Price of Xbox consoles including Series X to RISE with games also increasing in cost, Microsoft confirms

MICROSOFT has officially confirmed that prices for Xbox consoles, including the popular Series X, are set to rise globally.

Alongside the hardware hikes, the cost of some new Xbox games will also increase, marking a major shift for players just as the holiday season approaches.

AlamyIn the UK, the Series X now costs £499.99 and the Series S will set back punters £299.99[/caption] Telltale GamesIn the US, the hikes are even steeper[/caption] AlamyMicrosoft points to rising development costs and tough market condition[/caption]

Starting this week, Xbox consoles will see price increases across the UK, Europe, the US, and Australia.

In the UK, the Series X will now set buyers back £499.99, up £20, while the smaller Series S jumps by £50 to £299.99.

For those eyeing the high-end 2TB Series X, expect to pay £589.99 — a £40 rise.

In Europe, the same consoles are climbing by €50, with the Series X priced at €599.99.

In the US, the hikes are even steeper.

The Series X goes up by $100 to $599.99, the 512GB Series S rises by $80 to $379.99, and the top-end 2TB Series X is now $729.99, a $130 jump that makes it more expensive than Sony’s $699 PS5 Pro.

It’s not just consoles feeling the squeeze.

Microsoft says that starting this holiday season, some new first-party Xbox games will cost $79.99, up from the current $69.99.

UK prices haven’t been confirmed yet, but similar increases are expected.

Physical and digital editions will both be affected.

Accessories like wireless controllers and US headsets are also set to rise slightly in price, though the Xbox Game Pass subscription will stay the same, at least for now.

Why is there a price surge?

Microsoft points to rising development costs and tough market conditions.

But there’s a bigger backdrop here: global tech prices are being hit hard by ongoing US tariffs, introduced under former President Donald Trump.

These tariffs, aimed at imports from China and other manufacturing hubs, have disrupted global supply chains and raised costs for electronics companies everywhere.

Which has resulted in consumers worldwide paying more, not just in the UK or US, but also across Europe, Australia, and other regions.

This latest price rise follows Sony’s similar move earlier this year to increase PlayStation console prices across multiple markets.

With both major gaming giants now raising costs, it’s clear the global gaming market is grappling with inflation, supply issues, and trade pressures that go well beyond individual company decisions.

Despite falling Xbox hardware sales reported in its latest earnings, Microsoft’s overall gaming division is still growing, thanks largely to blockbuster titles like Call of Duty and Minecraft, as well as strong Xbox Game Pass subscription numbers.

But the company admits these price changes are “challenging” for players, even as it promises more value across devices and platforms going forward.

For gamers, the question now is whether to buy in before prices climb even higher or wait to see if discounts or bundles soften the blow during sales seasons.

AFPWith both major gaming giants now raising costs, it’s clear the global gaming market is grappling with inflation, supply issues, and trade pressures[/caption]