Xbox Just Raised Prices on Consoles, Controllers, and Games Because "Market Conditions" and I'm Tired

Well folks, it finally happened. Xbox just raised prices on consoles, controllers, headsets, and some future games. Why? "Market conditions," they say. You know, that magical catch-all phrase that means "you'll be paying more for the same thing, and we hope you don't ask too many questions."

The Xbox Series X is now $599 (was $499.99). The Series S is creeping dangerously close to $430 (was $349.99). The new special edition console with a 2TB hard drive? A cool $729.99 (was $599.99). Wireless controllers now start at $64.99 and can climb up to $199.99, which I assume comes with haptic regret and a direct hotline to Phil Spencer whispering sweet financial justifications.

And just in time for the holidays, new first-party Xbox games will be jumping to $79.99. That's right - Microsoft is joining Nintendo in making gaming a very expensive hobby.

Yes, tariffs are part of this. Yes, other companies are doing it too. But let's be real: it's exhausting. Gaming was never cheap, but now it's starting to feel like luxury reserved only for the rich. I just wanted to unwind after a hard day's work, man…

Anyway. Good luck out there, Spartans.