The news that a year and a half after the release in one country or another, you can just pick up and buy an Xbox will seem rather strange. However, recent years have been extraordinary, resulting in microchip shortages and supply issues. As a result, for a long time the American market was actively traded by speculators who bought the Xbox Series X and resold it at an inflated price. And only in recent months the situation began to improve.
For months, American gamers looking to buy the Xbox Series X have been forced to place orders, track shipments and queue up to get their hands on the $500 console.
However, now all you have to do is go to Walmart or another retailer and the Xbox Series X is available without the need for a reservation. What this is connected with is not entirely clear – perhaps this is a sign that the situation with the chips is improving. Perhaps it was possible to optimize logistics. Maybe the means of combating speculators work.
Another potential answer is the popularity of the Xbox Series S. The younger version of the console is nowhere near as powerful, but costs $300 and had far fewer problems with its supply.
At the same time, the situation with the PS5 remains about the same level as before – it is much more difficult to find it in stores, and speculators are always ready to buy supplies and resell on ebay.