Walmart stocks Xbox section with Switch 2 games, as console loses appeal after price increase
After repeated Xbox price increases, multiple stores have begun phasing out Microsoft’s consoles and games. Walmart, one of the largest U.S. retailers, has been repurposing Xbox displays to promote Switch 2 games. While the situation differs by location, buyers report a diminishing presence of the brand.
In the latest insult to Xbox supporters, The Gaming Dude shared a startling image on social media. Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World and Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition appear where Xbox games once stood proudly. These titles now find themselves stacked together at the bottom of the Walmart case. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is at least available on both consoles, but gamers find the mix of red and green coloring to be jarring.
It’s unclear how many storefronts are marginalizing Xbox in their entertainment departments. Still, buyers report similar scenes across the U.S. Another shopper revealed that movies have taken priority in at least one storefront. Outside the country, some stores are featuring various electronics rather than Xbox games.
Xbox is disappearing at many retailers
The holiday season doesn’t seem any more promising, with Xbox not included in Walmart’s Christmas catalog. Sam’s Club, owned by the same retailer, seems anxious to rid itself of anything related to Microsoft Gaming. Even after an Xbox price increase on the Series X and S, the warehouse chain is offering dramatic discounts on the consoles. Its Costco competitor also announced that it will no longer stock the gaming systems. For now, Microsoft will have to rely on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally to entice buyers shopping for new hardware.
With Game Pass demanding $29.99 for its Ultimate tier, there is less incentive to stay loyal to the brand. Even so, Microsoft has yet to announce that it has stopped production of the Xbox Series X|S. Discussed by Pure Xbox, it also responded to recent reports about the cancellation of future Xbox consoles. The company maintains that it hasn’t abandoned its hardware plans, but skeptics remain unconvinced.
