August 2, 2026
Console wars? More like wallet wars
Microsoft raises Xbox prices by up to 43%
Fans say Xbox is spiraling as prices jump and patience runs out
TLDR: Microsoft is raising Xbox prices in Europe and the UK by as much as 43 percent, making some models hundreds more expensive than before. In the comments, many fans say this feels like proof the brand is struggling, while a few argue the company may simply be trapped by rising manufacturing costs.
Microsoft has cranked up Xbox prices in Europe and the UK, and the community reaction is less calm discussion and more full-blown breakup energy. The biggest shocker is the smaller Xbox Series S, which jumps by more than 43 percent in some regions, while the disc version of the Series X climbs to a jaw-dropping €799.99 or £669.99. For many commenters, this wasn’t just a price update — it was the latest chapter in what they see as Xbox’s ongoing identity crisis, after layoffs, studio closures, and a steady drip of bad headlines. One user flatly asked what Microsoft even expects from the brand at this point, while another declared that if their family’s Xbox dies, they’re heading straight to PlayStation or a gaming PC.
That dramatic mood was mixed with a lot of dark humor. One of the sharpest jokes summed up the vibe as: they took everything from you, and now you can’t even buy cheap electronics anymore. Others got nostalgic, mourning the good old days of the GameCube, original Xbox, and PlayStation 2, when consoles felt like a better deal and companies seemed more eager to win fans over. Not everyone was ready to grab a pitchfork, though. A smaller, calmer camp argued that outsiders don’t know the full story and that rising parts costs may be forcing Microsoft’s hand. Still, in the court of public opinion, the verdict in the comments was brutal: this looks less like a price rise and more like a brand loyalty stress test.
Key Points
- •Microsoft has disclosed new Xbox console prices for the EU and UK, with increases of up to €200 or £170 depending on the model.
- •The 1TB Xbox Series X Disc rises from £499.99 / €599.99 to £669.99 / €799.99, while the 512GB Xbox Series S rises from £299.99 / €349.99 to £429.99 / €499.99.
- •The article says this is Microsoft’s third round of Xbox price increases since May 2025.
- •The Verge reports that rising RAM and storage costs, driven by AI-related demand, are affecting console pricing across the market.
- •The 2TB Xbox model is being retired, and the highest-end model now costs $300 more than its 2020 launch price of $499.99.