Xbox costs escalate in response to tariff threats from Microsoft
Xbox Prices Soaring Worldwide 💰🕹️
Hey there, gaming enthusiasts! Microsoft's just made a splash with their latest move, hiking up the prices of their Xbox consoles and accessories around the globe 🌎🎮! Don't fret, though; we'll break it down for you.
As of May 1, 2025, prepare to dish out a bit more coin for:
- Xbox Series S 512 GB: From $299.99 to $379.99
- Xbox Series S 1TB: From $349.99 to $429.99
- Xbox Series X Digital: From $449.99 to $549.99
- Xbox Series X: From $499.99 to $599.99
- X Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition: From $599.99 to $729.99
Unfortunately, it's not just consoles taking a hit... Xbox Wireless Controllers, Stereo Headsets, and other swanky accessories in the U.S. and Canada will cost you more, too. Here's a sneak peek into some of the price jumps:
- Xbox Wireless Controller (Core): $64.99
- Xbox Wireless Controller (Color): $69.99
- Xbox Wireless Controller – Special Edition: $79.99
- Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core): $149.99
- Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full): $199.99
- Up oh dear: Xbox Stereo Headset now costs $64.99, while the Xbox Wireless Headset will set you back a cool $119.99 in the U.S. and Canada
It's not all gloom and doom—Microsoft is also planning to crank up the price of some first-party Xbox games, starting this holiday season. That means you'll be dropping $79.99 for new games—a trend also embraced by Nintendo for certain up-and-coming titles. But fear not! Existing game prices will stay put, y'all.
The ride's been a bit bumpy for the gaming industry lately, thanks to those old trade disputes that have left many players feeling the pinch. Sony, for example, has seen price hikes for its PlayStation 5 consoles, while pre-orders for Nintendo's highly anticipated Switch 2 were delayed due to potential tariff impacts.
With companies across industries staying mum about the bigger impacts of tariffs on their bottom lines, we'll just have to wait and see what the future holds. Microsoft, though, seems unfazed, reporting a whopping $70.07 billion in revenue and $25.8 billion in net income for the January to March quarter, a day before announcing the price increases.
So here's your heads-up, gamers! Start saving up for those spiffy new Xbox toys and games. Happy gaming! 🙌🕹️🎮😉💸💰🎁🎄
Source(s): [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 🔗📝📚🌐
- In light of the price hike on Xbox consoles and accessories, one might suspect that Microsoft's financial situation is robust enough to weather this technology-driven adjustment, given the substantial revenue and net income reported for Q1.
- As the gaming industry grapples with the consequences of trade disputes, it's becoming increasingly obvious that the rising costs of technology, such as gaming consoles and accessories, may impact the wallets of gamers worldwide.
