Microsoft Increasing Its Price for the Xbox Series X and Game Pass

For video game lovers and console owners out there, we have some bad news for you as it turns out Microsoft is increasing the price for its Xbox Series X and Game Pass too for a number of regions come next month.

The word on the street points to Microsoft hiking its console hardware prices in a number of countries come August. The countries that won’t be affected by the price increase include the US, Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. Meaning, if your region isn’t part of this list, expect a price change soon.

Microsoft is also increasing the monthly prices of its Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions for the first time next month, which will see the base Game Pass subscription for console move up to $10.99 a month from $9.99.

“We’ve held on our prices for consoles for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market,” says Kari Perez, head of communications for Xbox, in a statement to The Verge.

Xbox Series X console pricing will essentially match the price hike Sony announced for the PS5 last year, with the Xbox Series X moving to £479.99 in the UK, €549.99 across most European markets, CAD $649.99 in Canada, and AUD $799.99 in Australia starting August 1st. The Xbox Series S pricing will not be adjusted in any markets, remaining at $299.99.

The price hike was definitely expected after Sony last year increased its console prices which is why Xbox is making the same move for its Series X as part of the pricing adjustments. Xbox chief Phil Spencer also hinted in October that pricing for subscriptions wouldn’t remain the same forever either.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass for Console pricing will increase starting July 6th. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will move from $14.99 per month to $16.99 (€14.99 / £12.99). The base Xbox Game Pass for Console pricing will also move from $9.99 a month up to $10.99 (€10.99 / £8.99). Microsoft is not changing PC Game Pass pricing, though.