Xbox Series X and S: Buy Before Price Increase

Microsoft has recently announced an increase in the prices of Xbox consoles, controllers, and eventually games. The new recommended retail prices for hardware are effective immediately, whereas the $79.99 price for new first-party games will be implemented starting this holiday season. If you've been considering purchasing an Xbox Series X|S or a new controller, now is the time to act, as the higher prices are already reflected on Xbox’s official store. However, some retailers are still offering the previous prices, though this may not last long.

Xbox Series X

Xbox Series X - 1TB

Xbox Series X - $499 (Going Up to $599 Soon)

• Get it at Amazon
• Get it at GameStop
• Get it at Walmart (third-party seller)

Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition - $449 (Going Up to $549 Soon)

• Get it at Amazon
• Get it at GameStop
• Get it at Target
• Get it at Walmart (third-party seller)

The Xbox Series X stands as the flagship model, boasting the power to deliver games at 4K resolution. It's a powerhouse that I personally favor over my PS5, especially for its support of physical games. If you're okay with a digital-only library, the 1TB Digital Edition offers a $50 savings.

Xbox Series S

Xbox Series S - 512GB

Xbox Series S 512GB - $299 (Going Up to $379 Soon)

• Get it at Amazon
• Get it at GameStop
• Get it at Target
• Get it at Walmart

Xbox Series S 1TB - $349 (Going Up to $429 Soon)

• Get it at Amazon
• Get it at GameStop
• Get it at Target
• Get it at Walmart

For those comfortable with a digital-only future, the Series S is an appealing option, though it compromises on raw power, running games at 1440p rather than 4K. If this resolution suits your needs, the Series S is a fantastic choice. It’s available in both 512GB and 1TB variants. Given the hefty storage demands of modern games, I'd recommend opting for the 1TB model, as additional Xbox storage can be costly.

Xbox Wireless Controllers

Out August 13: Xbox Wireless Controller – Sky Cipher Special Edition

Some Xbox controllers will also see a price increase, though not all models will be affected equally. Prices for controllers have been more dynamic than those for consoles, so the impact might be less noticeable. Here are the upcoming price adjustments for Xbox controllers:

• Xbox Wireless Controller (Core) - $64.99
• Xbox Wireless Controller (Color) - $69.99
• Xbox Wireless Controller - Special Edition - $79.99
• Xbox Wireless Controller - Limited Edition - $89.99 (up from $79.99)
• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core) - $149.99 (up from $139.99)
• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full) - $199.99 (up from $179.99)

Act now to take advantage of current prices before these changes take effect.