Buy Xbox Series X and S Before Price Increase

Microsoft has recently announced a price increase for Xbox consoles, controllers, and eventually, games. The new recommended retail prices for hardware are effective immediately, whereas the price for new first-party games will rise to $79.99 starting this holiday season. If you've been contemplating purchasing a new Xbox Series X|S or a controller, now is the time to act, as the new, higher prices are already reflected on Xbox's official store. However, you may still find the original prices at some retailers, though this won't 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 console in the Xbox lineup, boasting the power to run games at stunning 4K resolution. Personally, I find it superior to my PS5, especially for its ability to play physical games. If you're okay with going fully digital, the Digital Edition offers a $50 saving, which might be worth considering.

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 gamers ready to embrace an all-digital future, the Xbox Series S is a compelling choice. However, it's worth noting that it has less raw power, designed to run games at 1440p resolution rather than 4K. If that's not a deal-breaker for you, this console offers great value. It comes in 512GB or 1TB models. I'd recommend opting for the 1TB model due to the large file sizes of modern games and the high cost of additional Xbox storage.

Xbox Wireless Controllers

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

Some Xbox controllers are also seeing price increases, though not all models are affected equally. The pricing for controllers has been more variable than for the consoles, so the price hikes might be less noticeable. Here are the updated prices for various 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)