Microsoft increases prices for Xbox, accessories and in the future games, too

Microsoft announced new prices for Xbox games consoles and accessories yesterday. The price increases amount to around 50 euros per device. The various game controllers will also become more expensive, as will the Xbox headset in North America. Xbox owners must also prepare themselves for more expensive games. Microsoft expects prices of up to 80 US dollars for new Xbox titles at the end of the year. Previously, game prices were a maximum of 70 dollars.

The company had already made Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass more expensive in the summer of 2023, and now other hardware is also affected. The standard version of the Xbox Series S with 512 GB of storage space now costs 350 euros instead of 299 euros, while the version with 1 TByte is now available for 400 euros. The hardware-enhanced Xbox Series X with Blu-ray drive now costs 600 euros instead of the previous 550 euros. The version of the Xbox Series X without a drive has also become 50 euros more expensive and now costs 550 euros. Microsoft's top model, the "Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition", now costs 700 euros.

Xbox controllers are also becoming slightly more expensive

However, these are only officially recommended retail prices, for example in Microsoft's own Xbox online store. Retail prices may differ. This also applies to the various Xbox controllers, which now cost at least 65 euros, such as the "Xbox Wireless Controller (Core)". The "Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full)" now costs 200 euros. In the USA, the prices for the Xbox stereo and wireless headsets will also become pricier, while Europe will be spared.

According to Microsoft, the decision to increase the official sales prices was made "in light of market conditions and rising development costs". While the former indicates the tariff policy of the US government under Donald Trump and the inflation-related increase in all prices, the latter is now an industry trend. Recently, there have been some heated discussions about the new Nintendo Switch 2 being too expensive. This is because top titles such as "Mario Kart World" have already been announced at 80 euros, even in digital form.

Previously available games stable in price

At least games that are already available will not become more expensive; the price increases will only affect upcoming titles. The subscription to the Xbox Game Pass will also not become pricier for the time being. Microsoft's Game Pass already became more expensive and more complicated last summer and fall, with the game subscription being restructured and console players having to find their way around.

With the hardware price increases, Microsoft is following the example of its main competitor, as Sony raised the price of the PlayStation 5 again just two weeks ago. The version without the drive now costs 500 euros – 100 euros more than at market launch and 50 euros more than last time. Sony justified this step with "a difficult economic environment with high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates".

(fds)