Islamabad, May 5, 2025: Microsoft has delivered a blow to Xbox fans worldwide by announcing sweeping price increases across its consoles, accessories, and first-party games.
Blaming rising global market pressures and development costs, the tech giant’s new pricing takes effect immediately — leaving many gamers wondering how they’ll keep up.
What’s Changing — And By How Much?
The flagship Xbox Series X now carries a hefty $599.99 price tag, a $100 surge from its previous $499.99. Its digital-only sibling climbs to $549.99, marking another $100 bump.
The biggest price jump, however, hits the Galaxy Black Special Edition (2TB), soaring by $130 to a steep $729.99. Even the budget-friendly Xbox Series S models aren’t spared, seeing $80 hikes across versions.
Accessories like controllers and headsets also join the price parade.
The standard Xbox Wireless Controller now costs $64.99 (up from $59.99), while the top-tier Elite Series 2 (Full) controller leaps by $40 to $199.99.
Both stereo and wireless headsets see similar increases, adding more pressure on players upgrading their gear.
For game lovers, the pain continues: new first-party Xbox titles will now launch at $80 — a $10 jump from the previous $70 standard — starting with the 2025 holiday releases.
Value Play: Game Pass Holds Steady
One silver lining? Xbox Game Pass subscription fees remain unchanged, allowing gamers access to new releases without paying inflated single-title prices.
Industry analysts suggest Microsoft is doubling down on its subscription model to retain player loyalty despite hardware and software hikes.
Expert Take: Why the Sudden Surge?
According to gaming economist Alex Mirza, “The global inflation wave and ballooning production costs are hitting the gaming sector hard. Microsoft’s pricing adjustments reflect industry-wide challenges, not just corporate greed.” Mirza adds that other console makers, like Sony and Nintendo, may soon follow suit — so Xbox owners aren’t alone in facing steeper bills.
Read More: Top 10 Best Smartphones Under PKR 40,000 in Pakistan 2025
Quick Look: Xbox Old vs. New Prices
| Product | Old Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 512GB | $299.99 | $379.99 |
| Xbox Series S 1TB | $349.99 | $429.99 |
| Xbox Series X (Digital) | $449.99 | $549.99 |
| Xbox Series X (Standard) | $499.99 | $599.99 |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black SE | $599.99 | $729.99 |
| Xbox Wireless Controller (Core) | $59.99 | $64.99 |
| Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 | $159.99 | $199.99 |
| Xbox Stereo Headset | $59.99 | $64.99 |
| Xbox Wireless Headset | $109.99 | $119.99 |
| First-Party Xbox Games | $70.00 | $80.00 |
What This Means for You
While the price spikes sting, savvy gamers may find value sticking with Game Pass or hunting for deals on accessories before the next wave of increases. As the gaming world braces for more industry-wide shifts, Xbox fans will need to weigh whether to upgrade now or wait for discounts.
Tell us: Will you still buy Xbox hardware at these new prices, or are you considering switching platforms? Drop your thoughts below and join the conversation!
