If you’re planning to dive into Grand Theft Auto VI this November, here’s a piece of advice you didn’t ask for but absolutely need to hear: buy your Xbox now. Like, right now. Before you finish reading this sentence. Still catching up on the basics? Check our GTA 6 pre-order date and release guide, full GTA 6 price breakdown, and GTA 6 size and system requirements before you lock in your setup.
Microsoft just dropped a price hike bomb that’s going to make your wallet weep. Starting August 1, 2026, every Xbox Series X|S console is getting more expensive — and we’re not talking pocket change. Here’s the new math:
That means the disc-drive Series X now costs a staggering $300 more than it did at launch back in 2020. The Series S? It’s now 50% more expensive than when it first hit shelves. And if you had your eye on the 2TB Galaxy Black edition — sorry, it’s being discontinued entirely.
Why the Xbox Sudden Price Jump?
Microsoft is pointing the finger at one culprit: memory and storage costs. According to the company, console storage and memory prices have ballooned by more than 2.5x, and they’re expecting another doubling by fall 2027. The root cause? The AI boom. Chipmakers like Micron and SK Hynix are prioritizing production for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI hardware like NVIDIA GPUs, leaving consumer electronics to fight over scraps [ 0 † L9 ].
Xbox said in a statement: “We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options”. But the math didn’t work out.
The GTA 6 Connection
Here’s where it gets interesting. This price hike announcement dropped on June 25, the exact same day that Rockstar opened pre-orders for GTA 6. Coincidence? Maybe. Bad timing? Absolutely. If you’re still deciding how to secure your copy, our where to pre-order GTA 6 guide breaks down the best ways to get ready before launch.
GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, exclusively for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The standard edition will set you back $79.99, with an Ultimate Edition at $99.99. That’s already a premium price tag for a game, so before you add a new console on top of it, it’s worth checking our GTA 6 price comparison to see how the different buying options stack up.
Now add the console cost on top. If you don’t already own a current-gen Xbox, you’re looking at at least $500 just for the entry-level Series S — and that’s before the game, before tax, and before any accessories.
The kicker? Pre-orders for the digital version of GTA 6 start on June 25, and pre-loading begins November 12. If you want to play on day one, you need a console that can run it. And with the price hike kicking in on August 1, you’ve got a narrow window to lock in the current prices.
Conclusion
Here’s the bottom line: Grand Theft Auto VI is shaping up to be the biggest game of the generation — maybe of all time. But playing it on Xbox is about to get a whole lot more expensive. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading to a Series X or grabbing a Series S, do it before August 1. The price hike is real, it’s steep, and it’s not going away. Microsoft is betting big that GTA 6 will drive console sales regardless of the cost — and honestly? They’re probably right. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay more than you have to.
Lock in the old price, secure your hardware, and get ready for Vice City. November’s coming fast.
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Eva Experienced Game Editor
I'm a video game guide editor. I love all kinds of video games, especially turn-based games. Right now, I'm playing a lot of Honkai: Star Rail, and I really enjoy planning strategies for each battle. I'm also passionate about open-world games like Genshin Impact, where exploring every corner of the map and discovering new stories is a wonderful experience. Plus, I'm a big fan of simulation and collection games, like Stardew Valley: farming, raising animals, and decorating my farm is very relaxing for me. As a guide editor, my goal is to help other players enjoy the game more by sharing useful tips and uncovering hidden secrets.
