Xbox Series X and S: Buy Before Price Increase

Microsoft has recently announced a price increase for Xbox consoles, controllers, and upcoming first-party games. The new recommended retail prices for hardware are effective immediately, while the price for new first-party games, set at $79.99, 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 before the prices go up. While the new prices are already reflected on Xbox's official store, some retailers still offer the original prices, at least temporarily.

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 is the flagship console from Xbox, boasting the power to run games at 4K resolution. As a proud owner, I can say it's a beast that I cherish even more than my PS5. I prefer the standard model for its ability to play physical games, but if you're okay with going all-digital, the 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 an all-digital gaming future, the Xbox Series S is a great choice. However, keep in mind its lower raw power, designed to run games at 1440p resolution rather than 4K. If that's acceptable for you, it's a fantastic console. It's available in 512GB or 1TB models. Given the large file sizes of modern games and the cost of Xbox storage, I'd recommend opting for the 1TB model.

Xbox Wireless Controllers

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

Some Xbox controllers are also seeing a price increase, though not all models are affected equally. The pricing for controllers has been more variable compared to consoles, so the price hike may be less noticeable. Here are the upcoming price changes 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)