Microsoft Announces Xbox Console Price Hikes
With consoles like the Xbox Series X 1TB receiving as much as a $100 USD price jump.
Summary
- Due to the US’s sweeping tariffs on foreign goods, Microsoft has announced on May 1 that it will increase prices for games, controllers, and consoles
- Xbox Series X prices will increase from $499.99 USD to $599.99 USD, and the Xbox Series S 51 will increase from $299.99 USD to $379.99 USD.
- First-party Xobox games will rise $10 from $69.99 to $79.99 this coming holiday season.
Today, Microsoft shared an official statement regarding new price increases on consoles and games, as brands in the tech and gaming industry reconsider pricing and release strategies due to the US’s new tariff policies.
According to Microsoft, the Xbox Series X will jump from $499.99 USD to $599.99 USD, and the Xbox Series S 512 is set to increase from $299.99 USD to $379.99 USD. Elsewhere, first-party games will rise $10 from $69.99 to $79.99 this coming holiday season.
“We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players,” the company said in the statement.
In another hiccup caused by the new trade policies, Microsoft competitor Nintendo delayed American preorders for the Switch 2 console, however, it maintains that the original $449.99 price will remain. As of May, US President Trump has increased import tariffs across the board, hitting China especially hard with a 145% increase. Due to the tech industry’s reliance on Chinese manufacturers for parts and production, it is particularly vulnerable to the shakeup.
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