Xbox Prices Skyrocket in Europe Amidst Components Crisis

The prices of Xbox consoles in Europe have increased significantly, with some models seeing hikes of up to 40%. The most notable jump is on the Series X, which now costs €799.99, a 33% increase from its original price of €599.99. Meanwhile, the budget-friendly Series S has seen an even larger hike, with its price jumping from €349.99 to €499.99.

According to Microsoft, the price increases are due to the ongoing 'components crisis', which has caused memory and storage prices to more than double. The company warns that these prices will continue to rise, potentially doubling again by fall 2027. This is attributed to the increasing demand for AI data centers.

This news comes as a blow to gamers who were expecting affordable console options in the future. Analysts predict that Sony's upcoming PS6 may also see price hikes, potentially reaching $1,000 in bill of materials costs. Microsoft's own next-gen box, codenamed Project Helix, is expected to land around the same mark.

The prices for Xbox consoles in Europe are as follows: Series S (512 GB) €499, Series X 1TB €799.99, and Series S 1TB €599.99. US buyers have already seen price hikes on their Xbox consoles, with the Series S climbing from $399 to $499.