When Xbox first announced that it was following in Nintendo’s footsteps (a good thing if we’re talking purely about game design) and would hitch an $80 price tag onto some of its games — The Outer Worlds 2, no less — it went over about as well as you’d expect. Picture a balloon, but made out of lead.
Outer your mind if you think we payin’ $80
Dear Galactic Citizens!⁰⁰We have received your SOS via skip drone about the pricing. As an organization devoted to making sure that corporations do not go unfettered, we at the Earth Directorate have worked with [REDACTED] to revise the price of The Outer Worlds 2. While this… pic.twitter.com/skOjxWBXIB
— The Outer Worlds (@OuterWorlds) July 23, 2025
It’s a feat that Nintendo managed to get away with, locking its latest and greatest games, like Mario Kart World, behind the $80 (R1,530) price tag, as well as a brand-new Switch 2, where it could at least deliver upgraded visuals and features. Whereas The Outer Worlds 2 is headed to the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC — nothing we haven’t seen before.
Now, Microsoft has realised it can’t handle the heat, particularly for a game like The Outer Worlds 2, and that it was reverting to the still too-expensive $70 industry standard. We fully expect Microsoft to follow through on the $80 price point eventually, possibly with a title like Call of Duty that’s sure to garner tons of players no matter what, Nintendo style.
Read More: Helldivers 2 comes to the Xbox Series X/S this August
“We’re focused on bringing players incredible worlds to explore, and will keep our full priced holiday releases, including The Outer Worlds 2, at $69.99 – in line with current market conditions,” an Xbox spokesperson explained in a statement to Windows Central.
If you were one of the (likely) few who did end up pre-ordering The Outer Worlds 2 at the original price, fear not. You’ll be reimbursed the difference at the point of your purchase, meaning you must return to the Xbox store (or your local retailer) to make that happen.
The Outer Worlds 2 launches on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on 29 October.
