Despite getting long in the tooth, the current generation of consoles are not getting cheaper. For the second time this year, Microsoft announced that it’s raising prices on the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles starting October 3.
Microsoft is blaming the increase on “changes in the macroeconomic environment.” Unlike the last price increase, this one only affects U.S. customers. As Eurogamer reports, experts are blaming the fluctuating and ongoing tariffs introduced by the Trump administration earlier this year.
Microsoft gave the Xbox a price boost in May, adding $100 to every console and announcing that $80 games are arriving in time for the holiday season. The next hike isn’t quite as drastic but costs are still going up.
For the most part, prices are only going up by $20 to $50. But compared to how much it cost at the start of the year, the Special Edition Xbox console is now $200 more than its original $599 price. The Series X is now $650 when it was $500 previously.
Unlike the previous hike, however, this price bump only affects the consoles, not the accessories like the Xbox controllers or headsets. Still, if you were waiting to pick up an Xbox you might want to buy now since Microsoft isn’t expected to launch its next-generation consoles until 2027.
If you’re looking for handheld relief, you may be out of luck as the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handheld consoles have been tipped to launch around $699 and $899, respectively
This all despite a reported 18% boost in profits for Microsoft overall, and a 13% increase in the Xbox division.
Xbox isn’t alone
If you thought Microsoft was alone, sadly, it’s not the only gaming company to increase prices this year.
In August, Sony introduced across-the-board $50 price hikes for every PS5 console. Today, the base PS5 (or PS5 Slim), PS5 Digital, and the PS5 Pro will set you back $549, $499, and $749, respectively.
Similar to Xbox, we don’t expect the PS6 until 2027 or 2028.
The Nintendo Switch 2, launched in June, has a starting price of $449 for the standalone console with bundles hitting closer to $500.
Its predecessor saw increases though with the Switch going up to $340, the Switch OLED now costing $400 and the Switch Lite bumping up to $230. Not to mention smaller price hikes to accessories including the new Switch 2 Pro controller and Switch 2 Joy-Cons.
Plus, Nintendo open the gates to $80 games with the launch price of both Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza hitting that ceiling. Both are excellent games, but the new $80 price has been hard to stomach.
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