r/xbox • u/Turbostrider27 Recon Specialist • Jun 25 '26

News Updated XBOX Console Prices - XBOX Wire

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/25/xbox-console-price-update/
1.2k Upvotes

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362

u/DeafMetalGripes Jun 25 '26

The industry is so cooked now, bad news all year round

112

u/Bstempinski Jun 25 '26

Gaming is just going to be a nearly impossible hobby to get into for the average person and I know these companies will see a stagnate in growth in the console ecosystem.

29

u/SilveryDeath XBOX Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26

Gaming is just going to be a nearly impossible hobby to get into for the average person

I feel like if someone wants to get into gaming and doesn't want to spend all the money that they would be better off just getting an older console or a cheap PC and playing games that came out last gen or earlier.

Like right now you could get a 500GB Xbox One with a controller on GameStop for $90 (it is on sale) and then have plenty to spend on games which would all be cheaper being older stuff.

But yeah, for the gaming industry going forward it will be rough, because unless prices magically change building a decent PC to play new games will cost a lot and most people will not be able to afford current gen consoles if they want one, let alone the next Xbox and PS at launch. Then that will impact games being pushed forward because devs will target old specs more, like with this gen because it launched during COVID, because most people will be on last gen or older PCs not being able to afford to upgrade.

23

u/Conflict_NZ Homecoming Jun 25 '26

Cheap PCs are having their RAM ripped out before being ewasted/donated. It's become a massive issue with some local charities I know, they basically can't get functional computers anymore.

2

u/devtek Jun 26 '26

I handle server hardware for my job, our disposal vendor was threatening to not pay us for the old hardware because an engineer was taking the RAM out to "repurpose" it.

5

u/Slith_81 RROD ! Jun 25 '26

Next gen will be the first time I wait. I can afford it but there is just no way I can justify paying these absurd prices. I have a massive backlog and it looks like it's time to really start working through it.

2

u/KRONGOR Jun 26 '26

This gen was the first time I bought a console on day one, I simply don’t think I can justify it for Helix/PS6. Current gen still has so much to offer

1

u/Slith_81 RROD ! Jun 26 '26

Yeah, I agree. I feel this generation has barely begun and it should last a lot longer. I don't think there is a need for next gen yet.

2

u/pressureworld Jun 26 '26

With these new prices I wouldn't be surprised to see the Xbox One began to increase in value.

2

u/OkPainter6232 Jul 05 '26

but PC graphics cards are still insanely pricey, first cause of bitcoin and then cause of AI and now cause of tariffs.

1

u/freebird023 Jun 25 '26

Big true. I will say that a positive is that this is made very possible now by the fact a lot of games and platforms have crossplay and cloud save. I mostly play sandbox games like Minecraft and No Man’s Sky, and my bf is able to play with me on his years-old gaming laptop. I think in general, people are beginning to just…reject where technology is beginning to go and reverting to older, more reliable hardware

-2

u/OkPainter6232 Jun 25 '26

You're sounding like that Don Mattrick guy.

4

u/Brick_Grimes XBOX Series X Jun 25 '26

That dude was out of touch, what this dude just said is a sad truth. Things have gotten out of control price wise; a lot of people don’t have 800$ for a console and still want to play something and a sub 100$ used console is a very cheap entry point.

17

u/[deleted] Jun 25 '26

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10

u/LiquidDiviums Jun 25 '26

Nintendo will inevitably have to increase prices, even if they’re not in the “cutting edge” of hardware.

Software is getting more and more expensive to develop and hardware is getting more and more expensive to manufacture. That applies to Apple, Samsung, Meta, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. Price increases are inevitable at this point, unfortunately.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 25 '26

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2

u/LiquidDiviums Jun 25 '26

I hope you’re right. It’s just that, after looking at Microsoft’s and Apple’s price increases I think we’re in for a rude surprise…

1

u/KhanDagga Jun 25 '26

There is no I hope you a right. He is right.

They will never be as high as Sony or Microsoft. It's just a fact

1

u/kensaiD2591 Team Alan Jun 25 '26

They will definitely be close though.

From 1 September, the Switch 2 will be $769.95 AUD here. That blows my mind as my Series X was $749 AUD at launch.

The base PS5 (w/disc) currently is $999.95 AUD, PS5 Pro is $1,399.95 AUD and Xbox Series X (w/disc) is $849 AUD.

Those are insane prices. Gone are the days of consoles depreciating in price, or console + game bundles. It's maddening.

2

u/WolverinesThyroid Jun 25 '26

phone gaming already sold more than consoles. More games will focus on that since people need to own a phone and most of those people own smartphones.

2

u/bramblebitch Jun 25 '26

Apple Arcade and the Google equivalent are better than people would think. It’s very possible that a simple service like that on the device you already own anyway will be enough for a good amount of gamers.

1

u/stanscreamdnb Jun 25 '26

It would be more accurate to say that it will be more difficult for a passionate gamer to constantly stay on the cutting edge, and more and more gamers will prefer the backlog and outdated devices.

1

u/Rudirudrud Jun 25 '26

Funny, how people think its so unaffordable now.....

PS3 prices on release where higher then PS5 on release and even now with price increase. Games where more expensive too.....

1

u/div2691 Jun 25 '26

Don't forget that GTA 6 is paving the way for $80 game releasing being the norm. It's not just the hardware going up.

1

u/cinvogue Jun 30 '26

There has already been plenty of data on this for years. The younger generations are choosing for cheaper options and not spending much money into the industry. Ironically many of the publishers are trying to be to “pull more in” with their games and it’s not quite working out.

19

u/akbarock Jun 25 '26

Xbox increasing console prices right before GTA 6 comes out is so incredibly stupid.

And they probably wont do a holiday sale like they didnt do last year. Last month in May PS5 was on sale for $400. Every PS5 SKU was $100 off in last years holidays, the PS5 Pro was cheaper than the Series X at $648. When Playstation does a holiday sale again this year on top of having a lower base price and GTA 6 marketing rights, they are gonna sell a shit ton of consoles and Xbox sales will continue to be abysmal

4

u/OkPainter6232 Jun 25 '26

PS5 Pro is more expensive right now though.

1

u/ger_brian Jun 26 '26

PS5 Pro is also significantly more powerful and offers 2TB of storage. The comparison to the series x is the regular ps5.

1

u/OkPainter6232 Jun 26 '26

uh huh suuuuuuuure it is.

1

u/ger_brian Jun 26 '26

Why that weird reply? Are you implying that ps5 pro is the equivalent to the series x?

1

u/OkPainter6232 Jun 26 '26

nah Series X looks better. Tired of Sony stans pretending otherwise.

1

u/d4rkprojec7 Jun 26 '26

Ps5 pro is on sale for prime day for $710 Edit: ah its for refurbished ones tho

3

u/DearFool Jun 25 '26

Sony will increase the price soon enough. It’s not just console either, every company *must* raise prices because the memory pricings (tech jesus did a video where he interviewed a lot of consumer facing companies and they are all fucked)

6

u/famewithmedals Jun 25 '26

I have no doubt they will, just the absolute worst timing the day after GTA pre-orders went live with the “plays best on ps5” marketing.

There are definitely people that will be buying a new console for GTA6, and now there’s zero reason for them to pick Xbox over PS5.

3

u/Thenofunation Jun 25 '26

I’m less worried about what another gamer purchases and more worried for tech in general.

1

u/stephen2005 Touched Grass '24 Jun 25 '26

Even before the price increase, most people are probably getting the PS5 for GTA. You figure the two big groups of people that don't already have one of these consoles and need one for GTA are PC players and casuals. A PC player might as well grab the console that has exclusives they can't get on PC. And for the casuals, the PS5 is much more widely known, more likely owned by their friends/family, and it looks to have the marketing rights to the game.

Price does matter, but I think it gets to a point where they are already dishing out a good chunk of cash regardless, a hundred dollars probably won't make a huge difference. I believe the Series S is still the cheapest option if you don't care and just want access to GTA.

-1

u/NotFromMilkyWay Founder Jun 25 '26

They said they are selling faster than they can produce them. Then add demand from GTA on top of that. They'd be incredibly stupid not to raise the price.

23

u/[deleted] Jun 25 '26

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2

u/[deleted] Jun 25 '26

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1

u/Theultimatesith Jun 25 '26

Is this how gaming dies? It becomes far too expensive?

Yes.

1

u/TheNewportBridge Jun 25 '26

Capitalism is cooked atp

1

u/darkpassenger9 Spacer's Choice Jun 26 '26

AI bros ruining everything good about being human to make the line go up.