With the ongoing tariffs situation affecting global trade, Microsoft just revealed breaking news that will send shockwaves through the gaming landscape. Effective immediately, the prices of Xbox consoles and some accessories will be increasing globally. The Xbox Series X will now cost $599 in the United States, a steep rise of $100 from its former $499 recommended retail price. Limited edition Xbox Wireless Controllers will be rising by $10 to a new price point of $89.99, with wireless headsets also seeing a $10 price rise.
Perhaps even more surprising is the announcement that as of this holiday season, some first-party Xbox titles will cost $79.99. This is following from Nintendo’s controversial reveal of Mario Kart World with an $80 price tag, which seems to potentially have been a sign of a new standard for video game pricing. With Microsoft owning Activision, Blizzard and Bethesda, this change will affect some of the biggest names in gaming. Xbox does specify this new price will only affect some new games from the holiday season, so the prices of existing games won’t be changing. For now, Game Pass prices will not be changing, but subscription services are known to frequently raise prices as their subscriber base grows.
Sony recently revealed price hikes to their PlayStation 5 line of consoles and accessories across Europe and other territories, but didn’t include the United States at the time. With Microsoft taking the plunge to raise prices first, we wouldn’t be surprised if the PS5 follows the trend, and price matches the Xbox Series X in the USA to try and combat potential profit impacts from the global tariffs situation and an uncertain global economic status.
Are you surprised by Microsoft’s reveal that Xbox console and accessory prices will be rising globally? What do you think of the new $80 price tag for games? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below, and keep your eyes on GameLuster for more breaking gaming news.
