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Xbox Console Prices Jump in 2025—Ybarra Says It’s Not About Tariffs

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 2:55 PM ET

So, you thought your wallet was safe after forking over the cash for that shiny new Xbox? Think again! It looks like Microsoft has decided our bank accounts needed another round of stress testing. Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, who probably knows a thing or two about how the gaming sausage is made, has decided to weigh in on the recent Xbox price hike, and oh boy, he is not holding back.

In a move that surprised absolutely no one with a cynical bone in their body, Microsoft has jacked up the prices on its consoles not once, but twice in a single year. And we’re not talking about a couple of bucks here and there. We’re talking about a serious chunk of change!

The Great Xbox Price Hike of 2025

Let’s break down the damage, shall we? It all started with the Xbox Series X getting a sneaky little price bump outside of the US last year. Fast forward to now, and Microsoft has decided to quietly discontinue the standard digital edition of the Xbox Series X. What’s taking its place? A “special edition” white, all-digital Series X. Sounds cool, right? Well, it also comes with a special edition price tag of $450. That’s a full $150 more than its dearly departed predecessor.

Ybarra, in a moment of glorious, unfiltered commentary on X (formerly Twitter), laid it all out: “Console price increases are not tariff issues, they are profit issues.” Ouch. Tell us how you really feel, Mike! He’s basically calling out the corporate speak and saying what we’re all thinking: this isn’t about covering costs; it’s about padding the bottom line. It’s a classic case of Microsoft criticism from someone who’s seen the industry from the inside.

Why the Sudden Price Jump, Microsoft?

Photo by Billy Freeman on Unsplash

So, what’s Microsoft’s excuse for this financial gut punch? Well, they’re framing this new console as a premium, special edition product. They’re also rolling out a 2TB “Galaxy Black” disc-drive version for a cool $600. It seems the strategy is to phase out the more affordable options and nudge us all toward the pricier models. Because, you know, we’ve all got money trees growing in our backyards, right next to our collection of rare, vintage Cheetos.

This whole situation leaves a pretty sour taste in your mouth. At a time when everyone is feeling the pinch, seeing a massive corporation like Microsoft squeeze more money out of its loyal fanbase is… well, it’s a bold move. Let’s see if it pays off for them.

Here’s a quick rundown of the price shenanigans:

The original Xbox Series S (512GB) was a steal at $300.
Now, we have a new white digital Series X for $600 (a $150 increase from the old digital version!).
And for the high-rollers, a 2TB Galaxy Black Series X for a whopping $800.

It really feels like the good old days of grabbing a new console without needing to take out a small loan are long gone. What do you think? Is this just the cost of next-gen gaming, or is Microsoft getting a little too greedy for its own good? Let the great console wars—and our collective groaning—continue!

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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