Microsoft Confirms Global Price Increase for Xbox Consoles, Games

Microsoft has announced significant price increases for its Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, controllers, headsets, and some first-party games across major markets including the US, UK, and Europe. The price hikes, effective immediately for hardware, will see U.S. console prices rise by up to $100 and controllers by $5, with European and UK prices also increasing substantially. Some new first-party Xbox games are expected to be priced at $79.99 this holiday season, aligning with recent trends by other console makers like Sony and Nintendo. Microsoft cited market conditions and rising development costs as reasons for these changes, while emphasizing its commitment to providing value and flexible gaming options. Xbox Game Pass pricing will remain unchanged for now, though it has seen previous increases. These moves follow similar price adjustments by competitors and come amid declining hardware sales but growing gaming division revenue for Microsoft.