Breaking News: Costco Discontinues Online Sales of Xbox Consoles – What This Means for Gamers!

Costco has recently removed Xbox consoles and related products from its online store in the US and UK. Reports from The Gamer confirm this change, and I checked myself—no Xbox products show up on their site. Interestingly, sections for Sony PlayStation and Nintendo Switch remain intact, allowing customers to still buy those consoles and their accessories.

While it’s still a mystery if this removal applies to physical stores, some Reddit users have noticed a marked absence of Xbox items in-person as well. I’ve reached out to Costco for more details and will update if I hear back.

This move raises questions about Xbox’s performance in the market. The PS5 has nearly 80 million units sold, while the Xbox Series X/S lags behind with around 42 million. This trend mirrors past struggles with the Xbox One, which prompted speculation that Microsoft might even consider exiting the console market. Although Microsoft has denied these claims, the company is reportedly working on a new console, signaling that they aren’t backing down just yet. Interestingly, they are also releasing games for rival systems, which could hint at a shift in strategy.

In case you’re curious, the broader gaming market shows that players are increasingly seeking cross-platform options. A recent survey by Newzoo in 2023 revealed that 61% of gamers would prefer games that work across multiple consoles. This trend may influence Microsoft’s future decisions.

Overall, Costco’s decision reflects the shifting dynamics in the gaming industry and consumer preferences. What does this mean for Xbox moving forward? Only time will tell. For now, if you’re looking for an Xbox, you might need to explore other retailers.

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Costco, Xbox consoles, PS5