Sam’s Club has begun clearing out its remaining Xbox Series X and Series S consoles at steep discounts, becoming the latest retailer to do so. The move has sparked speculation about what’s happening behind the scenes with Microsoft’s console strategy, especially as consumer frustration with Xbox continues to rise.
Over the past few months, Xbox has faced criticism from gamers over a combination of controversial decisions — from the price hikes of Xbox Game Pass and consoles to the introduction of ads appearing on dashboards for users without active subscriptions. These changes, paired with declining retail enthusiasm, have led many to question the platform’s current direction.
Major Discounts at Sam’s Club
According to circulating reports and in-store photos, Sam’s Club is offering Xbox Series X and Series S consoles for drastically reduced prices. One store lists the Xbox Series X 1TB digital model at just under $280, down from the standard $499, while the Xbox Series S 512GB has been spotted for $239 — and even as low as $179 in certain locations.
These discounts come shortly after Microsoft raised the official retail prices on October 3, with the Xbox Series X now listed at $599.99 and the Series S at $399.99. This means that, in some Sam’s Club locations, shoppers can purchase two Xbox Series S consoles for less than the price of one at standard retail.
A Broader Shift Among Retailers
Sam’s Club isn’t the first major chain to mark down Xbox consoles. Costco recently cleared its Xbox stock entirely, confirming that it would not be restocking the systems. While no official explanation was provided beyond general business considerations, many observers believe sales performance may be the driving factor.
Even notable industry figures have weighed in on the situation. Former Blizzard executive Mike Ybarra recently commented that the “Xbox family of consoles is dead,” reflecting the growing sentiment that Microsoft’s current hardware strategy may be losing traction.
Despite these developments, Microsoft appears committed to continuing its work on next-generation Xbox hardware. While the retail sell-offs may point to a transitional phase for the brand, the Xbox name itself remains firmly in play for the foreseeable future.
