold for the time being. However, by the year 2024, they anticipate that their new first-party titles will debut at around $79.99. This move seems to be inching the industry towards the long-dreaded $80 price point, which now appears imminent.

In a statement given to IGN, a representative from Microsoft admitted that such an action could lead to disappointment among users.

Microsoft acknowledges that these modifications may seem difficult, as they have been strategically implemented based on current market trends and escalating development costs. Moving forward, our primary objective remains providing a broader range of gaming experiences suitable for all screens, while continuously striving to deliver value to Xbox gamers.

The way it’s worded, especially “we realize these changes are difficult,” has led to criticism online, as some fans have pointed out the contrast between massive company earnings and rising consumer expenses.

Microsoft’s action mirrors a trend previously observed with Sony and Nintendo. In the past, Sony increased the price of the PS5 in various regions, and even sells some premium editions for as much as $599. On the other hand, Nintendo surprised fans by revealing that games like Mario Kart World would be sold at $80, and the upcoming Switch 2 console will cost $499, despite having power similar to the last-gen PlayStation 4.

Although Nintendo’s high pricing was accompanied by a sense of nostalgia and portable versatility, Microsoft’s scenario is more intricate. The Xbox Series X boasts impressive power, but it has faced issues with software delays and uneven first-party content. Key exclusives like Avowed and Fable have been pushed back to 2025 or later, and Microsoft’s most successful recent releases (Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, STALKER 2, and Hellblade II) were either multi-platform or relied more on Game Pass subscription than physical sales.

Despite the ambitious list of planned releases that Microsoft has on paper, there’s a possibility that some titles could cost around $80. These might include games like Perfect Dark, Clockwork Revolution, State of Decay 3, The Coalition’s Gears of War: E-Day, and Hideo Kojima’s secret project named OD. We may learn more about these upcoming games during the Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, both scheduled for June.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got some news about the Xbox Series S: for the first time since its launch in 2020, it’s going to cost more. You see, Microsoft had bumped up the price of the Series X abroad back in 2023, but the U.S. was an exception – until today.

Now, let me tell you about another change. The company’s subscription service, Game Pass, has undergone several price increases globally over the past two years. So, if you’re a gamer in the States and you’ve been considering these products, it might be a good idea to make your move sooner rather than later.

A significant portion of the strain in the gaming sector is due to escalating hardware expenses, increasing game development costs, and persistent issues with supply chains – troubles that have been amplified by new tariffs on imported electronic goods. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) had earlier forecasted that these stressors wouldn’t just affect Nintendo but would impact the entire gaming industry.

An ESA representative stated, ‘There’s a wide variety of gadgets people use for gaming, not just the Nintendo Switch. Ignoring this diversity would be shortsighted. The consequences will affect everyone, including American companies that manufacture consoles and games that need to enter the U.S., as well as the industry as a whole.’

In that sense, Microsoft’s sweeping price hike may not be surprising—but it is still jarring.

As a dedicated moviegoer on a budget, I’ve noticed a growing trend that’s hard to ignore: the cost of games is escalating, and what was once considered premium pricing has become the industry standard. It seems like the message from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo is becoming increasingly clear – be prepared to dig deeper into your wallet if you want to keep up with the latest releases.

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2025-05-01 21:57