Microsoft has recently announced a price increase for Xbox consoles, controllers, and upcoming games. The new recommended retail prices for hardware are effective immediately, while the price for new first-party games will rise to $79.99 starting this holiday season. If you're considering purchasing an Xbox Series X|S or a new controller, now is the time to act before the prices go up. The updated prices are already reflected on Xbox's official store, but you might still find the original prices at select retailers for a limited time.

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 model, boasting the power to run games at 4K resolution. As a proud owner, I can say it outperforms my PS5 in many ways. I appreciate the ability to purchase and play physical games, which is why I recommend the standard model. However, if you're comfortable with an all-digital library, the digital edition offers a $50 saving.

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 who are ready to go all-digital, the Xbox Series S is an excellent choice. However, it's worth noting that it has less raw power than the Series X, designed to run games at 1440p resolution. If this resolution suits your needs, the Series S is a fantastic option. It's available in both 512GB and 1TB models. Given the large file sizes of modern games and the cost of additional storage, I'd recommend opting for the 1TB version.

Xbox Wireless Controllers

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

Xbox Wireless Controller – Sky Cipher Special Edition - $60.96 (Originally $79.99)

• Get it at Amazon

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