Microsoft is raising prices on Xbox consoles… again. The previous price hike shifted expectations for both the Xbox Series S and Series X. The new pricing structure demands so much money from consumer wallets it seems nobody in their right mind would buy an Xbox in this day and age.
The new pricing structure begins Oct. 3. In a post to its support page, Microsoft blamed today’s “macroeconomic environment,” which is a longer way to say “Trump tariffs.” All consoles are demanding at least $50 more. According to the new console pricing sheet, a Series S with 512GB of storage will retail for $400, up from $350. Meanwhile, a new Xbox Series X digital edition will cost $600, up $550. If you want the disc driven model, you’ll need to spend $650, up from $600. An Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Edition with that larger 2TB SSD will ask for $800, up from $730.
This is the second time Xbox has instituted price hikes this year. Sony also increased the price for its PlayStation 5 consoles in August. The PlayStation 5 now costs $500 for the digital edition. A PlayStation 5 Pro without a disc drive demands $750. The pain to gamers’ wallets is unending. Nintendo also increased the price of all its original Switch consoles plus its Switch 2 controllers and accessories, but not the Switch 2 console itself. Not yet, at least.
This is a developing story…