Microsoft just pulled a bold move that has Xbox fans raising eyebrows and wallets. As of this week:
- Xbox Series X price is up £50 in the UK (from £449.99 to £499.99), and $100 more in the US (from $499.99 to $599.99).
- Xbox Series S isn’t spared either: now £299.99 in the UK and $379.99 in the US, up by roughly $50–$80.
- First-party games like The Outer Worlds 2 are jumping from $69.99 to $79.99.
- Game Pass pricing hasn’t changed—yet. But sneaky code strings like “SubscriptionPriceIncrease” in Xbox Cloud Gaming suggest the hammer might drop soon.
If you thought your wallet was safe in 2025, Microsoft just proved otherwise.
How We Got Here
Price hikes aren’t out of nowhere. The gaming industry’s been hit with the triple-threat combo of:
- U.S. tariffs on China-made hardware
- Global inflation driving up production and shipping costs
- Supply chain volatility making it harder (and more expensive) to keep shelves stocked
Sony and Nintendo aren’t exactly on discount mode either. This might be the start of a new gen-wide pricing wave.
Gamer Reactions: “PS5, Come Get Me”
Let’s just say, the Reddit threads are on fire:
“I love my Series S, but do wonder about how some games will look … thinking about grabbing a PS5 before the potential price increase”
“Game Pass is great but not $600 great. That’s a whole rent payment!”
Plenty of Xbox loyalists are now eyeing the PS5 like it’s the last chug jug in the storm. With comparable pricing and some major exclusives (Wolverine, anyone?), the PlayStation platform is looking more tempting than ever.
Why It Matters
⚡ Price vs Value
- Xbox used to be the value king with Game Pass and cheaper hardware. Now? Series X matches PS5 in price, but the ecosystem’s benefits are under pressure.
- Add $80 first-party titles, and suddenly that “value” starts to look like a microtransaction trap.
🏛️ Industry Domino Effect
- Expect Sony and Nintendo to test the waters. If Microsoft isn’t seeing a drop in sales, why wouldn’t the others raise prices too?
- PC gamers are side-eyeing this like, “Don’t even think about it.”
🎮 Game Pass Might Be Next
Game Pass still rocks for now—but if that rumored price bump lands, the question becomes: is it still worth it at $19.99/month?
Should You Stick With Xbox?
Here’s the breakdown:
Stay with Xbox if…
- You’re deep into Game Pass and love the ecosystem
- You prioritize performance and don’t mind the upfront cost
Consider PlayStation if…
- You’re looking at long-term game prices and exclusive titles
- You’re a sucker for sleek UI and DualSense wizardry
Wild card: Go PC
- If you’ve got the cash, building a mid-tier PC might offer more flexibility and access to Xbox/PlayStation titles eventually
Final Take
This isn’t just a price hike. It’s Microsoft testing the limits of loyalty and value perception. And while Xbox still offers solid services, gamers are rightly cautious. Whether it’s a sidegrade to PS5 or an all-out escape to PC, the console war just got spicier.
Bottom line: Xbox isn’t dead, but it’s definitely been nerfed in the eyes of budget-conscious players. Your move, Sony.
What do you think? Is $600 too steep, or does Game Pass still save the day? Drop your takes below or hit us up on Twitter/X!
