(KTLA) – Gaming is about to get a whole lot more expensive.
Microsoft announced on Thursday that virtually all physical products relating to its Xbox gaming line, including consoles, accessories and games, will receive hefty and immediate price increases worldwide.
“We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development,” the company said. “Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players.”
The standard version of the Xbox Series X, its powerful flagship gaming console, will go from $499.99 to $599.99 Meanwhile, the less powerful Xbox Series S with 512 GB of storage, intended to be a more affordable version of the console, will go from $299.99 to $379.99.
Standard controllers will remain at their current prices — $64.99 for black or white and $69.99 for colorful versions — but limited edition controllers designed with artwork from Xbox games and other properties will go from $79.99 to $89.99.
The Xbox wireless headset is also receiving a $10 price increase from $109.99 to $119.99.
Prices will also rise in Europe, Australia and Asia. More information about the increases has been posted on Xbox’s official site.
Those increases are all immediate, and will hit retailers starting Thursday. Meanwhile, some first-party games, meaning games published by Microsoft itself, will go from $69.99 to $79.99 at retail starting this holiday season.
Those could include iconic Xbox franchises like “Halo,” “Gears of War” and “Forza Motorsport” — but also franchises acquired by Microsoft over the years like “Minecraft,” “Call of Duty,” “Elder Scrolls,” “Fallout” and “Diablo.”
Microsoft didn’t provide an exact reason for the price increase, although Xbox consoles are known to be manufactured in China — which is the target of massive tariffs from the administration of President Donald Trump.
Trump has levied an unprecedented 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports. His tariff push has become the defining legacy of his first 100 days in office in his second term.
The U.S. economy shrank 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025, reaffirming economists’ predictions that the country could be headed to recession in the coming months.
